| > | | | | you've never heard of the institution that is |
| When you start to think about buying a diamond, | | | | offering a grading report, don't hesitate to ask |
| you naturally will want the best diamond that you | | | | about its credentials and that of the people who |
| can afford. Diamonds can be found in a range of | | | | graded the diamond.a diamond certificate or |
| shapes, sizes, qualities & prices. If you are about | | | | grading report is a blueprint of a diamond which |
| to buy a diamond for an engagement ring, you | | | | documents the details and statistics about a loose |
| may want to consider spending the commonly | | | | diamond such as the shape, colour, clarity, carat |
| accepted guideline of two months' salary. | | | | weight, proportions and finish of the diamond. A |
| Diamonds are a symbol of love and eternity. | | | | diamond certificate also confirms that the |
| Diamonds ARE forever. | | | | diamond is natural and is not synthetic or |
| In order to buy the best quality diamond there | | | | man-made. |
| are things you must know and understand. Do not | | | | There is also the undeniable fact that some |
| rush in and buy a diamond on an impulse because | | | | diamonds are treated or enhanced in some way, |
| it is advertised as a 'good deal' or is 'discounted'. | | | | and these diamonds are very difficult, and in |
| There are no bargains in diamonds and diamonds | | | | some cases impossible to identify, without the |
| that are of excellent quality, cut and colour are | | | | correct laboratory equipment. |
| not sold off cheap! Always make sure you buy a | | | | Synthetic diamonds are the latest threat to the |
| loose diamond that has been independently | | | | uneducated consumer. If you are buying a |
| certified and compare diamonds before making | | | | diamond with out a recognized certificate (IE; a |
| any decision. | | | | certificate recognized by either the WFDB, IDC, |
| Do not confuse a diamonds carat weight with the | | | | or CIBJO) it is possible that it may not be a |
| size of a diamond. Even though two diamonds | | | | Natural diamond at all. |
| may have the same carat weight their | | | | Diamond certificates from respectable labs, |
| appearance in size and diameter measurements | | | | meaning GIA, HRD, AGS or DCLA, are totally |
| can very greatly. A poorly cut 1.00ct diamond | | | | necessary if you want to compare diamonds |
| may look like a 0.75ct diamond from the top | | | | intelligently. Laboratories such as GIA, HRD, AGS |
| because they have the same diameter | | | | and DCLA issue grading reports of the highest |
| measurements even though their carat weights | | | | international standards. All of these diamond |
| are different. | | | | grading laboratories utilize strict procedures, have |
| Diamonds are sold by their carat weight. A | | | | the most advanced equipment, and affiliations |
| diamond cutter always tries to retain as much | | | | which meet the strict requirements for recognition |
| carat weight and as few inclusions when cutting a | | | | by international trade organizations. |
| diamond. Sometimes the cut of a diamond might | | | | It is up to you, the consumer, to verify the |
| be sacrificed in order to produce a diamond with a | | | | credentials of the diamond grading laboratory and |
| higher carat weight. Excellent, Ideal and Very | | | | the diamond merchant, wholesaler or jeweller you |
| Good cut diamonds will sparkle with more brilliance | | | | are dealing with when buying diamonds or |
| and fire than diamonds which are poorly cut with | | | | engagement rings. |
| a lower cut grade. | | | | Be even more cautious of website dealers who |
| Buying a loose diamond for an engagement ring is | | | | issue their own 'in house diamond certificates' or |
| a daunting task with so many jewellers, diamond | | | | 'manufacturer's grading reports' as these simply |
| dealers and diamond internet websites these days. | | | | are NOT independent certificates and they are |
| There is an abundance of information available to | | | | NOT from a compliant laboratory. |
| consumers, but not all of it is accurate. This is | | | | Every diamond grading laboratory has a different |
| probably one of the most important | | | | set of parameters and specifications that they |
| considerations to make when buying a diamond. | | | | grade diamonds by and not all laboratories are as |
| There is alot more to diamonds and their prices | | | | strict as each other. |
| than just learning about the diamond's cut, colour, | | | | In fact, some laboratories are popular with certain |
| clarity, and carat weight. All diamonds are unique, | | | | diamond dealers because they have a reputation |
| no two diamonds are exactly the same which is | | | | for being generous with grades and are known |
| why it takes years of experience, training and | | | | not to be as strict as others. As a leading |
| learning to fully understand them. | | | | diamond wholesaler we choose to only sell |
| Buy your diamond from a reputable diamond | | | | independently certified loose diamonds that have |
| dealer. Most diamond buying guides advise you on | | | | been graded by compliant, internationally |
| the 4 C's and suggest that you only shop at | | | | recognized laboratories such as DCLA, GIA, HRD |
| honest, reputable diamond dealers, but how does | | | | & AGS. This translates to Global Assurance. |
| the average consumer determine this? | | | | Diamond grading laboratories which grade to IDC |
| We always advise you to make sure that the | | | | International Diamond Council rules, do not just |
| diamond is certified and ask to see the actual | | | | use the opinion and expertise of one person. |
| certificate or diamond grading report to verify the | | | | They must grade the diamond and have the |
| diamond details and to see which laboratory | | | | opinion and consensus of three qualified diamond |
| graded the diamond. The quality of the certificate, | | | | graders before the grade is applied to any |
| or lack thereof, goes a long way towards telling if | | | | diamond. In Australia, DCLA is the only IDC |
| you are dealing with someone reputable and | | | | diamond grading laboratory. |
| professional. | | | | Valuations or appraisals are NOT the same as a |
| A diamond certificate or grading report is only as | | | | diamond certificate or grading report. |
| good as the laboratory who issued it. A diamond | | | | It is important to remember is that a grading |
| certificate, is only useful if it is reliable and has | | | | report or diamond certificate does not include an |
| been issued by a reputable independent laboratory | | | | appraisal, or any kind of statement about the |
| which has no financial interest in the stone. If | | | | monetary value of the diamond. |