From Carly Wickell,
Your Guide to Jewelry / Accessories.
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The trendiest romantics are proving their love by writing it in stone – on a diamond, that is.

Now lovers can personalize diamond jewelry by having a romantic or secret message engraved on the gem's girdle (outside edge). This “cutting edge” trend is called “diamond laser inscription.”

Diamond laser inscription not only provides the ultimate personal touch, but also an easy way to identify a diamond. The service is available through local jewelers and is performed by the Gemological Institute of America's (GIA) Gem Trade Laboratory. GIA, an independent nonprofit organization based in Carlsbad, Calif., is recognized as the world's foremost authority in gemology.

A micro-laser beam is used to etch a microscopic inscription on the girdle of any diamond weighing one-quarter carat or more. Romantic messages like “Forever Yours,” “Till the Twelfth of Never” and “Always and Forever” are examples of commonly inscribed messages. Poetry, symbols, names and special dates are also popular. Since the message can be read only under magnification, customers can keep it to themselves or choose to share it with others.

In addition to personalization, inscription can provide peace of mind when making a diamond purchase. For example, diamonds graded by GIA Gem Trade Laboratory can have its unique Diamond Grading Report number inscribed on it for instant verification.

“Demand for diamond inscription has been phenomenal and there are no signs of it slowing down,” said Thomas C. Yonelunas, chief executive officer of the GIA Gem Trade Laboratory. “We will inscribe anything within reason – and taste. Diamond laser inscription has truly caught the public's imagination.”

The price of inscription is based on the weight of the diamond and the length of the inscription. A typical inscription “length” is up to 15 letters or spaces. For further information, contact your professional jeweler or visit www.gia.edu.

This article was originally published by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), is reprinted with permission, and is copyrighted by GIA.