- Joined
- Sep 3, 2000
- Messages
- 6,749
In spite of many posts and threads on the weakness of the clarity and color systems used by GIA and competing labs, there is really very little to fear. I don't want consumers to feel that there is no accuracy or no conscience behind the existing use of grading even if the standards are subjective.
The price of diamonds is based primarily on the reality of the actual grade even when a lab has been generous with the grade on their report. Sometimes, the best bargains are found, like a needle in a haystack, with liberal labs properly grading a diamond and still finding its discount intact although it is worth more money. Dealers tend to generalize discounts, but individual diamonds can stand out as better values once in a while.
Good appraisers, and professional diamond dealers know when a lab has been overly kind to a diamond. They also know when a grade is reasonably correct. You will rarely see a diamond that has been undergraded, as dealers feel very compelled to have those stones reviewed by the lab before they accept the paper. If a lab is stubborn about raising a legitimate grade to where it should be, the dealer tosses out the cert and goes to a competing lab for further opinions.
There is a certain amount of puffery when it comes to selling average cut diamonds, but there is very little smoke and mirrors when you desire to purchase a finely cut diamond in a store or especially on the Internet. You then are buying a quasi-commodity which you can shop until little profit is left. You must be aware that many diamonds are touted as "Ideal" when they are not graded by any legitimate lab as Ideal. A sticker from a Sarin or Ogi does not qualify as does the opinion of a reputable lab. Claims made without proper evidence are not worth a whole lot. If a claim of fine cut is made to a shopper, the shopper should then ask to see the proper, formal documentation. Do not buy an "Ideal Cut" that does not have proper, recognizable lab paperwork with it.
I want consumers to feel good about their shopping experience and not made so afraid that they have buying paralysis. Plenty opf us have been through the mill with countless consumers already. I doubt there is a cure for the issues, but there are clear paths to follow which we can help you with.
The price of diamonds is based primarily on the reality of the actual grade even when a lab has been generous with the grade on their report. Sometimes, the best bargains are found, like a needle in a haystack, with liberal labs properly grading a diamond and still finding its discount intact although it is worth more money. Dealers tend to generalize discounts, but individual diamonds can stand out as better values once in a while.
Good appraisers, and professional diamond dealers know when a lab has been overly kind to a diamond. They also know when a grade is reasonably correct. You will rarely see a diamond that has been undergraded, as dealers feel very compelled to have those stones reviewed by the lab before they accept the paper. If a lab is stubborn about raising a legitimate grade to where it should be, the dealer tosses out the cert and goes to a competing lab for further opinions.
There is a certain amount of puffery when it comes to selling average cut diamonds, but there is very little smoke and mirrors when you desire to purchase a finely cut diamond in a store or especially on the Internet. You then are buying a quasi-commodity which you can shop until little profit is left. You must be aware that many diamonds are touted as "Ideal" when they are not graded by any legitimate lab as Ideal. A sticker from a Sarin or Ogi does not qualify as does the opinion of a reputable lab. Claims made without proper evidence are not worth a whole lot. If a claim of fine cut is made to a shopper, the shopper should then ask to see the proper, formal documentation. Do not buy an "Ideal Cut" that does not have proper, recognizable lab paperwork with it.
I want consumers to feel good about their shopping experience and not made so afraid that they have buying paralysis. Plenty opf us have been through the mill with countless consumers already. I doubt there is a cure for the issues, but there are clear paths to follow which we can help you with.
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