What’s the Difference between a Diamond Certificate & a Diamond Grading Report?

Making the Right Decision with Your Diamond Purchase

When you’re shopping for diamonds, either online or in brick & mortar stores, you will get offered diamonds that prove their authenticity with either a diamond certificate or a diamond grading report. So, what’s the difference? Some retailers may tell you that they are the same thing. Some retailers may try to pass one certificate off as the other. There is a difference between the two certificates and you should know how they differentiate from each other before you shop for diamonds.

The Diamond Certificate: A diamond certificate is a document made by gemological scientists to classify a diamond. This certificate typically outlines the diamonds dimensions, weight and occasionally the color. It will also take note of any treatments the stone has had and sometimes say where the stone has come from.

The Diamond Grading Report: A diamond grading report comes from a laboratory and is designed to rate the 4 C’s of that diamond. The 4 C’s are the diamonds color, clarity, cut and carat weight. This is sometimes known as the diamond certificate, although the correct term is the Grading Report.

Some retailers may show you a Diamond Grading Report, but the store is incorrectly calling this report as the diamonds certificate. It is important to know the difference between the two certificates because the diamond grading report has more important information when you are considering buying a diamond. The diamond grading report tells you all the elements that you need to be aware of to decide the diamonds value.

Some retailers will generate their own diamond certificates. This is only acceptable if you are buying from a retailer that employs a GIA certified diamonds grader that will be grading your diamond and creating your certificate for your specific diamond. If you are given a certificate that includes the 4 C’s, but you are told that it is a diamond certificate, be aware that this is actually a diamond grading report.

When you are finally prepared to purchase a diamond, ensure that you inspect all certificates that come with the diamond that you are considering. If the diamond doesn’t come with a diamond grading report, then insist on having it sent out to a specialized laboratory that can provide this service. There are many reliable laboratories and your diamond retailer should be recommend to you.

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