HRD graded?

[Diamondshopper74]

I thought I was pretty familiar with the different grading labs and how they rank, but the jeweler I''ve been working with just told me about a stone with a HRD report. Can anyone tell me how they stack up?

Thanks!

 

[JohnQuixote]

The American Gem Society (AGS) and Gemological Institute of America (GIA) are recognized as the strictest major laboratories in the United States. The Hoge Raad voor Diamant (HRD) shares a similar reputation for top grading standards in Europe. It's a strong lab.

http://www.hrd.be/

 

[Paul-Antwerp]

It is a strong lab, indeed, but it might help to put this into perspective.

On colours, I would think that HRD is stricter than GIA. I am sure that a lot of NY-wholesalers are making their money on buying E-colour HRD-graded, which are graded D by GIA. Or I and H for that matter.

On clarity, GIA will generally be stricter, especially in LC (HRD-top-grade) which is not the same as IF (GIA-top-grade). AGS will even be stricter than GIA.

On cut, both have a different approach, and neither has a lot of value, according to me.

Live long,

 

[BeaudryBabe]

Just purchased a 3.11c J VS1 about 3 weeks ago that has an HRD cert. Gotta tell ya, not very J, I agree with Paul that HRD appears to be tough on color.

HRD is the GIA of Europe, that''s my understanding anyway. A great cert is good, but don''t forget to use your eyes. The diamond should speak to you!

 

[Diamondshopper74]

thanks for all of the responses! great info!

 

[elmo]

Paul, are the potential GIA-HRD grading differences factored into a stone''s market price at particular colors and clarities, sort of like an EGL report is often discounted here?

 

[Paul-Antwerp]

Date: 7/15/2006 8:10:56 AM
Author: elmo
Paul, are the potential GIA-HRD grading differences factored into a stone''s market price at particular colors and clarities, sort of like an EGL report is often discounted here?

I do not know. We are selling neither HRD nor GIA-reported stones.

On the Antwerp market, the wholesale trade generally only looks at the report as the best possible grade. Then, they check whether they feel comfortable with the grade. In general, if stones with GIA-reports are traded on the Antwerp market, there is a big chance of something being wrong with them, or better said, the stones not being the cream of the reports.

Examples: non-eye-clean SI2, fluorescence, lucky certs or grades just above a borderline.

In that sense, what I can see of these stones and their pricing is not representative.

Live long,