A diamond grading report or certificate is a certificate issued by an independent gemological laboratory attesting to the characteristics of a specific diamond. Diamond Grading Reports confirm that a specific diamond has been examined by trained and experienced diamond graders who, using gemological instruments, have determined that the diamond contains the characteristics as stated in the certificate.
Why Use a Diamond Grading Report?
Diamond Grading Reports have incredible value in providing buyers with an unbiased, professional evaluation of the characteristics of a specific diamond. When purchasing a diamond with a certificate, buyers need to take the risk of relying on their own “naked-eye” examination of the diamond and paying a price that does not relate to the actual value of that diamond. Each Diamond Grading Report is allocated an exclusive number that corresponds to a specific diamond. In addition, most Diamond Grading Reports will include diagrams illustrating inclusions unique to that specific diamond, providing further proof of certification.
What Does A Diamond Grading Report Tell Us About A Specific Diamond?
As a diamond’s “blueprint” a Diamond Grading Report provides extensive information on the diamond’s precise characteristics, typically including the following:
- Diamond shape – of or example, emerald, round, square, pear, oval.
- Measurements– of the diamond’s diameter.
- Weight – weight is rounded to one-hundredth of a carat. One carat is the equivalent of 1/5 of a gram.
- Proportions – depth percentage and table percentage are measured.
- Depth is a reference to the percent of the depth of the diamond, measured from table to culet, relative to the width of the diamond.
- The table is a reference to the proportion of the table (top flat part of the diamond) relative to the diamond’s average width Girdle – reference to the thickness of the dividing line between the top and bottom parts of the diamond.
- Culet – indicating the presence of the pointed part at the bottom of the diamond.
- Polish and Symmetry
- Polish refers to the quality of the polish of the facets
- Symmetry refers to the extent of precision that the facets have been aligned with each other.
- Clarity – internal and external clarity of the diamond measured from IF – I3
- Color – the measure of clarity in a diamond measured from D – Z.
- Fluorescence – a diamond’s reaction to exposure to UV radiation.
- Plot – an illustrative representation of the diamond’s imperfections.
