Certification

One important key in seaching for your diamond is whether it comes with a certificate or grading report. A grading report describes the characteristics of a diamond including the clarity, color, carat weight, and information relevent in determining the quality of cut. The report is created by several gemologists who have carefully examined the diamond with numerous pieces of equipment, inlcuding a microscope. Generally, reports on diamonds 1 carat or larger have a plot on the report. A plot is a diagram showing the clarity characteristics of a diamond from above and beneath the surface.

There are five internationally recognized gem labs. They are the GIA (Gemological Institute of America), AGS (American Gem Society), HRD (Hoge Raad voor Diamant or High Diamond Council of Belgem), EGL (European Gemological Laboratoy), and IGI (International Gemological Institute).

A grading report is your assurance of the qualtiy of the diamond you are purchasing. If you are looking at a diamond that is not certified, you are depending upon the seller's judgement. If this is the case, I urge you to have the diamond examined by a GIA certified gemologist in your area. If the seller does not agree to have the gemologist examine it, it is likely that it is not graded accurately. Keep in mind that if the seller is loose on their grading by even just one color, one clarity and one cut grade, you could easily be paying 40% more than you should be.

Happy Hunting for Her Dream Diamond!