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While a diamond can be the ultimate symbol of love, it also represents an investment in time, energy and money. You need to feel confident in the integrity of your stone. Not more than ten years ago, the majority of fine gemstone customers relied on two sources to determine the quality of their gems — an appraiser and the jeweler who sold the stone. Often, that person was one and the same. However, with the proliferation of affordable technologies and an ever-present and increasingly sophisticated counterfeit market, many jewelry consumers are now relying on a more precise document that evaluates the true value of gems — the diamond certificate.
What is Diamond Certification?
A diamond certificate is a printed report based on a gemological analysis of a specific stone. It is prepared in an independent laboratory by certified gemologists.
What Will a Diamond Certificate Tell You?
The certificate will state your diamond’s 4 Cs: color, clarity, cut, carat weight. It will describe the diamond’s shape, measurements, table and depth percentages, and grade the polish and symmetry. It should also comment on characteristics like fluorescence, graining, and imperfections. Often, the certificate will estimate the replacement value of the stone for insurance purposes. Finally, the certificate should include a detailed sketch of the diamond.
Why Buy a Certified Diamond?
A certificate assures a diamond buyer of the quality and authenticity of their stone. As most consumers are not experts, a certificate allows an objective comparison. In addition, should you resell your gem, the certificate will provide the stamp of authenticity you’ll need to get a fair price. It is also often required if you are going to insure the jewel. The certification process should take no longer than two working weeks, and the price per gem varies according to weight. Most labs charge roughly $75 per carat.
Market changes have increased the demand for reliable grading or appraisal reports from highly credible organizations. Since the technology is available and relatively affordable, the majority of good quality gems are sold with gemological reports. “The certificate really helps with resale and insurance questions,” said our Whiteflash representative. “It allows the customer to buy and sell with more confidence. The same goes for us.”
American Gemological Society (AGS)
AGS laboratories serve an international clientele of retail jewelers, wholesale suppliers, diamond cutters, and manufacturers. AGS’ Diamond Quality Document, or DQD, provides a cut grade for round, brilliant cut diamonds in addition to information on all 4 C’s of diamond grading. Ratings are given on a scale of 0 to 10.
Diamond High Council (Hoge Raad Voor Diamant; HRD)
The non-profit Diamond High Council is the officially recognized representative of the Belgian diamond trade. The HRD Certificates Laboratory has grown into one of the largest diamond certification labs in the world.
HRD’s Diamond Certificate verifies the authenticity of the diamond. Their report includes a complete quality description of the diamond including shape, weight, clarity, grade, fluorescence, color grade, measurements, proportions and finish grade, possibly supplemented with comments.
European Gemological Laboratory (EGL)
EGL has defined criteria and standard procedures for accuracy and consistency in its Diamond Certificate and Diamond Consultation. EGL Certificates are recognized worldwide. Their main clients are diamond wholesalers, dealers, manufacturers, and craftsmen. EGL does not sell diamonds or gems and is totally independent of any diamond sales group.
EGL’s Diamond Certificate records all of the relevant information pertaining to the diamond, including weight, shape and cut, color grade, clarity grade, measurements, proportions, finish, photo luminescence, other physical properties, and plotting. On request, the stone will be sealed in a capsule bearing its description and certificate number. The unbroken seal assures the customer that the accompanying certificate matches the diamond inside.
The EGL Diamond Consultation is a condensed report on a diamond. Only the carat weight, color grade, clarity grade, and plotting diagram are recorded. In trade factories, dealers and jewelers make use of the information in a Consultation to set the buying and selling price of the diamond.
Gemological Institute of America (GIA)
GIA developed the first internationally accepted Diamond Grading System. GIA also introduced the first Diamond Grading Report and set the standard for diamond quality documentation around the world. The GIA Gem Trade Laboratory issues these reports on a majority of high quality diamonds over one carat in size. It examines most of the world’s important stones, including the famous Hope Diamond. To maintain its position as an unbiased arbiter of standards, GIA is not involved in the buying, selling, or appraising of gems and jewelry.
GIA’s Diamond Grading Report describes a diamond’s weight, cut, proportions, finish, color grade, fluorescence, and clarity grade. No valuation is stated. Comments are used to describe characteristics not covered by the above entries, or on the plotting diagram. Internal and external identifying characteristics are plotted as close to relative size and position as possible. This serves as an illustration of clarity grade, and further substantiates that the report matches your diamond. Every stone is screened and authenticated, with full coverage for client protection.
