Diamond Certification

A Diamond's Best Kept Secret The Fifth "C" — Certification

How can I be confident with my diamond purchase?

Every diamond is unique and the only way for you to be absolutely sure of the quality of your diamond is to make sure your diamond comes with a certification. A certification is an independent objective quality report issued by an outside laboratory and includes the exact measurements and proportions of your diamond as well as the color, clarity and carat weight. Each certification has its own number, the date which it was analyzed and a plotting of the diamond which shows the inclusions in the diamonds. The two leading labs in the world that offer these unbiased certifications are the E.G.L. (European Gemological Laboratory) and the G.I.A. (Gemological Institute of America).

What is the difference between a certification and an appraisal?

There are no official guidelines to issue an appraisal. An appraisal is a document given to consumers by the store. It is the opinion of a jeweler affiliated with the store selling the diamond. The only way to get an objective opinion of a diamond is to insist on a certification from an outside lab with no connection to the store from which you are thinking of purchasing your diamond.

An independent certification is a necessary and priceless asset. It is the most important consideration when purchasing a diamond. If you are interested in a diamond that is not certified by an independent laboratory, ask your jeweler if you can have that diamond certified. This is your only way of being absolutely positive about the quality of your diamond.