About GRA
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Home / About Us
Who We Are
The Global Gemological Research Association was founded in 2002 by a group of gemologists and spectroscopy researchers who saw a market flooded with unverified claims. GRA was created to be the counterweight — an institute that belongs to no miner, no brand and no retailer.
Today the Association unites 36 member laboratories across 52 countries. We research, grade and certify moissanite, diamond and their simulants, and we publish every result to an open database that anyone with a report number can query.
Our Compass
Why we exist
To advance gemological science and protect consumers through independent, rigorous and accessible certification of every gemstone we examine.
Where we are going
A global market in which no gem changes hands without verified documentation — and in which trust is engineered, not assumed.
How we work
Independence. Accuracy. Transparency. Innovation. Four values measured on every report, in every laboratory, every single day.
What We Do
From the laboratory bench to the public database — the full scope of GRA's work.
Natural · Lab-grown · Simulant
Advanced spectroscopy and microscopy distinguish moissanite, diamond and imitations — including CVD versus HPHT origins.
The 4Cs, standardized
Color, clarity, cut and carat are graded against published standards and sealed into a tamper-evident, numbered dossier.
Science in the open
Ongoing studies into treatment detection and growth analysis, plus educational resources for the trade and the public.
Anyone · Anywhere
Every report number we have ever issued can be verified online in seconds — the service behind this very page.
Milestones
2002
GRA is established by gemologists and spectroscopy researchers as an independent certification body.
2009
The first member laboratories outside our founding region join, extending GRA grading across three continents.
2015
Online verification launches — anyone can query their report number, day or night.
2020
Machine-learning analysis enters the grading pipeline, sharpening treatment detection and clarity mapping.
2026
GRA issues its 2.4 millionth report, with 36 member laboratories serving clients in 52 countries.