Do I need a GIA certificate?

[ked123]

I just got the paperwork for my diamond upgrade and it comes only with a "Tiffany & Co. Diamond Certificate", not a GIA certificate. Is there any reason I would want to request a GIA certificate, or would the evaluation from Tiffany suffice?

Thanks.

 

[John P]

In my experience Tiffany & Company grading has been strict and consistent. On par with GIA.

 

[ked123]

Thanks so much for the feedback. I'll inquire at Tiffany if they can supply a GIA certificate. I assume that this is something that they would need to supply, rather than me getting it from GIA directly, is this correct?

 

[stone-cold11]

Nope, you can send the stone loose to GIA yourself for grading, just pay a fee.

 

[tyty333]

Thanks so much for the feedback. I'll inquire at Tiffany if they can supply a GIA certificate. I assume that this is something that they would need to supply, rather than me getting it from GIA directly, is this correct?

I have no experience with Tiffany's just from what I have read on PS over the past couple of years. Most people accept
the Tiffany grading report and do not request another report from any other source. Do you think your stone's specs do not
match the Tiff report?

 

[Rockdiamond]

I agree with John here.
I'm, a big advocate for getting a GIA report- but in the case if a piece from Tiffany, their documentation is actually more important to have, in the event you want to re-sell the item.

 

[tyty333]

I agree with John here.
I'm, a big advocate for getting a GIA report- but in the case if a piece from Tiffany, their documentation is actually more important to have, in the event you want to re-sell the item.

Yes, a lot of the added value to a Tiff stone is the Tiff name (a long with their documentation).

 

[John P]

There has been much discussion on this topic before. I've included a few threads at the bottom.

Adding to the comments by prominent appraisers in those threads, I have also had the opportunity to assess a good number of T&Co diamonds at my leisure. The samples I've seen were consistent with GIA color, clarity & finish grading. I've also enjoyed the rare opportunity to analyze their stones with an array of cut-assessment tools. The rounds I've seen were all in the AGS0-AGS3 range and all fell into GIA EX. Some of their diamonds show top patterning - others do not - but that's not their goal (and neither GIA or AGS makes that assessment right now, in any event).

It may be useful to recall that T&Co was among the first companies in the world to back cut quality. They were clients of Henry Morse, selling the American Ideal cut years ahead of Tolkowsky, and decades prior to the existence of GIA or AGS. As such, they have long-standing brand-parameters for all of the Cs. If you ask they'll gladly discuss these with you. Some sales professionals are better-equipped to speak technically than others - and I know several PS consumers who'd give them a run for their hair-splitting money - but you'll find them very open about their brand.

GIA is absolutely considered the global authority on diamonds and it never hurts to have their assessment. But if you're simply looking for a GIA-certified diamond you can find similar products to Tiffany's elsewhere for less money.

Tiffany's customers are often seeking the brand experience, ambiance and status that goes along with the little blue box. T&Co charges a major premium for these things, which some value and others do not. But whether you feel the blue box is worth it, or not, they are a long-standing, solid company delivering a well-assessed product to which their own grading-document adds value.

Prior discussions:

Tiffany Cut Grading Relative to GIA grading
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/tiffany-cut-grading-relative-to-gia-grading.152897/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/tiffany-cut-grading-relative-to-gia-grading.152897/[/URL]

Accuracy of Tiffany Certification v. GIA
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/accuracy-of-tiffany-certification-v-gia.64994/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/accuracy-of-tiffany-certification-v-gia.64994/[/URL]

Tiffany grades their own diamonds? No AGS or GIA???
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/tiffany-grades-their-own-diamonds-no-ags-or-gia.61575/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/tiffany-grades-their-own-diamonds-no-ags-or-gia.61575/[/URL]

 

[John P]

I agree with John here.
I'm, a big advocate for getting a GIA report- but in the case if a piece from Tiffany, their documentation is actually more important to have, in the event you want to re-sell the item.

This is certain.

 

[ked123]

Thank you, John. Very helpful. I'll have a look at those links tonight.