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Diamond Blueprints A diamond certificate (also called a "diamond grading report") is simply a piece of paper with a detailed description of a diamond. It is NOT an appraisal and does NOT tell you the monetary value of the diamond. Think of the certificate as a "blueprint" of the diamond. The description is (most often) written by a certified gemologist who has examined the stone. The certificate includes information such as: shape, color grade, clarity grade, carat weight, cut specifications, placement of inclusions, and more. Please note that there are a number of labs that issue certificates (which may contain all or some of the information listed above). Not all certificates are created equal (and not all are issued by certified gemologists) -- if you don't recognize the grading lab on a report you're reviewing, ask the jeweler to provide specifications about the lab. If you don't know the lab, make sure you trust the jeweler or you could end up paying a lot more than the diamond is worth. Respected grading labs do not sell diamonds -- that would be a significant conflict of interest. Which raises the issue of in-house certificates that some jewelers provide. Some in-house certifications are perfectly legitimate, but keep in mind that less than honorable jewelers have been known to grade diamonds higher than the diamond deserves -- which means you end up paying for quality you're not getting -OR- you think you're getting a great deal when in truth you're buying a low quality stone. The Two Most Respected Diamond Grading Labs GIA (Gemological Institute of America): Internationally, the Institute has distinguished itself as a preeminent source of gemological knowledge and integrity. And by extension, the GIA Diamond Grading Report and the GIA Diamond Dossier are considered the world's premier gemological credentials. Diamonds of all shapes and sizes are sent to the Institute from around the world for analysis and grading. Some of the more celebrated stones include: the Hope Diamond (45.52 carats), the Steinmetz Pink (59.60 carats), the Taylor-Burton Diamond (69.42 carats), the Allnatt (101.29 carats), the De Beers Millennium Star (203.04 carats), the Centenary Diamond (273.85 carats), and the Incomparable Diamond (407.48 carats). AGS (American Gemological Society): The American Gem Society Laboratories was established to provide consumers with an unbiased, credible analysis of a diamond. The AGS Laboratories maintains the most stringent criteria in the industry based on the American Gem Society's Diamond Standards. What About EGL? EGL (European Gemological Institute): EGL has come under fire from some camps... some say their grading standards are not strict enough and there have been instances of concern over fraudulent certificates. That said, other experts in the field say that there is not a thing wrong with EGL or its grading practices and there's an added benefit that EGL Certified diamonds are often priced lower than GIA and AGS certified diamonds. Additional Resources Where to Buy Editor's Pick! Mondera: AGS and GIA certified diamonds DiamondSafe.com: EGL certified diamonds Tutorials, Guides Diamond Buying Guide: More extensive information about each of the Four Cs, precious metals, diamond pricing, and more. Auntie's Diamonds: More extensive information presented in a humorous (and accurate) manner.

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