| Unlike gold or platinum, diamonds do not have a | | | | rings. The best known and most recognised |
| hallmark to guarantee quality and authenticity | | | | grading laboratories include the GIA (Gemmological |
| instead a stringent level of certification is used. In | | | | Institute of America), the IGI (International |
| order to achieve certification an industry expert | | | | Gemmological Institute) and the HRD. (Hoge Raad |
| examines the diamond and places it into a | | | | Voor Diamant) Although other grading laboratories |
| category in which it can be compared with other | | | | exist the three aforementioned bodies are |
| diamonds. An engagement or wedding are | | | | generally regarded as the leaders in the sector |
| amongst the most important occasions in a | | | | and are utilised by the vast majority of |
| person's life and every attempt must be made to | | | | established jewellers and diamond traders. |
| ensure that everything is perfect, from the dress | | | | Buying non certified stones is a gamble for the |
| to the cake to the symbolic jewellery. | | | | uninitiated or inexperienced, many people think |
| Although it is possible to buy jewellery, more | | | | they can buy at source overseas and make a |
| specifically engagement rings from more generic | | | | good profit, this is rarely the case. Aside from the |
| suppliers such as department stores and the like | | | | risk of buying poor quality stones there is also the |
| they are not likely to have the industry expertise | | | | matter of paying duty to the relevant customs |
| to answer questions relating to the certification of | | | | departments in both the source and destination |
| the stones that are set in the jewellery. Specialist | | | | countries. Diamonds as well as other precious |
| and reputable suppliers should be able to answer | | | | stones are by no stretch of the imagination cheap |
| all the customer questions in relation to the quality | | | | items to buy so it is essential that a person |
| of the diamond and also provide some form of | | | | knows what they are buying before parting with |
| documentation regarding the grading of the stone. | | | | any money. Buying diamonds and diamond |
| Simply put, a certified diamond is one that has | | | | jewellery from specialists who only sell certified |
| been graded by an internationally accredited | | | | stones is the best way to ensure quality products |
| laboratory according to clarity, cut, colour and | | | | and also a means of redress in the event of any |
| clarity with the higher grade stones generally being | | | | problems. |
| used in the production of high quality engagement | | | | |