International Gemological Institute (IGI)
Over 250 staff members at IGI issue over 400,000 gem reports annually. IGI has three distinct products: the Diamond Report, Identification Report, and the Information Appraisal Report.
IGI’s Diamond Report attests to the authenticity of a diamond. It provides a reliable and accurate statement of the stone’s identity and grade, based on an internationally recognized system. Details include weight, measurements, shape and cut, finish, proportions, clarity, fluorescence, and color. Upon request, IGI can seal the stones in a plastic box containing a reduced microfilm of the original report, to assure the jeweler and the consumer that the gem corresponds to the gemological report.
The IGI Identification Report provides information on weight, measurements, shape and cut, finish, proportions, clarity, and color. To further identify the gem, an enlarged photo showing the details is added.
IGI’s Information Appraisal Report states the estimated retail replacement value for insurance purposes, expressed in US Dollars, Euro, or other appropriate currencies.
Does Certification Have An Effect on Price?
Yes and no. Usually, a gem has no name, and no discernable history. The purchaser often doesn’t know where the stone was found, who extracted it, who polished it, or the name of the original dealer. The only document that travels with the gem is the certificate. As IGI states, it is a “passport for your gems.” So, while a certificate might not increase the value of a particular piece, the gem cannot be undervalued or have its authenticity questioned. That makes the certificate a valuable document.
How to Procure a Certificate
You can contact the above authorities directly, or visit your local jeweler. Many dealers are regularly in contact with the various labs and can assist you in the process. Though some dealers will promote their own certification process, we recommend that you employ an independent gemologist, such as one of the leading authorities listed above.
Trend: Alternative Metals
The price of gold has recently dropped some, mostly hovering between $800 and $900 per ounce, but is still relatively pricey. The same goes for platinum which costs slightly more than gold. But there are alternatives. You just need to know what to ask for. Consider palladium. It’s becoming really popular because it has a similar look and feel to gold, but you can get it for a fraction of the price. If you really love the idea of platinum, choose white gold for a more traditional-style setting. (While gold can still be costly, it’s still a great deal more affordable than platinum.)
Trend: Simple Settings
Though pave and halo diamond settings (where smaller diamonds border the center stone) have been a huge hit with brides during the last few years, couples are looking for simpler settings now. Solitaire diamonds are far less expensive than more embellished options, like the three-stone combination, and are very popular now. A channel-set band or traditional prong setting will also save money, and can be just as pretty as an elaborate tension or bezel setting.
Trend: Double Duty Rings
Your engagement ring and wedding band don’t have to be two separate pieces — go ahead and buck tradition! Double-duty diamonds are huge right now. Choose a beautiful band with multiple rows of diamonds and let that be both your wedding band and engagement ring, or look for rings with a split shank, where the band actually splits in half, creating a wider ring base.
Trend: Rough Cuts
Perfect for an earthy bride, raw diamonds can be just as stunning as the more traditional sparkler and cost a lot less. This style (which can vary in color from champagne to cognac) is becoming a fashionable must-have for many nature-loving couples. You can actually find a small, rough-cut diamond for as little as $600.
Trend: Colored Gemstones
Diamonds aren’t every girl’s best friend. Expect to see more and more brides following this (hue)-ge trend: Colored stones like sapphires, emeralds, and rubies are now more sought-after by brides. You can even splurge on a larger rock since you won’t even spend half what you’d normally pay for a diamond. Brides interested in a canary diamond (like Heidi Klum’s) will love a yellow sapphire, while a tourmaline is a good stand-in for a pink diamond look.
Clothing firm Key Closet recently unveiled its new premium jeans, priced at $10,000, which feature hand-drawn designs and one-carat diamonds on the back pockets.
These jeans are made in the U.S. of handcrafted denim. The graphics on the jeans are hand drawn, using a water-based paint that is both soft and luxurious. The graphics have foil and hand spray painted accents, and each pair is hand-threaded according to the style of the artist who designed them.
The back buttons are made of white gold, and complement the one-carat diamond set into both back pockets. In addition to the two carats of diamonds on the back pockets, there are thousands of shimmering Swarovski crystals all over the jeans themselves.
The official debut of the $10,000 jeans will be at the upcoming Runway Magazine “Summer Splash” Fashion Show being held on June 26 in Los Angeles at Boulevard 3.
