What is a Diamond Certificate?

A diamond certificate otherwise know as, diamond grading report, dossier or a diamond analysis document, is a certificate that verifies the authentication of the diamond.

 What does the Diamond Certificate verify?

The diamond certificate verifies all the extremely important attributes of the diamond, the verification is done in the opinion of a qualified, experienced gemmologist.The following attributes are all varied in the certificate, covering the most important 4c’ – Colour, Clarity, Carat and Cut:

• Colour
• Clarity
• Carat Weight
• Cut
• Dimensions
• Griddle thickness   
• Polish
• Symmetry
• Standard of finish

The certificate can as well be used for insurance purposes and replacement value.

Is it important to buy Certified Diamonds?

Buying certified diamonds is so important that it is even referred to as the fifth ‘C’, (Cut, Colour, Clarity and Carat Weight.

There are many aspects which determine the value of a diamond, the problem is there are some Jewellers who make enhancements to the diamond and sell them without reviling to the buyer the treatment which the stone has been through enabling them to sell Diamonds that are yellowish in colour (colour grades S through Z) which they use high pressure and heat treatment to make them whiter (HPHT). Such treatment also makes diamonds more fragile and brittle and, therefore, more prone to damage.

What hidden enhancement should I be aware about and how does a certificate help?

There are many hidden enhancements to be aware of buying uncertified certificates, below are a few:

Enhanced diamonds – Enhanced diamonds are low quality diamonds that have been artificially treated to make them appear a higher quality then they really are. It can be laser drilling to remove visible inclusions, fracture-filling to hide small internal cracks, and colour-treating to give a diamond either more or less colour.

Yehuda – A process named after the inventor, which diamond fractures are filled with molten glass, to improve clarity by one or two grades. Instead of molten glass, some jewellers use cheaper materials containing bromine to fill the fractures, which inevitably make the diamond darker over time, due to ultraviolet exposure.

Getting the diamond certified will ensure that is there is any enhancement; it will be noted on the certificate, so you will know exactly what you are getting and not be shocked by nay nasty surprises.

Does the Certificate need to be from an international recognized diamond laboratory?

It is essential when purchasing a diamond that it gets certified from an independent, international recognised gemmological laboratory, as doing so ensures that you are going to get a real experts opinion about the diamond.

Getting a certificate from a body not recognised as a international recognised diamond laboratory means that the seller self certify their diamonds, as they are not confident enough in the diamond to send it to a international recognised diamond laboratory to get it certified, as it would not reach the grade they want to sell it for, instead they add on higher grades, which means that you are paying for something which it is not what it really is, and falling into their profit trap.

Another thing to be aware of that a lack of a certificate may be a clue that the diamond has been “enhanced” and the jeweller knows an inspection would reveal the diamond’s true condition, as well as indicate how the compromised diamond might erode. Internal fractures, inclusions, and excessively yellowish colour, can be treated to visually improve the appearance of the stone. Such treatment deteriorates the overall quality and value of the stone.

An uncertified or self-certified diamond advertised as colour grade F may turn out to be more like a G or even H colour grade when compared with an independently certified diamond, meaning that, like for like, you might have saved very little at all.

Are all diamond certificates the same?

• Verifies that the diamond is 100% natural or enhanced: YES
• Gives you an experienced, third-party quality grading: YES
• Allows you to comparison shop to get the best price: YES
• Adds value to the diamond: YES
• Gives you reinsurance you are getting what you are paying for: YES
• Can use for insurance purposes: YES

Uncertified Diamonds

• Verifies that the diamond is 100% natural or enhanced: NO
• Gives you an experienced, third-party quality grading: NO
• Allows you to comparison shop to get the best price: NO
• Adds value to the diamond: NO
• Gives you reinsurance you are getting what you are paying for: NO
• Can use for insurance purposes: NO

Self-Certified Diamonds

• Verifies that the diamond is 100% natural or enhanced: MAYBE
• Gives you an experienced, third-party quality grading: NO
• Allows you to comparison shop to get the best price: NO
• Adds value to the diamond: NO
• Gives you reinsurance you are getting what you are paying for: NO
• Can use for insurance purposes: NO

Precious Jewels UK promise

At Precious Jewels UK we guarantee that each diamond we sell comes certified by an independent, international recognised gemmological laboratory, ensuring that you get what you pay for leaving you with much more confidence and value.

You know with confidence that what ever you buy from is, is what the description says it is and you will not become a victim of an enhancement diamond.