Only buy G I A Certifide Diamond
The Grand old Mall recommends buying only those with grading certificates from GIA, the American Gem Society or another independent laboratory. If a jeweler says he can offer you an uncertified diamond at a discount, tell him you'll pay to have it analyzed since the cost should be only $50 to $300 depending on the size of the stone. Read warranty and return policies carefully and make sure all guarantees are written in ink or on your darkgreen underline sales receipt — it's your legal contract. You may have a hard time distinguishing between slight variations in color and clarity, but still trust your own eyes. Adlyn also recommends holding diamonds with a pair of tweezers over your finger or against a white background and under lights of
different types and varying brightness. With shapes other than round-cut, which has standard specifications, and with colored gems, you will have
to rely much more on the jeweler's expertise. If you are buying a colored stone such as a ruby, sapphire or diamond, ask if it has been "treated" to enhance the color. Some processes are routine, like heating for sapphires and rubies and oiling for emeralds, but others are temporary or undesirable. Up to half the gold jewelry sold in the U.S. bears a false karat rating, says Adlyn. Choosing a reliable merchant is your only insurance, although national retailers like Zales and Sears are diligent about the purity of their gold. The major grading system used in the United States, like color grading system, was developed by the GIA as part of its diamond grading system. The GIA system is only one of several in use, but it has gained wide acceptance in the United States and many other counties around world.
Basically these systems grade the stone for its imperfections, both its internal inclusions and external blemishes. The clarity grade represents the total picture, the type, number, placement, and color, of the diamond’s imperfections. These can be white, black, colorless, or even red or green in rare instances. The “flaw” grade is more commonly referred to as the “clarity” grade today. There are eleven grades on the GIA scale, beginning with FL, Flawless, colorless, well cut stone, particularly from one carat and up, is extremely rare and is prices proportionately much higher than any other grade. Some jewelers insist such stone do not exist today. The grade IF is given to a stone with no internal flaws and with only minor external blemishes, small nicks, pits, or girdle roughness, not on the table, that could be removed with polishing. These stones, in colorless, well proportioned makes, are also rare and priced proportionately much higher than other grades. VVS1 and VVS2 are grades given to stones with internal flaws that are very, very difficult for a qualified observer to see. These are also difficult grades to obtain, and are priced at a premium. VS1 and VS2 are grades given to stones with very small inclusions difficult for a qualified observer to see. These stones are more readily available in good color and cut, and their flaws will not be visible except under magnification. These are excellent stones to purchase. SI1 and SI2 grades are given to stones with flaws that a qualified observer will see fairly easily with 10X magnification. They are less rare than other grades, so they sell at a lower price. They are still highly desirable and are being used increasingly in very fine jewelry, especially in sizes over two carats with good color and cut. Get $10 Off any purchase of $100 or more. |
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