Diamond Certification Versus Appraisal

Those who are planning the purchase of wholesalesaturation, with colorless gems being at the
certified diamonds or gemstones from jewelrybeginning of the scale and those with deep color
wholesalers do well to educate themselves onat the end.
issues related to the diamond market - includingWhile the diamond market and industry is
diamond appraisal and diamond certification.controlled by a relatively few individuals and
Although these terms are sometimes usedcorporate entities, most jewelry wholesalers
interchangeably, they are in fact two differentagree that the most reliable certifications are done
things, both of which are necessary in order tothrough either the Gemological Institute of
determine the market value of certified looseAmerica or the American Gem Society
diamonds.Laboratories.
CertificationIt is important to understand that such labs
This is also known as a "diamond grading report."cannot certify gems that are mounted. However,
It is used to describe loose diamonds in terms ofa reputable jewelry wholesaler should provide you
mass (carat), clarity and color. This report iswith a certificate at the time of purchase.
prepared for jewelry wholesalers, retailers,Appraisal
collectors and investors by geologists whoUnlike loose stones, a diamond appraisal can be
specialize in the sub-field of gemology, or theperformed on mounted stones (those placed in
study and evaluation of precious stones andsettings). Unlike certification, it is less objective,
gems.and based on estimations made as a result of
Certified loose diamonds are those which arewhat can be seen. There are several different
accompanied by such a grading report. This reporttechniques for this, but the main purpose is to
gives information about the diamond's objectivedetermine the diamond's monetary value. Jewelry
physical characteristics - those which can bewholesalers base their selling price primarily on
measured with scientific methods and tools. Suchsuch an appraisal.
a certificate will include an evaluation of the gem'sThe Importance of Independence
clarity and color as well as its symmetry andIt seems obvious that any certification and/or
"fire," or light reflecting characteristics. Obviously, aappraisal should be done by and outside,
clear diamond without visible flaws (such as aindependent agency, but less experienced diamond
"cottony" appearance within) is far more valuablebuyers may not consider that jewelry wholesalers
than one that contains scratches or internalusing their own in-house appraisers will have a
blemishes.natural tendency to overvalue their own
Rather than receiving a monetary value, certifiedmerchandise. For that reason, it is important to
loose diamonds are evaluated on different scales,have any diamonds you are considering certified
which includes the "SI3 Clarity Grade" and a Colorand appraised by an outside third party that is not
Scale that uses numbers and letters D-Z. Theaffiliated with your jewelry wholesaler.
latter describes the gem in terms of hue and