Wealthy Bangladeshi filmmaker Ahsanullah Moni has built a life-size replica of the Taj Mahal that features granite from Italy and diamonds from Belgium. The structure, which is located eighteen miles northeast of Dhaka, Bangladesh’s capital city, cost 58 million dollars to complete.
“Everyone dreams about seeing the Taj Mahal but very few Bangladeshis can make the trip because it’s too expensive for them,” explained Moni. He hopes that his version of the Taj will draw both local and international tourists. Currently, Bangladesh draws less than one-tenth of a one percent of visitors who come to Asia-Pacific region.
The original Taj Mahal, located in Agra, India, took tens of the thousands of workers over twenty years to complete. It was built in the 17th century by the emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his second wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Shah Jahan had materials imported from all over the world, including forty different types of gemstones, pearls, and diamonds. Many of the diamonds and other precious stones have been looted from the Taj Mahal over the last hundreds of years.
By contrast, Moni’s replica Taj Mahal took five years to build. “I used the same marble and stone as in the original Taj,” he said. “We used machinery, which is why it took less time.” The diamonds for Moni’s replica Taj came from Belgium. Antwerp, Belgium’s capital, is widely-recognized as the world’s center for diamonds.
Swiss watch maker Hublot teamed up with setting workshop Bunter SA to create an unprecedented timepiece–and a million-dollar price tag to go with it. The watch, called the Hublot Black Caviar Bang, is made completely of white gold and black diamonds, but not one hint of gold is visible.
The setting of the watch is completely invisible, with only the black and deepest tones of the diamonds showing. In a media release, Hublot CEO Jean-Claude Biver said: “When each element is crafted individually and in coherence with the one right next to it, this is invisible from the outside but creates a vibration of harmony which is visible and gives rise to emotion in those who perceive it”. The watch is, indeed, a perfect finale for Hublot’s Big Bang line and all its derivatives.
The watch case is set with 322 black diamond baguettes. The watch’s dial is set with 179 more, plus 13 on the crown and 30 more on the clasp. While the weight of the diamonds on the watch is 34.4 carats, the case itself, made of white gold and 30 black diamonds, only comes in at 3.5 carats.
The Black Caviar Bang watch joins a million-dollar watch club that includes the limited edition Corum “Golden Bridge”, Patek Philippe’s “Sky Moon Tourbillon”, a Jacob & Co. diamond-studded timepiece, and Robert Wan’s pearl-set watch. Although the Black Caviar Bang is part of the Big Bang line, it is a one-of-a-kind piece that joins the art of jewelry-making with the art of watch-making.
To celebrate their 80 year anniversary, Eton have launched their highly exclusive Diamond Shirt. The Swedish brand have woven the shirt from the world’s finest and rarest Egyptian cotton yarn which has been encrusted with diamonds!
Of you get your skates on you’ll be able to see the shirt in Harrods up until the end of December and if you fancy buying it for an estimated $40,000 you can join the silent auction taking place from Wednesday 26th November – Just log onto http://www.etondiamondshirt.com/ to pledge your highest bid. All proceeds will go to Great Ormond Street Hospital.
The shirt’s most striking aspect is the seven coloured diamonds that adorn the shirt studs and cufflinks. The five diamond dress stud set consists of multi coloured diamonds and the cufflinks each have one white diamond and all are set in white with black enamel borders.
The auction ends on 18th December, and Eton will get the tailored made shirt fitted and delivered to the highest bidder in time for the new year’s celebrations.
Newly minted First Lady Michelle Obama sparkled in diamonds for the events surrounding the historic inauguration of her husband Barack Obama as the nation’s 44th, and first African-American, president.
For the inaugural balls on Tuesday night, Obama, decked out in a one-shoulder, full-length ivory gown by designer Jason Wu, accessorized with Loree Rodkin diamond linear earrings, diamond ring and diamond bangle bracelets, according to the Diamond Information Center (DIC).
DIC Director Sally Morrison said Obama’s look from the inaugural balls is one that will live on through the ages.
“By choosing to wear a pair of classic diamond linear earrings and diamond bangle bracelets, Michelle Obama has defined her own take on a timeless and enduring diamond look in a way that is destined to become iconic in fashion history,” Morrison said. “This look is absolutely her own, simultaneously modern in a way that will be emulated by women around the world today, but so timeless that it may very well one day be worn by her own daughters.”
And while there is no doubt she sparkled on inauguration night, Obama’s diamond looks weren’t limited to the balls.
