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GIA Suspends Acceptance of Overseas Submissions Requiring US Shipment

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has temporarily suspended the acceptance of goods at its international laboratories that require shipping to the US for services. This decision comes in response to new tariffs introduced by President Donald Trump’s administration.

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In a recent communication to clients, GIA advised customers outside the US to refrain from sending items directly to its American labs for grading or other services. The institute explained that a baseline 10% tariff now applies to all goods imported into the US, with additional duties imposed on items from countries such as India, South Africa, and Thailand starting April 9. These tariffs affect gems sent for laboratory services, even if they are not intended for sale.

“There is a baseline 10% tariff on goods being imported into the US,” the GIA explained. “Additional tariffs for products from specific countries, including India, South Africa, Thailand and others, will begin on April 9. These tariffs will apply to gems being shipped to a GIA laboratory in the US, even if only for laboratory services and not for sale.”

The US recently implemented steep “reciprocal” tariffs, including a 27% import duty on Indian goods and 20% on those from the EU. While a Temporary Importation Under Bond (TIB) provision exists to exempt goods not for sale, industry experts have cast doubt on its applicability, asserting there are no valid exemptions for imported goods.

GIA acknowledged the potential confusion caused by these regulatory changes and urged clients to ensure compliance with US import laws. The organization is assessing the situation and considering operational adjustments to maintain service continuity at its international labs. Meanwhile, clients are responsible for any tariff charges incurred when shipping to GIA’s US locations, based on the country where the diamond was substantially transformed.

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Sarine Posts $3.49 Mn H1  Loss As LGD  Pressure Market

The Company Attributed The Latest Deficit Primarily To Higher Operating Expenses, Which Increased About 25% From A Year Earlier, Competition From Lab-Grown Diamonds and Weak Luxury Demand

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Sarine Technologies Ltd. reported a net loss of $3.49 million for the first half of 2026, as competition from lab-grown diamonds and weak luxury demand in key markets continued to weigh on the diamond industry.

The Israel-based diamond-technology company said it expects market conditions to remain challenging, although anecdotal reports indicate that retail demand for natural diamonds has remained relatively stable.

Sarine’s loss for the six months ended June 30 compared with a $3.7 million loss in the second half of 2025 and a $166,000 loss in the first half of last year.

The company attributed the latest deficit primarily to higher operating expenses, which increased about 25% from a year earlier. Nearly half of that increase was linked to the impact of a weaker U.S. dollar against the Israeli shekel.

The natural-diamond polishing sector continued to face pressure from lab-grown diamonds, particularly in the U.S., while subdued luxury spending in China added to the strain. Sarine said those conditions hurt sales of capital equipment and some of its traditional services.

Some parts of the business, however, showed stronger momentum. Revenue from Sarine’s Most Valuable Plan, or MVP, more than doubled in the first half as diamond manufacturers increasingly adopted artificial-intelligence-driven planning tools to improve yields and reduce production costs.

Certification activity at GCAL, in which Sarine acquired a 70% stake in 2023, also increased more than 50%. The growth helped cushion weaker sales of capital equipment and lower volumes from the company’s Galaxy scanning business.

Revenue declined 6% year over year to $14.41 million, while the operating loss stood at about $2.2 million.

The results underscore the uneven impact of the diamond market’s structural shifts on technology providers. While traditional equipment and services remain exposed to pressure on natural-diamond manufacturing, demand for technologies that improve efficiency and reduce costs is gaining traction as manufacturers contend with tighter margins.

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