| You have made up your mind to get your lady a | | | | the GIA in terms of the proportion of the |
| diamond. You're prepared for the cost and you've | | | | diamond you purchase.The American Gem |
| got her parents approval. The only problem is, | | | | Society Laboratory (AGSL) was founded in 1996. |
| you've never done this before and you've heard | | | | Just like its parent organization, the American |
| of so many diamond scams, you don't know who | | | | Gem Society, the AGSL is dedicated to setting a |
| to trust.First things first: you need to find yourself | | | | new standard in the grading industry. They aim to |
| a jeweler that you can trust. One who is honest | | | | provide consumers (the couple who will be the |
| and will not rob you blind. You need someone who | | | | final owners of the stone) with reliable, unbiased |
| will be willing to walk you through the process of | | | | and creditable reports on the quality of the |
| finding the perfect diamond for you and your lady | | | | diamonds that they purchase. They are |
| without charging you an arm and a leg.The most | | | | considered the top in the field for grading the cut |
| honest jewelers will also provide you with a | | | | of a diamond; in fact they are the often the |
| certificate of the diamond that you choose. It is | | | | preferred laboratory if the gem in question is |
| best that the certificate come from one of the | | | | being certified as an ideal cut.The International |
| laboratories renowned in the industry for their | | | | Gemological Institute was founded in 1975 and is |
| impartiality and ability to properly identify your | | | | one of the leading gemological institutes worldwide. |
| diamonds attributes. The must trusted in this field | | | | They seek to provide the consumers with a |
| are the following:The Gemological Institute of | | | | reliable report on their diamonds. As they see it, |
| America (GIA) is considered the world's leading | | | | without a certification, a diamond has no history, it |
| authority on gemology. Founded in 1931, this | | | | is just a gem. The certificate is the equivalent of |
| non-profit institution developed the famous four | | | | the passport of the gems and jewelry that they |
| C's method of grading diamonds. They are well | | | | certify.As the consumer, it will now be your task |
| known for their gem grading and identification | | | | to check that you are being given the right |
| services, not just in diamonds. They are | | | | certificate. Check that the name of the laboratory |
| considered the most unbiased and accurate in the | | | | that certified your gem is one of those listed |
| field, usually giving conservative grading. Diamonds | | | | above. One diamond scam to keep your eyes |
| with a GIA certificate normally sell at about three | | | | open for is having certificates from laboratories |
| to five percent higher than other gems because | | | | with similar initials as those of the above |
| of this guaranty of quality.The European | | | | institutions. You may end up with a certificate |
| Gemological Laboratory is an independent | | | | from the Gemological Institute from Antarctica |
| laboratory, considered one of the premier in the | | | | which is not what you need at all.Lesley-Ann |
| industry worldwide. Though not as strict as the | | | | Graham runs - a valuable wedding planning |
| GIA in their grading reports, they are usually | | | | resource with articles, tips and advice to help you |
| reliable and provide a more detailed report than | | | | plan your perfect wedding. |