Engraved Certificate #?

[greenlaser]

I am looking at a diamond that is I.G.I. certified, and it is "inscribed with the certificate number on the stone''s girdle". What exactly does this mean, and what impact should I expect it to have on the stone''s quality/price?

 

[stone-cold11]

That is just what it meant, the report number is inscribed on the girdle of the diamond. It should not have an impact on the quality/price of the stone unless it is badly done and on a very good clarity stone such as an IF stone.

Example of inscribed report number is this GOG, but this is from a different lab, AGS, so actual inscription will be different.
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/6204/

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 2/24/2010 1:55:05 AM
Author:greenlaser
I am looking at a diamond that is I.G.I. certified, and it is ''inscribed with the certificate number on the stone''s girdle''. What exactly does this mean, and what impact should I expect it to have on the stone''s quality/price?

It just means the diamond is inscribed for identification purposes, normally it won''t have any effect on the quality or pricing of the diamond. Do you have a particular diamond in mind and would you like us to look it over for you concerning the proportions etc?

 

[denverappraiser]

The girdle is the outside edge of the stone. They’ve etched a serial number using a laser in very small type along that edge. You can see it with a microscope and, if you’re good at it, with a loupe.

It has no affect on either the quality or the price of the stone.

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver

 

[oldminer]

Sellers often imply that the laser inscription adds value, provides reassurance of the high ethics of the grading lab, or has some other "benefit" to the consumer. While my old lab still does laser engraving and I am often asked by people to engrave a diamond for them, it does nothing material to prove any value added concept. It does not prove the integrity of the lab that did the grading. It is not totally proof positive that the diamond is the one on the paper grading report. Anyone or any lab who can afford a laser device can perform this work.

What does the laser inscription mean? It still is up to the the known quality reputation of the laboratory to add value, not their laser inscription.

 

[Todd Gray]

Date: 2/24/2010 11:43:59 AM
Author: oldminer
Sellers often imply that the laser inscription adds value, provides reassurance of the high ethics of the grading lab, or has some other ''benefit'' to the consumer. While my old lab still does laser engraving and I am often asked by people to engrave a diamond for them, it does nothing material to prove any value added concept. It does not prove the integrity of the lab that did the grading. It is not totally proof positive that the diamond is the one on the paper grading report. Anyone or any lab who can afford a laser device can perform this work.

What does the laser inscription mean? It still is up to the the known quality reputation of the laboratory to add value, not their laser inscription.

Which is why it is always good practice NOT to use the inscription on the girdle edge of the diamond as the sole method of identification... Use the inscription in conjunction with the inclusions within the diamond as a combined method of identifying the diamond and have the diamond evaluated by an independent appraiser (see list under Resources tab above) to confirm that the inscription which appears on the girdle edge of the diamond matches the diamond with the characteristics indicated on the lab report which accompanies it.

 

[greenlaser]

Thanks everyone! That''s very helpful.