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What is a Certified Diamond

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What Is Diamond Certification?

Diamond certification is a system created by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) to evaluate the quality of a diamond based on the 4Cs—carat, color, clarity, and cut. Diamond certification is also referred to as diamond grading and it is highly recommended that couples only buy certified diamonds.

Why is it important to know if it is a certified diamond?

Before you go shopping for a diamond and spending a lot of your time and money on the perfect diamond, it’s important to know why you should buy a certified diamond instead of a non-certified diamond. And if you’re new to the whole diamond-industry jargon in general, first we’ll tell you the difference between the two.

As an easy description, a certified diamond is an assurance that the diamond you are buying is as described by the jeweler. This is different than just knowing the 4 C’s of diamond buying, which we’ll explore in another article. You could call the certification a blueprint or an X-Ray of the interior and exterior characteristics of the diamond. It identifies the exact weight (right to the point), shape (round, marquise, etc.), cut, clarity, color, and other facets, such as polish and symmetry of the diamond.

If deciphering all of these things sounds more complicated than launching a rocket to the moon, fear not. The Diamond Buying School makes it easy for even the average person to make sense of all these diamond terms.

The purpose of a diamond certification

Buying from a reputable jeweler is the best way to ensure peace of mind that you will be getting what you pay for. Reputable jewelry stores all have certified diamonds in stock and are supposed to show you the certification even before purchasing. You can ask to see it and have the salesperson explain what each of the characteristics of the diamond means.

For example, many people commonly mistake diamond traits to be “flaws” when in fact, they are not. Every diamond on earth has features that make up the gemstone. Some are clear and some can be seen with the naked eye. A “flawless” diamond is about as rare as finding an Evergreen tree on the middle of an iceberg, although maybe that analogy is too extreme. Your likeliness of coming upon a flawless diamond is marginal. In general, there may be an accepted allowance of characteristics that you are willing to live with, and that’s not such a bad thing.

Consider this. You’ve chosen the right person, but that person isn’t perfect. He or she has a few personality quirks that you are willing to accept and live with. A diamond is much the same.

Qualified Diamond Certifications

Diamond Certification Shira Diamonds Dallas Texas

There are some widely accepted diamond certification companies throughout the U.S. and the world. The four most commonly known big ones are:

  • (GIA) Gemological Institute of America

    GIA-certified diamonds are recognized worldwide as the industry experts in diamonds. GIA has over 75 years of service. In addition to their labs, research, and education centers, they are considered the godfathers of diamond certification and the original “inventors” of the concept of certified diamonds. One advantage of buying a GIA-certified diamond is that in doing so, you can trust that it will be of the highest quality. They also commonly provide more detail on their diamond certifications.

  • (IGI) International Gemological Institution

    Although not as strict as GIA, IGI is less pricey and very comparable in value.

  • (EGL) European Gemological Laboratory

    EGL diamonds are evaluated by two labs (minimum) and use a subjective method of grading. Like IGI diamonds, these diamonds may be lower priced than GIA-certified diamonds.

  • (AGS) American Gem Society

    Unlike the aforementioned two, AGS diamonds maybe even more stringent than GIA. They offer thorough detail, including a hand plotted illustration of every external and internal blemish or inclusion. Because of their underlying theory, AGS diamonds are most known for their association with grading ideal cut diamonds, which are diamonds specifically cut for brilliance. Many people don’t know that AGS was founded by the very same man who formed GIA, Robert Shipley.

    It should be noted that a diamond appraisal and diamond certification are not one and the same. An appraisal is done by an independent appraiser and evaluates the current market value of a diamond. A diamond certification, rather, is an assessment of a diamond that is typically done prior to its release to the marketplace. Certification is performed by a laboratory and places emphasis on the quality, whereas an appraisal places emphasis on the diamond’s value.

Why should I buy a certified diamond?

No matter which of these four certifications you choose that’s right for you, the most important thing to remember is that buying a certified diamond is the only true way to know that what the diamond salesperson tells you is 100%. It’s like having a stamp of authenticity that also makes your diamond more valuable.

Buying a non-certified diamond is like buying a used car without a CarFax, you just can’t be sure that the history or current value of the car is authentic until you have the paperwork in hand. A certified diamond gives you much the same piece of mind.

For more information about diamonds, Contact us at Shira Diamonds!