Not all sellers present diamond grading lab reviews (aka diamond high quality reviews) to their shoppers. So my common recommendation to you is to maintain your cash in your pocket when coping with such jewelers.

Solely buy a diamond engagement ring if it comes with the unique diamond high quality report.

A lab report is an impartial analysis of the 4Cs of a unfastened diamond and features a plotted diagram of the stone’s readability traits and a graphic illustration of the stone’s proportions. Having such a report means that you can examine diamonds of various qualities and in the end helps you make a extra knowledgeable shopping for resolution.

A retailer could minimize corners and never present a lab report or an unscrupulous vendor could present a fake one due to the time, bother and expense he’ll bear to getting a stone graded.

Yeah – there’s a value for grading a diamond (although that value is ultimately paid by the patron), plus the delivery and insurance prices for sending the diamond to the lab. And allow us to not overlook the chance value of a jeweler not having the diamond in his retailer on the market for a number of weeks whereas the grading takes place.

Nonetheless, a diamond grading report can also not be obtainable as a result of the prices to getting one could affect too closely on the ultimate value of the ring.

For instance, a 0.3ct diamond ring costing $250 say, could value round $75 to be graded and have the report number inscribed on the girdle on the diamond.

As you seek for that ultimate diamond engagement ring on your sweetheart, you will discover that there’s an alphabet soup of labs claiming to supply respected diamond grading reviews. However I’d solely put my cash on…

The Premier Diamond Grading Lab Reviews

Sure, all diamond high quality reviews aren’t created equal. Inside the industry, it’s a consensus that the 2 premier labs are GIA-GTL (Gemological Institute of America’s Gem Trade Lab) and the AGS (American Gem Society Laboratories).

The GCAL (Gem Certification and Assurance Lab) additionally gives extremely regarded reviews or “diamond certificates” as they’re referred to by GCAL.

The GIA has the strongest world status for independence and consistency. As a result of their fixed colour and readability strictness tips, the globe’s largest and costliest diamonds have been despatched there for grading many years. In 2006, GIA-GTL added a two-dimensional minimize grading system for spherical sensible diamonds.

AGS makes use of the strictest minimize requirements within the industry. It makes use of a three-dimensional light efficiency metric that may grade a number of diamond shapes. In reality, it’s the solely minimize grading system that’s acknowledged by the scientific group.

What’s extra, its Diamond High quality Doc makes use of a novel and proprietary 0 to 10 grading system to judge the 4 Cs – a system which is simpler to understand than GIA’s grading system. In reality, AGS even goes the additional step by equating their 0-10 score scale to different types of score.

For instance, the traditional VS1 diamond readability score is a 3 on the AGS Diamond High quality Doc.

Diamond Reporting – The Drawbacks

1. Diamond grading is just not standardized or regulated and therefore chances are you’ll come throughout tier 2 labs that make use of looser tips to the tier 1 grading labs talked about above.

If you happen to purchase a diamond that has been graded by a tier 2 lab, chances are you’ll find yourself paying extra for a lesser high quality diamond. So for instance, a diamond rated a “F” in colour at a tier 2 lab could get a G, H, or decrease colour score at a extra respected lab.

The industry additionally reductions diamonds graded by lesser recognized labs by about 15-30% or extra. So both you solely purchase a diamond graded by a tier 1 lab otherwise you settle for that you simply could be shopping for a lesser high quality diamond than what’s acknowledged on the report if that diamond is graded by a lesser recognized lab.

2. Many giant chain shops have big contracts with lesser recognized labs with “softer” diamond grading tips. A few of these softer labs put “prompt substitute values” on the lab reviews – values that are greater than what shops intends promote the diamonds for.

So a salesman in a series retailer could say to you, “Have a look at the nice deal you’re getting right here. We’re promoting you this diamond engagement ring for $2500 however the report says that the prompt substitute worth is $4000.” Wow – what a deal – NOT! This is the reason it’s higher that you simply belief solely impartial tier 1 labs.

Additionally keep in mind that respected diamond grading reviews aren’t value determinations and do not supply appraisal figures. Diamond value determinations are sometimes grossly inflated and aren’t one thing you will need to depend on.

3. Diamond reviews are riddled with disclaimers that specify that nothing is “licensed” or assured and that the labs aren’t accountable for errors. In reality, the GIA gives a disclaimer of kinds on their website concerning the usage of the phrase “certify.” The website says:

“It’s incorrect to state that college students, graduates, their companies, or specific gems are “licensed” by GIA. The Gemological Institute of America doesn’t certify anybody or something. Neither a pupil nor a graduate who has been awarded a certificate or diploma, nor a gem which has been graded or recognized by GIA has been licensed by GIA”.

