Education: Diamond Certificate Types
Diamond certificate types education...Certificates are documents in which specially trained, independent, third-party gemologists detail their evaluations of gemstones and/or finished pieces of jewelry. The gemologists describe the physical characteristics of the gemstones and/or finished jewelry items and assign them standardized grades in areas such as cut, color, and clarity. These independent assessments of jewelry quality are an important tool in helping you make a good purchasing decision.
GIA and AGS Certificates
Laboratories such as the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and the American Gem Society (AGS) will only grade unmounted diamonds, gemstones, colored diamonds, and pearls. They document the exact millimeter dimensions, carat weight, color, clarity, and cutting proportions, and they also include polish and symmetry comments. These certificates may also contain a plotting, or mapping, of the internal characteristics of the gemstone. These laboratories do not give a retail value for the gemstone or evaluate the mounting or finished piece of jewelry.
IGI, EGL, IGL Certificates
Laboratories such as the International Gemological Institute (IGI), European Gemological Laboratory (EGL), and Independent Gemological Laboratories (IGL) grade unmounted diamonds, gemstones, colored diamonds, and pearls. They document the exact millimeter dimensions, carat weight, color, clarity, and cutting proportions, and they also include polish and symmetry comments. These certificates may also contain a plotting, or mapping, of the internal characteristics of the gemstone. These laboratories also offer independent third-party appraisal documents that detail the characteristics of the diamond(s) as well as the mountings, and they list a retail replacement value for insurance purposes. This value is wholly determined by the laboratories (never by the retailers selling the stone or jewelry), which use a complex formula that averages different regional retail prices to come up with a retail replacement value that can be used nationwide. This replacement value may be different than the market (actual selling) value, which may be significantly less. The primary purpose of the retail value on the certificate is for insurance replacement.
Note: Certified jewelry generally costs more than non-certified jewelry. For instance, a certified .50-carat round brilliant diamond in a 14k yellow gold mounting might cost $50 to $75 more than a similar non-certified ring. Certificate prices generally increase for jewelry with larger diamonds. Keep in mind that without the certificate, you can't make jewelry comparisons as accurately.
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