Majority of Diamonds in GIA Hacking Case Still Not Returned

RAPAPORT... Only 175 of the 1,042 diamonds whose Gemological Institute of America (GIA) reports were invalidated last month following a hacking incident have been returned for examination, the organization said.

“It is imperative that all of the diamonds and their reports be returned to GIA for examination to remove the fraudulently altered reports from the market,” the GIA said in a statement November 25.

The diamonds’ color and clarity reports were changed by hackers. The GIA nullified the certificates and requested on October 23 that anyone in possession of any of the stones or reports return them immediately for a free examination. The group is offering a no-cost confirmation service through the end of January for any diamond grading report originally issued between November 2014 and October 2015.

The GIA continues to work closely with its database support contractor Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and the Indian police to continuing investigating the case, it said. Two former TCS employees have been arrested and the client accounts through which the diamonds were submitted have been suspended.

Separately, 10 companies remain suspended by RapNet, the Rapaport Diamond Trading Network, pending further investigation. The members were also suspended by GIA for allegedly participating in the hacking scheme.