A diamond certificate which is sometime also referred to as a diamond grading report, diamond dossier, or diamond quality document, is a report created by a team of gemmologists. The diamond is evaluated, measured, and scrutinized using trained eyes, a jeweller’s loupe, a microscope, and other industry tools. It precisely points out all the individual characteristics of the stone, inclusions and any flaws.  A completed certificate includes an analysis of the diamond’s dimensions, clarity, colour, polish, symmetry, and other characteristics. Many round diamonds will also include a cut grade on the report.

There are many different diamond grading laboratories available to the diamond-buying public. Some of the more well known grading laboratories are: GIA (Gemmological Institute of America), DCLA (Diamond Certification Laboratory of Australia), AGS (American Gemmological Society), HRD (Hoge Raad Voor Diamant; Diamond High Council), EGL (European Gemmological Institute) and the IGI (International Gemmological Institute).

At Hope Diamonds you will most likely be getting either a GIA or HRD certified diamond, which are two of the most respected in the industry. They do differ slightly in there grading criteria which is important to note as follows:

GIA offers a scale of Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, Poor

HRD offers a scale of Very Good, Good Fair, Poor  

For any diamonds that do not come with an International Diamond Certificate we are able to offer a CDA report. This report is prepared after careful examination of the diamond and evaluation and measuring of the stone is done by Diavision, a diamond measuring system. By combining computerized machine vision and advanced 3D image processing, Diavision accurately measures the stone dimensions and proportions. All diamonds with a CDA Report come with a Money Back Guarantee that they have the colour, clarity and cut as stated in the report.

At Hope Diamonds we feel that diamond certificates and grading reports are a critical part of buying a diamond so you have a future identifier of your unique and specific diamond.

There is no substitute however for how you view the diamond and your very personal impression of it.