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Consumer confidence
I received a call this morning, one which we get on a regular basis.
The question is always the same, and our answer is always the same.
It usually starts with, "I am buying a diamond how can I be sure that I am getting what I am told".
the answer is simple.
No matter where you are buying a stone you need to firstly make sure the retailer is reputable.
A good way to determine this, is by the certificate they provide you with the diamond.
If you are offered a certificate from a reputable laboratory that is recognised by the world associations you can be sure you are getting what you are told. And dealing with a reputable retailer.
If you are offered a bogus certificate or an in house certificate of valuation you should shop elsewhere.
This advice to be simple and seems logical, YET we constantly see consumers who have been caught out.
Why is this?
Well today, I would like to share what we see.
The consumer is sceptical and mistrusting by nature,YET
when they are involved in a emotional purchase and at their most vulnerable, the sharks come out to feed,playing on the feeling of the moment and the feeling between the couple.
It takes very little to convince a first time, uninformed person that they are getting a great deal, especially with very official looking paperwork.
This always ends in tears and usually the feeling is they will never trust again.
It is amazing that a few unethical traders who perpetuate these problems bring doubt on to the industry as a whole,and my personal view is that we should stand together and get rid of them once and for all.
Point out the pit falls to your customers, they do appreciate it.
Michael Cohen
Diamond Certification Laboratory of Australia
Suite 1, Level 1
133 Castlereagh Street
Sydney, 2000
Tel: 02 9261 2104
Fax: 02 9261 4263
www.dcla.com.au
info@dcla.com.
Posted by: Michael Cohen | September 05, 2007 at 09:30 PM
Buying a quality Diamond, Engagement Ring, or Wedding Band can be a daunting venture. But if you're armed with accurate information and know what to look for and what to avoid it will be a pleasureable experience. The best place to start is with the 5 C's of diamonds:
1. Certification,
2. Carat,
3. Clarity
4. Color,
5. Cut.
Diamond Basics:
Certification
It is very important that when choosing from a selection of loose diamonds to review the diamond certificate, referred to by diamond grading laboratories as a grading report. This is your assurance that you are getting a diamond that has been graded for color and clarity from an experienced gemologist. Never buy a diamond that does not have this report or has a certificate from a lab with lower color and clarity grading standards.
Some diamond merchants will offer what they term "In house appraisals/certificates" in an attempt to justify the color/clarity grade, as well as the dimensions and characteristics of their loose diamonds. These reports are analogous to the fox guarding the hen-house and will not provide you with any guarantees on the accuracy of the purported diamond color or clarity grades. Additionally,this type of an "appraisal" may very well be inflated causing you to pay higher premiums than is justified.
Independent Grading Laboratories
You should always insist on certified diamonds that have been graded by an independent and unbiased grading lab. This kind of certification is the only way to confirm that you are getting what you paid for with the size, color, clarity, dimensions, and properties of the loose diamonds.
Are all Independent Grading Laboratories Created Equal?
The answer is an emphatic NO!
There are Independent Diamond Grading Laboratories out there whose grading standards, criterion, and competence are lacking. These laboratories are known for routinely grading diamonds at 1-2 Color/Clarity grades higher than actually warranted. You are paying "more" for "less".
GIA and AGS Grading Laboratories.
The most accurate, stringent, and consistent diamond grading laboratories today are the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), and the American Gem Society Laboratories. (AGS) These are the most respected laboratories in the diamond industry. GIA is the standard bearer in the industry known and acclaimed world-wide for their in-depth diamond and jewelery research and consumer education.
Posted by: By Barry Gutwein | September 18, 2007 at 11:30 PM
“Buy your Diamond from a Reputable Retailer!”
What does this mean? How do I tell if the retailer is reputable or not?
Buying a diamond can be a scary undertaking these days. There is an abundance of information available to consumers, but not all of it is accurate. Hopefully we can clear up a few of the myths and give you some guidelines.
Most diamond buying guides advise you on the 4 C’s and suggest that you only shop at honest, reputable retailers, but how does the average consumer determine this?
Our advice is to ask if the diamond is certified and to see which laboratory issued the certificate or grading report. The quality of the certificate, or lack thereof, goes a long way towards telling if you are dealing with someone reputable and professional.
A diamond certificate or diamond grading report is only as good as the laboratory who issued it.
The certificate should come from a reputable, independent and recognised laboratory.
Diamond certificates from respectable labs, meaning GIA, HRD, AGS or DCLA, are totally necessary if you want to compare diamonds intelligently.
If you are unsure we suggest you do some investigation.
Laboratories such as GIA, HRD, AGS and DCLA issue grading reports of the highest international standards. All of these diamond grading laboratories utilise strict procedures, have the most advanced equipment, and affiliations which meet the strict requirements for recognition by international trade organisations.
It is up to you, the consumer, to verify the credentials of a diamond grading laboratory.
If you are told certification is unnecessary, or that the diamond certificate will cost you extra we suggest that you shop elsewhere.
Valuations or appraisals are NOT the same as a diamond certificate or grading report.
One important thing to remember is that a diamond certificate or grading report never includes an appraisal, or any kind of statement about the monetary value of the diamond.
Be even more cautious of website vendors who issue their own 'in house diamond certificates' or 'manufacturer's grading reports' as these simply are NOT independent certificates and they are NOT from a recognised laboratory.
A diamond certificate, is only useful if it is reliable and has been issued by a reputable independent laboratory which has no financial interest in the stone. If you've never heard of the institution that is offering a grading report, don't hesitate to ask about its credentials and that of the people who graded the diamond.
Diamond grading laboratories which grade to IDC International Diamond Council rules, do not just use the opinion and expertise of one person. They must grade the diamond and have the opinion and consensus of three qualified diamond graders before the grade is applied to any diamond.
Do not judge a certificate by its cover and title alone
Just because someone calls themselves a laboratory or opens up a business to do diamond certificates and valuations after having completed a gemology course, that does not mean they have the needed technical equipment, qualifications, knowledge and expertise.
These small local labs often lay claims of being independent, recognised, and having state of art equipment but what about the qualifications of the directors, graders and that of the person who graded the diamond? Did they test for all types of treatments and any enhancements? Do they guarantee that the diamond is natural? Was the diamond laser inscribed using a cold laser? Do they grade diamonds to set international rules and standards?
It is one thing to produce great looking certificates but it is extremely important that the certificate or grading report has accurate information and is technically correct.
As a consumer, the diamond certificate or grading report is your safe guard when buying a diamond. Diamond certificates are invaluable documents that show in detail a diamond's credentials, so why wouldn't you check the credentials of the laboratory who graded the diamond and the retailer as well?
Posted by: Danny | December 06, 2007 at 03:43 AM
I'm buying a diamond from DiamondExchange. It's called Ice on Fire and comes only with a manufacturers grading report.
How reliable do you think this would be?
Hello,
I don’t have enough information to make a statement about the reliability of the report you are questioning. There are numerous “Diamond Exchanges” and the term “Ice on Fire” has several applications.
You are obviously not fully comfortable with this purchase and my best advice is NEVER buy a diamond that you have ANY doubts about.
Dave
Posted by: leto | November 15, 2008 at 08:30 AM
thanks alot danny for sharring such a great article , i am looking forward to tell you more stuff like this in future .
Posted by: flower girl dress | January 05, 2009 at 05:07 PM
I agree that it is very important that when choosing from a selection of loose diamonds to review the diamond certificate,Keep posting!
rhianne
Posted by: tungsten jewelry | July 27, 2009 at 10:28 PM