Diamond Certification

What is the GIA?

The GIA is the Gemmological Institute of America, and it's the most widely respected body that governs the grading and the classification of diamonds. It's a non-profit organization that's in place as the standard for the grading of diamonds.

What is the DCA?

The DCA is the Diamond Council of America. And they're associated with over 4,900 jewellers across the country. And the purpose of the DCA is to educate jewelry professionals in order that they can educate customers when they're making an informed choice.

What is a grading report?

A grading report is a report that's developed by an independent laboratory that certifies the quality of the diamond, using all the characteristics of the four C's, along with several other characteristics of the diamond. It generally describes all of the details of the diamond and tells the viewer of that report what they should expect when they view it for color, clarity, carat weight and for cut.

What is a Diamond Dossier?

A Diamond Dossier is also a Diamond Grading Report that's generally used for diamonds that are under one carat. It's distributed by the Gemmological Institute of America, the most widely respected body for the grading of diamonds and gemstones, and it's a smaller certificate that comes with diamonds, as I said, that are smaller than one carat.

What is the GIA laser inscription registry?

The Diamond Laser Inscription Registry is a place where you send your name and personal information along with that laser inscription that identifies that diamond is yours. That is then used to track diamonds that are lost; and police agencies use that registry when diamonds are recovered to match them up with their original owners.

What is diamond laser inscription?

Diamond laser inscription is a manner in which a number is inscribed into the girdle of a diamond, for identification purposes. It's so small that it doesn't affect the beauty or the brilliance of the diamond. In fact, you need magnification to be able to see it, but it's a way to be able to track that the diamond that you purchase is still your diamond, over the years of service and maintenance, and when it's out of your sight.

What is a AGS diamond quality document?

AGS diamond quality document is produced by the American Gemmological Society Laboratory. AGS, along with GIA, is one of the most respected laboratories when it comes to grading reports for diamonds. AGS has also developed a cut grade that is included in this report that they offer.

What is a diamond's 'proportion diagram'?

A diamond's proportion diagram is almost a map of the diamond that tells you what all the percentages are. For example, the table percentage is derived from how much of the table, which is the top facet of the diamond, actually takes up of the entire area of the top of that diamond. In a diamond proportion diagram, you get all of the numbers, from crown angle to table percentage to depth percentage, and that's another manner in which to identify your diamond as a diamond on that grading report.

What is a diamond's 'clarity plot'?

The diamond's clarity plot is a plot of the diamond that identifies the size, type, and location of the inclusions, so that you don't need a microscope to tell you where the markings are. And, in fact, you use that diamond clarity plot to place the diamond in the microscope and make sure that the markings that are shown on the plot are actually able to be found in that diamond under the microscope.

What is a diamond's 'symmetry'?

A diamond's symmetry tells you how symmetrical that diamond is, and how in shape it is. If a diamond's table isn't centered, the symmetry is off. If the facets don't come clean, crisp points in alignment with the other facets, then its symmetry is off. And when a diamond is off symmetry, you don't get maximum beauty and brilliance. Instead, you get areas of darkness because light is lost.

What is a diamond's 'polish'?

A diamond's polish is the look of the surface. If you think wax on, wax off, and if you have ever polished your car, you know that when you do it yourself you may leave some streaks. Although the surface of the car looks shiny, when you look at it at a certain angle you will notice some marks. When you take it to a professional detailer and they use that orbital polisher and you look at it at the same angle, the polish is nice and smooth. The polish of a diamond tells you how effective the polisher was at maximizing the brilliance and the surface of that facet. If a diamond's polish isn't up to par, if it isn't excellent or very good, then it diminishes the beauty and brilliance of that diamond.

What is a diamond's 'finish'?

The diamond's finish is a combination of the polish and symmetry grade. The finish tells us whether the polish and symmetry together give you a diamond that's most beautiful and brilliant, or whether the polish and symmetry really need to be worked on to improve the look of that diamond.