The Gemological Institute of America is expanding the carat weight range of diamonds that qualify for its Diamond Dossier service and restructuring some fees.

“We’re making our Diamond Dossier service accessible to more people through a wider range of diamond sizes,” said Tom Moses, senior vice president of GIA Laboratory and Research. “Effective June 1, we’ll be lowering the minimum size of diamonds graded to 0.15 cts. and raising the largest size to 1.99 cts.”

Since it was introduced in late 1998, the compact Diamond Dossier format has been an attractive product for both the general public and the industry, GIA said.

“The Dossier includes the same grading, proportion and measurement information as the GIA Diamond Grading Report, but without a plotting diagram,” Moses said. “This makes it a cost-effective grading and inscription service for diamonds in this size range.”

The Diamond Dossier comes with a free laser inscription registry of the GIA report number on the stone’s girdle. Additional information can be inscribed for a fee.

With the expanded Dossier service, the smallest diamonds (now 0.15–0.22 cts.) will cost $40, down from $44; and the fee for 0.23–0.46 ct. stones will rise from $40 to $42.

In the newly expanded upper range, Dossiers for 1.00–1.49 ct. diamonds will cost $90 and those in the 1.50–1.99 ct. range will cost $100.

Moses said that turnaround time for gem testing is dropping and will be “down “significantly in the coming months.”

JCK