Not All Diamonds Are Forever

QUESTION: Why should you buy only certified diamonds?

ANSWER: So you don't end up with a piece of glass.

Speaking of diamonds: nothing is more disheartening then finding out from an appraiser that your diamond is not what it was represented to be. Nevertheless, appraisals can also be worthless. Your best bet is to buy only diamonds that are certified as graded what the jeweler claims them to be.

Some retailers count on the fact that only a minority of customers actually have their diamonds and jewelry appraised. If you are thinking about buying any diamond or diamonds that don't have certificates, just remember you have no guarantee of quality.

Before purchasing your diamond, you should expect to review a copy of the certificate as proof that it has undergone a professional examination.

A diamond certificate, also called a diamond grading report or a Diamond Dossier®, is a report created by a team of unbiased gemologists. The diamond is evaluated, measured, and scrutinized using trained eyes, a jeweler’s loupe, a microscope, and other industry tools. A completed certificate includes an analysis of the diamond’s dimensions, clarity, color, polish, symmetry, and other characteristics. Many round diamonds will also include a cut grade on the report.

• There are 4 Labs That Do Most of the Certification for Diamonds:

1. Gemological Institute of America or GIA



2. American Gemological Society or AGSL



3. The Israel Diamond Institute or IGI



4. European Gemological Laboratory or EGL