Internationally Recognised Grading Laboratories
What does international recognition mean with regards a diamond grading laboratory and how you can evaluate your grading certificate?
In a previous article entitled “What are Independently Certified Diamonds?” I discussed the merits of Independently Certified Diamonds.
That article talked about “internationally recognised grading laboratories.” I think it is important to describe what international recognition means with regards a diamond grading laboratory and how you can evaluate your grading certificate.
In a recent discussion about the credentials of the Diamond Certification Laboratory of Australia (DCLA) I was amused to hear commented, “How can the DCLA be internationally recognised? No merchant I have spoken to here (in New York) has even heard of them!”
After hearing this comment, I am compelled to make my first point that being recognised (or not) by a handful of diamond traders or retailers in a particular city does not determine international recognition.
In short an ‘internationally recognised’ laboratory is one which is acknowledged by the international industry bodies and organisations. This acknowledgement means that the organisations have confirmed that the laboratory grades diamonds to an internationally agreed standard.
The international standard for diamond grading is the International Diamond Council (IDC) standard.
The IDC is a joint committee founded by the International Diamond Manufacturers Association (IDMA) together with the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB )
The aim of the IDC is to ensure adherence to the grading standards defined in the CIBJO Blue Book.
“The CIBJO Blue Book is a definitive set of standards for the grading, methodology and nomenclature standards for diamonds, coloured gemstones and pearls, in which the latter incorporates all organic materials.”
A pre-requisite for international recognition is recognition by the national organisation of the country, defined in this criteria:
“The laboratory must be recognized by the national organization, which is a member of CIBJO as being representative of its country and the trade. In principle, only one laboratory per country, with or without branches, can be recognized.”
This means that in order to determine if a laboratory is internationally recognised, you should check with the local industry body. In Australia this is the Jewellers Association of Australia (JAA)
A list of internationally recognised grading laboratories can be found at www.independentlycertifieddiamonds.com
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December 6th, 2007 at 2:38 am
“Buy your Diamond from a Reputable Retailer!”
What does this mean? How do I tell if the retailer is reputable or not?
Buying a diamond can be a scary undertaking these days. There is an abundance of information available to consumers, but not all of it is accurate. Hopefully we can clear up a few of the myths and give you some guidelines.
Most diamond buying guides advise you on the 4 C’s and suggest that you only shop at honest, reputable retailers, but how does the average consumer determine this?
Our advice is to ask if the diamond is certified and to see which laboratory issued the certificate or grading report. The quality of the certificate, or lack thereof, goes a long way towards telling if you are dealing with someone reputable and professional.
A diamond certificate or diamond grading report is only as good as the laboratory who issued it.
The certificate should come from a reputable, independent and recognised laboratory.
Diamond certificates from respectable labs, meaning GIA, HRD, AGS or DCLA, are totally necessary if you want to compare diamonds intelligently.
If you are unsure we suggest you do some investigation.
Laboratories such as GIA, HRD, AGS and DCLA issue grading reports of the highest international standards. All of these diamond grading laboratories utilise strict procedures, have the most advanced equipment, and affiliations which meet the strict requirements for recognition by international trade organisations.
It is up to you, the consumer, to verify the credentials of a diamond grading laboratory.
If you are told certification is unnecessary, or that the diamond certificate will cost you extra we suggest that you shop elsewhere.
Valuations or appraisals are NOT the same as a diamond certificate or grading report.
One important thing to remember is that a diamond certificate or grading report never includes an appraisal, or any kind of statement about the monetary value of the diamond.
Be even more cautious of website vendors who issue their own ‘in house diamond certificates’ or ‘manufacturer’s grading reports’ as these simply are NOT independent certificates and they are NOT from a recognised laboratory.
A diamond certificate, is only useful if it is reliable and has been issued by a reputable independent laboratory which has no financial interest in the stone. If you’ve never heard of the institution that is offering a grading report, don’t hesitate to ask about its credentials and that of the people who graded the diamond.
Diamond grading laboratories which grade to IDC International Diamond Council rules, do not just use the opinion and expertise of one person. They must grade the diamond and have the opinion and consensus of three qualified diamond graders before the grade is applied to any diamond.
Do not judge a certificate by its cover and title alone
Just because someone calls themselves a laboratory or opens up a business to do diamond certificates and valuations after having completed a gemology course, that does not mean they have the needed technical equipment, qualifications, knowledge and expertise.
