About Diamond Certificates

A diamond grading certificate is a report given by an independent and professional gemological laboratory. The diamond is evaluated for its quality, not its value. Every diamond is unique. The certificate will map out all the diamond's recognizable and individual characteristics. Each certificate will include the diamond's color, clarity, carat weight and cut information (see the 4 C's of quality). The grading report also includes a hand-drawn map of the diamond's inclusions. Since no two diamonds are exactly alike you can always check that the certificate matches the diamond.

There are dozens of gemological laboratories handing out certificates but only a few are respected by the diamond trade. Some well-known laboratories include the European Gemological Laboratories (EGL) and the Gemological Institute of America known as GIA

To better understand your certificates here are some commonly used terms

Stone ID: A Unique number representing your diamond. This number is registered in a global database.

Date: The date the report was issued.

Cut and Shape: Shapes other than the standard round brilliant are called fancy shapes or fancy cuts. Their names are based on their shapes. The best known are the heart, marquise, pear-shaped cut, emerald cut, princess cut, oval, and radiant.

Dimensions: The dimensions of the diamond are stated as "largest diameter - smallest diameter X depth" for round shapes and "length X width X depth" for other shapes.

Carat Weight: The standard unit of weight used for gemstones. One carat equals .200 grams (or 200 milligrams). Usually abbreviated ct.

Graining: Graining and grain lines reflect irregularities in the crystal structure. Colorless graining usually does not affect the clarity grade; but white, colored, or reflective graining does.

Proportions: Proportion refers to the angles and relative measurements of a polished diamond. More than any other feature, proportions determine a diamond's optical properties. Studies have shown that table size, crown angle, and pavilion depth have a dramatic effect on a diamond's appearance.

Depth%: The depth of the diamond divided by the average diameter for rounds, or the depth divided by the width of the diamond for other shapes.

Table%: The average size of the table facet divided by the average diameter of the diamond for round shapes, or the width of the diamond for other shapes.

Girdle: The girdle is the outside edge of the outline of the diamond. The certificate indicates the thickness of the girdle relative to the size of the diamond, and the condition either polished or faceted.

Culet: The point at the bottom of the diamond. If the culet is faceted then the certificate indicates the size of the facet relative to the size of the diamond.

Finish: Finish grades represent the quality of the diamond's surface condition (polish), and the size, shape and placement of the facets, including the evenness of the outline (symmetry).

Polish: Indicates the care taken by the cutter in shaping and faceting the rough stone into a finished and polished diamond.

Symmetry: A diamond's symmetry is the arrangement of the facets and finished angles, created by the diamond cutter. Excellent symmetry of a well-cut and well-proportioned diamond can have a great effect on the diamond's brilliance and fire. Grading reports will often state the diamond's symmetry in terms of Excellent, Very good, Good, Fair, or Poor.

Cut: The proportions and finish of the diamond. With the proper proportions, most of the light that enters a diamond is returned revealing the diamond's brilliance and fire. Any deviation of these proportions will compromise the beauty of the stone.

Clarity: Clarity represents the relative absence of inclusions and blemishes in the diamond. Clarity is graded under 10X magnification from Flawless to Included based on the size, nature, position and quantity of the diamond's inclusions.

Color: Assesses to an obvious yellow (Z) when compared to Master Color diamonds.

Pavillion: Depth The distance from the bottom of the girdle to the culet is the pavilion depth. A pavilion depth that is too shallow or too deep will allow light to escape from the side of the stone, or leak out of the bottom. A well-cut diamond will direct more light through the crown.

Tolkowsky Ideal Cut: In the 1920's a Russian Mathematician by the name of Marcel Tolkowsky calculated the proportions of the facets in a round diamond that would bring an ideal balance between brilliance and dispersion. Any deviation from these designs will compromise the beauty of the stone.

Fluorescence: When exposed to ultraviolet light, a diamond may exhibit a more whitish, yellowish or bluish tint, which may imply that the diamond has a property called fluorescence. The untrained eye can rarely see the effects of fluorescence. Diamond grading reports often state whether a diamond has fluorescent properties. Fluorescence is not considered a grading factor, only a characteristic of that particular diamond.

Crown Height: The crown is the upper portion or the top of a diamond.

Diagram: A diagram approximates the shape and cutting style of the diamond. Symbols on the diagram include the type, nature, position and approximate size of a clarity characteristic.

Key to Symbols: Lists the characteristics and symbols shown on the diagram, if present. Remember, a diamond grading certificate from a leading gemological laboratory will insure you get the quality you paid for.

