Diamond Laser Inscription

Diamond Laser Inscription

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Diamond Laser Inscription — Security, Identity & What to Know

Laser inscription is a process that uses a very fine, precise laser beam to engrave text, numbers, or symbols onto the girdle — the narrow outer edge — of a diamond. The inscription is invisible to the naked eye and can only be read under magnification using a loupe or a specialised diamond inscription viewer.

Laser inscription serves two main purposes: it permanently links a diamond to its grading certificate for security and verification, and it allows a personal message or symbol to be added to the stone for sentimental value.

Cold Laser vs Hot Laser — An Important Distinction

Not all laser inscription is the same. There are two fundamentally different types of laser used to inscribe diamonds, and the difference matters.

Cold Laser Inscription

Cold laser inscription uses a very short wavelength that produces no thermal (heat) effect on the diamond. It is completely safe and does not chip, fracture, or affect the structure of the stone in any way. Critically, cold laser inscription does not change a diamond's colour grade or clarity grade. The major international grading laboratories — GIA, HRD, and DCLA — use cold laser technology for their inscription services.

Hot Laser Inscription

Hot lasers are generally used during the manufacturing process and by some lower-end retailers for branding purposes. Unlike cold lasers, hot lasers can alter the quality of a diamond or cause damage — potentially affecting the colour grade, clarity grade, or structural integrity of the stone.

⚠️ Important

If a diamond has an inscription that does not appear on its diamond certificate, it is advisable to have the diamond verified by a reputable laboratory. This confirms the inscription was applied with a cold laser and that the diamond has not been altered since certification.

The GIA Diamond Dossier — Inscription as Standard

GIA offers two main grading reports for natural diamonds:

  • GIA Diamond Grading Report — the full report, including a plotted diagram of the diamond's inclusions. Laser inscription of the report number is available as an optional add-on service.
  • GIA Diamond Dossier® — designed for diamonds between 0.15ct and 1.99ct. The GIA report number is always micro-laser inscribed on the girdle as standard. This inscription is completely harmless to the diamond and provides an unbreakable link between the physical stone and its grading documentation.

How to Verify Your Diamond

  1. Check whether the certificate shows a laser inscription number.
  2. Ask to view the diamond's girdle under magnification to confirm the inscription on the stone matches the number on the certificate.
  3. For GIA-certified diamonds, the report can be verified online at the GIA Report Check on the GIA website by entering the report number.
  4. For DCLA-certified diamonds, DCLA provides a similar online verification service.
  5. If the inscription on the diamond does not match the certificate, or appears on the diamond but not on the certificate, have the stone assessed by a reputable laboratory before purchasing.

At Diamond Imports, we verify every diamond against its certificate before it is purchased. The stone you see is the stone described on the certificate — always.

Adding a Personal Message to Your Diamond

Laser inscription is not only for security — it is also a beautiful way to make a diamond uniquely personal. The inscription is read only under magnification, so it can be a private message known only to those you choose to share it with.

Popular personal inscriptions include names or initials, special dates, short personal messages, and symbols or Roman numerals. Diamond Imports can arrange laser inscription of a personal message on your diamond using advanced cold laser technology.

Diamond Imports Tip

"Laser inscription is one of the simplest and most effective security features a diamond can have. It creates an unbreakable link between the stone and its certificate. For significant diamonds, I always recommend it — and for personal pieces like engagement rings, a private message inscribed on the girdle adds a meaning that only the two of you will know." — Daniel, Diamond Imports

Laser Inscription & Hearts & Arrows — A Word of Caution

Some diamonds have "H&A" or "Hearts & Arrows" laser-inscribed on their girdle as a marketing inscription — applied by the seller or cutter before the diamond is submitted to GIA for grading. When GIA graders observe this inscription, they note it on the report as "Laser Inscription: H&A" — but this does not mean GIA has assessed the diamond as a true Hearts & Arrows stone. Read our full Hearts & Arrows guide for everything you need to know.

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Enquire About Laser Inscription

Whether you'd like your diamond's certificate number inscribed for security or a personal message added to your engagement ring — Diamond Imports can arrange cold laser inscription. Get in touch to discuss options.

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