Diamonds And Precious Gems

Every individual diamond is unique. Every individual person is unique. Diamonds are graded by individuals. So it could easily be assumed that the same diamond, if graded by two different people, would receive two differing grades. This can be the case, though some more widely recognized laboratories have a greater degree of consistency across the board than smaller laboratories. In June 2013, the Rapaport Diamond Trading Network (RapNet)  got back the results from 10 diamonds graded by half a dozen different brands of diamond grading laboratories. The degree of variance between grading laboratories was not always extreme though one thing was clear: some laboratories are stricter. The GIA labs ranked as the ones demanding the highest quality for a diamond to receive a high grade. An article on RapNet's analysis was published here: http://www.diamonds.net/news/NewsItem.aspx?ArticleID=43417 There was a surprise, though, in that IGI labs were almost on par...

Fluorescence in diamonds is one of those things that can be confusing. Does it make the diamond glow in the dark? How does fluorescence affect the brilliance of a diamond in regular light? And if so, how? To answer the first question, a fluorescent diamond may glow a little in the dark, but it will more likely glow under black light (UV light). And to answer the second question there are a few points which might help cut through some of the confusion surrounding fluorescence. There are two seemingly contradictory things about fluorescence. 1. Strong fluorescence can give the diamond a milky look. 2. Fluorescence does not always give the diamond a milky look. How can both of these things be true? Here's why: One in 50,000 diamonds with strong fluorescence will look milky, but even then it will only be in certain lighting. As a result of this slight risk, jewelers don't try to push the fluorescent diamonds. They even discount them. Diamon...

A diamond certificate is also known as a Diamond Grading Report. This report comes from a laboratory where trained gemologists examine diamonds and other precious gems. They then write a report for the jewel and this gets included with the jewel when bought or sold. One of the most respected labs is the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). While most dealers refer to the reports as "Certificates", they are not certificates. They are Grading  Reports .  GIA issues Diamond grading reports for stones 1 carat and over. Smaller stones can also get inspected and have a report made. These smaller stones will get a Diamond Dossier, which excludes the map of the stone marking where any visible crystals and other inclusions are in the diamond. With a diamond grading report or dossier, you can verify the color, cut, carat, weight, and clarity of the diamond. You don’t have to worry about a diamond dealer telling you anything less than the truth, because the repo...