Buy Diamond

Diamond is one of the rare and expensive stone that is really desirable and valuable. With its glittering shine and lavishness in style, diamonds are always a great piece to treasure it for throughout the life. Normally, the value and worth of diamond is calculated on the basis of its clarity, cut, color and carat or weight. Once you get aware of these 4 c’s, it becomes easier to choose a right and perfect diamond that reflects its charm and beauty brilliantly.

Clarity, cut, color and carat complete the 4’c of diamond that ensures its actual worth of a diamond. Here, clarity refers to the clearness of the diamond i.e. the transparency as well as the size and varieties of the diamond. Cut refers to symmetry, finish, polish and depth of the stone which determines its brilliance. The rareness of colors in diamond also affect the price of a diamond as blue, pink, yellow diamonds are really limited and hard to locate thus increasing the price of the diamond. Carat or weight of the diamond is also a major influencing factor in fixing a price of a diamond as price increases with an increase in weight.

Now, when you are sure about these 4c’s, locating a good and suitable diamond for your choice becomes easier. You can go to different sellers and compare the prices of the same piece. Just match the stone with your understanding and needs. For making an effective purchase, you can also go for loose stones as they are economical and vivid in their varieties. From there, you can pick your favorite stone with its color and get it fixed in your preferred design and metal. You can also order a diamond of your choice if it is not available in their store, they will deliver your order in their next lot.

Nowadays, online jewelry purchases are also becoming a hot market. It is a great collection of different varieties of diamonds available in affordable price and great designs.

So, try to learn about 4 c’s correctly and accurately as they will ensure your search for a good diamond. Check the guarantee card and other certificates very well to make sure their clarity, cut, carat and color specifications. See, if it is a suitable piece for your beloved or the person you are intended to gift as it is that brilliant and lavish piece of jewel that a person cherish for her entire life.

What Is A Blood Diamond Or Conflict Diamond?

Also known as conflict diamonds, A blood diamond is a diamond that was mined in a war zone that is sold most of the time to benefit war-torn areas especially in Central and Western Africa. United Nations defines a blood diamond as "...diamonds that originate from areas controlled by forces or factions opposed to legitimate and internationally recognized governments, and are used to fund military action in opposition to those governments, or in contravention of the decisions of the Security Council.”

Blood diamonds are mined on war sites, where many men where killed by disease and plagues. Many people are trying to stop the sale of blood diamonds all across the world. Blood Diamond sales became big in the 1990's with the conflict of Sierra Leone. During this time frame in the 1990's the blood diamond sales made up an estimated 4% of all diamond sales around the world. Today due to sales being banned in some areas, and the Kimberley Process, these diamonds take up around an estimated 1% of the worlds diamond sales. This majority of this small percentage is made up of sales in the Republic of Congo who was suspended from the Kimberley Process, and Liberia and the Ivory coast who are under the United Nations Security Council Resolutions in hopes to stop the extraction and trading of these diamonds.

During July of 2000, the global diamond industry made their disposition of blood diamonds blatantly known all over the world. Highly concerned with abolishing the problem, they began to work very closely with the United Nations and other organizations in efforts stop the extraction and trading of blood diamonds. In 2003 in order to get closer to stopping sales and extraction of the diamonds, the Kimberley Process Certification was created. This system protects against blood diamonds entering the sanctioned diamond supply chain.

Diamond Color 101 - What You Need To Know About The Color Of A Diamond

A diamond is a highly precious stone and is one of the hardest known natural materials in the world.

Many high profile celebrities, royalties and ultra rich people buy diamonds both for adornment and investments. When in time of unforeseen financial problems, diamonds can be easily sold for a high amount.

The price of a diamond is generally based on 4 Cs – Color, Carat, Clarity and Cut. Among these four, the color may be the hardest to decide because there is a wide array of diamond colors to choose from.

There are a variety of colors of diamonds found in the market today. There pink, yellow, blue, brown, red and many other colors. In fact due to structural shifting and a variety of impurities, many other tints of diamonds exist.

To the jewelers, diamonds have color grading to determine the price of the stone. Grades D-E-F generally refers to the colorless type. Diamonds having these grades are usually the more expensive types and very difficult to find because of their rarity.

Grade G-H-I-J are the nearly colorless types and maybe relatively expensive. Diamonds having grades K-L-M have usually yellow tints. Grades can reach up to Z and price decreases as the grading approaches Z.

