|
 |
 |
![]() |
|
|
The Differences between a Jewelry Appraisal and a 'Diamond Lab Certificate'
Jewelry appraisals and diamond lab certificates are two important types of reports about your diamond but they do not serve the same purposes. It is also important to note that an appraisal differs from a diamond certificate (also called a Diamond Quality Report). A diamond certificate is a document generated by a gemological laboratory that describes some of the properties of a loose diamond but does not offer any type of valuation. It's an authentication report. The most obvious difference between a diamond certificate and an appraisal is that a certificate does not offer a value but there are others. Gemological Lab reports are for a single un-mounted gemstone while appraisals are generally for a piece of jewelry. A good appraisal contains everything on the gemological lab report (probably even a full copy of the gem lab report) plus quite a bit more including details on the cutting of the diamond, condition, craftsmanship, details on other diamonds or gemstones and basically everything about the piece other than the center diamond as well as a discussion of the marketplace being described and, of course, the bottom line value. You'll also notice that gemological lab reports don't generally have a signature, a list of qualifications or any of those other 'extra' pages that appraisals tend to have.
More on independent jewelry appraisals
A gemological lab certificate or grading report describes some important features of the un-mounted diamond. This invaluable document shows in detail a diamond's carat weight, shape, color, clarity, overall dimensions, and several of the other physical characteristics of your diamond. It provides a unique evaluation of a diamond and is a source of vital information to the trained gemologist, jeweler, and/or consumer. Any treatment used to enhance the diamonds will be identified. The report will enable the jeweler or appraiser to establish the current market value of your diamond should you desire to obtain insurance of your jewelry. Reports differ for diamonds and colored gems. Think of a certificate as kind of a road-map of the gemstone--it will not change unless the gem undergoes alterations or an error was made during evaluation.
More of what's in a Diamond Lab Certificate.
A Diamond Quality Report should contain all of the following:
Shape and cut of the diamond (Round Brilliant, Princess, etc.; the physical dimensions of the diamond, including measurements and carat weight.)
Color grade (The usual color range of diamonds is colorless to light yellow and brown.) These diamonds are graded with a single letter ranging from D - Z in increasing order of color saturation. This "D - Z" color range was developed by the Gemological Institute of America to allow people to communicate diamond color in an effective and standardized way. Everything beyond Z is considered to be a fancy colored diamond and will be graded on a separate scale.
Clarity Grade - Almost all diamonds contain small features called "inclusions". These can be crystals of other materials, small cracks or growth planes in the diamond, scratches on the surface, even other diamond crystals. Most diamond inclusions are not visible to the naked eye and require magnification for viewing. Diamonds with no inclusions are quite rare and extremely valuable. The diamond clarity scale ranges from F (flawless) to I-3 (Inclusions severely that affect the beauty or durability of the stone).
Plotting diagram - This is a small drawing with the facet pattern of the diamond and markings for the location of the inclusions. The GIA reports on smaller diamonds (called a 'diamond dossier') don't contain this but all AGS reports have one and GIA reports on bigger stones have it.
A "Cut Grade" indicating the physical and optical (light performance) properties of the diamond are included on some reports from some gemological labs. GIA includes this with round brilliant cuts and AGS includes it on round brilliant, princess and emerald cuts. Details on the GIA and AGS systems are explained on their respective websites.
Treatments - All treatments done to the stone other than cutting should be listed. This can include laser drilling, High Pressure - High Temperature (HPHT) color treatment and fracture filling (Yehuda Diamonds). These can have an important affect on the value of the diamond.
Fluorescence - Some diamonds respond to ultraviolet light with a glow known as fluorescence. The presence or absence of fluorescence can be useful in recognizing your diamond and, in rare circumstances can affect the beauty in certain lighting conditions.
Symmetry & Polish - These are the finish details that describe the quality of diamond workmanship. They are usually graded on a 5 step scale from poor - excellent or ideal.
Girdle Inscriptions - Some diamonds have markings written on the edge using a laser. This can be as simple as a serial number and a logo to personalized messages proclaiming your love and literally carving it in stone. If these markings were there when the lab saw the diamond, they will be mentioned on their diamond report.
|
| < Previous Page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, Next Page > |
|
![]() |
 |
|
|
|
|
