Established in 1931, GIA, or the Gemological Institute of America, is the world’s foremost authority on diamonds, colored stones, and pearls. A public benefit, nonprofit institute, GIA is the leading source of knowledge, standards, and education in gems and jewelry. In the 1940s, GIA established the “4Cs” and the International Diamond Grading System™ – to this day, the worldwide standard for evaluating diamond quality.

GIA is the world’s most trusted name in diamond grading and gem identification. With objectivity and expertise as its hallmarks, GIA ensures the integrity and accuracy of every report it issues. GIA tests every material submitted to determine whether it is natural or not, and discloses any treatments discovered during our examination. GIA’s groundbreaking research and unbiased grading and analysis set the global standards that protect the gem-buying public. With campuses, research centers, and laboratory facilities around the world, GIA is the world’s foremost authority in gemology.

Billy Hammock is certified by GIA as a Graduate Gemologist.