Before purchasing a diamond, you should expect to review a copy of its certificate as proof that it has undergone an unbiased, professional examination.
A diamond certificate, also called a diamond grading report or diamond quality document, is a report created by a team of gemologists. The diamond is evaluated, measured, and scrutinized using trained eyes, a jeweler’s loupe, a microscope, and other industry tools. A completed certificate includes an analysis of the diamond’s dimensions, clarity, color, polish, symmetry, and other characteristics. Many round diamonds will also include a cut grade on the report.
Venus Jewelers sells loose diamonds that have been analyzed and graded by either the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) or the American Gem Society Laboratories (AGSL). These two laboratories are the most respected laboratories in the diamond industry, and are known for their consistency and unbiased diamond grading systems. Diamonds that are accompanied by these grading reports are the most highly valued in the industry.
Gemological Institute of America (GIA)
The most respected and recognized laboratory world-wide is the Gem Trade Laboratory of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). GIA, which is a non-profit, educational institution founded in the 1940s, developed the color and clarity grading systems which are used throughout the world today. GIA is recognized throughout the diamond industry for their unbiased integrity and their strict, comprehensive grading standards as seen in every grading report they produce.
American Gem Society (AGS)
Second to GIA would be a certificate obtained from the American Gem Society (AGS). AGS holds a similar recognition and respect throughout the world to that of GIA certificates. AGS certifications are most often used by diamond cutters who wish to confirm near ideal or ideal cut diamonds. The AGS grading laboratory director just happens to be the past founding director of GIA’s Gem Trade laboratory.
Other Certification Laboratories
Throughout the country and abroad you will find many other recognized laboratories including International Gemological Institute (IGI) and European Gemological Institute (EGL) which will provide certification for diamonds.
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