These small local labs often lay claims of being independent, recognised, and having state of art equipment but what about the qualifications of the directors, graders and that of the person who graded the diamond? Did they test for all types of treatments and any enhancements? Do they guarantee that the diamond is natural? Was the diamond laser inscribed using a cold laser? Do they grade diamonds to set international rules and standards?
It is one thing to produce great looking certificates but it is extremely important that the certificate or grading report has accurate information and is technically correct.
As a consumer, the diamond certificate or grading report is your safe guard when buying a diamond. Diamond certificates are invaluable documents that show in detail a diamond’s credentials, so why wouldn’t you check the credentials of the laboratory who graded the diamond and the retailer as well?
February 18th, 2008 at 10:55 pm
Why is it critically important to see the diamond before you anything pay for it.(even a deposited)
buying diamonds is one of the most personal and exciting purchases you will ever make.
Here are some buying tips.
Always make sure that the diamond is available.
if the retailer has to get the stone for you, never pay a deposit.
Australian jewellers have a comprehensive diamond stock available at all times locally.
So if your retailer does not have the stone and you want to let them get it for you. fine but never, ever put down a deposit with out seeing the stone first.
There is no reason to lock yourself into a retailer when you do not have to.WARNING! If they can’t get the stone with out paying for it go somewhere else.
So how do you go about it ?
First buy from a jeweller, there is a big difference between a jeweller and a retailer or drop shipper.
A jeweller will be able to advise you and design you jewellery,they will also have diamonds and designs on hand.
This will make the whole experience more enjoyable.
When you have found the jeweller you wish to use, Don’t be shy,check their credentials ask around about their reputation.
It is better to find out from someone else’s bad experience than to go through it your self.
When the jeweller shows you your stone make sure that it is the same one you will get, and not an example.
Two stones of exactly the same quality can look very different.
Take down the certificate number and weight if you can not get a copy of the certificate to take with you.
This will help you identify the stone when you pick it up.
Some retailers will show one diamond as an example and supply another which they will import, that is not a good idea you must see what you are buying, that is why you are better of dealing with a jeweller.
Never ever deal with a retailer that, grades or assigns the quality of the diamond in-house.
These are known MGR (manufactures grading reports) or (in house reports), this highly unethical practice is to be avoided at all costs and is a great indicator of the ethics of the supplier
April 1st, 2008 at 7:10 pm
New Independent Certified Diamond Jeweller Website Launched by DCLA
Independently Certified Diamonds is an initiative developed by the Diamond Certification Laboratory of Australia (DCLA) to help the diamond consumer locate reputable Australian diamond jewellers dedicated to the fair, ethical, and honest sale of diamonds and diamond jewellery.
The ICD site will direct you to a list of the many highly regarded, trustworthy, and sought-after jewellers specialising in diamonds that are at the pinnacle of the Australian diamond trade.
All ICD jewellers are committed to providing customers with diamonds examined and graded by qualified and reputable laboratories, grading to internationally recognised standards for accurate and unbiased evaluation of their diamonds.
These laboratories are recognised for their procedures, technical ability and cutting edge equipment necessary to analyse and grade diamonds.
Furthermore, these laboratories are genuinely independent of any retailers, manufacturers, and wholesalers, having no commercial gain from the sale of any diamond. This assures an unbiased and objective assessment of the diamond – a conflict of interest exists if the person selling the diamond also determines the grade.
Australian jewellers are synonymous with conflict free diamonds and jewellery, incorporating style, value and quality.
Every jeweller listed on the ICD site has been selected for their commitment to the fair trade of diamonds, knowledge of their craft, and dedication to providing their customers with the very best, ensuring that every diamond is special today, and an heirloom tomorrow.
July 25th, 2008 at 8:46 pm
Is it true that the GIA has been found to be taking bribes for grading diamonds better than what they are?
February 11th, 2009 at 11:10 am
TRADE ALERT
February 9, 2009
Treated Pink Diamond Identified At Laboratory
Recently, a pink coloured diamond weighing 0.70ct was submitted to DCLA laboratory for certification and colour authentication. The colour was described as 3PP on a report issued by an Australian-based laboratory.
