(IDEX Online News) – In a bid to educate and engage consumers on the 4Cs, the GIA just released an iPad app for consumers. A retailer version of this app, designed to be used at point of sale, is also downloadable free from GIA’s retailer support site.
Both versions of the app feature video and interactive tools that teach consumers how GIA grades diamonds using the 4Cs. The app explains the GIA grading scales for color, clarity, and cut, and how diamond grades can affect value.
The app also explains the origins of the carat system, and provides information about fluorescence, diamond treatments and synthetics.
Using these interactive tools, consumers can explore:
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How diamond color changes across the GIA D-to-Z Color Scale
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Typical inclusions and blemishes at various points in the GIA Clarity Scale
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A diamond’s anatomy and how various parameters influence a diamond’s cut grade
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How a diamond’s size changes by carat weight and compare the sizes of different diamonds
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A GIA Grading Report Anatomy to understand the different elements of a GIA report
A special feature on the app’s consumer version, “My Diamond Wish List” enables a consumer to keep a record of the diamonds they’ve seen and considered. Consumers can enter and store a diamond’s relevant information, including its report number, 4Cs information, price, image, and the retailer’s address and contact information. If the diamond comes with a GIA report, the grading information will populate automatically from the GIA Report Check.
Consumers can verify the contents of a GIA report and view a PDF version of it on their iPads by entering the report number and carat weight. According to the GIA, this feature provides retailers the benefit of using reports as selling tools in a quick and convenient method.
“iPad and tablet technologies allow GIA to be the on-the-go resource for any diamond shopper, delivering accurate, unbiased diamond information in a way that is both engaging and fun,” said Kathryn Kimmel, GIA vice president and chief marketing officer.
The iPhone format and a Simplified Chinese version of this app will also be coming soon on iTunes.
