Not all diamonds are created equal and nor are the Certification Labs who authenticate them “Better be a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without,†— a sagacious quote attributed to the philosopher Confucius underlines the fact that the true worth of anything can only be found in its authenticity and unique qualities, even with its imperfections.
As Dinesh Lakhani, Global Director, Kiran Germs, notes, ever since the diamond certification began in India in the early 1970s, the industry has experienced a significant transformation in both the processes and the products. New exploration techniques, Blockchain technology that authenticated the supply-chain and the ever-growing customer demand have increased the need for third-party, sophisticated valuation methods.
Sophistication grows in diamond grading, given their high and consistent investments in upgrading the technology and training to ensure accuracy, technical finesse and compliance with international standards, big labs like IGI & GIA, the pioneers with decades of experience and expertise, have always set high standards in diamond certification. Labs, such as IGI, also focus on nurturing grading professionals through rigorous training processes. In recent times, diamond grading has become so intricate that it deals with everything from the shape, measurements, fluorescence and any likely enhancement or treatment that it may have undergone in the past.
Therefore, the easiest approach to verify the authenticity of your unique gemstone is to have a grading report from trustworthy laboratories, which follow strict guidelines and reliable outcomes, thus increasing the customer confidence in their credentials. In fact, only a technically sound lab can give you an accurate, unbiased evaluation of the diamond’s 4Cs, that make it invaluable, its brilliance, and sparkle, distinctive qualities such as its polishing, treatments, finish, and proportions. The certificates give customers an idea about the potential resale value or the upgrade and the insurance cover that they may want to get. However, the biggest factor here is the sheer confidence that these documents give the consumers, a stamp of trust, about the authenticity and quality of the stones that they are buying.
IGI is also part of the elite Responsible Jewellery Council, which oversees responsible supply chains, human rights and due diligence across the sector. GIA’s campuses and programs are recognised by Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) These accreditations help all stakeholders including consumers be assured of the quality and practices of these institutions. Every stone is guaranteed and graded correctly, ensuring it simply shines with validated authenticity.
Online trust
Expert certification becomes far more important as we increasingly shop online with e-commerce platforms offering all sorts of fine jewellery. As you lack any personal interaction to clarify your doubts or concerns, digital certificates provide a safe and trustworthy way to confirm the quality and authenticity of a diamond. These digital certificates are tamper-proof, accessible from anywhere, helping the jewellers maintain the integrity of the diamond’s information, ensuring the promised values.
Excellence matters
The diversity of the process also makes the expert certification labs more relevant than other industry resources such as jewellers who offer their own certificates which often found to lack the same level of objectivity as those provided by the independent labs such as IGI. Large independent labs are accredited by industry standardisation bodies. IGI has ISO 17025 accreditation, which is considered the single most important standard for calibration and testing laboratories across the globe covering all laboratory environments.
