Diamond Certification: A Comprehensive Guide
What Is A Diamond Certificate?
It’s crucial to have your diamond certified by a reputable independent laboratory for an impartial evaluation of its quality.
A diamond certificate provides a comprehensive and unbiased evaluation of a diamond’s clarity, color, cut, carat weight, and other attributes.
You might also come across terms like diamond grading report, diamond quality document, or diamond dossier when referring to a diamond certificate.
The purpose of a diamond certificate is to offer you a detailed report on your purchase, confirming the diamond’s quality and authenticity while serving as proof of ownership.
The type of certificate we provide varies based on the item you select, and the available certificates are listed on the product pages.
Gemological Institute of America
Headquartered in New York, the GIA was founded in 1931 as a non-profit educational organization for the gem and jewelry industry. Its mission is to provide both the industry and the public with an independent, objective assessment of diamond quality, serving as an impartial authority on grading standards to build public trust. Each diamond submitted for certification undergoes thorough examination by multiple professionals to ensure accuracy and consistency in grading, protecting the interests of clients.
The GIA developed the first internationally accepted Diamond Grading System, offering unbiased evaluations of polished diamonds through standardized criteria. Additionally, it introduced the leading diamond report, setting the benchmark for quality documentation worldwide.
TYPES OF CERTIFICATES ISSUED BY THE GIA
GIA Diamond Grading Report
This report details the carat weight, clarity, and color grades of a diamond, along with its precise measurements. For Round Brilliant cuts, it also includes a cut grade. To view a sample, click on the certificate to the right.
GIA Diamond Dossier
This certificate is issued for diamonds weighing less than 1 carat.
GIA Coloured Diamond Identification and Origin Report
This report outlines the colour grade and origin (natural or treated) of coloured diamonds of any size. A full-colour image can also be requested as an additional service.
International Gemological Institute
One of the premier gemological institutions worldwide, the IGI was founded in 1975 in Antwerp, with an additional laboratory in New York. It has grown to become the largest independent gem certification and appraisal institute, recognised for its quality services, extensive experience, and expertise. What started with just three staff members has expanded to over 250 professionals dedicated to maintaining exceptional standards in Antwerp, New York, Bangkok, Mumbai, and Tokyo.
The IGI issues more than 400,000 reports annually, serving thousands of jewellers, retail stores, insurance companies, online sales organisations, catalog companies, accounting firms, and consumers who rely on IGI reports for their credibility.
Established in New York in 1981, International Gemological Information, a division of IGI, provides unbiased appraisals of gems and jewellery. Like its parent organisation, IGI Information operates independently of any commercial sales entities and does not engage in trading diamonds or precious stones. This independence allows IGI Information to deliver objective and accurate appraisals, identification reports, and updates in the event of damage.
TYPES OF CERTIFICATES ISSUED BY THE IGI
IGI Diamond Report
This comprehensive report analyses the stone's characteristics, including carat weight, colour, clarity, polish, symmetry, and proportions. It also features a diagram plotting clarity characteristics. To view a sample, click on the certificate to the right.
IGI Diamond ID
This passport-sized document provides the same detailed information as the Diamond Report but excludes the plotted diagram. It is also available in a more compact credit card size.
IGI Hearts and Arrows Diamond Report
This report evaluates the optical symmetry of the diamond.
The Diamond High Council - Hoge Raad Voor Diamante
Founded in 1976 to address the increasing demand for trustworthy diamond certificates, the HRD is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving the Belgian diamond trade and industry. Since its inception, the HRD Certificates Laboratory has grown into one of the largest diamond certification labs globally, earning a strong reputation for quality and impartiality.
Each diamond undergoes independent examination by multiple experts using advanced technology, including spectrophotometers, Dia-Mention systems, and cathode luminescence equipment, to ensure a high level of reliability.
TYPES OF CERTIFICATES ISSUED BY THE HRD
HRD Diamond Certificate
This certificate provides comprehensive details on a diamond's shape, measurements, carat weight, clarity, fluorescence, colour, and finish grades, along with a plotted diagram. To view a sample, click on the certificate to the right.
HRD Diamond Identification Report
This is a simplified version of the diamond certificate that includes the same characteristics as the HRD Diamond Certificate but omits the plotted diagram.
HRD Diamond Colour Certificate
This certificate describes the colour, origin, and luminescence of fancy coloured stones.
The European Gemological Laboratory
Founded over thirty years ago in Belgium, the EGL is dedicated to preserving the integrity of the jewellery trade while fostering public interest through applied science, education, innovation, and outstanding services. The EGL operates internationally, with laboratories in Antwerp (1973), Johannesburg (1980), London (1981), Paris (1981), Tel Aviv (1982), Istanbul (1990), Seoul (1990), Mumbai (2003), and Cape Town (2007). As a result, it is often referred to as “EGL Worldwide” or “EGL International.” While all these labs uphold the same standards, they differ from EGL USA.
The EGL is known for pioneering new methods in diamond grading, including the certification of diamonds weighing less than one carat and the establishment of the 'SI3' clarity designation. The organisation is also recognised for its advanced research collaborations with leading physicists, geologists, and mineralogists.
TYPES OF CERTIFICATES ISSUED BY EGL INTERNATIONAL
EGL Diamond Certificate Report
This certificate assesses a diamond's color, clarity, carat weight, and cut, accompanied by a detailed diagram that plots the diamond’s proportions and highlights any inclusions. To view a sample, click on the certificate to the right.
EGL Mini Certificate
This is a more compact version of the Diamond Certificate Report.
EGL “CertiCard”
The most compact of EGL certificates, this document presents the same information found in other EGL certificates in a credit card-sized format.