Buy Diamonds Certified to International Standard

Diamond Certification Verifies the Quality of Your Diamond

Jul 29, 2009 Jo Jackson

The diamond certificate should always be viewed before buying a diamond. It is essential for authenticity, and guarantees the characteristics of that particular stone.

Diamond certificates are prepared and issued by gemmological laboratories that are independent of selling organisations. This means that there is no conflict of interest between the buyer and seller. Diamond certification ensures authenticity and will be required for insurance purposes. Before purchasing a diamond, buyers should ask to see the certificate as it will record and grade the diamonds characteristics.

The diamond certificate includes the 4Cs of cut, clarity, carat and colour which are used to determine diamond quality. In addition it includes an array of measurements including crown angle, crown height, cut symmetry, and polish rating. Knowing the grading given to each of the 4Cs will allow the purchaser to calculate the diamond’s value, and thereby make an informed decision on whether it is priced fairly.

A Diamond Certificate is Not a Valuation

To the untrained eye many diamonds may look the same, though they may not all be of the same quality. Unfortunately all too often diamond certificates and diamond valuations are confused as being the same thing, despite having distinctly different purposes. A diamond certificate is a written proof of the diamond’s attributes; and as such only gives the technical merits of the stone.

A valuation gives a monetary value on the complete piece of jewellery at the time of appraisal. The valuation will change as the market conditions for diamonds change, but a diamond certificate will not expire or date, and will always provide a solid foundation for calculating a replacement value for a diamond.

Not All Gemmological Laboratories Grade the Same Way

There are many laboratories that perform diamond certification and some have better reputations than others as they can use different grading scales. There are several grading laboratories that are internationally recognised. Each one has extremely strict grading scales with well-defined rules about how each diamond is certified. A certificate that is not from one of the respected international standard laboratories may not be independent and may exaggerate the grades to make the prices look good.

Some of the most well-known grading laboratories are the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), American Gemological Society (AGS), Hoge Raad Voor Diamant; Diamond High Council (HRD), European Gemological Institute (EGL) Diamond Certification Laboratory of Australia (DCLA) and the International Gemological Institute (IGI). Each of these diamond grading laboratories has their own criteria and method of grading so that a GIA certified diamond and EGL diamonds may have different ratings.

What Does A Diamond Certificate Look Like

Because the diamond certificate is an important document, many of them have security features to prevent counterfeiting in addition to their unique certificate number. These include holograms, a UV activated text seal covering the information field, embossed foil crest and special UV activated paper. Don’t be fooled by official-looking certificates or valuations from local "gemmologists".

Many people have their diamond laser inscribed for identification and this is recorded on the certificate to confirm it is the diamond they bought and paid for. In the end the certification provides consumers with confidence and security when making the decision on which diamond to buy. However, diamond appreciation is a very personal thing. All the measured attributes will mean nothing if you do not personally like the diamond, and feel attracted to it.

The copyright of the article Buy Diamonds Certified to International Standard in Jewelry is owned by Jo Jackson. Permission to republish Buy Diamonds Certified to International Standard in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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