Diamond Identification Center
Diamond is hailed as the king of gems, but how to verify the authenticity of its composition through sophisticated equipment is an esoteric and professional knowledge. Nowadays, the technology of diamond processing is changing with each passing day. There are glass filling, laser perforation, high temperature and high pressure color change and even CVD synthetic deposition diamonds, which cannot be identified by ordinary instruments. Internationally recognized certificates are the best guarantee.
The world's three major diamond certification agencies such as: GIA American Gem Laboratory, IGI International Gem Laboratory, HRD Belgium Diamond High-level Conference. (EGL European Gem Lab - no longer legal)
GIA / Gemological Institute of America
GIA was founded in 1931, long before World War II. It is a non-profit organization with funds donated by people in the jewelry industry. Its main service scope is jewelry design and professional knowledge education and research. GIA sets the highest grade for diamond clarity as F (Flawless), which differs from the well-known IF (Internally Flawless) grade in that it not only requires the diamond to be internally flawless, but also that the surface of the diamond cannot be scratched. Marks or even wear marks, so you must be extremely careful in diamond inlay processing and wearing, otherwise the certificate level will be inconsistent at every turn. However, GIA's cut grade FINISH (overall modification) is only divided into POLISH (polish) and SYMMETRY (symmetry); generally only the size of the girdle of the diamond is provided without description; and the case of the diamond culet is not described. Other diamond details are shown in graphs depending on the size, which is more intuitive.
The content of GIA's certificate is very fixed, and there is almost no information that focuses on which aspect can be provided. If there are special circumstances, such as: hearts and arrows, it will be written in the diamond comment column, and the waist engraving service will be provided, but there is no engraving photo, loose diamonds Supplied in paper packaging. GIA only has two types of certificates, the small certificate does not have a detailed chart of diamond flaws, and the large certificate has a clarity flaw chart and will write the name of the flaw. At present, most of the certificates in China are small certificates, and there are only textual information such as the basic 4C and cut ratio. The certificate can be queried online. International certificates adopt strict anti-counterfeiting measures. Each certificate has anti-counterfeiting marks of various institutions. The certificate number query on the website can also prove the authenticity of the certificate.
GIA's appraisal price is the most expensive among the three, because all of its appraisal departments are located in the United States, and the cost of back and forth transportation is also considerable, and the time cost of appraisal will also be high.
Official website certificate query:https://www.gia.edu/report-check-landing
Certificate History:★★★★★
Authority:★★★★★
IGI / International Gemological Institute
IGI in Europe started diamond identification around 1975. The clarity description used in the IGI certificate is up to the IF level to ensure the stability of the certificate information. IGI is the most accurate for diamond cut information. The FINISH item is subdivided into three items: SYMMETRY, POLISH, and PROPORTION (the proportion of each part of the diamond). The detailed description of the culet and waist of the diamond is also in place.
The Hearts and Arrows diamond certificate specially produced by IGI, the comments will write the H&A of the ideal cut, with a photo of the hearts and arrows pattern taken specifically for the diamond, it is the only certificate that can display the cut so intuitively, by This shows that its requirements for diamond cut can be said to be extreme. For diamonds cut by special techniques, IGI can also issue additional targeted certificates. In addition, IGI is the only appraisal agency among the three that can take photos of the laser engraving on the waist of the diamond, which adds another layer of protection to the correspondence between the diamond and the certificate. Finally, IGI is also the only institution that provides international certificates for diamond jewellery.
Official website certificate query: http://www.igiworldwide.com/index.php
Certificate History:★★★☆
Authority:★★★★★
HRD / Diamond High Council
HRD began grading diamonds after 1976. The HRD certificate uses more descriptive language. For example, the diamond color is not divided into D, E, F, etc., but phrases such as "WHITE", "SLIGHTLY TINTED WHITE", and the color level below N is no longer distinguished; in addition, HRD has a quick "diamond identification certificate" for diamonds under 1 carat. Compared with its "diamond certificate", the content information is relatively brief.
HRD's Diamond Color Report, which focuses on the color grade and naturalness of a colored diamond, is also featured. It can provide plastic sealing service of bare diamonds to prevent counterfeiting and avoid damage. The digital record in the HRD certificate is covered with a transparent mesh tape to prevent alteration, and the internal or external characteristics are affixed with a clarity chart and detailed markings inside the certificate and on the wrapping paper.
Official website certificate query: https://my.hrdantwerp.com/
Certificate History:★★★☆
Authority:★★★★★
EGL / European Gemological Institute Laboratory (no longer legal)
HRD began grading diamonds after 1976.
From September 2015, the Rapaport Group, which founded the International Diamond Price List, will no longer accept EGL certificates from the European Gemological Institute, and will publish a cover story called "Integrity Rating" in the magazine of the same name in November, boycotting EGL's "Over-rating" behavior over the past few years. EGL uses the terminology used by GIA to grade diamonds that are orders of magnitude higher than GIA standards for color and clarity,” Rapaport founder and chairman Martin Rapaport said in his magazine 11 Criticizing EGL's disqualification in grading loose diamonds, the monthly magazine said, "Many retailers see EGL's certificates as lucrative and flock to them. "
no longer legal
The global owner of the EGL trademark (which can be understood as the EGL board of directors) issued a notice to the Israel Diamond Exchange and the global diamond industry. (EGL International) As of November 25, 2014, no longer have the right to use the EGL trademark. This means that from November 25, 2014, EGL International can no longer use the EGL laboratory and EGL International to issue diamond grading reports. Therefore, any use of diamond grading reports issued by EGL International or at http://www.eglrepots.org after November 25, 2014 will not be recognized by the EGL trademark owner. The global owner of the EGL trademark (which can be understood as the EGL board of directors) issued a notice to the Israel Diamond Exchange and the global diamond industry. (EGL International) As of November 25, 2014, no longer have the right to use the EGL trademark. This means that from November 25, 2014, EGL International can no longer use the EGL laboratory and EGL International to issue diamond grading reports. Therefore, any use of diamond grading reports issued by EGL International or at http://www.eglrepots.org after November 25, 2014 will not be recognized by the EGL trademark owner.
Official website certificate query: https://my.hrdantwerp.com/
Certificate History:★★☆☆
Authority:★☆☆☆☆
