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Burkett's Article Library > What You Need to Know About Diamond Certificates
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What You Need to Know About Diamond Certificates
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Do You Need a Certificate?
A generation ago, the quality of a
diamond was guaranteed by the retailer who sold it to you. Buying a
diamond was a matter of trust and it still holds true. However, in this
age of widespread diamond buying from non-traditional sources, many
consumers want the added assurance of a certificate from an accredited
laboratory that describes the diamond down to the last detail. In
addition to proving that you got what you paid for, a certificate can
help protect you in case of loss.
What Information Should Be on It?
A diamond certificate should contain a grading analysis of your diamond using the four Cs of Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat weight. You will find the exact carat weight, measurement of the stone and shape. Some certs include a proportion diagram of the stone’s dimensions and a drawing or a photograph showing the diamond’s internal characteristics. Color is graded on an alphabetical scale, beginning with D, which is the best. Clarity is rated on a scale ranging from internally flawless to VVS1 (very, very slightly included) through SI2 (slightly included) to I3 (imperfect). The certificate will also include any pertinent identification data such as a laser inscription.
Does It Estimate the Value?
What a certificate does not contain, however, is a valuation of the stone; for that, you will need an appraisal.
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