GIA Notifies Trade of Invalidated Grading Reports
CARLSBAD, Calif. – Oct. 23, 2015 – GIA has invalidated grading reports for 1,042 diamonds submitted primarily to our grading laboratory in India. An outside party who gained unauthorized remote access to GIA’s grading information database altered the reports. The list of invalidated reports is available on our website.
GIA strongly requests that anyone in possession of any of these diamonds or grading reports return them immediately to GIA for examination.
Based on discrepancies in grading information identified by internal controls, GIA initiated an investigation in conjunction with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), our contractor that supports GIA databases. The investigation revealed that an outside party altered grading information for 1,042 diamonds examined by GIA. The investigation indicates that one or more former employees of TCS made these unauthorized changes. The individuals, acting at the behest of other parties unrelated to GIA or TCS, gained unauthorized remote access to alter grades before reports were printed and sent to clients.
GIA and TCS have made the results of their investigation known to law enforcement agencies in India that are actively investigating the matter.
GIA is very appreciative of the efforts made by TCS to identify the affected reports and for their open and transparent cooperation during the investigation. We have further strengthened our systems, controls and procedures for access to our grading information database.
The clients who submitted the diamonds in question have been contacted and suspended from further submissions to GIA pending continued investigation.
Most of the diamonds were submitted in India. Many of those were graded in full or in part at other GIA locations including Carlsbad and New York. Some stones were submitted directly to GIA in Carlsbad. The diamonds were submitted between November 2014 and September 2015; approximately 900 were submitted in July and August.
GIA takes very seriously our mission to protect the public trust in gems and jewelry. Any attempt to mislead regarding the nature and qualities of any gem is unacceptable.
For press inquiries, please contact us, or 760-603-4411.
