Diamond Grading & Certificates
A diamond certificate is a document create by a gemological laboratory that provides an unbiased and independent assessment of a diamond's quality, including its carat weight, color, clarity, and cut. Certain institutions, like GIA and IGI, have higher credibility and reputations compared to others. There are several reasons why having a diamond certificate is important.
- Verification: A diamond certificate verifies the quality of the diamond you are buying or selling, giving you confidence in the purchase. With a certificate, you can be sure that you are getting what you paid for, and this can reduce the risk of disputes and misunderstandings.
- Authenticity: A diamond certificate assures you that the diamond is authentic, as it includes information about its origin and any treatments it may have undergone. This is important for both buyer and seller, as it helps to inform if the diamond has been unnaturally enhanced or not.
- Insurance: A diamond certificate can be useful for insurance purposes. With an official record of the diamond's quality and value, a certificate can help you to obtain insurance coverage at a fair price. Additionally, a diamond certificate can be used for appraisal purposes, which can be useful for estate planning or determining the value of a diamond for tax or other legal purposes.
Overall, having a diamond certificate provides peace of mind and can help to ensure that you get the most value from your diamond.
Diamond Certification Process
To ensure that a diamond is in fact as described, it is important it be certified by an accredited gemologist. The process of certifying a diamond involves having a trained gemologist from an independent gemological laboratory examine the diamond with specialized equipment to assess its quality and attributes. During the certification process, the diamond is assessed based on its 4Cs: carat weight, cut, color, and clarity. The lab will further scrutinize its symmetry, polish, fluorescence, and other characteristics.
After the assessment, the lab will issue a diamond grading report, also known as a diamond certificate. The certificate will contain information about the diamond's 4Cs and other features, such as its dimensions and fluorescence (if any).
It's worth noting that not all diamond certificates are equal in reliability as some laboratories are more trustworthy than others. GIA and IGI are widely recognized as the reliable and dependable gemological labs, and their diamond grading reports are highly regarded in the jewellery industry.
Diamond Grading Laboratories
There are a fair number of corporations/laboratories that provide certification for diamonds and grade their qualities. However, as stated above, not all laboratories are the same. There is no overarching governing body that dictates how a diamond must be graded, so each institution will have their own set of criteria that they follow.
When it comes to the quality of companies and their grading methods, mined diamonds and lab diamonds have different laboratories that are more trusted with the quality of their grading.
The top 3 grading institutions for Mined Diamonds are:
- Gemological Institute of America (GIA),
- American Gem Society (AGS),
- Antwerp World Diamond (HRD).
The top 3 grading institutions for Lab Grown Diamonds are:
- Gemological Institute of America (GIA),
- International Gemological Institute (IGI),
- Gem Certification & Assurance Lab (GCAL).