Wondering what is Diamond certification? Well, it ensures that you are getting a diamond that is worth the price you pay. Let’s learn about the importance & why it matters in this blog.
Buying a diamond is a tedious process, you have to look for a perfect fit from thousands of options that matches your likes and suits your pocket. Further, it doesn’t stop here. You need to look for adequate paperwork that backs up the authenticity of your diamond.
If you’re fretting over what diamond certifications are, we’re here for you!
In today’s blog, we’ll explain in detail what diamond certification is, and some commonly asked questions about the same. Stay tuned!
What is Diamond Certification?
A diamond certification or grading report is a scientific analysis of diamonds offered by an independent gems laboratory. It measures the 4Cs of diamonds- carat (weight), cut, color, and clarity.
A point to note here is that each laboratory grades and describes its diamonds differently. In fact, sometimes the differences in reports can be significant.
The final grading report has a major influence on the diamond’s price. However, since diamond certificates are differentiated, the price and value of diamonds across various certifications must not be compared. To be on the safer side, go for a reputable grading entity (like SGL) and do a close inspection of diamonds before purchase.
Diamond certification allows the buyer to get an idea in real terms of their purchase. Thus, certified diamonds are considered the industry’s most reliable diamonds.
Apart from this, certified diamonds consist of an inscription on their girdle. It is simply a microscopic laser inscription of the grading number on the diamond. In case you do not have the paper, the inscription on the girdle allows an expert to gather data about your diamond without any hassles. Basically, diamond certification and inscription on the girdle go hand in hand.
Importance of Diamond Certification
Diamond certification is essential and must not be overlooked by buyers at any cost. Why? Let’s see.
Through diamond certification, professional geologists and trusted lab authorities vouch for the quality of your diamond and give an apt report of their colour, carat, cut and clarity. With this diamond certificate, you can prove the authenticity of your diamond in the market. Also, with certification, diamonds get a label that justifies the value for their price and also offers safeguards in cases of reselling and replacement.
But, it’s important to note that although diamond certificates justify the value that you get for the price that you are paying, they can in no way improve the diamond’s price in the market.
All in all, diamond certification builds trust and gives your diamond credibility.
How to Read a Diamond Certificate
Even if you’re no expert, reading a diamond certificate won’t be much of a problem. All you need to do is pay heed to some crucial elements of the certificate. But, if you find any difficulties, always take an expert’s opinion.
Following are some of the things to check for in your diamond certificate:
- The Certificate Number– It is a unique number exclusive to your diamond.
- Measurements- The length, width and depth of the diamond will be mentioned in millimetres.
- The 4Cs–
The colour of your diamond will be rated on a scale of D-Z with D being colourless and Z being yellowish.
The carat is simply the weight of your diamond (not size). 1 carat is equal to 0.2 grams.
The clarity of your diamond will be graded on a scale of FL to I3 with FL being flawless and I3 being very much included.
Lastly, the cut grade of your diamond will be graded on a scale of Excellent to Poor.
- Polish- It shows how smoothly the diamond facets have been polished.
- Symmetry– It refers to the preciseness of a diamond’s shape and the symmetrical facet placement.
- Fluorescence- It refers to the glow or shine of a diamond in UV light.
- Inscription– It refers to the inscription of the certificate number on the girdle of the diamond.
- Comments: Additional information about the diamonds is usually found in this section.
We can say that the diamond certification helps to draw three major conclusions.
- Firstly, it tells you whether your diamond is natural or not. It can give you a fair idea about your diamond’s origin; whether it is natural or ab grown. The reputed laboratories use sophisticated equipment while assessing the quality of diamonds and thus their reports are trustworthy.
- Next, as these laboratories are third parties, their reports are usually unbiased. They conduct a quality evaluation of your diamond and present an unbiased report. Thus, they have credibility in the market.
- Both the sellers and buyers are treated as equal parties. Thus, all the stakeholders have common ground because of the transparency of diamond certification.
Factors When Considering Diamond Certification
- Consistency is Key
When it comes to comparing grading reports of two or more entities, it’s vital to look for consistency rather than going with the strictness of the grading. As different labs have different parameters for assessing the quality of diamonds, the grading report of one lab differs from the other.
Suppose, if a lab constantly gives a single, let’s say, clarity grade which is higher than any other lab, that lab is in no way less authentic. Thus, instead of just comparing the grades of different lab reports, look for consistency in one entity’s grading report.
- Diamond Grading Reports are Subjective
Unlike popular assumptions, there’s no hard and fast rule that guides the diamond grading process. Each laboratory has its specific definition of a particular grade range and it might differ from others.
Thus, trusting the entity and checking for its reputation in the market is very important.
- Different Certifications Give Different Results
As mentioned earlier, every lab has the liberty to define and follow its individual grading technique. Thus, their reports differ from each other. Some labs are lenient when it comes to the colour of the diamond, while others may compromise clarity. Therefore, having a sound knowledge of the grading laboratory is a must. It allows you to ensure that the value of the diamond on paper (certificate) is real and you’re not being forged.
- Keep Price Over Certification
No matter how reputed the lab is, the price of the diamond must be thoroughly evaluated. The price of the diamond on the certificate must be justified by its quality. Also, the diamond’s quality, as mentioned in the certificate, must be visible to the naked eye in reality. If you have any doubts about the quality of the diamond, consulting an expert is recommended.
How Should I Check If My Diamond is Certified?
Here are a few ways to check the diamond certification:
Look for the diamond’s certification number: The certification number is a unique identification number that is assigned to each diamond by the certifying agency. It is usually laser inscribed on the diamond’s girdle.
- Check the Certification Agency’s Website
Most certification agencies have an online database where you can verify the authenticity of a diamond’s certificate by entering its certification number. Check the website of the agency that issued the certificate and follow their instructions to verify the diamond’s certification.
- Check the Physical Certificate
If you have the physical certificate, check for the certifying agency’s logo, the certification number, and the diamond’s characteristics. Make sure that the certificate matches the diamond’s physical characteristics.
- Look for the Diamond’s Certification Number
The certification number is a unique identification number that is assigned to each diamond by the certifying agency. It is usually laser inscribed on the diamond’s girdle.
By following these steps, you can verify the authenticity of your diamond’s certification and ensure that you have purchased a genuine and high-quality diamond.
It can be checked by the inscription on the girdle of the diamond. However, not all diamonds have such inscriptions.
SGL Labs Diamond Certificate
The SGL Labs uses modern sophisticated technology to assess the diamonds and documents its findings in a reliable and accurate report known as the SGL Diamond Certificate.
The SGL Diamond Certificate is a trusted and credible diamond certification in India. It has all the information about the diamond right from its origin to its proportions and symmetry is included in that. For presenting a reliable report to its customers, SGL Labs grades diamonds on the basis of an internationally recognised diamond grading system and discloses the tiniest information to ensure transparency.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, diamond certification is a crucial step in your diamond-buying journey and must not be overlooked at any cost. It gives you a clear idea as to what you’re purchasing and whether you’re paying the right price for the purchase or not. Further, after purchasing, a diamond certificate can boost the credibility of your diamond in the market and be useful in reselling and replacement.