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Showing posts with label Diamond Grading Companies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Diamond Grading Companies. Show all posts

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About The IGI - International Gemological Institute

Friday, June 3, 2011 by admin

The International Gemological Institute (IGI) is another of the world wide institutes dedicated to both the grading of diamonds and the continuing education of jewelers. It was founded in Antwerp in 1975, and grew from an original staff of three to over 450 professionals spread over a world wide laboratory network that includes New York, Hong Kong, Mumbai, Bangkok, Tokyo, Dubai, Toronto, Los Angeles, and Tel Aviv.

They claim to issue certificates on over 1 million diamonds yearly. Their customers include jewelers, retail stores, insurance companies, internet sales organizations, catalogue companies, as well as individual consumers.

The main service of the IGI is the issue of their Diamond Report which is a statement that attests to the authenticity of a diamond and gives an accurate report based on internationally recognized standards. Each diamond is scientifically analyzed by several gemologists, who use the most modern equipment available, as well as their own judgment and experience to produce the report. The report itself provides detailed information, but presented in language that makes it clear and understandable. Like the other major grading institutes they use the 4C method of grading. The 4Cs are carat weight, color, and cut. The diamonds are returned sealed in plastic containers, if this service is requested, to insure the report and the actual diamond match.

The IGI also provides educational services to people the world over who come to Antwerp to improve their knowledge of diamonds and colored stones. For those unable to travel to Antwerp, there is a Home Study Correspondence course to teach the essentials of diamond grading to jewelers.

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About The EGL - European Gemological Laboratory

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Mr. Guy Margel founded the European Gemological Laboratory in Antwerp in 1973. Mr. Margel received his gemological training in the United States in the late 1960’s. He returned two years after the opening in Antwerp to open an American branch in New York, followed by another in Los Angeles in 1978. Currently the EGL is virtually world wide with laboratories in South Africa, Paris, London, Tel Aviv, Seoul, Istanbul, and India.

The stated mission of the EGL is to take the guesswork out of diamond buying by the use of diamond grading consultations and certificates that adhere to internationally accepted standards. The EGL is not in the business of selling diamonds, and are independent of any sales organizations. They deal with professional diamond wholesalers, retailers, manufactures, and diamond craftsmen. They also provide educational training through the EGL College of Gemology.

The EGL considers diamond grading to be more an art or at the very least an applied science rather than an exact science. They attempt to standardize grading criteria to maintain consistency from laboratory to laboratory worldwide. Although their reputation is good, and they are known for their consistency, there is a feeling in the diamond industry that their standards are a bit lower than their competitors overall. This makes them the institute of choice for holders of diamonds with lesser quality who hope to receive a higher rating on their certificate than might be received elsewhere.

The main function of the EGL is the grading of diamonds and the issuing of a World Wide Diamond Grading Certificate. The certificate records carat weight, color grade, clarity grade, and the measurements and physical properties of the diamonds. On request, the graded diamonds will be returned in a sealed capsule. The unbroken seal then assures the customer that the diamond inside matches the certificate.

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About the GIA - Gemological Institute of America

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The Gemological Institute of America is the largest and perhaps most respected of the nonprofit Institutes that specialize in diamond grading, research, and education. It was founded in 1931; it has over 1,100 employees consisting of scientists, diamond graders, and educators. They are the publishers of an award winning quarterly journal, Gems & Gemology.

GIA is the creator of the world famous 4C grading standard of diamond value. The 4Cs are color, clarity, cut, and carat weight. They also developed the trademarked International Diamond Grading System. There grading standards are recognized worldwide by almost every professional jeweler as well as educated diamond buyers. The GIA Diamond Grading Report and the GIA Diamond Dossier are recognized as the preeminent diamond credentials.

Because of their reputation for strict grading and their excellent reputation, the GIA is usually the Institute of choice for high quality diamonds, and samples of all sizes and shapes arrive from every corner of the globe for analysis and grading.

Some of the famous diamonds that have been graded by GIA include the Hope Diamond (45.52 carats), the De Beers Millennium Star (203.04 carats), and the Incomparable Diamond (407.48)

Education is another important function of the GIA, and the highly prestigious Graduate Gemologist (G.G.) diploma is recognized widely as the mark of a senior professional jeweler. Even the White House and the United States Congress have sought answers on diamond related matters from the GIA. There own advertising claims that the GIA is where the bibles of gemology are being written every day.

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About The AGS - American Gem Society

by admin

The American Gem Society was established in 1934. The founders were a group of independent jewelers and Robert M. Shipley who had founded the School of Gemology at the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). Its purpose was to establish an association that would set and adhere to the highest possible standards with unquestioned integrity. The membership has always been very restrictive. This includes requiring a high level of gemological knowledge as well as completion of a course of study from the GIA, or the Gemological Association of Great Brain by firm owners or employees.

The AGS holds to a very strict Code of Ethics. Some of the prohibited business practices include misleading advertising, setting artificially high regular prices to offer fictitious sale prices, and bait and switch techniques. Any violation of the Code leads to quick expulsion from the Society.

Although not technically a grading institute, the American Gem Society does do diamond appraisals through the Independent Certified Gemologist Appraiser Firm of the American Gem Society (ICGA). Certified Gemologist Appraisers of the ICGA have the education and experience to provide valuation reports of all jewelry items including diamonds. The ICGA maintains a massive gemological library and a laboratory to assist the appraisers in making accurate identification and valuation reports on the stones. The process of valuation appraisal differs from normal Certificate diamond grading in that it is more geared to the individual needs of the diamond owner rather than concentrating on the carat weight, color, clarity and cut information.

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