| A certification is a diamond industry term for a | | | | graders following exacting procedures and using |
| diamond grading report, which documents the | | | | state of the art equipment. |
| diamond's credentials. The certification describes | | | | Some unscrupulous jewelers print their own |
| the physical characteristics of a diamond and is | | | | documentation and use names and formats that |
| usually prepared by an independent grading | | | | make them appear similar to GIA documents. |
| laboratory. It is a valuable tool for wholesalers, | | | | These documents can be exaggerated by as |
| retailers and consumers because it states the | | | | much as three color or clarity grades and you can |
| diamond's shape, exact measurements and | | | | be sure they are off in favor of the jeweler, not |
| weight, cut parameters, color grade, clarity grade, | | | | the consumer. There is only one reason why a |
| level of fluorescence, and finish grades. | | | | jeweler would use one of these "copy cat" |
| A diamond certification is only useful if it is reliable | | | | documents and that is make undeserved profits |
| and accurate so needs to be issued by a | | | | at the consumer's expense. Inaccurate |
| reputable and independent grading laboratory. Not | | | | documentation could affect the value of the |
| all grading laboratories are created equal so do not | | | | diamond by hundreds, thousands or even tens of |
| expect the grading reports from different | | | | thousands of dollars so it is important to have a |
| laboratories to agree. Some grading laboratories | | | | diamond grading report from one of the top |
| are notorious for being generous in their grading | | | | grading laboratories when making a diamond |
| so are very popular with jewelry stores because | | | | purchase decision. |
| the reported quality of the diamonds is inflated. | | | | Authentic diamond grading reports never have a |
| The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and | | | | value stated. If the document has a dollar value |
| the American Gem Society (AGS) are recognized | | | | or a range of color or clarity grades (i.e. G-H color, |
| in the diamond industry as the most accurate and | | | | or VS1-VS2 clarity), it is an appraisal not a |
| consistent of the grading laboratories. | | | | diamond grading report. It is simply the opinion of |
| A diamond grading report (certification) is very | | | | the person preparing the document. |
| different from an appraisal or other document | | | | Diamond shoppers seeking to purchase a |
| prepared by someone other than a reputable, | | | | significant diamond, should be sure they have a |
| independent grading laboratory. For example, | | | | diamond grading report from one of the major |
| there is a big difference between a Diamond | | | | grading laboratories. That is the only way they |
| Grading Report issued by the GIA and an | | | | can be sure of the characteristics of the diamond |
| appraisal or some other documentation signed by | | | | they are purchasing. It also becomes a valuable |
| a GIA Graduate Gemologist. A GIA Graduate | | | | document if they ever have to file an insurance |
| Gemologist is simply someone who has passed a | | | | claim or sell the diamond in the future. The |
| series of diamond and colored gemstone grading | | | | certification documents the quality of their |
| courses prepared by the GIA. A GIA Diamond | | | | diamond and provides a way to identify their |
| Grading Report is prepared in an unbiased | | | | diamond. |
| environment, with highly trained GIA Laboratory | | | | |