Two diamonds weighing more than four carats each were stolen from a home in Colorado six months ago, along with four other pieces of jewellery. The items stolen were valued at $US475,000 ($AU727,800).
A wholesale diamond dealer – who was not involved in the crime – sent the diamonds to the GIA for grading. When the laboratory matched the diamonds to their respective grading reports, investigators at the Boulder County Sheriff's Office were notified.
According to authorities, this report from the GIA led to an individual being arrested for the theft. Associate general counsel Christina Yates said it is not uncommon for investigators to contact the GIA seeking information.
“GIA often receives requests from law enforcement to help them recover graded diamonds that are reported lost or stolen,” she said.
The GIA began training law enforcement organisations in 1965, starting with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Customs Service and the Federal Trade Commission. In the past 15 years, nearly 400 investigators worldwide have undergone training.
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