We know the image from films and television: a jeweler stands with a magnifying glass and tweezers, bent over a diamond, a ring, a necklace, humming with satisfaction (or not) and announcing with conviction the carat, cut, quality and value of the piece being inspected. As beautiful as this scene may be, the impression it conveys is unfortunately wrong. Because while a quick look through the magnifying glass can only provide an initial assessment of a stone , a real analysis is much more complex. But why...?
Quite simply: a diamond cannot be classified 100% when set
The type of setting, the color of the precious metal used, but also the reflective facets distract from the actual inclusions and the color of the diamond - and its actual size can logically only be estimated.
Therefore, for a serious evaluation, it must be taken out and examined under a microscope with incident and sub-illumination. It is embedded in a special liquid, which reduces any reflections and makes the analysis even more precise.
certificate
A diamond certificate is a written confirmation of the quality of a diamond based on the 4Cs (carat, cut, color, clarity). However, it does not contain a price indication and is only a recommendation. Such a certificate can be issued by any jeweler or goldsmith. In contrast, an appraisal usually refers to a more comprehensive evaluation and may also include the value of the diamond. An expertise, on the other hand, goes further by providing a detailed analysis of the diamond's properties, often by an independent and specialized gemologist. Therefore, certificates, appraisals and expertises differ in their scope and the depth of the evaluation of a diamond.
Diamond expertise
An expertise is also often called a report or opinion. The difference between an expertise and a certificate lies in the person or body issuing it: Expertises may only be issued by a laboratory, an expert association or a generally sworn and court-certified expert! This eliminates the aspect of the "subjectivity" of the assessment described in the certificate, which means that expertises can and should also make clear price estimates.
Last but not least, you should note when an appraisal or certificate was issued, because in 2009/10 the current classification of the diamond cut changed.
And when dealing with loose stones (which, for example, are yet to be set into a piece of jewelry), it is important to note which institute categorized the stone (according to which guidelines). Examples of well-known institutes are: GIA - Gemological Institute of America, IDC - International Diamond Council, IGI - International Gemological Institute, ÖGEM - Austrian Gemmological Society, SSEF - Swiss Gemological Institute.
