GRADING LABORATORIES
DIAMOND CERTIFICATIONS
A diamond grading report or certificate is an independent quality report about a specific diamond. Generally, they are issued by a grading laboratory with no affiliation to any retailer, giving the consumer an objective opinion on the diamond’s quality. This document includes the exact measurements, proportions, color grade, clarity grade, cut grade and carat weight of the diamond.
It is important to note that there is no governing body responsible for the standardization of a diamond report. Each organization has the latitude to judge to the standards which they feel are appropriate. For this reason, many laboratories fall in/out of favor depending on how it is being operated. It is also important to know that every grade received has an allowance for deviation or a range. For example, a diamond that has been graded excellent for proportions, polish, and symmetry does not mean that it is 'ideal'. Rather, it refers to the fact that all of those qualities fall under a predetermined standard.
DIAMOND LABORATORIES
The leading diamond laboratories in the world are the Gemological Institute of America (G.I.A.), The American Gem Society (AGS). GIA being the worlds foremost authority in gemology. Here at the Velvet Box Society we only offer diamonds graded by GIA.
COLORED GEMSTONE LABORATORIES
Many of the laboratories listed above are credible and excellent gem labs for colored stones both identification and origin reports. We use multiple laboratories depending on the type of stone and what type of report we are looking to get. Some laboratories excel in certain types of stones or certain origins. For that reason we use a combination of GIA, AGL, Mason Kay, Gubelin, SSEF and others. We select the right lab who is the best for that type of gemstone when we can.
A diamond grading report or certificate is an independent quality report about a specific diamond. Generally, they are issued by a grading laboratory with no affiliation to any retailer, giving the consumer an objective opinion on the diamond’s quality. This document includes the exact measurements, proportions, color grade, clarity grade, cut grade and carat weight of the diamond.
It is important to note that there is no governing body responsible for the standardization of a diamond report. Each organization has the latitude to judge to the standards which they feel are appropriate. For this reason, many laboratories fall in/out of favor depending on how it is being operated. It is also important to know that every grade received has an allowance for deviation or a range. For example, a diamond that has been graded excellent for proportions, polish, and symmetry does not mean that it is 'ideal'. Rather, it refers to the fact that all of those qualities fall under a predetermined standard.
DIAMOND LABORATORIES
The leading diamond laboratories in the world are the Gemological Institute of America (G.I.A.), The American Gem Society (AGS). GIA being the worlds foremost authority in gemology. Here at the Velvet Box Society we only offer diamonds graded by GIA.
- GIA (The Gemological Institute of America) established in 1931 and is recognized as the world’s foremost authority in diamond grading. The G.I.A. grades natural, synthetic and treated diamonds. G.I.A. refers to their document as a Diamond Grading Report or a Diamond Dossier (depending on carat weight).
- AGS (American Gem Society) was founded in 1996 with a mission to help protect the consumer by establishing stricter guidelines of diamond grading. They were the first laboratory to establish the ideal cut grade for round brilliant diamonds and features innovative technology that measures the light performance of diamonds. AGS produces both Diamond Quality Certificates and Diamond Quality Reports.
- Argyle: For our pink diamonds many times we will offer a GIA report as well as an Argyle report.
- Other Laboratories: There are countless other laboratories such as forevermark, EGL USA, EGL International, Gubelin, SSEF, IGI, AGTA, Mason Kay, PCGL and many others. We use the standards set forth by the Gemological Institute of America.
COLORED GEMSTONE LABORATORIES
Many of the laboratories listed above are credible and excellent gem labs for colored stones both identification and origin reports. We use multiple laboratories depending on the type of stone and what type of report we are looking to get. Some laboratories excel in certain types of stones or certain origins. For that reason we use a combination of GIA, AGL, Mason Kay, Gubelin, SSEF and others. We select the right lab who is the best for that type of gemstone when we can.
