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How do I know if my diamond is what they say it is?
After learning the 4C's and understanding the different qualities, we need to consider yet another factor. As a consumer with limited or no experience grading diamonds you may ask yourself, How would I know if the jeweler sells me a diamond and claims it is a G color, VS2 clarity and it's really an H color, SI1 clarity or possibly even worse? The truth is, maybe they are not malicious and intentionally trying to cheat you, maybe they are not trained enough to know how to grade accurately or maybe it was a mistake. The best way to protect yourself is to have a third party that is not involved in buying or selling diamonds who can grade the diamond accurately and impartially. Obviously an in-house gemologist grading a diamond would be a conflict of interest.
There are 4 major laboratories that are known around the world and issue detailed grading reports, they are; Gemological Institute of America (GIA), European Gemological Institute of America (EGL), International Gemological Institute (IGI) and American Gem Society (AGS). These independent labs provide detailed grading reports that help you determine if the diamond you are buying is what the sales person says it is. It also allows you to shop around knowing that the grade on the report is accurate and you will be able to compare apples to apples. But you should still have a trained gemologist review the diamond and the report to be sure all the aspects are in order. The grading report will also include a plot showing the inclusions of the diamonds. It’s like a finger-print for your diamond.
We cannot emphasize enough that they are NOT all the same. The GIA is the most respected for their high standards of grading.
There is no such thing as a GIA certified diamond
That's right, the Gemological Institute of America does not certify diamonds. The term "certified" has been common amongst sales people when selling diamonds. Unfortunately they are deceiving the client, since the lab only grades the diamonds and does not "certify" them.
On my first day of class at the GIA the instructor made it very clear to us, The GIA does not certify diamonds; they issue grading reports stating the results of their examination.
Almost every center diamond that we sell will have a grading report from the GIA.
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