If you are a purist and have a lot of money, settle for diamonds with a grade of D-F. They are the best the industry but they maybe sold by select few jewelers. Near colorless diamonds within G-I grade show no noticeable color and tints to the naked eye can also be an excellent choice.

It is very common to find fancy and colored diamonds in the market today. Even though they are designed for mass appeal, the still exude elegance and style so it is no wonder that one can see high profile people in public functions wearing these stylish colored diamonds.

Fancy and colorful diamonds are created by irradiation which can turn yellow or brown diamonds into greens, blues, reds and other fancy colored ones. These fancy colored diamonds are an inexpensive alternative to the rare and very expensive natural colorless diamonds. But these fancy colored diamonds should not be considered as an investment. If you want to buy one of these fancy colored diamonds, make sure you ask the jeweler for care instructions.

There are two general grading for fancy colored diamonds. The first is based on basic hue like yellow, blue, green, etc. The second grading is based on intensity. In general, the more intense the color, the more expensive the colored diamond costs. As an example, a fancy vivid pink diamond is more expensive than fancy light pink even if they have exactly the same clarity, shape and size.

To conceal yellowish tints in diamonds that may affect the diamond's quality and price, some jewelers trick buyers by applying coatings to the diamonds to change the color. These coatings will eventually rub off in time. If you are buying diamonds, this is one aspect you should be wary about

Diamonds Jewellery Business Goes Online

by Caroline Melkonian

Online business is a hot topic today. The companies have come to realise they can reach out to a larger customers. It is also provided that they have more potential to increase their revenue. In the past 20 years, many "traditional" businesses have begun to do online business. Jewellery shop is one of them. The shop owner still sell their jewellery in stores, but they also sell through the internet. now you can easily purchase certified loose diamonds, diamond engagement rings, wedding rings and even diamond solitaire rings.



With the potential for scams a real worry, the thought of buying loose diamonds and diamond jewellery seems almost outrageous. Think about it. This is not a book or a plant you are buying. However, you actually can purchase diamonds online, without any problems ? as long as you are careful.



When you first think of diamonds, the price is the first factor which comes to your mind. Whether you are aware or not of the other characteristics of a diamond (cut,colour,clarity,carat), the price is the first thing to think about. For that very reason, many people prefer to make a purchase online opposed to making a purchase from a local jewellery store. Due to low overhead costs, the online jeweller and wholesaler is able to offer an attractive lower price. One of the best things about purchasing online is the unlimited selection. You could look at over a hundred websites to make a selection compared to a limited selection in stores. Also, you are able to compare prices with a click of a button compared to spending hours walking around in malls.



Before shopping, learn as much as you can about diamonds such as their cut, clarity, colour and carat. All this information is readily available on the Internet. The reason this is important is because when you look at the price of the diamond, you are aware that the 4C?s have been taken into consideration. The last thing you want to be is caught out buying certified loose diamonds or diamond engagement rings which are overpriced.



It is very easy to purchase diamonds from among the first few websites you visit. Instead, once something has caught your fancy, compare it with other similar diamonds for sale. The prices should be similar. (However, do not be surprised if there is a large difference because the 4C?s are taken into consideration when a diamond is valued whether it is a certified loose diamond or diamond engagement rings or diamond solitaire rings.



You are ready to make your purchase but WAIT! You need to find out a little about the seller. So many people are eager to make that purchase but end of with a dud piece of jewellery.



You need to check out the sellers credentials. Look out for the contact details on the website. Look for a physical address. If there is a contact number, give it a ring. You are not playing detective but it is an advantage to know who you are dealing with if you are to part with a few hundred or thousands of dollars. See if the seller is part of any jewellery association and what/if any professional background they have. Very importantly, print out the refund/return policy. Find out if they have services which include, mounting/setting of the diamond jewellery, different sizes and cost of shipping.



Something which people forget to ask about is a diamond certificate. (Many jewellers agree it is the 5th C.) This shows that the diamond is certified by a recognised body like GIA, HRD, EGL or AGS.) You should see this before you make the purchase especially if it is a costly diamond like diamond solitaire rings. Another thing which people do is come to an agreement with the seller to send the diamond to an ?external diamond appraiser?. (There may be a small fee). The appraiser will make sure that what the seller is promising to sell you is the real deal. If all checks out, then you get in touch with the seller, make the payment and they will in turn get in touch with the appraiser to release the diamond jewellery to you.



It may all seem too hard but you will be surprised to learn the number of people buying diamonds online have increased dramatically. You never know, the next diamond engagement rings in your family may be bought online!

About the Author:

Wedding Rings, and Loose diamond