Items of significant value typically come with important documentation. Houses have deeds. Vehicles have titles and registration. Purebred pets have pedigree papers. And a college education is validated with a diploma. But what about something as important as a diamond? The answer is that independent support documentation is available for diamonds, too, to verify their quality and provide positive identification.
The most widely used and recognized means of verifying a diamond’s quality is with a GIA Diamond Grading Report™ or GIA Diamond Dossier®, provided by the internationally recognized, nonprofit Gemological Institute of America (GIA).
A report from GIA provides an expert analysis of the quality of a diamond based upon the 4Cs of diamond grading: color, cut, clarity, and carat weight. The GIA Diamond Grading Report also includes a plotting diagram which depicts the diamond’s unique clarity characteristics, such as inclusions. In addition, since GIA is not affiliated with any commercial enterprise, the public is assured the world’s most impartial and accurate analysis of a diamond.
The GIA Laboratory employs hundreds of highly trained diamond graders, gemologists, and research technicians and scientists to ensure the highest caliber of analysis for every diamond submitted for grading. Some of the world’s most famous diamonds have been graded by GIA Laboratory experts, including the legendary Hope Diamond (45.52 carats) and the De Beers Centenary Diamond (273.85 carats).
GIA only grades unmounted diamonds, and the fee for services varies based on the weight of the diamond. For an additional fee, the unique GIA Report Registry number can be micro-laser inscribed onto the diamond’s girdle (thin outer edge). This unique number provides added security to the diamond’s owner. The owner can also choose to inscribe a personal message, such as “I Love You,” a special date, or any message of choice. The number or wording is permanently registered in GIA’s archive database.
Diamonds weighing 1.99 carats or less can be issued a GIA Diamond Dossier®. This report provides the same information as the GIA Diamond Grading Report, except for the plotting diagram. The micro-laser inscription of the diamond’s unique GIA Report number is included for each diamond receiving a Dossier at no additional charge.
This is great information... it's honestly so important to get diamonds that come with Diamond Grading Reports that I'm really surprised that more people don't know about them! I know that for me it would be ridiculous to get something so important without proof of its value, so a GIA-certified diamond is a must. Thanks so much for writing this article and helping to get the word out about GIA. With all the technologies out there to modify and simulate diamonds, it's good to know that there's an organization that's dedicated to protecting consumers.
ReplyDelete