"Certification" is the 5th C in your diamond quest. The term is not actually accurate, as it should be called a "Grading Report". Both titles are used interchangeably within the trade.

Now, let’s face it! No one is going to wear a Certificate. They are going to wear the diamond itself in a piece of jewelry. The "bragging rights" associated with diamond certificates can be quite pronounced, and unseemly. But the presence of the Certificate establishes the independent quality verification of the stone, much as having an A.K.C. pedigree can affect the value of a full breed dog.

"Certification" refers to an independent laboratory document describing the gemological characteristics of the diamond that affect its quality, beauty, and value. The certificate itself does not state a monetary value, as that is often greatly influenced by local competitive factors. A certificate can also be useful for identification and insurance replacement purposes, so long as all aspects of the stone, including cut precision, are fully described and documented thereon.

To that end, well informed consumers recognize that some laboratories simply have higher standards and consistency than others. At Curtis Miller, Inc., we prefer certificates from the laboratories of either the Gemological Institute of America’s Gem Trade Lab (G.I.A.) or the American Gemological Society laboratory (A.G.S.), and believe that their Grading Reports represent the benchmarks for the diamond trade today.

Here are the things to look for in a reliable diamond Grading Report:

• Issuer of the report
• Origin of the report
• Date of the report
• Unique identification number of the report
• Shape
• Cut Grade
• Color
• Clarity
• Carat Weight
• Measurements
• Proportions
• Fluorescence
• Comments