14 Karat
What is a diamond certificate?
Diamond certificates, or grading reports, are independent documents that provide extensive information about the quality of a diamond. Along with carat weight, measurements, clarity grade, and color grade.
Gemological Institute of America (GIA)
Established in 1931, the Gemological Institute of America is the world’s foremost authority on diamonds, colored stones, and pearls. GIA exists to protect all purchasers of gemstones by providing the education, laboratory services, research, and instruments needed to accurately and objectively determine gemstone quality. The GIA laboratory is the world’s most trusted name in diamond grading and gemstone identification. The GIA Diamond Grading Report includes an assessment of a diamond’s 4C’s – color, clarity, cut, and carat weight – along with a plotted diagram of its clarity characteristics and a graphic representation of the diamond’s proportions. For standard round brilliant cut diamonds falling in the D-Z color range, the report also includes a GIA Cut grade. The GIA laboratory issues diamond grading reports for loose, natural diamonds in the D-Z color range that weigh 0.15 carats or more. GIA Diamond Grading Reports are not issued for synthetics, simulants, mounted diamonds, or those that have undergone unstable treatments, such as fracture filling or coating. While reports may be issued for diamonds that have been laser drilled or HPHT processed, these stable treatments are prominently disclosed on the report.
European Gemological Laboratory (EGL)
EGL USA is one of the largest and oldest independent gemological institutions focusing on gemstone certification and research. Originally part of an international network founded in Europe in 1974, EGL USA opened its first U.S. lab in the heart of New York’s international diamond and jewelry district in 1977. Before a diamond gets the EGL USA “stamp of approval” and receives a certificate, it goes through the hands of at least eight professionals, four of which are trained gemologists. It takes a minimum of five graders just to grade the color and clarity of each diamond.