What are certified diamonds?
Certified is defined as a “document containing a certified statement as to the truth of something.” “To guarantee, to attest as being true as meeting of standard.”
A diamond is certified by companies such as the GIA (Gemological Institute of America), EGL (European Gemological Lab) as well as others. More information on the laboratories are available from the links on the right.
In point of fact the diamonds are not actually certified. All that happens is the diamond or diamonds are inspected and compared to other diamonds who’s qualities are known and used as a standard of comparison.
The diamond submitted for certification is compared in various ways with an existing diamond or diamonds of established qualities, such as cut, color, clarity and weight and then a paper is issued that gives the actual qualities of the diamond submitted, “this is not a guarantee,”. This is true. it is not a guarantee, it is just an opinion.
The important point to remember is that it is a expert and valuable opinion which all gemologists and jewelers will accept as true.
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA), and the American Gem Society (AGS), two highly respected gemological institutions, have developed different systems for evaluating diamond cut quality.
GIA has defined a range of proportion standards in which diamond cut quality is classified… Currently GIA’s diploma study courses teaches GIA students seeking degrees in Gemology a system that assigns diamond cut grades in four separate cut classes:
So when you are have a diamond appraised keep the above in mind and understand what it is you are really getting in terms of certified diamonds
