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These 5 Facts Will Make You Buy A GIA diamond!

While purchasing any diamond ring or other diamond article, you always pay heed to its certification to ensure that your investment doesn’t backfire in the future, right? But are all diamond certifications from known gem labs like GIA, AGS, GCAL, IGI, EGL, GSI, etc. made equal? The answer is a big NO! There are several gem labs out there in different parts of the world. 

If some are independent and third-party organizations, others are in a coalition with renowned jewelers. Some of them follow a strict and expensive diamond grading process. Whereas, others are masters at grading inexpensively. This is owing to their less strict grading process. So, you see, not all labs offer the same kind of certification.

Some well-known gem certification labs you’re more likely to come across are GIA, AGS, GCAL, IGI, EGL, GSI, etc. Out of these, we are going to discuss the Gemological Institute of America in detail. So, let’s start.

What is GIA?

GIA stands for the Gemological Institute of America and it’s an independent and non-profit organization. They carry out exclusive gem research and sets standards for the diamond’s quality. This is done in terms of grading which is its main function. It is to be noted that the institute isn’t involved in mining, selling, appraising, or price evaluation of any diamond. So, if you want to invest your hard-earned money securely, always look for a GIA-graded diamond. And make sure you understand the grading report associated with it.

Is every diamond in the market graded by the Gemological Institute of America?

Not necessarily!

In fact, not all diamonds in the market are graded and sold just like that. With the reputation that the Gemological Institute of America carries, most of the buyers believe their diamonds to be graded by the GIA. So, if you want to ascertain whether yours is graded, ask for its grading report. The report will also carry a unique number (sometimes inscribed on the stone’s girdle). You can also use the grading report’s number to access the institute’s online global database. This helps to verify the diamond being GIA-graded and have its full assessment details.

Do I need a graded diamond?

Let’s understand this through an example. A diamond ring may be one of the most expensive purchases you will ever make, right? For this, you’d like to get a good deal. So, this is where a graded diamond, that too, a GIA-graded one holds the upper hand. The Gemological Institute of America carries out the strictest diamond quality assessment. They use the most sophisticated instruments and procedures. That produces an accurate report stating the necessary information regarding its 4Cs, nature (i.e. natural or treated), fluorescence, and much more.

Being unbiased, you get the freedom to compare one GIA-graded diamond to another and then decide which one to pay for. Hence, getting yourself a graded diamond is just like buying a fully-inspected car. Also, it’s a graded diamond that has the best resale value.

How to get a diamond graded by the GIA?

If you come to know that the diamond you’ve paid for isn’t graded at all or done by a local lab, why not submit it to any Gemological Institute of America lab? For a complete examination, you have two options. First, drop off your stone at any of the nine labs located in different capitals. They’re situated in Belgium, Thailand, China, India, Japan, the USA, Botswana, South Africa, and Israel.

However, this will cost you more considering packaging and shipping costs. Additionally, as the GIA grades only “unmounted/loose” diamonds, you’ll have to first get this done by a jeweler. So, as an alternative, you can turn it up to your local diamond jeweler and he will unmount it and handle the process of submitting it to the GIA on your behalf.

Do GIA-graded diamonds cost more?

There is a fallacy that a diamond graded by the Gemological Institute of America costs more. It’s based on the sole comparison taking into account the price tags. In reality, it’s not the case. The actual cost of your diamond or your car or any other precious thing depends upon the quality. Hence, to know which diamond is worth better, always compare diamonds having the same 4Cs characteristics. Being objectively graded by the same independent grading institute is very helpful.

Also, in the majority of cases, a GIA-graded diamond wouldn’t be expensive at all. For example, paying $48 for an unbiased grading report for a diamond weighing 0.70 carats to 0.99 carats, and $80 for a stone weighing 1.00 cts to 1.49 cts is nothing for a couple who paid $6000 for their engagement ring. It’s just like having peace of mind having a GIA report on the side. 

FAQs

Why do GIA graded diamonds worth more?

A GIA graded diamond’s worth is based on the lab’s more accurate and stricter grading standards than its counterparts. Due to this, they are valued higher. For example, for a GIA graded diamond worth 1.5 carats, round cut, G color, and SI1 clarity, you’ll be asked to pay around $13000 while for any other lab, say, EGL USA, it may go as high as $10000.

What are the prominent locations of the world’s most respected gemological laboratory, GIA?

The lab is located at several locations like Belgium, Thailand, China, India, Japan, the USA, Botswana, South Africa, and Israel.

How can I send my diamond for analysis at GIA?

You can simply send your diamond to the laboratory through any retailer for packaging, shipping, and insuring the item. He will remove the diamond from its setting as the lab issues report for only unmounted stones. 

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