Why are there so many different associations that grade diamonds?

[BigToque]

What''s the Point of the GIA, EGL, etc reports if the information is essentially useless in determining the performance of the diamond?

Why don''t all of these groups just accept one method and grading report?

 

[denverappraiser]

Light performance is not usually what they are measuring or reporting on. The lab report is an opinion of some of the attributes of the stone by an ''expert''. For the most part, the labs are using the GIA grading scale for both clarity and color and pretty much everyone uses millimeters for dimensions and metric carats for weights. Some are more skilled than others at applying these metrics and reporting their results. There is no license required to create a grading lab.

Here''s an interesting thread about the number of different labs.

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/who-prepares-certificates.25291/

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ISA NAJA
[url=http://www.gemlab.us/]Independent Appraisals in Denver[/URL]

 

[oldminer]

There is no single authority with the power to dictate that one particular methodology is the "perfect" or solely correct way to grade diamonds and gems. Therefore, in a capitalistic society, we have competitors formed which offer similar yet somehow differing strategies. The GIA is looked upon by most of us as that special place where an excellent system resides, but the use and abuse of that system varies at every lab that uses it, including the Gem Trade Lab arm of the GIA. The GTL is an independent, for profit, wing of the overall GIA.

There are also numerous appraisal associations. Each of them offers similar yet slightly different training courses. Again, no entity is in overall charge of these associations, so it is a competitive situation.

Please don''t think it is a free for all out there. There are some decent checks and balances in the free market system. Being aware that not every practitioner is the same as every other is good to know. It is much the same with doctors and hospitals. They may look quite the same, but they sure vary in many important respects.