A collaborative effort between the Accredited Gemologists Association (AGA), Stuller, and GCAL by Sarine has resulted in the development of Certified Hybrid Diamond Master Sets.
By combining natural and lab-grown diamonds, these sets offer an alternative to traditional all-natural master sets, which have become less available and more costly.
The AGA Board of Governors has unanimously approved these hybrid master sets for use in the Certified Gemological Laboratory (CGL) program. GCAL by Sarine has been authorized as an approved grading laboratory for certifying the sets. Under the AGA-CGL program, gemological laboratories of appraisers and jewelers must meet specific equipment and training standards, including the use of master color grading sets, to obtain CGL certification.
Industry Collaboration Addresses Longstanding Challenge
The Certified Hybrid Diamond Master Sets aim to address the ongoing challenge of master stone availability. AGA President Teri Brossmer emphasized the organization’s role in bringing this project to fruition, stating, “AGA offers its members unparalleled opportunities to exchange valuable insights and forge meaningful industry connections. Building on our long-standing dedication to addressing challenges that impact public trust in the gem and jewelry sector, we are proud to play a role in bringing the Certified Hybrid Diamond Master Stones to market.”
Alberto Scarani, AGA Board of Governors member and Project Coordinator, highlighted the importance of industry cooperation in solving such challenges. “The most effective testimony of these synergies is the Hybrid Master Stones project, where a long-standing issue, unresolved for decades, was tackled thanks to the collective goodwill of all contributors. We are hopeful that this project will pave the way for others, fostering further collaborations with all the other gemological and appraisal organizations,” he said.
Precise Sourcing and Certification Process
Stuller is responsible for selecting stones for the master sets, using lab-grown diamonds for higher color grades and natural diamonds for lower ones. Guy Borenstein, Stuller’s Director of Gemstone Procurement and Senior Gemologist, explained the company’s role in the project: “For decades, Stuller has played a crucial role as a key supplier in the diamond trade, and as such, we are committed to shaping the future of the diamond industry in various ways. Thus, when AGA contacted us, we were excited to collaborate. We leveraged Stuller’s extensive global network and specialized in-house screening and sorting operations, which handle millions of natural and lab-grown diamonds annually, to pinpoint the precise stones that qualify as color master stones.”
Borenstein also noted the efficiency of the collaboration, stating, “Thanks to the fantastic collaboration with GCAL, a project that typically requires at least a year and involves hundreds of rejected stones was successfully finished in under two months.”
The initial selection process is streamlined using Sarine’s AI-powered color grading technology. Angelo Palmieri, President of GCAL by Sarine, outlined the strict criteria for master stones, which must meet specifications including VS2+ clarity, faceted girdles, minimal fluorescence, and a pure yellow hue without color modifiers. “Master stones must meet strict criteria—VG+ proportions, VS2+ clarity, faceted girdles, minimal fluorescence, and a pure yellow hue without tinges or modifiers—all while representing the highest of each respective color grade,” Palmieri explained. “AI has made the process faster and more efficient, ultimately making master sets more accessible for gemologists and jewelers.”
After selection, each set is graded, verified, and certified by GCAL by Sarine to meet color grading standards.
Industry Impact and Availability
Announced at the AGA annual conference in Tucson, these sets are designed to provide a standardized tool for gemologists and jewelers, with a focus on accessibility and precision.
Donald A. Palmieri, Founding Partner of GCAL by Sarine, underscored the significance of these master sets in gemological work: “In all my years of appraising and certifying diamonds, no tool has been more critical to my gemological work than my diamond color master set. GCAL is proud to provide certification for the master sets in joint cooperation with Stuller and AGA.”
The sets will be available for purchase through Stuller.
