| SALE SALE SALE SALE SALE SALE SALE SALE SALE | | | | nothing more than the self grading arm of the |
| SALE SALE SALE SALE50% OFF Valued at $9 995 | | | | merchant or retailer selling the diamond.So |
| Now Selling at $4 995How many times have you | | | | what should the consumer look for? You have |
| seen advertising like this? When it involves | | | | taken the time to do some research and |
| diamond jewellery almost certainly the | | | | realise how important a diamond certificate |
| diamond does not have an independent grading | | | | is, now be sure the certificate you get is in |
| report or certificate and the valuation is | | | | fact from a recognised independent grading |
| over inflated.The past few years have seen an | | | | laboratory. If you are unsure ask the |
| increase in consumer awareness regarding | | | | following questions.Does the laboratory that |
| diamond certification. This has had a very | | | | issued the certificate have the equipment to |
| positive effect on reducing the problems | | | | detect synthetic or treated diamonds? Is the |
| encountered by consumers buying diamonds. | | | | laboratory independent or is it owned or run |
| More and more consumers are demanding a | | | | by the person or company selling the |
| diamond certificate, and the ability to sell | | | | diamonds? Does the lab have an |
| with inflated valuations has been | | | | internationally recognised diamond master set |
| restricted.The downside unfortunately to all | | | | for colour grading? Is the laboratory |
| this has been the emergence of 'pseudo' | | | | recognised by any international or local |
| laboratories, lacking the equipment and not | | | | trade body? Does the lab grade to an |
| professionally recognised. Many of these have | | | | internationally recognised standard?If you |
| sprung up to find a loophole around having to | | | | cannot get the answers to these questions |
| obtain an independent grading report from a | | | | stick to the laboratories that do meet these |
| recognised laboratory. The 'certificates' | | | | criteria. Look for the independently |
| they produce look official but there is | | | | certified diamonds trust mark.For more |
| little or no substance behind the grading. In | | | | information see and to learn about the |
| some cases the 'laboratories' issuing these | | | | laboratories that are recognised. |
| documents purport to be independent but are | | | | |