You can send your diamond to GIA for classification and analysis. Many consumers ship the diamond through a retailer to package, ship and secure the item. The jeweler will have to remove the diamond from its setting, as GIA diamond classification reports are only issued for dismantled stones. Although you normally hear the term “GIA certified” referring to diamonds in engagement ring advertisements, the GIA will evaluate gemstones of all types.
If you want the GIA to evaluate your gem jewelry, they can help. You will have to mail or hand deliver your gem or gemstone jewelry, but once they have been evaluated, they will return them to you along with the official documentation of the evaluation process. While the term “GIA certified” has grown in use, it's worth noting that the GIA doesn't certify diamonds, but only qualifies them. The phrase is generally used to refer to diamonds that have been evaluated by the GIA.
A diamond certification lets the buyer know that they are receiving a good value diamond. This certification is issued by an independent gemological laboratory. It provides the buyer with information about the diamond's size, carat weight, color, degree of clarity, and more. There are some laboratories that classify diamonds.
But there is one laboratory that goes beyond the rest: the GIA (Gemological Institute of the United States). Established in 1931, the GIA is known for being the “gold standard” for diamond classification. Therefore, a GIA diamond is one of the best you can get. At the end of this process, a GIA diamond report is prepared, which provides a complete evaluation of the quality of the diamond and of the 4 C's (size, color, clarity and weight in carats).
In addition, buying certified diamonds can inform you about diamonds and appreciate them better. The GIA is responsible for the development of some of the best innovations in the jewelry industry, such as the gemological microscope and the diamond classification process (what many people refer to as the “diamond certification classification”). When a diamond is sent to the GIA laboratory, it undergoes multiple tests and evaluations to ensure a high level of precision in its analysis. There are several diamond certification agencies, but Diamond Mansion works primarily with the United States Gemological Institute (GIA) and EGL USA.
However, it's now possible to make diamonds in the laboratory, and the replicas are so good that it's hard to tell them apart. The GIA provides these rating reports so that the buyer knows if the diamond they are buying is of good quality and therefore has a value. In short, certified diamonds are diamonds that have been evaluated by an independent certification agency and are accompanied by a unique identification number and certificate. The GIA will also classify a diamond according to its fluorescence, finish and any other data relevant to the diamond.
Over the years, the GIA has been at the forefront of scientific and geological research, and has earned a reputation for using very strict processes to classify diamonds. When you begin to understand the different criteria contained in the diamond classification report and then compare the ratings with what you see at a glance, you will gradually begin to learn the nuances of features such as color and clarity.