Diamonds have been coveted and admired for thousands of years. However, it is only since the beginning of the 20th century that diamonds and gemstones have been objectively classified. The oldest gemological organization, founded in 1931 in Los Angeles, California, is the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).
Since the GIA was founded, many other organizations have emerged to meet the growing global demand for certification. Examples include the Diamond High Council (HRD Antwerp), a major certifier for European diamond transactions, and the International Gemological Institute (IGI), founded in 1975. The IGI is the oldest laboratory in Antwerp.
“”The certification process
The GIA, IGI and HRD have developed extensive training programs to award Graduate Gemologist (GG) degrees to successful students. A gemologist carefully examines a diamond using specialized tools and techniques to accurately assess its qualities, known as the 4 C’s: color, carat, clarity and cut.
Courses
You can follow these courses at one of the renowned organizations below
This objective assessment contains essential information for buyers and sellers of diamonds. Jewels weighing more than half a carat are almost always evaluated by a professional gemologist.
Bij de GIA wordt de beoordeling aangeleverd in een “Diamond Grading Report”. De IGI noemt deze beoordeling kortweg een “Diamond Report”. In beide gevallen wordt basisinformatie zoals karaatgewicht, kleurkwaliteit, helderheid en slijpsel duidelijk en gedetailleerd weergegeven.
These certifications allow buyers and sellers to trust the objective and accurate assessment of their diamonds, which is absolutely essential for fair and reliable transactions.
Conclusion
Diamond certification is a crucial part of the diamond industry. It provides transparency and trust for both buyers and sellers. By understanding how diamonds are certified and graded, you can make more informed decisions when purchasing these precious gems.
All Diamantwerp employees hold at least one of these “Graduate Gemologist” diplomas.