Certified Diamonds

With just a week to go until Valentine's Day, thoughts are probably turning to chocolates, flowers, and ... my personal favorite - jewelry. Actually, I'm not a big jewelry buff - especially not the super expensive options. I'm too hard on what I wear, when I wear it, to justify a serious expenditure.

Now, a good, sturdy, dependable, water-resistant watch?! Or two?! Bring 'em on! Can't have enough! {hint, hint}

As with everything else in my shopping adventures, I do like to window shop and publish personal recommendations or warnings - as warranted. One reason I don't personally own any diamonds is that they are darned pricey and, unless you're very careful, the quality may not be equivalent to the cost. Enter: certified diamonds.

I've heard the term, often lately, on the myriad of television commercials for local stores and national chains. Just what it means or what protection it offers, I wasn't sure. So, I decided to get educated.

One common phrase in the ads is GIA and EGL certs. GIA is the Gemological Institute of America; the laboratory that introduced the first systematic methods for diamond grading in 1955. EGL is the European Gemological Laboratory; as of 1986, EGL USA is an independently owned organization with offices in the United States and Canada. They introduced the internationally-used rating system for smaller diamonds.

There are other highly respected international laboratories responsible for grading diamonds, using (as I understand it) the systems designed by the GIA and EGL. Undoubtedly, there are many groups offering certification, but most sites I looked at used one or two of the same five. Obviously, the value of the certificate is only as good as the reputation of the laboratory.

A completed cert, also called a diamond dossier, should include analysis of the diamond’s dimensions, clarity, color, polish, and symmetry. With consistent standards, it becomes simple to compare any number of stones - by price, color, clarity, carat, shape, or cut - to ensure getting the best value and best quality.



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Jules