Laser Inscribed Diamonds
Laser inscription on a diamond's girdle has been possible for quite a few years, yet it's not all that common on stones with the most common type of GIA report- the full report.

If the person submitting the stone asked for a laser inscription, GIA would inscribe the stone, and note it in the Comments section.
If you inscribe a stone with it's GIA report number, you've invalidated the report, which must mention the inscription.

GIA also has an abbreviated report called the "Diamond Dossier" - which oddly enough, includes the inscription. It's readily available, yet most companies most don't choose to get it.

 
The reason most cutters don't get the inscription has more to with the fact that identifying the diamond needs to be done based on it's physical characteristics, even if it has a laser inscription.
To appraise and verify the stones- matching it to the report- a gemologist or appraiser would likely use measurements first. Then check grades.
The problem is that it's possible to get any diamond engraved by independent sources who might have no problem putting a number and GIA logo on the wrong stone.
Laser inscriptions are also easily removed by a diamond cutter

Having said all that- a lot of folks like it nonetheless. It's reassuring to some.
It's possible to have anything you want inscribed in the side.
Lyrics to your favorite song, for example.

How does everyone feel about this?

Although, there is something to be said for inscribing a diamond with your own private sentiments instead of a ring.  I sorrt of like that idea, D. 

Didn't know about the musical instruments list - and about it being informal. There certainly is one similar list for stolen antiques and works of art, shared by various police forces on an international level.

As far as inscriptions go, I'm utterly indifferent to them. When the technology came out in the late 1980's/early 90's it probably was so expensive that it did offer some form of guarantee. Now, as David says, it's not that difficult to replicate/erase/replace whatever you want on the girdle.

To read the inscription you need a microscope anyway, so it's of limited use against "the quick swap when cleaning or repairing the ring" that some fear (and that rarely happens anyway).

I don't mind knowing an inscription is on the girdle, however, it is not necessary for me, and I wouldn't bother to look for it. So, I guess, while I own the stone, I'm a bit indifferent about it all.

As far as the stone swapping goes, I would never check the girdle before or after a cleaning or other jeweler service AND I try to know and trust the people who might work on an important piece of mine. Also, I feel that I would recognize that a stone had been swapped, just by looking at the piece... I have chosen fairly unique stones, even my largest RB (and I think that I could pick her out in a line-up).  My only real consideration would be how a potential buyer might feel about it if I (or my heirs) should choose to sell an inscribed diamond down the road. Would an inscribed diamond command a slightly higher price? I've heard the folks who work at a big local jewelry emporium get excited when they have a GIA-graded diamond for resale. What would they do if they had an inscribed one?

 

BTW - the extra payment is of the order of $12 to $30 for "normal size" diamonds (for a 40.00 carat GIA charges $372, but if you can afford a 40.00 ct you don't care too much)

I plead extenuating circumstances, Your Honour - they are Scottish.  Or Genoese.

(sorry, Jen, but it was too good to miss)

I should have qualified it better: GIA thinks they don't care, since it charges them $360 more than on a small diamond.

I agree!  Many, many moons ago, I worked taking catalog orders for a clothing company for a little while.  I had a woman spending a couple thousand dollars on clothes, but she wanted to argue with me for 20 minutes over 33 cents in tax.   

I dunno.  I believe in reusing soap slivers with male children.  It's so rare that some of them even get the pieces wet.

On another note, I'd like any diamond I gave my DH to be inscribed with...'If found apart from husband, please return diamond to original owner and keep husband.'

LOL!