| Those who are planning the purchase of certified | | | | saturation, with colorless gems being at the |
| loose diamonds from jewelry wholesalers do well | | | | beginning of the scale and those with deep color |
| to educate themselves on issues related to the | | | | at the end. |
| diamond market - including diamond appraisal and | | | | While the diamond market and industry is |
| diamond certification. Although these terms are | | | | controlled by a relatively few individuals and |
| sometimes used interchangeably, they are in fact | | | | corporate entities, most jewelry wholesalers |
| two different things, both of which are necessary | | | | agree that the most reliable certifications are done |
| in order to determine the market value of | | | | through either the Gemological Institute of |
| certified loose diamonds. | | | | America or the American Gem Society |
| Certification | | | | Laboratories. |
| This is also known as a "diamond grading report." | | | | It is important to understand that such labs |
| It is used to describe loose diamonds in terms of | | | | cannot certify gems that are mounted. However, |
| mass (carat), clarity and color. This report is | | | | a reputable jewelry wholesaler should provide you |
| prepared for certified jewelry wholesalers, | | | | with a certificate at the time of purchase. |
| retailers, collectors and investors by geologists | | | | Appraisal |
| who specialize in the sub-field of gemology, or the | | | | Unlike loose stones, a diamond appraisal can be |
| study and evaluation of precious stones and | | | | performed on mounted stones (those placed in |
| gems. | | | | settings). Unlike certification, it is less objective, |
| Certified loose diamonds and gemstones are | | | | and based on estimations made as a result of |
| those which are accompanied by such a grading | | | | what can be seen. There are several different |
| report. This report gives information about the | | | | techniques for this, but the main purpose is to |
| diamond's objective physical characteristics - | | | | determine the diamond's monetary value. Jewelry |
| those which can be measured with scientific | | | | wholesalers base their selling price primarily on |
| methods and tools. Such a certificate will include | | | | such an appraisal. |
| an evaluation of the gem's clarity and color as well | | | | The Importance of Independence |
| as its symmetry and "fire," or light reflecting | | | | It seems obvious that any certification and/or |
| characteristics. Obviously, a clear diamond without | | | | appraisal should be done by and outside, |
| visible flaws (such as a "cottony" appearance | | | | independent agency, but less experienced diamond |
| within) is far more valuable than one that contains | | | | buyers may not consider that jewelry wholesalers |
| scratches or internal blemishes. | | | | using their own in-house appraisers will have a |
| Rather than receiving a monetary value, certified | | | | natural tendency to overvalue their own |
| loose diamonds are evaluated on different scales, | | | | merchandise. For that reason, it is important to |
| which includes the "SI3 Clarity Grade" and a Color | | | | have any diamonds you are considering certified |
| Scale that uses numbers and letters D-Z. The | | | | and appraised by an outside third party that is not |
| latter describes the gem in terms of hue and | | | | affiliated with your jewelry wholesaler. |