How Do You Evaluate A Diamond Grading Certificate?
• Determine which organization has provided the diamond grading certificate. Each one has slightly different standards. A certificate or report is only as good as its laboratory’s reputation. • The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) is a non-profit institute that created the “four Cs” (Cut, Clarity, Color and Carat weight) methodology of grading diamonds and the International Diamond Grading System. Reports from this institute do not contain certain aspects of diamond cut that other reports do (e.g. crown height percentage, pavilion depth percentage, crown angle, pavilion angle). Keep in mind that it issues a “report” not a “certificate.” • Hoge Raad voor Diamant (HRD) translates into “Diamond High Council”. It is Europe’s counterpart to the GIA; grading certificates are legal documents in the Far East and Europe, so it’s been recognized by the European Union. • International Gemological Institute (IGI) focuses mostly on appraisals of diamond engagement rings. • Precision Gem Gradi