The nation’s new first lady chose simple diamond-stud earrings for her husband’s swearing-in ceremony and also sported round diamond-stud earrings surrounded by pave diamonds on the train ride to the inaugural celebrations and for “Operation Gratitude” on National Service Day, held on Monday.
For the “We Are One” concert on Sunday at the Lincoln Memorial and the “Kids Inaugural: We Are the Future” concert on Monday, Obama again donned Rodkin, according to the DIC.
She wore the Beverly Hills, Calif.-based luxury designer’s diamond quatrefoil chandelier earrings with Lotus earwire and black diamond center to “We Are One” and opted for Rodkin’s black and white diamond chandelier earrings and stacked diamond bangles for the “Kids” concert.
Obama also sported Rodkin’s “The Triple Constellation” pave diamond three-tiered earrings on Election Night.
Lasting Gifts of Jewelry Show Him How Much You Care!
Valentine’s Day is a time to show that special person in your life how much they mean to you–often with a personal gift. Instead of giving a man a sweater or shirt that will fade with time, the gift of jewelry is a lasting and meaningful way to express how much you care. Whiteflash.com has The 5 Best Valentine’s Gifts that every man will enjoy wearing, and think of you every time he does.
“Jewelry is a romantic way to show love and appreciation.” President of Whiteflash Debi Wexler says, “Our Men’s Collection offers memorable gifts – at great values – that any man will enjoy including custom work and some beautiful pieces from Edward Mirell.”
The 5 Best Valentine’s Gifts for Men include:
Time for Caring
Wristwatches are a time-honored gift of affection, and the watch a man wears is a reflection of his personality. Whether he’s sporty, casual, or formal, men’s watches come in a variety of styles and finishes, with features to suit his lifestyle.
Chains of Love
For the confident man, a bracelet makes a special gift. Men’s rugged and masculine bracelets can be links, chain, or cable. Styles come in Gold, Titanium, and Platinum, some with diamond accents for an extra bit of dash.
Close to His Heart
Inspired by the military, dog tags are currently the hottest look in men’s jewelry, with styles in Titanium and White Gold including some stylish diamond accents. Many can be personalized with an engraved name or special message.
Suave and Stylish
For the elegant man in your life, cuff links are a perennial favorite. Whether in Gold, Platinum or Titanium, with accents of diamonds, mother-of-pearl or onyx, or embellished with his initials, a distinctive pair of cuff links are a gift he’ll enjoy wearing for years to come..
Unending Circle of Love
Rings are given as tokens of unbroken love and affection. A man’s right-hand ring reveals his individuality. Many feature birthstones to remind him of someone special, while classic styles can be engraved with a personal message..
“Valentine’s Day is a wonderful occasion to tell your special someone what they mean to you,” added Wexler. “Jewelry is an enduring expression of those feelings.”
Fashion-forward First Lady Michelle Obama wore an impressive array of diamond jewelry throughout the inaugural festivities. For the “We Are One” concert on Sunday at the Lincoln Memorial, she complemented her Narcisco Rodriguez outfit with a pair of dangling diamond earrings. The $17,000 diamond earrings are the creation of diamond jewelry designer Loree Rodkin, who also supplied the First Lady with her election night diamond jewelry.
For the inauguration ceremony itself, Mrs. Obama wore a gold-hued dress by Cuban-born designer Isabel Toledo. The First Lady accessorized the outfit with a diamond brooch and a pair of elegant diamond studs.
Later in the evening, Barack and Michelle Obama attended the glamorous inauguration balls. At the Neighborhood Ball, the Obamas shared their first dance as President and First Lady as Beyonce sang the Etta James song “At Last.” The First Lady, who looked stunning in an ivory silk chiffon gown (by Taiwanese designer Jason Wu) was decked out in diamond jewelry: a diamond ring, diamond bangles and diamond drop earrings. All the pieces were designed by Loree Rodkin.
Mrs. Obama was first introduced to the diamond jewelry brand through Chicago’s premier luxury boutique Ikram, where she has been a longstanding client.
“It’s a privilege to be a part of history. Today the country has new hope,” stated Loree Rodkin. “The First Lady is a symbol of hope, courage and great style. I am honored that she has chosen my jewelry. Words cannot describe the emotions I feel that Michelle Obama has allowed me to be a part of this glorious moment.”
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Bride's Choice Awards 2011
