A diamond-grading certificate or
Gemological laboratory report is a document given by
an independent and professional laboratory. The diamond
is documented for its quality, measurements and characteristics,
not its value. A paper or report stating value is an
appraisal and should be separate from the grading report
or certificate. Diamonds are unique and their characteristics
will be shown or listed on a quality certificate or
report. A high quality certificate will document all
the diamond's recognizable and individual characteristics.
Each certificate will include the diamond's color, clarity,
carat and cut information (see the 4 C's of quality).
The grading report also includes a hand-drawn map called
a plotting of the diamond's inclusions, surface blemishes,
shape and facets. Since no two diamonds are exactly
alike, you can always check that the certificate matches
the diamond.
There are several fine quality gemological laboratories
providing these professional services. The most respected
and renowned will be GIA—standing for the Gemological
Institute of America—located in Los Angeles CA
and New York City. They perfected the world-wide grading
system in use today. EGL—or the European Gemological
Laboratory—certificates are very popular and offer
a similar service at a slightly lower cost and faster
turnaround making them very popular with large diamond
manufactures and volume diamond brokers. AGS American
Gemological Services, IGI International Gemological
Institute, and GQI Gemological Quality Institute are
also quality laboratories offering a variety of professional
services.
It is crucial to remember you are not just buying the
certificate! You should not focus solely in the report
of the stone—many stones look better on paper
than they will in comparison to another stone with a
less impressive looking paper. Beauty is in the eye
of the beholder and your choice of cut, color, clarity,
carat, and shape is individual and the most important
factor of all. At Grissom’s we pride ourselves
in offering an outstanding level of service, quality,
value and selection to ensure the diamond you buy will
make dreams come true.
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