Overview

AGS

IGI

GIA

Diamond Grading and Certification

For your own peace of mind, it is essential to obtain recognized certification when purchasing a diamond of your choice. Each diamond certificate affirms your diamond’s complex specifications, including the four C’s: carat weight, clarity gradient, cut and color gradient. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA), The International Gemological Institute (IGI) and the American Gem Society (AGS) are held to the highest grading standards internationally.

Diamond certification will verify your diamond’s various characteristics, including color, clarity, cut and carat. And it follows that a diamond’s value is ultimately determined by the subtle interplay among the above four characteristics. Many believe that it is a diamond’s carat weight which is the most important of the four C’s. However the clarity, color, and cut have a superior role to play in the appearance of a diamond.


AGS American Gem Society

The American Gem Society or AGS, founded in 1934, is a trade association of retail jewelers, independent appraisers, supplies and selective industry members principally involved in consumer protection and education.

The Society trains and certifies jewelers, gemologists and jewelry appraisers, with an emphasis on diamond grading. As with GIA, the AGS has also developed its own color, cut and clarity standards.

In its relatively short history, the AGS has created the diamond industries’ first scientifically objective and reviewed Cut Grade method. It has also developed the Ideal Cut Grade for Round Brilliant-shaped diamonds, often referred to as the AGS Ideal. The AGS also offered the world’s first diamond grading reports for Princess, Emerald, Oval and other fancy diamond shapes.
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Sample AGS Certificate
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IGI Internations Gemological Institute

The International Gemological Institute or IGI is an internationally trusted name for expert and independent certification of diamonds, colored stones and fine jewelry. Around the world, IGI certification brings confidence whether buying or selling.

IGI is the world’s largest organization of its kind, with laboratories worldwide and 650 professionally trained gemologists and appraisers. It offers varied courses designed for professionals and consumers alike.

IGI provides service for diamond dealers and jewelry manufactures, offering unbiased grading reports, colored stone identification and appraisal reports, as well as diamond authentication, not to mention diamond and colored stone courses through IGI Schools of Gemology.
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Sample IGI Certificate
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GIA Gemological Institute of America

The Gemological institute of America or GIA is one of the world’s most respected institutes dedicated to study and education in the field of gemology and the jewelry arts. GIA’s primary mission is to protect both buyers and sellers of diamonds and other gemstones by setting and maintaining exacting standards used to evaluate gemstone quality. Its gem identification and diamond grading services are second to none.

In 1953 the GIA developed its International Diamond Grading System, using the 4C’s (cut, color, clarity and carat weight) as a standard to compare and evaluate the quality of loose diamonds.

The institute’s ongoing research continues to add value to their considerable accomplishments. For instance, in 2014 the GIA introduced DiamondCheck, which is capable in differentiating treated and synthetic diamonds.

The GIA also offers educational courses online through it’s interactive eLearning platform.
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