When shopping for diamonds, people have two great options- mined and lab-grown. The increasing popularity of lab diamonds is much owed to the fact that they offer the same benefits as mined diamonds but are priced 40 per cent lower. Though lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds, it is equally important to ensure they are certified. Today’s post will provide complete details about a diamond certification to help you navigate through it confidently.
Diamond Certification- What Is it?
Diamond certifications are documents with details about the diamond’s characteristics for sale. A diamond certification is also called a certificate of authenticity. Industry-leading third-party diamond grading laboratories issue the certification. These third-party labs have no stake or commission in the diamond sale. Hence, the certificate is unbiased and confirms that the diamond is just as claimed in the certificate.
Therefore, when you buy a diamond, the jeweller should be able to offer a certificate giving you assurance about the characteristics and authenticity of the stone.
Here it is crucial to understand that not all certifications of diamonds are the same or equal. It is because different laboratories use different testing and assessment methods. Furthermore, their standards are variable. Therefore, it is vital to learn about the labs so that you know which ones are mainstream and the most trustworthy.
Before we share the names of the most trusted labs for diamond certification, let us walk you through how diamonds get their authenticity certificate.
Authenticity Certificate- How Do Diamonds Get It?
To get certified, a lab-grown diamond must undergo and pass various tests conducted by trained and authorised professionals. These skilled professionals examine diamonds carefully using advanced tools to assess and evaluate them precisely. If the diamond being studied meets the standards to deem real, it is provided with an authenticity certificate.
Diamonds are certified across multiple factors, but the four broad categories are:
- Carat weight: Metric carat is used for measuring the weight of a diamond. Each carat is equal to 0.2g. Gemologists measure the weight of a diamond to the hundred-thousandth and then round it off.
- Colour: The colour of a diamond is measured on a scale of D (colourless) to Z (light colour). Nearly colourless diamonds are graded between G and J. These gems are used in engagement rings.
- Clarity: The clarity scale for diamonds starts with IF (internally flawless), continuing through 7 more categories till the least valuable inclusions.
- Cut- The diamond cut refers to the angles and facets of the gem. The quality and number of these cuts determine its fire and brilliance.
Please note that a diamond certification doesn’t tell you the worth of the diamond under specific market conditions. It is not the same thing as diamond valuation. A diamond certificate is a lab report that only focuses on the characteristics of the gem without providing a judgment of value. It helps compare different gems and establish authenticity, but you can’t use it to estimate the price of the lab-grown diamond.
Trusted Diamond Certification Labs
Here’s a quick overview of the most trusted diamond certification laboratories:
Gemological Institute of America
Also known as GIA, the Gemological Institute of America is one of the leading laboratories for diamond certification. As their certifications are consistent, most jewellers across the globe, including Australia, prefer GIA over other laboratories. Besides this, GIA certifications also provide peace of mind to the customers that they have invested in the right place.
GIA certification is most preferred because it helps buyers know that their gemstone is verified for different characteristics. A certification provided by GIA includes the following details:
- The evaluation date
- The measurement of the stone in millimetres
- The shape of the diamond
- Its cutting style
- Carat weight
- Culet size
- Symmetry
- Polish grade
- Proportion diagram
- Table Percentage
- The thickness of the girdle
- Cut grade
- Depth percentage
- Clarity grade
- Fluorescence grade
- Laser inscription
- The diamond plot that shows blemishes and inclusion
- Notes
- Security features
Colour and clarity are the most subjective scales when grading lab-grown or mined diamonds. These developments mean that clarity and colour can be determined by the technology backed by AI (artificial intelligence) tools. It is a cutting-edge technology that improves accuracy and consistency in grading diamonds.
American Gemological Society (AGS)
The AGS is an equally popular and reliable grading lab. It has a unique cut grade scale where zero is ideal, and 9 is far from ideal. Previously before the GIA lab entered the cut grading market, no diamond could be assigned the ideal status unless it provided an AGS certificate. However, AGS share in the grading industry has decreased markedly because of GIA.
Though AGS is popular in the US, it is neither popular nor widely accepted outside the US. Hence, Australian diamond buyers rely more on GIA certification than AGS.
Gem Studies Laboratory
It is a pre-eminent diamond grader in Australia headed by Bill Sechos. They use Sarine machines like GIA to analyse the stones and their authenticity. It was founded thirty years ago to successfully meet the growing demand for diamond grading and gem testing labs. Over the years, GSL has become a fully operating gem identification and diamond certification lab.
Top Benefits of Buying GIA-Certified Diamonds
There are numerous reasons to buy GIA-certified diamonds. These include the following:
The diamond industry uses the GIA standard to determine the price of the diamonds for sale. So, if you invest in a GIA-certified diamond, you will have a diamond recognised worldwide. You can sell off the diamond easily whenever you want, no matter which part of the world you may be in.
Moreover, GIA diamond certification empowers you to upgrade your diamond ring or pendant in the future smoothly without any hassle, as you can easily find diamonds with similar or comparable characteristics.
Another great benefit of a GIA-certified diamond is that you can file a claim confidently if your diamond is stolen. GIA certificate will validate the authenticity of your diamond and its exact properties, making it easier for you to get compensated by the insurance company.
Other benefits include the following:
It guarantees the stone’s quality. Usually, buyers are unaware of the quality of diamonds, which jewellers take advantage of. Some may even sell uncertified gems with exaggerated claims for a higher price. However, when you buy a certified diamond from a reputed jeweller, you can be confident you are paying a fair price.
The GIA certification protects your investment. As it has complete details about the diamonds’ characteristics, you can sell them at the same price and get back the money you invested in a lab-grown diamond without a loss.
For more information about diamond certification or to get a GIA-certified diamond, contact us. Australian Diamond Brokers offers high-quality lab-grown diamonds with GIA certification. Browse our collection and find the perfect piece for yourself or a loved one.
by Australian Diamond Brokers : March 30th 2023 Come visit our store or browse our website to find out more.