Diamond Certificates

Certification for diamonds is invaluable as they provide detailed information about the diamond’s credentials. Certificate is like unique fingerprint of any diamond, which is the source of important information for any jeweler, trained gemologist or costumer.

A certificate contains complete quality description for a diamond & also includes details about its weight, color grade, shape, proportions, fluorescence, measurements & finish grade. The certificate also confirms that the diamond is genuine.

However, a diamond certificate is useful only when it has been issued by any reputed & independent laboratory with no financial interest in the diamond.

As a costumer, if you have never heard of the laboratory that is providing the grading report, then don’t hesitate in asking about their credentials. Also, the grades from such unknown laboratories won’t be similar to ones provided by GIA or HRD.

So at the time of purchasing a diamond it is important to look at the certification & also the laboratory which has provided the certificate to be assured about its quality and grade.

Let us now look at some of the popular diamond certification providers:

1. Gemological Institute Of America (GIA)
2. American Gem Society (AGS)
3. International Gemological Institute (IGI)
4. European Gemological Laboratory (EGL)

Gemological Institute Of America (GIA):

Gemological Institute of America was the first to develop an internationally acceptable diamond grading system. The institute also introduced the first grading report & played a lead role in setting diamond quality documentation standards around the world. The Gem Trade Laboratory of Gemological Institute of America issues these reports for majority of high quality diamonds which are over 1 carat in size.

The GIA certificate states the diamond’s carat, color, cut, clarity, weight and also its shape, table & depth percentages, measurements and grades the symmetry & polish.

American Gem Society (AGS):

American Gem Society laboratories serve an international clientele of wholesale suppliers, retail jewelers, manufacturers and diamond cutters. The Diamond Quality Document of American Gem Society provides a cut grade for brilliant, round cut diamonds and provides additional information about all the four C’s related to diamond grading. The diamonds are rated on a scale of zero to ten.

International Gemological Institute (IGI):

IGI with more than 250 staff members issue annually over 400,000 gem reports. International Gemological Institute has 3 distinct products; Identification Report, Information Appraisal Report & the Diamond Report.

European Gemological Laboratory (EGL) :

European Gemological Laboratory has specified standard procedures and criterion for consistency & accuracy in their Diamond Consultation and Certification. The main clientele for EGL is dealers, manufacturers, craftsman and wholesalers; however, they do not sell gems or diamonds and are totally independent of any specific diamond selling group.