Diamonds are often high value investment – both financially and emotionally. You expect superior quality and hassle free maintenance from your diamond jewelry. Hence, making an informed buying decision is important in every piece of diamond you purchase. Before spending astronomical amounts on that perfect diamond engagement ring, take time to consider the importance and features of certified diamonds.
What exactly is a certified diamond?
A certified diamond, when compared to a non-certified diamond, explains the external and internal characteristics of the diamond. A diamond certificate outlines diverse features of the gemstone, determines superiority of the stone, and serves as an objective assessment. It gives you complete peace of mind as you know that you have got precisely what you have paid for. Reputable jewelers – traditional as well as online – more often than not stock and sell independently assessed, graded, and certified diamonds.
Qualified and Renowned Diamond Certifications
There are several widely accepted, trusted, and renowned gemological grading and certification laboratories throughout the world. Setting the standards globally, the five highly esteemed and recognized institutes include:
- Gemological Institute of America (GIA): Acknowledged worldwide as an industry expert, GIA follows the strictest standards. Considered the original ‘inventor’ and pioneer of the concept of diamond certification, GIA places immense importance on perfect qualities and provides more details about the stone on their certification. A GIA diamond-grading chart evaluates and explains the 4Cs of a diamond. The four fundamental indicators specify the Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat Weight of a diamond.
- American Gem Society (AGS): Founded by the architect behind the celebrated GIA, the American Gemological Society follows extremely stringent diamond grading and certification guidelines. AGS is associated with the ‘Ideal Cut’ grade that offers diamonds particularly cut for intense brilliance going one higher than GIA’s top grade of ‘Excellent’. AGS focuses on providing comprehensive certificates including hand-plotted illustrations of each internal and external inclusion or blemishes in the stone.
- Hoge Raad voor Diamant (HRD): The Hoge Raad voor Diamant (HRD) or Diamond High Council is nearly as highly regarded worldwide as GIA although not as popular.
- International Gemological Institution (IGI): Not as stringent as GIA, IGI diamonds are less expensive yet are comparable in value.
- European Gemological Laboratory (EGL): Assessed by at least two labs, EGL diamonds are evaluated by individual grading techniques. Compared to GIA certified diamonds, EGL certified diamonds tend to be lower priced.
Choose your diamond carefully. Choose a certified diamond for best value.
