A diamond certificate (also called a "diamond grading report") is a document containing the characteristics about the diamond that will make up its value. It is the pedigree that goes with the diamond and becomes a valuable document in case of loss because it will ensure that your insurance company will replace your stone with another certified stone of like quality. Certificates are not appraisals since they do not contain any information regarding the value or price of a diamond.

Grading laboratories like the HRD and IGI measure and grade diamonds sent to them by wholesalers and retailers. They provide documents called certifications describing the diamond.

The HRD and IGI also educates gemmologists but just because a gemmologist graduated from the HRD and IGI educations program does not mean they are somehow qualified to "certify" a diamond. Many diamond shoppers mistakenly think that just because a person graduated from a HRD and IGI class, that their opinion in any way "certifies" a diamond. Respected grading labs to not sell diamonds since that would be a conflict of interest.

Beware of retailers who issue their own in-house certifications. We can only think of one reason that a retailer would issue their own certification opposed to an independent laboratory certification, and that is so they can exaggerate the colour and clarity grades. The result is you are paying for quality that you are not getting in your diamond. In other words, you buy a diamond with paperwork saying it is G/VS2 quality when, in fact, it is I/SI1 quality by HRD or IGI standards.

Any owner of a diamond can submit it to a laboratory for a grading report. The most important service these laboratories provide is an impartial examination and grading of the diamond. They are paid a fee to provide this service but are not biased to grade higher or lower and can therefore be relied on to provide an accurate description of the diamonds vital characteristics.

Visit the websites of HRD and IGI for more information:

Website HRD
Website IGI

Ready to search your Diamond?
Click here to find your favourite Certified Diamond in our weekly updated Diamond Stock List.
If you did not find your diamond, please fill in the 'Special Request Form' and we will contact you within 24 hours to take the first step in tracking down your favourite diamond.