In a previous article entitled "What are Independently Certified Diamonds?" I discussed the merits of Independently Certified Diamonds.
That article talked about "internationally recognised grading laboratories." I think it is important to describe what international recognition means with regards a diamond grading laboratory and how you can evaluate your grading certificate.
In a recent discussion about the credentials of the Diamond Certification Laboratory of Australia (DCLA) I was amused to hear commented, "How can the DCLA be internationally recognised? No merchant I have spoken to here (in New York) has even heard of them!"
After hearing this comment, I am compelled to make my first point that being recognised (or not) by a handful of diamond traders or retailers in a particular city does not determine international recognition.
In short an 'internationally recognised' laboratory is one which is acknowledged by the international industry bodies and organisations. This acknowledgement means that the organisations have confirmed that the laboratory grades diamonds to an internationally agreed standard.
The international standard for diamond grading is the International Diamond Council (IDC) standard.
The IDC is a joint committee founded by the International Diamond Manufacturers Association (IDMA) together with the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB )
The aim of the IDC is to ensure adherence to the grading standards defined in the CIBJO Blue Book.
"The CIBJO Blue Book is a definitive set of standards for the grading, methodology and nomenclature standards for diamonds, coloured gemstones and pearls, in which the latter incorporates all organic materials."
A pre-requisite for international recognition is recognition by the national organisation of the country, defined in this criteria:
"The laboratory must be recognized by the national organization, which is a member of CIBJO as being representative of its country and the trade. In principle, only one laboratory per country, with or without branches, can be recognized."
This means that in order to determine if a laboratory is internationally recognised, you should check with the local industry body. In Australia this is the Jewellers Association of Australia (JAA)
A list of internationally recognised grading laboratories can be found at www.independentlycertifieddiamonds.com
What does this mean? How do I tell if the retailer is reputable or not?
Buying a diamond can be a scary undertaking these days. There is an abundance of information available to consumers, but not all of it is accurate. Hopefully we can clear up a few of the myths and give you some guidelines.
Most diamond buying guides advise you on the 4 C’s and suggest that you only shop at honest, reputable retailers, but how does the average consumer determine this?
Our advice is to ask if the diamond is certified and to see which laboratory issued the certificate or grading report. The quality of the certificate, or lack thereof, goes a long way towards telling if you are dealing with someone reputable and professional.
A diamond certificate or diamond grading report is only as good as the laboratory who issued it.
The certificate should come from a reputable, independent and recognised laboratory.
Diamond certificates from respectable labs, meaning GIA, HRD, AGS or DCLA, are totally necessary if you want to compare diamonds intelligently.
If you are unsure we suggest you do some investigation.
Laboratories such as GIA, HRD, AGS and DCLA issue grading reports of the highest international standards. All of these diamond grading laboratories utilise strict procedures, have the most advanced equipment, and affiliations which meet the strict requirements for recognition by international trade organisations.
It is up to you, the consumer, to verify the credentials of a diamond grading laboratory.
If you are told certification is unnecessary, or that the diamond certificate will cost you extra we suggest that you shop elsewhere.
Valuations or appraisals are NOT the same as a diamond certificate or grading report.
One important thing to remember is that a diamond certificate or grading report never includes an appraisal, or any kind of statement about the monetary value of the diamond.
Be even more cautious of website vendors who issue their own 'in house diamond certificates' or 'manufacturer's grading reports' as these simply are NOT independent certificates and they are NOT from a recognised laboratory.
A diamond certificate, is only useful if it is reliable and has been issued by a reputable independent laboratory which has no financial interest in the stone. If you've never heard of the institution that is offering a grading report, don't hesitate to ask about its credentials and that of the people who graded the diamond.
Diamond grading laboratories which grade to IDC International Diamond Council rules, do not just use the opinion and expertise of one person. They must grade the diamond and have the opinion and consensus of three qualified diamond graders before the grade is applied to any diamond.
Do not judge a certificate by its cover and title alone
Just because someone calls themselves a laboratory or opens up a business to do diamond certificates and valuations after having completed a gemology course, that does not mean they have the needed technical equipment, qualifications, knowledge and expertise.
These small local labs often lay claims of being independent, recognised, and having state of art equipment but what about the qualifications of the directors, graders and that of the person who graded the diamond? Did they test for all types of treatments and any enhancements? Do they guarantee that the diamond is natural? Was the diamond laser inscribed using a cold laser? Do they grade diamonds to set international rules and standards?
It is one thing to produce great looking certificates but it is extremely important that the certificate or grading report has accurate information and is technically correct.
As a consumer, the diamond certificate or grading report is your safe guard when buying a diamond. Diamond certificates are invaluable documents that show in detail a diamond's credentials, so why wouldn't you check the credentials of the laboratory who graded the diamond and the retailer as well?