GIA Diamond Dossier – Certificates Explained Meaning & Price

GIA diamond dossier certificate with diamond ring

What is a Diamond Dossier?

A GIA Diamond Dossier ® refers to the conveniently sized report created by the Gemmological Institute of America (GIA), with a list of the key characteristics of a diamond.

Dossier reports differ from larger certificates by the amount of detail and price. In fact, the Diamond Dossier represents the most popular report used by jewellers and merchants. Jewellers or diamond dealers submit loose natural diamonds, or loose lab-grown diamonds for detailed assessment.

The Gemological Institute of America introduced Dossier certificates for diamonds 0.99 carats and below this weight.

More recently, GIA introduced this type of diamond report for stones with a carat weight from 0.15 carats to 1.99 carats.

The following video section shows an example of the dossier-style report included in many of our diamond ring purchases.

Information found on a GIA Diamond Dossier report

The report layout provides an easy-to-read format with the most important details clearly laid out for natural-cut diamonds.

Information includes a unique certificate number, shape, carat weight, colour, clarity, clarity characteristics, and important details on the proportions of the diamond. Most importantly, the laser-inscribed report number appears on both the diamond’s girdle and on the report.

Dossiers include a proportions diagram. In contrast, full reports include the plotted diagram showing the location of clarity characteristics (at additional cost).

Example GIA diamond grading report

Example dossier report

Diamond certification provides consumers with the reassurance that the diamond purchased meets the description given. Most importantly, the information determines the value of the diamond and provides a key reassurance of the stone’s value.

Our table below provides a list of the key information found on a diamond dossier.

Report Number: 123456789
Shape and Cutting Style: Round Brilliant
Measurements: 5.72 – 5.75 x 3.52 mm
Carat Weight: 1.23 carats
Color Grade: E
Clarity Grade: VVS1
Cut Grade: Excellent
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Fluorescence: None
Comments: Additional remarks or observations
Laser Inscription: No inscription
Proportions: Crown Angle: 34.5°, Pavilion Angle: 40.8°, Girdle: Thin to Medium, Culet: None
Diagram: Diagram image here
Grading Report Date: June 15, 2023

Who creates GIA Diamond Dossiers?

Diamonds submitted to one of GIA’s diamond grading laboratories undergo an assessment by qualified gemmologists adhering to strict and consistent standards for grading diamonds.

For example, the details listed include colour grading, a key indicator of the whiteness of the diamond. In addition, the clarity, cut, polish and symmetry features on the report—all important for the overall brilliance of the stone.

GIA Diamond Dossiers for lab-grown diamonds

In addition to the diamond dossier for natural diamond GIA provides a Dossier report for lab-grown diamonds.

“The GIA Laboratory-Grown Diamond Report – Dossier includes full 4Cs assessment described on the same scale as the GIA Diamond Dossier® for natural diamonds, but does not correlate to nature’s continuum of rarity. The laboratory-grown diamond’s girdle is laser inscribed with the term “Laboratory-Grown” and its GIA report number. Digital-only report.”

Example of a lab-grown GIA dossier diamond report.

Do all diamonds include certificates or dossiers?

Not all diamonds include a diamond grading report or certificate. In fact, many of the diamonds sold worldwide qualify as certified diamonds unless they were sent to a laboratory for assessment.

But, over the last 10 years, demand for certification continues to grow. In fact, most consumers now insist on some form of documentation to verify their purchase. Therefore, the addition of a certificate gives reassurance to buyers.

At the same time, a diamond report provides important information used on jewellery appraisals and valuations used for insuring jewellery.

Surprisingly, very few larger high street jewellers offer reputable certificates and omit important information about diamond quality on their products.

The introduction of digital reports by GIA

In 2022, GIA began a move towards digital diamond reports, with digital dossier reports for graded diamonds.

Traditional printed Diamond Dossiers from digital reports.

Any client who submitted the diamond may request a no-cost printed GIA Diamond Dossier® for diamonds that received a digital-only report.

Requests, including the original report number and the submitting client’s name, should be sent to DossierReprint@gia.edu.

Alternative diamond certificates – IGI, HRD etc.

In addition, many other laboratories exist—all grading diamonds with a variety of different report size. However, most offer the same dossier-style certificate. For example, the International Gemmological Institute provides a lower-cost service with a similar level of grading.

Similarly, HRD also provides the same levels of service. However, buyers should be cautious of less reputable reports and in-house reports issued without the backing of a legitimate diamond laboratory.

For a list of further laboratories, please see our diamond certification information page.

GIA diamond dossier price

The price of the diamond dossier service in $USD appears on the GIA website listed for untreated, white diamonds falling between D colour and Z colour. (Updated 2023). However, keep in mind that other agents often charge more for handling, posting and insuring diamonds on your behalf.

Weight (carats) Fee
0.15 to 0.22 $30
0.23 to 0.29 $32
0.30 to 0.39 $39
0.40 to 0.49 $41
0.50 to 0.69 $42
0.70 to 0.99 $51
1.00 to 1.49 $85
1.50 to 1.99 $110

The Price of a GIA Digital Diamond Dossier cost? How much?

GIA reduced the cost of report production outlined in the following press release.

CARLSBAD, Calif. – Jan. 18, 2023 – The Gemological Institute of America (GIA), the leading gemological grading and identification organization, is now offering a lower-cost GIA Laboratory-Grown Diamond Report – Dossier.

The revised report will no longer include the growth method or post-growth treatments, reducing fees for the service. For example, the revised report for a 1-carat laboratory-grown diamond will cost US$55, down from US$85. The report will continue to include the full 4Cs of Diamond Quality specifications and will now be available for laboratory-grown diamonds of 0.15 carats to a new upper range of 3.99 carats.

Some confusion exists within the jewellery industry. But, to clarify, the above prices remain consistent for Diamond Dossier reports with printed copies available by request. However, these should be made by the original person who submitted the diamond for grading.

A list of all additional services, and prices including the cost of E-Reports, Diamond Focus Reports and additional services can be found on the related PDF via GIA’s website.

What is a Diamond Origin Report?

Lastly, with little relation to the Dossier report, some clients have asked us about the Diamond Origin Report, available from GIA. At first, this appears to be a fascinating service. However, the restrictions make this unfeasible for many diamond traders.

“The GIA Diamond Origin Report uses scientific evaluation to provide confirmation of a diamond’s geographical origin. Origin information for a diamond helps you to distinguish between natural and laboratory-grown diamonds and deliver a strong message on the good mined diamonds do for the country they come from.”

Diamonds cannot be screened unless they have gone through GIA Rough Analysis Service before polishing.

For anyone interested in GIA certified diamonds with proof of origin, we recommend our Canadamark diamond service, available for small melee diamonds in addition to larger loose certified diamonds. All diamonds include 100% proven origin from the Ekati and Diavik mines with 100% ethical sourcing.

About Mark Johnson

My name is Mark and I'm founder at Serendipity Diamonds. By day you'll find me working in our showroom—in a variety of roles. My work (which I love) ranges from photographing jewellery, to writing blog posts and helping clients with my colleagues Drina, Emily and Debbie.

About Mark Johnson

My name is Mark and I'm founder at Serendipity Diamonds. By day you'll find me working in our showroom—in a variety of roles. My work (which I love) ranges from photographing jewellery, to writing blog posts and helping clients with my colleagues Drina, Emily and Debbie.