This content was first published on IGR – Italian Gemological Review no. 20 in 2025. The information provided here is therefore current as of the original publication date.
The Accredited Gemologists Association (AGA) has introduced a groundbreaking Hybrid Diamond Master Set, collaborating with Stuller and GCAL by Sarine, set to gain widespread adoption among laboratories and gemologists. For years, diamond color grading has relied on the GIA Master Set, composed entirely of natural diamonds—extremely rare and prohibitively expensive.
Cubic Zirconia-based Master Sets were widely used for some time, but they have been discontinued and presented long-term stability issues. This new hybrid system combines high-quality synthetic diamonds for the finest color grades with natural diamonds as the scale transitions toward yellow. Full details, including pricing and purchasing options, will soon be available on the AGA website.
