Why Should you Invest in Certified Diamonds?

 

Your diamond solitaire engagement ring is not merely an emblem of your love, but also an investment. It's only intelligent that you invest in something credible and authentic as you fork out big bucks on it. A certified diamond has been analyzed and graded for its quality. Certified diamonds are graded based on the parameters of 4Cs – Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat Weight.

A diamond certificate from a reputable independent gem laboratory offers higher value and saves much heartache if you plan to resale or upgrade. A certified diamond guarantees the quality of the stone.

A diamond appraisal is NOT a diamond certificate

Unscrupulous retailers will try to pass off a regular diamond appraisal as the diamond certificate. However, these are two significantly different documents. Typically, a diamond seller creates a diamond appraisal highlighting its estimated value chiefly to deal with insurance requisites. On the other hand, a diamond certificate is created by a gemological laboratory analyzing and categorizing the gemstone's attributes.

The value of diamond certification

A certified diamond ensures a confident and reliable purchase as the final decision is made based on the qualities of the diamond and not the sales pitch of a retailer. A certificate is even more crucial when you're buying online as it provides a clear idea about the diamond you're buying.

• A certified diamond holds its value better than non-certified gemstones, especially when it's upgraded and resold

• Certification does away with speculation. It simplifies the process of comparing two diamonds based on the 4Cs rather than solely relying on visual inspection

• When you're shopping for significant savings, it becomes easier to trust online retailers if the diamond comes with the necessary certification.

Buying certified diamonds

When buying a diamond, ensure that the diamond certificate is issued by an independent, third-party laboratory. Do not get convinced by a certificate generated by the diamond wholesaler, jeweler, or the store as biased opinion can ultimately do more harm than good.

The third-party laboratory must implement stringent grading methodologies and should have a solid reputation as a service provider in the jewelry industry. Most jewelry retailers recommend established and renowned names like Gemological Institute of America (GIA); American Gem Society (AGS); European Gemological Laboratory (EGL); IGI; and HRD.

Diamond clarity and cut

Clarity is critical when it comes to brilliance in a diamond. While flawless is superlative, inclusions are the 'fingerprint' of a natural diamond. Look for a diamond with minimally noticeable inclusions. The grading scale features FL to I3 with FL being the finest.

The cut of a diamond is graded on a scale from Poor to Excellent/Ideal. The finest of the cut grades represent superior brilliance in a diamond.

Diamond color and carat weight

Colorless diamonds enjoy global fame. Unless you are buying fancy colored diamonds, less color means better diamonds.

Look for the largest carat weight within your budget without compromising on the quality of the diamond. Larger is not necessarily better.

Though a diamond's fluorescence doesn't significantly affect its quality, ideally look for grades of None, Faint or Medium.