After routine examination however, DCLA discovered that when the diamond is viewed under high magnification with reflected diffused light, a patchy iridescent coating is visible on the surface.
This coating is also easily visible on the pavilion facets of the stone when viewed through the table.
However, when the diamond is observed under magnification with regular diffused light, the pink coloration appears evenly distributed, particularly when viewed face up.
The pink colour is a result of a coating rather than from natural lattice defects in natural pink diamonds. Surface coating is the process of adding a thin layer of coloured foreign material to all or part of a gemstones surface, with the intent of either masking the underlying body colour or enhancing a desirable colour.
Most often, this coating is applied to the pavilion and/or girdle of the diamond; the way that light refracts as it passes through a diamond creates the illusion of uniform colour distribution.
The durability of diamond coatings vary considerably, depending on materials used and methods of coating applied.
Most recent advances in technology employ a very thin optical or chemical film which is more durable than older methods, but still readily worn away by heat, scratching, abrasion, polishing, and just everyday wear.
Coating is a deceptive practice ; we do not know the number of coated pink diamonds which have entered the marketplace, but the DCLA has seen a number of treated stones of late.
Of particular concern is when such treated diamonds are accompanied by seemingly legitimate reports or paperwork.
DCLA screens every diamond submitted to the laboratory for all known treatments, and will not issue a diamond certificate for treated or synthetic diamonds.
Please contact DCLA at info@dcla.com.au for more information.
Fair trading to you all.
Anna Wojcieszek
info@dcla.com.au
http://www.dcla.com.au
Source : http://thediamondguru.blogspot.com/2009/02/trade-alert-inaccurate-treated-pink.html
February 11th, 2009 at 11:15 am
Those diamond vendors, jewellers, website diamond retailers who retain the services of these non compliant pseudo in-house diamond grading labs and mix their diamond grading reports with recognised diamond reports or certificates to gain false credibility are either ignorant,dishonest or simply do not care because nobody has held them accountable. It is no excuse.
Diamond buyers need to ensure they understand the differences because they are not protected.
Those diamond vendors, jewellers, website diamond retailers who retain the services of these non compliant pseudo in-house diamond grading labs and mix their diamond grading reports with recognised diamond reports or certificates to gain false credibility are either ignorant,dishonest or simply do not care because nobody has held them accountable. It is no excuse.
Diamond buyers need to ensure they understand the differences because they are not protected.
The Diamond Guru believe it is our right to inform diamond consumers of the facts in order to differentiate between those ethical diamond vendors selling diamonds with independent recognised diamond certificates and those that do not.
Therefore those diamond vendors who continue to deceive and misrepresent themselves as genuine independent diamond graders by refusing to disclose their true status as diamond vendors or cross ownership in their own pseudo in-house diamond grading labs by refusing to disclose their real status are misleading, NON COMPLIANT BY NOT BEING ETHICAL and a risk waiting to happen
The Diamond Guru believe it is our right to inform diamond consumers of the facts in order to differentiate between those ethical diamond vendors selling diamonds with independent recognised diamond certificates and those that do not.
Therefore those diamond vendors who continue to deceive and misrepresent themselves as genuine independent diamond graders by refusing to disclose their true status as diamond vendors or cross ownership in their own pseudo in-house diamond grading labs by refusing to disclose their real status are misleading, NON COMPLIANT BY NOT BEING ETHICAL and a risk waiting to happen
ource : Those diamond vendors, jewellers, website diamond retailers who retain the services of these non compliant pseudo in-house diamond grading labs and mix their diamond grading reports with recognised diamond reports or certificates to gain false credibility are either ignorant,dishonest or simply do not care because nobody has held them accountable. It is no excuse.
Diamond buyers need to ensure they understand the differences because they are not protected.
The Diamond Guru believe it is our right to inform diamond consumers of the facts in order to differentiate between those ethical diamond vendors selling diamonds with independent recognised diamond certificates and those that do not.
Therefore those diamond vendors who continue to deceive and misrepresent themselves as genuine independent diamond graders by refusing to disclose their true status as diamond vendors or cross ownership in their own pseudo in-house diamond grading labs by refusing to disclose their real status are misleading, NON COMPLIANT BY NOT BEING ETHICAL and a risk waiting to happen
Source : http://thediamondguru.blogspot.com/2009/02/trade-alert-inaccurate-treated-pink.html