| When buying diamonds you should be careful and | | | | Valuations or appraisals are NOT the same as a |
| exercise caution that you are in fact dealing with | | | | diamond certificate or grading report. |
| a reputable diamond dealer or jeweler. Never buy | | | | One important thing to remember is that a |
| a diamond that has not been certified and always | | | | diamond certificate or grading report never |
| make certain that the diamond was actually | | | | includes an appraisal, or any kind of statement |
| independently certified. | | | | about the monetary value of the diamond. |
| "Buy your Diamond from a Reputable Retailer!" | | | | Be even more cautious of website dealers who |
| What does this mean? How do I tell if the retailer | | | | issue their own 'in house diamond certificates' or |
| is reputable or not? | | | | 'manufacturer's grading reports' as these simply |
| Buying a diamond can be a scary undertaking | | | | are NOT independent certificates and they are |
| these days. There is an abundance of information | | | | NOT from a recognized laboratory. |
| available to consumers, but not all of it is accurate. | | | | For a diamond certificate to be reliable and useful |
| Hopefully we can clear up a few of the myths | | | | it must have been issued by a reputable, |
| and give you some guidelines. | | | | independent laboratory which has had no financial |
| Apart from teaching you the basics about | | | | interest in the stone to avoid any conflict of |
| diamonds and the 4 C's, diamond buying guides | | | | interest. If you've never heard of the institution |
| usually also advise consumers that they should | | | | that is offering a grading report, don't hesitate to |
| shop at ethical, honest and reputable retailers? | | | | ask about its credentials and that of the people |
| Our advice is to ask if the diamond is certified and | | | | who graded the diamond. Diamond grading |
| to see which laboratory issued the certificate or | | | | laboratories which grade to IDC International |
| grading report. The quality of the certificate, or | | | | Diamond Council rules, do not just use the opinion |
| lack thereof, goes a long way towards telling if | | | | and expertise of one person. They must grade |
| you are dealing with someone reputable and | | | | the diamond and have the opinion and consensus |
| professional. | | | | of three qualified diamond graders before the |
| A diamond certificate or diamond grading report is | | | | grade is applied to any diamond. |
| only as good as the laboratory who issued it. | | | | Do not judge a certificate by its cover and title |
| The certificate should come from a reputable, | | | | alone. Just because someone calls themselves a |
| independent and recognized laboratory. | | | | laboratory or opens up a business to do diamond |
| Diamond certificates from respectable labs, | | | | certificates and valuations after having completed |
| meaning GIA, HRD, AGS or DCLA, are totally | | | | a gemology course, that does not mean they |
| necessary if you want to compare diamonds | | | | have the needed technical equipment, |
| intelligently. | | | | qualifications, knowledge and expertise. |
| We suggest that before buying an expensive | | | | These small local labs often lay claims of being |
| item like a loose diamond you should do some | | | | independent, recognized, and having state of art |
| research first. | | | | equipment but what about the qualifications of the |
| Laboratories such as GIA, HRD, AGS and DCLA | | | | directors, graders and that of the person who |
| issue grading reports of the highest international | | | | graded the diamond? Did they test for all types |
| standards. All of these diamond grading | | | | of treatments and any enhancements? Do they |
| laboratories utilize strict procedures, have the | | | | guarantee that the diamond is natural? Was the |
| most advanced equipment, and affiliations which | | | | diamond laser inscribed using a cold laser? Do they |
| meet the strict requirements for recognition by | | | | grade diamonds to set international rules and |
| international trade organizations. | | | | standards? |
| When buying diamonds you should exercise | | | | It is one thing to produce great looking certificates |
| caution because it is up to you, the consumer, to | | | | but it is extremely important that the certificate |
| verify the credentials of the diamond grading | | | | or grading report has accurate information and is |
| laboratory and the diamond merchant, wholesaler | | | | technically correct. |
| or jeweller you are dealing with when buying | | | | As a consumer, the diamond certificate or grading |
| diamonds or engagement rings. | | | | report is your safe guard when buying a diamond. |
| If when buying a diamond the jeweler tells you | | | | Diamond certificates are invaluable documents |
| that buying a certified diamond is unnecessary, or | | | | that show in detail a diamond's credentials, so why |
| that there will be an extra charge associated with | | | | wouldn't you check the credentials of the |
| an independent certificate we suggest that you | | | | laboratory who graded the diamond and the |
| be extremely cautious and shop for diamonds | | | | retailer or diamond dealer as well? |
| elsewhere. | | | | |