| When you purchase something as important as a | | | | - Weight - The weight of a gemstone is |
| diamond, you want to be assured that the quality | | | | expressed in carats. On the diamond report, |
| is reflected in the price. A diamond report | | | | weight is rounded to the hundredth of a carat. |
| provides proof of a gemstone's attributes and an | | | | - Proportions - Here, you will see a description of |
| index of it's fair market value. For these reasons, | | | | the diamond's actual proportions. This will usually |
| it is essential that you understand the anatomy of | | | | be listed in percentage or angles. Depth percent |
| a certificate. Here is a list of what you can expect | | | | refers to the height of a stone. This is measured |
| to find in a report. | | | | from the cutlet to the table. The table is located |
| - Date - This is the date the document was | | | | at the top of the gemstone. This is the largest |
| written up. Make sure the date stated is not very | | | | facet of the stone. Girdle refers to the dividing line |
| old. If it was within 2-3 years, it should stand | | | | between the crown, the top part of the stone |
| good. In the case of old certificates, usually 4-5 | | | | and the the pavilion, the bottom part. The cutlet |
| years old, examine the stone for any altercations. | | | | describes the appearance, or lack of the facet on |
| This means that it should not be chipped or | | | | the pointed bottom of the stone. |
| damaged in any other way. | | | | - Finish - In this part of the report, polish and |
| - Name - The name of the independent | | | | symmetry will be noted. Polish rates the overall |
| gemological laboratory issuing the certificate. The | | | | smoothness of the gemstone's surface. |
| organization's address and phone number will also | | | | Symmetry is a measurement of the stone's |
| be included. | | | | facets in relation to one another, as well as the |
| - Certificate Number - Each diamond is issued a | | | | evenness of the outline. |
| unique certificate number. Once you have | | | | - Fluorescence - About 1 in 10 diamonds glow |
| purchased a gemstone, it is recommended that | | | | when exposed to ultraviolet light. Most glow blue, |
| you keep this number in a separate location from | | | | but other colors can yellow, orange or green. If |
| the diamond report itself. If you should lose this | | | | the stone emits any fluorescence, it will be noted |
| paper, then the lab can issue you a new one. | | | | here. |
| - Clarity And Color - This refers to the clarity and | | | | - Plot - This is a map of the approximate size, |
| color of the stone. The clarity grade is determined | | | | type and position of the diamond's inclusions as |
| under 10x magnification, while the grading for | | | | viewed under a microscope. Internal flaws are |
| color assesses the absence of color in a stone. | | | | shown in red and external defects are shown in |
| - Shape And Cutting Style - This mentions the | | | | green. |
| shape and cutting style of the stone. Some | | | | - Comments - This will contain additional |
| popular styles include round brilliant, emerald, pear | | | | information not found elsewhere on the certificate. |
| and marquis. | | | | Most comments will not affect the value of your |
| - Measurements - This part of the report will list | | | | stone. |
| the measurements across the stone in millimeters | | | | A diamond report is something you should always |
| to the hundredth decimal. Round stones are | | | | insist on. The information it contains can be used |
| described with 3 measurements, the widest and | | | | to verify the stone's qualities as represented by |
| narrowest diameters and then the depth, in that | | | | the seller. This is important to you, as a buyer |
| order. For fancy shapes, only the length and width | | | | because it enables you to make a safer decision |
| are measured. | | | | when purchasing a gemstone. |