Certificates or Grading Reports?

Although the paper is referred to as a cert or certificate verbally in the trade, in actuality that word is rarely used on the form as it will say Grading Report or Analysis Report or some such language. It is the trade that refers to this document as a certerficate to their customers. So, for the most part, it is not really a certification. Labs in general are only offering an opinion of its grade 'not a guarantee'. It is important to understand the purpose of this grading report or document. A diamond grading report should be a statement, issued by an independent gemological laboratory, that at the time of evaluation, the diamond in question has been examined by trained diamond graders, using various gemological instruments, and determined to contain the characteristics as stated in the report or document. The reason it is important to have a diamond evaluated by an independent gemological laboratory is the characteristics of a diamond can have a major influence on your wallet and your decision. Therefore, knowing that a reputable laboratory has scrutinized a diamond with their trained gemologists and lab equipment is important to know that you are purchasing a diamond within certain bounds of your choosing. However, it is important to know that gemological laboratories are merchants first and laboratories second. The grading of diamonds is simply a business. They are merchandising lab reports and they do want to be favorable to their customers (the trade's diamond merchants) as it will be more business generated in the future. The labs through quantity alone can make a mistake as well. Think about it; is there a quota for a diamond grader to produce in a day? We hope not, however, this writer has spoken with previous graders and there is a certain amount of speed that is expected to get through the daily business. Yes, even the most reputable laboratory can make a mistake and has made admitted mistakes. That is why they do not refer in writing on their report as a cert or certificate. It is necessary for you the consumer to know it is possible for a report and a stone to get separated from each other. It is important to know the diamond and the report match each other. This can be done by seeking independent advice from a reputable independent gemological laboratory such as Mackley & Company's Gemological Lab. We recommend strongly that you do not buy any quality diamond without a second and possibly third opinion.

Trust no grading report until you get another opinion from a qualified lab.