In most instances, the inscription is only visible with 10X and higher magnification. A jeweler’s loupe or a microscope with at least 10X magnification is necessary to view a laser inscription. Most jewelry stores have these instruments available if you do not own a loupe of your own.

Laser inscription helps consumers to easily identify diamonds or gemstones.  Laser inscription can help ensure that the diamond you left with a jeweler for service is the same stone you picked up upon completion.  It is important to use the inscription in combination with the inclusions and measurements of the diamond to identify the diamond or gem.  Laser inscription also makes it possible for your diamond to be registered with the GemTrace Diamond Inscription Registry which may assist with recovery.

Laser inscriptions are translucent and quite small, thus can be difficult to locate without a little practice.  The initial dark appearance of an inscription is due to carbon dust left from the inscription  process which is eventually removed from within the inscription by cleaning.  It is also possible that the setting is covering a portion or all of the inscription, consult the expertise of a local jeweler or gemologist for assistance with locating the inscription on your diamond.

Laser inscriptions are an option offered by most gemological laboratories as an additional service available to the diamond cutters at the time a diamond is graded.  The simple truth is that not all diamond cutters want to pay for the additional service despite the obvious benefits that laser inscription provides consumers.

Refer to the list of companies that provide laser inscription services under the Resources / Laser Inscription Companies menu option that appears at the top of this page.

Laser technology has made it possible to add an inscription along the girdle edge of a diamond to assist with identification.  Many lab graded diamonds have been inscribed with the number of the lab report issued for that diamond.

As you might imagine a laser inscription on the side of a diamond is quite small.  This is a photograph of a laser inscription located on the girdle edge of a diamond as seen through a GIA Gem Scope using 60x magnification.

Inscriptions are not readily visible without magnification, so you will need a jewelers loupe or microscope with at least 10x magnification to locate the inscription on your diamond.  Examine the girdle edge of your diamond carefully with a diamond grading loupe from a side profile.

The length of a laser inscription is dictated by the size of the diamond and the space available on the girdle edge.  Characteristics like an extremely thin or very thin girdle can significantly limit the length of an inscription.  The structure of a setting can also affect the length of an inscription if the diamond is being inscribed while mounted.

Laser inscription does not affect the value of a diamond or gemstone, however many consumers prefer to purchase diamonds with a laser inscription because it makes it easier for them to identify their diamond.

It is possible to have some artwork or graphic style company logo's inscribed on the girdle edge of a diamond or colored gem.  Here is an example of the Crafted by Infinity logo which consists of the words "Crafted by" and the Infinity symbol.

Laser inscriptions appear dark initially after being inscribed due to the presence of fine carbon dust particles left by the inscription process.  An inscription will appear more translucent as the dust is removed by cleaning.  It is not possible to make an inscription dark again.

Laser inscriptions are considered a permanent marking by many people since they penetrate the surface of the diamond. However, laser inscriptions are not very deep and can be polished off by a professional diamond cutter and thus they are not truly permanent.