What Are Certified Diamonds
The process to grade and check cut and polished diamonds, has been very clearly defined. Diamond certification can provide a clear indication of whether, the specific diamond is natural or synthetic. The concept of certifying synthetic diamonds is fairly new. The same grading terms and parameters, are today used to certify natural and synthetic diamonds.
There are many diamond testing laboratories across the world but, no more than a dozen are internationally recognized. GIA (Gemological Institute of America) is considered to be, the most preferred diamond testing laboratory. It also happens to be the most expensive place to test and certify a diamond.
The 4C parameters of a diamond have a strong bearing on the grade of the stone. And for those of you who are not aware the 4Cs are cut, color, clarity and carat (weight). Certified diamonds will have these 4 parameters accurately defined. Interestingly, certified diamonds are often purchased based solely on the certificate. It is important to understand that, it is only certificates from a handful of reputed diamond testing labs, that are trusted to this extent.
Contents Of A Diamond Certificate:
- Authenticity of the diamond - natural or synthetic.
- Whether any treatment was applied to the stone.
- Color of the diamond being tested.
- The clarity of the stone, this refers to internal inclusions.
- The cut of the stone, the ideal cut brings out the best fire.
- The carat (weight) of the specific diamond.
- The dimensions of the diamond would also be mentioned.
- Besides the type of cut, certificates often mention the quality of the cut.
The above parameters are absolutely essential and a certificate without them would not be very useful. A few diamond testing labs, provide additional information regarding the diamond being tested.
We talked to second generation diamond veteran and promoter of the Glitzkoin diamond blockchain project Navneet Goenka, about certified diamonds.