When you purchase a certified loose diamond from a reputable dealer, you are buying a stone that has passed through one of the most comprehensive international certification systems ever created. The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) — often simply called the Kimberley Process — is the global framework that ensures rough diamonds do not finance armed conflict. For anyone considering a diamond purchase, understanding how this system works is essential.
At Diamantwerp, every diamond we sell is 100% conflict-free and fully compliant with the Kimberley Process. Our office is located on Pelikaanstraat in Antwerp's diamond district — just metres from the Diamond Office, where every rough diamond entering or leaving Belgium is physically verified.
What Is the Kimberley Process?
The Kimberley Process (KP) is a multilateral agreement between governments, the diamond industry, and civil society organisations. Its purpose is to prevent conflict diamonds — also known as blood diamonds — from entering the legitimate global diamond supply chain.
Why does certification matter? Triple Excellent represents the pinnacle of diamond craftsmanship — a stone where every facet has been polished and aligned for maximum brilliance.
Key Fact
The KPCS currently has 59 participants representing 85 countries, with the European Union counting as a single participant. Together, they account for approximately 99.8% of the world's rough diamond production.
The scheme was formally adopted in November 2002 in Interlaken, Switzerland, and entered into force in January 2003. It requires every participating country to certify that its rough diamond exports are not being used to finance rebel movements or armed conflict against legitimate governments.
The Kimberley Process is not a single organisation — it is a consensus-based forum in which governments, industry (represented by the World Diamond Council), and civil society observers work together. Its chairmanship rotates annually between participating countries. In 2024, the KP officially inaugurated its first permanent secretariat in Gaborone, Botswana.
What Are Blood Diamonds?
The term "blood diamonds" (or conflict diamonds) refers to rough diamonds mined in areas controlled by forces opposed to legitimate governments, where the proceeds from diamond sales are used to finance armed rebellion and civil war.
The issue gained global attention in the 1990s when devastating civil wars in Angola, Sierra Leone, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo were fuelled by the illicit diamond trade. Rebel groups such as UNITA in Angola and the RUF in Sierra Leone used diamond revenues to purchase weapons, sustain military campaigns, and commit widespread human rights abuse
| Feature | GIA | HRD Antwerp | IGI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cut grade for rounds | ✓ YesExcellent to Poor | ✓ YesExcellent to Poor | ✓ YesIdeal / Excellent to Poor |
| Cut grade for fancy shapes | ✗ NoPolish & symmetry only | ✗ NoPolish & symmetry only | ✗ NoPolish & symmetry only |
| "Triple Excellent" on certificate | ✗ NoIndustry term only | ✗ NoIndustry term only | ✗ NoIndustry term only |
| Hearts & Arrows noted | ✗ NoNot on standard report | ✗ NoNot on standard report | ✓ SometimesMay be noted on report |
| Grade scale | 5 gradesEX – VG – G – F – P | 5 gradesEX – VG – G – F – P | 6 gradesID – EX – VG – G – F – P |
Important: Triple Excellent only applies to round brilliant diamonds. Fancy shapes (princess, oval, emerald, cushion, etc.) do not receive a cut grade from GIA or HRD — they are graded only on polish and symmetry. So a fancy shape can be "Double Excellent" at most. Learn more about shape-specific grading in our diamond shapes guide.
Is a Triple Excellent Diamond Worth the Premium?
Triple Excellent diamonds typically command a 10–15% premium over equivalent stones with Very Good grades. The question is: can you see the difference?
When 3EX Is Worth It
- Buying online without seeing the stone first — 3EX acts as a safety filter that reduces the risk of getting a poorly performing diamond
- Solitaire engagement rings — when the stone is the sole visual focus, every bit of brilliance counts
- Investment purchases — Triple Excellent stones retain value better and are easier to resell
- You want absolute peace of mind — knowing your diamond meets the highest possible standard for light performance
When Very Good May Be Equally Beautiful
- Halo or pavé settings — surrounding stones can mask minor differences in cut quality
- Smaller diamonds (under 0.50ct) — the difference between Excellent and Very Good becomes harder to detect
- Budget is tight — dropping to Very Good on polish or symmetry (while keeping Excellent cut) can save 5–10% without visible impact
Diamantwerp recommendation
If budget allows, always choose Excellent cut as your non-negotiable minimum. For polish and symmetry, both Excellent and Very Good produce beautiful results in real-world viewing conditions. Ask us for side-by-side comparisons — the difference is often invisible to the naked eye
5 Common Myths About Triple Excellent
Myth 1: All Triple Excellent Diamonds Sparkle the Same
Not true. Two diamonds can both be graded 3EX yet have noticeably different sparkle levels. This is because GIA's "Excellent" cut grade covers a range of proportions, not a single set of ideal numbers. A diamond at the very top of that range will outperform one at the lower boundary. This is why checking the actual proportions (table %, depth %, crown angle, pavilion angle) matters — you can use our interactive cut estimator to explore these values.
Myth 2: Triple Excellent Means Flawless
The 3EX designation says nothing about clarity or colour. A Triple Excellent diamond could have a visible black inclusion or a warm yellow tint. Cut, polish and symmetry are about craftsmanship; colour and clarity describe the raw material.
Myth 3: Only Triple Excellent Diamonds Are Worth Buying
A well-chosen Very Good cut diamond — especially one with ideal proportions that happen to fall just outside the Excellent boundary — can look virtually identical to a 3EX stone. Do not dismiss a diamond solely because it lacks the Triple Excellent label.
Myth 4: Triple Excellent Equals Hearts and Arrows
Hearts and Arrows (H&A) is a specific optical pattern created by extremely precise facet alignment. While many 3EX diamonds show an H&A pattern, it is not guaranteed. Conversely, some H&A-quality diamonds are graded Very Good on symmetry. The two designations overlap but are not identical.
Myth 5: Fancy Shapes Can Be Triple Excellent
As noted above, GIA, HRD and IGI do not assign cut grades to fancy shapes. Only round brilliants can achieve the full Triple Excellent designation. Fancy shapes can receive Excellent polish and Excellent symmetry, which is often marketed as "Double Excellent" — but there is no third category to complete the triple.
How to Read Triple Excellent on Your Certificate
When you receive a GIA or HRD grading report, look for the "Cut Grade," "Polish," and "Symmetry" fields in the grading results section. If all three show "Excellent," your diamond qualifies as Triple Excellent — even though the certificate itself never uses that exact phrase.
At Diamantwerp, every diamond in our collection comes with a full lab certificate from GIA, HRD Antwerp or IGI. We can walk you through the report in detail so you understand exactly what you are buying.
Our Recommendation: The Smart Buying Strategy
After 37 years in the Antwerp diamond district, here is how we guide our clients:
- Start with Excellent cut — this is non-negotiable for maximum brilliance (read why)
- Aim for Excellent polish and symmetry — but do not rule out Very Good if it helps you get a better colour or clarity grade within your budget
- Check the actual proportions — table 54–57%, depth 61–62.5%, crown angle 34–35°, pavilion angle 40.6–41° are the sweet spots for round brilliants
- Ask to see the diamond — no certificate replaces seeing how a stone performs in real light conditions
- Compare at similar price points — a 3EX / H-colour / VS2 may look identical to a VG-EX-EX / G-colour / VS1 at the same budget
Diamantwerp advantage
Every diamond in our Antwerp collection — including our Triple Excellent stones — is priced up to 75% below retail. All are ethically sourced, conflict-free, and certified by GIA, HRD or IGI. Browse our collection or contact us for personal advice from our certified gemologists.