So it’s potential that you simply the patron is left holding the bag ought to an inaccuracy in a report is later found. Courts have incessantly dominated that sellers, not labs, are answerable for such errors. Why? As a result of the labs indicated beforehand that their reviews could not be held liable.

Happily, there are a pair methods to offer your self extra purchaser safety:

A. You may fly to India the place jewelers supply a lifetime buyback coverage to their clients. Too costly to fly?

B. You may discover one of many 20% of US jewelers who promote totally bonded diamonds. These are diamonds which are bought with lifetime breakage, lifetime trade-in and lifelong buyback insurance policies.

C. Not pretty much as good a treatment as shopping for a totally bonded diamond however you would purchase a diamond that comes with an precise “certificate” and never a report. “Licensed diamonds do include guaranties” albeit for shorter durations.

Certification

Some sellers seek advice from a “diamond report” as a “licensed diamond” however technically this isn’t right. From a authorized standpoint, a diamond report is a merely an knowledgeable opinion although if truth be told, facets of a diamond grading report aren’t simply opinions.

For instance, a diamond’s carat (weight) could be precisely decided in addition to its minimize grade by measuring its optical effectivity or by referring to a pc model. A certificate on the opposite hand is a statement of truth – a doc for which the issuer accepts obligation and can make restitution to the patron for errors.

Some high diamond grading labs supply each reviews and certificates. AGS gives Diamond High quality Paperwork (non-certified reviews) and likewise Diamond High quality Certificates. Diamond High quality Certificates are ready completely for AGS retail jewelers and gives guaranties from taking part American Gem Society member shops.

GCAL certifies it is diamond grading additionally. Its 100% money-back assure coverage is legitimate for a interval of two years from the date on the relevant certificate. This coverage ensures the accuracy of the minimize, colour and readability grades and the carat weight diamond hk.

A report or certificate ought to may have a number on it which will or is probably not inscribed on a diamond. It is possible for you to to enter that number on the website of the certifying lab to verify a report’s validity.

Components Of A Diamond Grading Report

Diamond grading reviews are all the time evolving however sure factor ought to stay the identical. As an example, the:

The Report #. This number is given and recorded in a lab’s report and will or is probably not inscribed on a diamond’s girdle. You may enter the report number on a grading lab’s website to verify the authenticity of the diamond high quality report or to get extra details about the diamond.

Form & Side Model: That is the define and the reducing fashion used for the side association. There are 3 fundamental side types – “sensible minimize, step minimize and combined reducing fashion” and 12 fundamental shapes which embrace notables resembling spherical sensible and princess minimize” diamonds.

Measurements: This refers to dimension (not weight) of a diamond. Dimension contains dimensions resembling size, width, weight and diameter. A measurement is usually listed to the hundredth of a millimeter. Measurements play an enormous position in how a diamond sparkles.

Carat Weight: The load of a diamond is measured to the hundredth of a carat and a few even present such measure to the thousandth of a carat (1.123ct.). Carat is probably the most goal and the best to know of the 4Cs as a result of all one has to do is weight the stone.

Colour Grade: This tells you the extent of colour absence within the diamond. The much less colour the upper the grade.

Diamonds are sometimes graded from D-Z; the nearer to “D” the whiter the diamond. It’s best to by no means see diamond colour vary resembling (G-H, I-J-Ok, and so forth) on a diamond report. It’s best to solely see colour ranges on value determinations for stones which are mounted.

Readability Grade: Nearly each diamond has inner imperfections known as inclusions and exterior imperfections known as blemishes. A diamond is graded in keeping with the dimensions, kind, location and quantity of those flaws.

Readability grades vary from Flawless (FL) – Included. Labs use a pair consultants to grade the readability of a diamond with the intention to provide you with a extra correct studying.

Minimize Grade: More moderen diamond reviews embrace a minimize grade for normal spherical sensible diamonds. Minimize takes into consideration the brilliance, hearth and scintillation of the diamond. Minimize grade ranges from Glorious – Poor.

Different components chances are you’ll come throughout on a diamond report embrace the polish, symmetry, fluorescence and proportion. Armed with this data, you’re higher capable of make an evaluation of the standard of diamond that’s mounted in an engagement ring.