GFCO (Gem and Fashion Certification Office) is a Thailand-based gemological laboratory whose reports state whether a stone is natural or synthetic and whether it has been treated. Its reports are widely used in the Bangkok gem trade and are credible for identity and treatment; for auction-bound or high-value stones, buyers often add a report from GRS or GIA.
What a GFCO Report Contains
A GFCO report typically records the species and variety, with the word “natural” or “synthetic”, the weight, measurements, shape and cut, a color description and the treatment status. Fields vary from one report to another, so every MYGEMSET product page quotes exactly what its report states, and nothing more.
Is GFCO a Reputable Gem Lab?
Yes, for identification and treatment disclosure: a GFCO report answers the two questions that matter most when buying a colored stone online, what the stone is and whether it has been treated. It carries less weight than GRS or GIA at US and European auction houses, which is why dealers of high-value stones often add a second report.
GFCO vs GIA vs GRS
| Laboratory | Based in | Typically used for | Recognition |
|---|---|---|---|
| GIA | Carlsbad, USA | Diamonds and colored stones | Worldwide reference, strongest in the US market |
| GRS | Lucerne, Switzerland | Collector and auction-grade ruby, sapphire, spinel and emerald | Benchmark at major auction houses; known for its color terminology |
| GFCO | Bangkok, Thailand | Accessible certification of colored stones | Widely used in the Asian gem trade; credible for identity and treatment |
The right lab depends on the stone’s value and on where it will be resold, not on the lab’s name alone. For a broader comparison of laboratories, read our gemstone certification guide, or see what a GIA certificate covers and what a GRS certificate covers.
How to Check a GFCO Report Against the Stone
Compare the weight, measurements and shape on the report with the stone and with the product page; the report number should match the one shown on the listing. MYGEMSET stones ship in tamper-evident sealed gem jars, and some arrive in lab-sealed blisters with serial numbers. Returns are not accepted once the seal is broken, so check the report before opening it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is GFCO a reputable gem lab?
Yes, for identifying a stone and stating its treatment. GFCO is a Thailand-based laboratory widely used in the Bangkok gem trade. Its reports carry less weight at US and European auction houses, so buyers of high-value or auction-bound stones often add a report from GRS or GIA.
Where is GFCO located?
GFCO is based in Bangkok, Thailand, one of the main trading hubs for colored gemstones.
Does a GFCO report state the treatment?
Yes. A GFCO report states whether the stone is natural or synthetic and whether it has been treated, for example heated. On MYGEMSET, the treatment recorded on each report is quoted on that stone’s product page.
Does a GFCO report state the country of origin?
It depends on the report. Where a MYGEMSET listing gives an origin, it is the one recorded for that specific stone; check the product page and the report shown there rather than assuming every GFCO report includes it.
Should I get a second report from GIA or GRS?
For most jewelry purchases a GFCO report is enough to confirm identity and treatment. For high-value stones, or stones you may resell at auction or in the US and European market, a second report from GRS or GIA is common practice.
Which MYGEMSET stones come with a GFCO report?
Each product page names the laboratory that issued the stone’s report, if it has one. GFCO reports appear mainly on colored stones such as sapphire, ruby, spinel and zircon.
GFCO-Certified Gemstones at MYGEMSET
Browse certified sapphires, rubies, emeralds, spinels and zircons. Each product page names the laboratory behind the stone’s report. For more on how to read gem reports, visit Learn About Gemstone Reports.