GIA vs. EGL Certification
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Certification is the key to selecting a quality diamond at the lowest price. Certification is your only assurance of quality. A diamond certification is a detailed diamond quality report issued by an accredited independent gemological laboratory. The most recognized gemological laboratories that provide certified diamond quality reports to the diamond and jewelry industry are listed below. Click on the links to learn details about each laboratory and report.
G.I.A. - The Gemological Institute of America:
G.I.A. is the most well known and respected laboratory in the world. The division of G.I.A. which is responsible for the certification of diamonds is G.I.A.’s Gem Trade Laboratory. The G.I.A. diamond quality report provides a carefully drawn plot which illustrates the exact position, size and shape of every internal inclusion and external blemish a diamond possesses. G.I.A. is extremely strict in assigning color and clarity grades. If a diamonds quality is on the line of the next higher quality grade G.I.A. will usually always assign the lower grade. G.I.A. uses a Sarin proportion analyzer, a computer electronic measuring device to determine diamond proportions. The cost of a G.I.A. or A.G.S. diamond quality report is $100 to $200. G.I.A. has recently added a new Dossier certification, a miniature version of the standard full G.I.A. diamond quality report except it does not provide the plot that shows inclusion and blemishes. However, G.I.A. does laser inscribe the edge or girdle of the submitted diamond with the G.I.A. diamond quality report number for identification purposes. The Dossier diamond quality report is primarily used on smaller diamonds because it is lower in cost.
G.I.A. Certified Diamond Reports provide this information:
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E.G.L. - The European Gemological Laboratory:
E.G.L. provides a detail diamond report that is sometimes not as strict as G.I.A. Because the art of diamond grading is a subjective science, two different gemological laboratories may arrive at differing opinions when assigning a diamonds color and clarity grade. E.G.L. has sometimes been known to assign a higher grade on diamonds that have grades on the border between two grades. G.I.A. usually will always give the lower grade. When purchasing a diamond with an E.G.L. quality report, it is possible to receive a lower grade if it is submitted to G.I.A. for a new diamond quality report. Diamonds with E.G.L. quality reports that are offered for prices significantly lower than equal quality G.I.A. certified diamonds have the greatest chance of not matching if submitted to G.I.A. for a new quality report. E.G.L. certifications are often reliable but one must be aware of possible inconsistencies and limitations when comparing diamond certifications between different gemological laboratories
The E.G.L. certification however does provide more proportion information than the G.I.A. diamond report by including the important pavilion and crown angles in their diamond report. Be aware that plots of internal and external blemishes on E.G.L. certifications are much less detailed than G.I.A. or A.G.S. quality reports. Many diamonds under one carat in size are are certified by E.G.L. due to the benefit of lower cost and faster service. E.G.L. also provides a economically priced miniature version of its full certification.
E.G.L. Certified Diamond Reports provide this information:
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??rown Angle
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??olish
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??larity Grade
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??omments about Diamond
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Call Beverly Hills Diamonds at: 1 (800) 453-8831 for all your diamond needs.