Certified Diamonds

When planning your purchase of an engagement ring it is important to ensure your dream ring contains certified diamonds.

Certified diamonds give peace of mind.

Your engagement ring is one of the most significant purchases you are ever likely to make. The ring will be worn for many years as a symbol of your love and commitment to each other, and the amount of money spent on an engagement ring often reflects the importance and significance of this purchase. Therefore, when making such an investment, it is important that you have peace of mind about the quality of your purchase. Buying a ring with a certified diamond will give you a guarantee as to the quality of the diamond you are purchasing.

Your engagement ring is made from two separate components, the actual ring body which is made from a precious metal, and the diamond. You have the reassurance when buying a ring that you can tell the qualities of the precious metal used by the stamp or hallmark. This tells you what the metal is, perhaps when it was made and who made it. If the ring has been hallmarked, then the metal has actually been tested by an independent assay office, thus giving you an assurance of what you are buying. The hallmark and the diamond's certificate will help identify the true quality of your ring.

By buying a certified diamond, you are receiving an additional guarantee over the quality of the ring. An independent party who has tested the diamond will have granted the certificate, which will give the size and dimensions of the diamond, mark the cut, and detail any flaws and inclusions. In effect, the certificate is a passport detailing every aspect of the diamond. It is important to note, however, that whilst a certificate guarantees you the quality of the diamond it does not give you any form of guarantee over the price you are paying.

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) was formed in 1931 and today is the world’s largest non-profit making institute of gemological research and learning. The GIA provides diamond grading certificates internationally, and have graded such diamonds as the famous Taylor/Burton diamond. The GIA also has an extensive education program, which is internationally renowned.

The GIA grading certificates or reports are probably the most widely regarded. Full information about their reports and how to read them is available on their website.

The American Gem Society is a trade body which professionals in the industry can join. The requirements are stringent, however, which ensures that the society maintains its mission to create an association dedicated to setting and maintaining the highest possible standards of business ethics and professionalism in the jewelry industry. To join the society, professionals must have studied and completed an accredited or graduate program from the GIA or Gemological Association of Great Britain and have been trading for longer than 2 years. This gives potential purchasers a reassurance as to the quality of the company they may be dealing with.

The European Gemological Laboratory (EGL) is one of the largest and oldest independent gemological institutions. The EGL USA focuses on the certification of gemstones including diamonds. The EGL USA was originally part of an international network founded in Europe, opening its first U.S. lab in New York in 1977. In 1986, EGL USA became independently owned. Today the EGL USA Group has laboratories in New York City, Los Angeles, Vancouver, and Toronto.

It is important to note that the EGL USA is not affiliated with any other EGL labs outside North America.

When buying diamonds from international dealers, it is vitally important to check the certificate information. It isn’t enough to simply to be told, for instance, that you are buying a ring with certified diamonds from Malta. You need to know which certifying body issued the report and be assured that this is from a recognized source. This helps prevent the trade of conflict or blood diamonds and ensures that consumers buy legitimate stones from highly respected organizations.

Certified diamonds are stones that have undergone thorough, unbiased examinations and grading from independent laboratories. While diamonds with authentic certificates are more expensive than ungraded stones, couples who choose a certified gem can be assured that their purchase is of high quality and from a reputable source.

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