GIA GTL Makes Its Mark With Advanced Micro-laser Inscription Service
GIA Gem Trade Laboratory (GIA GTL) is inviting its customers to ‘read the small print’ and take advantage of its improved micro-laser inscription service. Using the latest technology, GIA GTL has built on over 15 years of inscription experience to launch an improved and expanded service - with significantly lower fees. The new GIA GTL inscription service provides the trade with superior registration and personalization options for diamonds as small as 0.23 ct - without affecting the color, clarity or other quality characteristics.
This refined service opens the feasibility floodgates to numerous practical applications and marketing opportunities for the trade. The girdle of a diamond can be engraved with its unique GIA Report number; retailer-specific inventory information; a ‘brand’ name (subject to documentary evidence of registration); and/or an infinite variety of personal messages such as ‘Love Jim 6/7/98’.
‘GIA GTL provides us with an excellent inscription service. Our diamonds are in and out of the lab very quickly and the quality of the inscription is first rate,’ commented Glenn Rothman, president of Di-Star Ltd., of Boston, MA. ‘We entrust the inscription of all Hearts on Fire diamonds to GIA GTL because they can do the job quickly, professionally and cost-effectively.’
Using the system’s highly precise laser beam, GIA GTL technicians are able to engrave alpha-numeric characters, approximately 60 microns high, which can be read with a loupe or microscope at 10X magnification. The inscription itself is semi-permanent and can only be removed with re-polishing.
Rothman, who has submitted diamonds for inscription to GIA GTL since April 1997, believes the quick turnaround time, coupled with a wholly professional approach, will appeal to fellow manufacturers. He said: ‘The laser inscription is small enough that we never have to flatten or change a girdle and this saves us valuable time in the sales process. As for the consumer, an inscription provides proof of quality and value - because it is written in stone! Inscription helps to take the fear out of buying diamonds.’
The inscription menu of services and prices is based on the weight of the diamond, the length of the inscription, and whether additional GIA GTL services are provided at the same time as the inscription. Complete fee schedules are available from GIA GTL and the following examples are based on a typical inscription ‘length’ of up to 15 spaces. Additional lengths are charged at 50% of the inscription fee.
Inscription of a GIA Report number - A diamond submitted to GIA GTL for grading can be inscribed at the same time with its corresponding GIA Report number for a nominal fee depending on its weight. For example, a diamond weighing less than 1.00 ct could be inscribed with its GIA report number for only $18, in addition to the servicing fee.
Diamonds which have already received a GIA Report number can be submitted for inscription in accordance with certain guidelines and fees.
Other inscription at the time of grading - A diamond submitted to GIA GTL for grading can be inscribed with a personal message, or company-specific information, at the same time for a nominal fee depending on its weight and the length of inscription. For example, a diamond weighing less than 1.00 ct could be inscribed with a personal message and/or company-specific information of up to 15 spaces for $28, in addition to the servicing fee.
Inscription only - A diamond submitted to GIA GTL for inscription only, without any other service, will incur a fee based on its weight and the length of inscription. For example, a diamond weighing less than 1.00 ct could be inscribed with a personal message and/or company-specific information of up to 15 spaces for $37.
Tom Yonelunas, chief executive officer of GIA Gem Trade Laboratory, decided to remodel the laser inscription service to meet growing demands from the trade. He said: 'We offer the trade a cost-effective way to engrave, protect and market their inventory. A diamond inscribed with a GIA Report number provides an additional sense of security when buying and selling, and instills greater consumer confidence. Inscription enables retailers to ‘add value’ to a sale.
Consumers can be offered the option of commemorating a special occasion with an inscribed personal message or date. I also expect a great many of our clients to request company-specific inscriptions such as a brand name or inventory information.’
Diamonds can be delivered by hand or shipped to GIA Gem Trade Laboratory for inscription services. They should be accompanied by a letter detailing the inscription requested, as well as any necessary documentation such as a trademark registration form.
For further information contact GIA GTL client services in New York at (212) 221-5858 or in Carlsbad at (760) 603-4500.
tks tho 
