The rise of consumer demand for authenticity in India presents a significant opportunity for India’s diamond and jewellery manufacturers, says Amit Pratihari, Managing Director, GIA India, as he shares insights into GIA’s operations in the country.
1. What in your words makes GIA a special organization?
What makes GIA truly special is its purpose. It is a public benefit, non-profit organization that exists to protect consumer trust, and that intent reflects in everything it does. For over 95 years, GIA has set the global benchmark for integrity, scientific rigor, and consistency in gemology.
What differentiates GIA is the combination of advanced research, cutting-edge technology, and human expertise, working together with one singular objective: accuracy. There is no commercial bias, only a commitment to truth. That is why GIA grading reports are respected and trusted worldwide.
For me personally, it is inspiring to be part of an organization where trust is not just a value, it is the core product.
2. Please give us an overview of GIA’s India operations – grading, research and education – and their relative importance in context of India.
India plays a pivotal role in the global diamond ecosystem, and GIA’s presence here reflects that importance. Our operations in India are anchored around the core pillars of laboratory services and education.
On the laboratory side, India is one of the largest centers globally for diamond grading, given the scale of manufacturing in the country. Our state-of-the-art grading laboratories in Mumbai and Surat serve both domestic and international clients, ensuring that every diamond graded here meets the same global standards.
Education is an important, and perhaps the most future–facing. India is one of the fastest-growing markets for gem and jewelry education, and we are focused on building a skilled, ethical, and globally competitive workforce.
Together, these areas reinforce India’s strategic importance, not just as a manufacturing hub, but as a knowledge and trust hub for the global industry.
3. What systems do you follow to ensure accuracy and consistency in grading processes?
Consistency in grading is at the heart of GIA’s credibility. We follow a rigorously standardized process across all our laboratories globally.
Each diamond is assessed by multiple independent graders, ensuring objectivity at every stage. This is supported by advanced detection, identification and grading instrumentation and proprietary technology that enhances precision.
Equally important is continuous training and calibration. Our graders undergo regular assessments to maintain uniformity in grading standards worldwide. The combination of human expertise, technology, and process discipline ensures that a GIA grading report carries the same level of accuracy irrespective of where it is issued.
4. What are some of the key research projects that GIA India’s researchers are engaged with?
GIA’s research in India is closely aligned with global priorities. Some key focus areas include detection and identification of laboratory-grown diamonds, advanced screening of treated stones, and understanding evolving diamond characteristics emerging from different sources.
Our teams also contribute to enhancing detection technologies and refining grading methodologies through data and insights derived from large volumes handled in India. All of this work feeds into GIA’s global knowledge base, ensuring the industry stays ahead of emerging challenges.
5. Have you developed any customized courses for India?
Yes, India is a unique market, and education needs here are evolving rapidly. While our core curriculum remains globally standardized, we have introduced programs and learning formats that are tailored to local industry needs. This includes flexible learning options, shorter duration lab classes, and courses that integrate business, retail, and consumer insights alongside gemology.
The focus is to make education more accessible and relevant, equipping professionals not just with technical knowledge, but also with the skills needed to succeed in a dynamic and competitive market.
6. Your lab deals in large volumes of high value merchandise. Can you share some details of the security systems you have in place?
Security at GIA is extremely robust and multi-layered, given the value and volume of goods handled. We have comprehensive systems that include advanced surveillance, restricted access zones, and strict chain-of-custody protocols. Every diamond is tracked through secure systems from the moment it enters the lab until it is returned.
In addition, we follow global best practices in audit and compliance, with regular reviews to ensure that our systems remain resilient and up to date. The objective is to ensure complete security while maintaining the efficiency and integrity of the grading process.
7. What is the trend regarding demand for grading reports in the Indian market? Is it rising? Why?
Yes, the demand for grading reports in India is clearly on the rise, and it reflects a broader shift in consumer behavior. Today’s consumer is far more informed and research-driven. An independent, third-party grading report is no longer optional, it is a fundamental part of the purchase decision. Trust has moved from being relationship-driven to being science-backed.
Additionally, as India evolves from a manufacturing-led market to a consumption-driven one, transparency and credibility have become critical. Retailers also recognize that GIA grading reports enhance consumer confidence and drive long-term loyalty. So, the growth in demand is both a function of awareness and the industry’s commitment to higher standards.
8. What role will emerging technologies like AI play in the future of diamond grading?
Artificial Intelligence (AI) will play a significant role in enhancing the efficiency and precision of diamond grading. It can help analyze large datasets, identify patterns, and improve consistency in grading processes. However, it is important to understand that AI will augment, not replace, human expertise. Gemology is a science that requires interpretation, judgment, and experience.
At GIA, the approach is to integrate technology in a way that strengthens accuracy while ensuring that final validation continues to be driven by expert gemologists. The future will be a powerful combination of AI-driven insights and human intelligence.
9. Future plans? What will change and what will be the same a year from now at GIA India?
What will remain constant is our commitment to integrity, accuracy, and consumer trust. Those are non-negotiable.
What will evolve is where we place our focus. Over the coming year, a key priority for GIA India will be helping Indian jewelry retail grow. Through retail training, consumer education, and our jewelry services, we want to equip retailers to sell with greater confidence and transparency.
The reason is simple. When retail grows, consumer demand for authenticity grows with it. An informed consumer asks for assurance, and that expectation travels back through the entire supply chain, from the retailer to the jeweler to the diamond manufacturer.
For India’s manufacturers, this is a significant opportunity. For decades, India has been where the world’s diamonds are cut and polished. Today, India is also becoming one of the world’s strongest jewelry consumer markets. A confident domestic consumer means sustained demand for well-graded, credible natural diamonds, right here at home.
Alongside this, we will continue investing in technology, research, and education, so that as India grows as a consumer market, it grows on a foundation of trust.