GIA: Lab Business Up

In what could possibly maybe keep-your-fingers-crossed be a sign of improvement in the industry, the Gemological Institute of America said it is seeing some "nice numbers" at its diamond lab.

"Obviously we are thrilled and we are cautiously optimistic," said spokeswoman Laura Simanton. "It’s just one set of numbers so you can’t read too much into it. Summer is coming and that’s traditionally a slower time."

Of course, the sights are bigger and that may help. Still, even with decent-sized sights last year, GIA’s numbers fell so much it was forced to have a series of unprecedented layoffs.