Know What You're Buying: Understanding Your Diamond Grading Report
No two diamonds are alike, but to the untrained eye it can be nearly impossible to tell the difference between them. Even when two diamonds may seem identical, a jeweler may be able to identify huge differences in quality and value.
Take for example a diamond buyer who seeks an explanation on why two seemingly similar diamonds are priced hundreds of dollars apart. While a jeweler may explain that the pricier diamond is better, today's buyer is eager to understand why this is so. Contemporary jewelers understand that buyers are entitled to accurate information in regards to their jewelry purchases and that's why the majority of quality diamonds are sold with grading reports provided by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).
These reports are sometimes inaccurately referred to as "certs" or "certificates." It's important to understand that a diamond cannot be certified by an industry professional, but instead the diamond receives a grading report.
And it's not only the consumer who is depending on reliable grading. Jewelers, insurance companies, accounting and securities firms, and many others draw upon the information provided them through diamond grading. Unlike consumable goods, a diamond has no name or history that a consumer can easily obtain. The buyer cannot know where the stone was found, who polished it, or the name of the dealer.
Diamond Grading = Peace of Mind
Grading reports add to peace of mind during a purchase because the quality of the purchase has been independently verified – assuring that the buyer has received exactly what they paid for. Organizations such as GIA are independent of commercial sales and therefore provide objective reports.
In a grading report, the buyer receives a description of the diamond including weight, measurements, shape, cut, clarity, and color, to name a few.
A grading report assures the buyer that a diamond been reviewed independently by a professional gemological laboratory. In case the item is lost or stolen, an image of the article and a number is included. In addition, the buyer also receives documentation that confirms a diamond's origin. Verifying that the diamond is "conflict free" requires that it was mined responsibly and ethically sourced and traded to the retail marketplace.
ABC's of Grading
Assurance
Authentication assures consumers that a diamond's characteristics, its quality and origin have been verified by independent experts.
Beauty
A diamond's fire and sparkle make it beautiful. Grading also helps consumers understand how their diamond is unique, and maps out those differences, educating the consumer on the inimitable characteristics of their stone.
Credibility
Purchasing a diamond is an investment, but there is often mystery and confusion involved with making such a transaction. Independent diamond graders have set the standard of excellence in diamond evaluation. While many consumers do their own homework before making a purchase, they can also be assured that the utmost care has been taken in evaluating and verifying their diamonds beforehand.
The procedures used by organizations such as the GIA are designed to achieve the utmost accuracy. Each diamond is subject to professional scrutiny and analysis by renowned diamond graders and gemologists. In fact, some of the world's most famous diamonds have been graded in their care. Setting the standard for diamond grading, these jewelry professionals, along with local retail jewelers, have been helping consumers make educated jewelry-buying decisions for decades.
Lewis Jewelers is proud to carry the full line of Pandora Jewelry. Pandora bracelets, Pandora charms and Pandora beads are only a part of the collection. For more information, contact Lewis Jewelers, 2000 West Stadium Blvd., Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48103, 877-88-LEWIS or visit LewisJewelers.com.
