DG or DD certication ?

[dhmshah]

Which GIA certification is preferable for below 1.999ct stones ?

DG or DD ?

and Why ?

Thank you.

 

[denverappraiser]

It's going to depend on your objectives.

DD's are a little bit cheaper and always include the inscription. DG's have the plotting diagram and may not have the inscription. The difference in price is under $50.

Consumers generally like the inscriptions and don't have a lot of use for the plotting diagram. Dealers order DG's because the bigger piece of paper somehow seems better, because the lack of an inscription means they can send it to another lab if they're unhappy with the results, and the plotting diagram is useful in recognizing the stone.

Which is the best for YOU. Don't know. For shopping purposes there's not much about the plot that helps but some people like it anyway. For shopping purposes the inscription doesn't do much for you but it's kind of handy after you buy because it makes the stone easy to recognize and you may have it either way. All in all I wouldn't say it makes much difference. But the DG+inscription is the most information and there's not much downside to having too much information.

 

[oldminer]

I thought the DD was for diamonds below 1.00ct, not below 1.99ct. Am I mistaken?

If you are buying a high quality, or high cost, diamond, I'd second the motion that a DG with a lasered inscribed girdle is the best way to go. If you are on a tight budget for a diamond below 0.50ct, a DD ought to be very sufficient.