Certification and Grading: Understanding Diamond Reports
Every diamond has a story, but how do you know it’s true?
In a world where beauty can be imitated, certification is what sets authenticity apart from assumption. For anyone dealing in diamonds, understanding what lies beyond the sparkle is essential. That’s where grading reports come in.
Think of them as a diamond’s passport: a precise record of its journey, characteristics, and value. Issued by trusted institutions like the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), these reports don’t just validate quality, they build trust.
Why Certification Matters
A certified diamond is accompanied by an official report (or grading report) detailing the diamond's most important characteristics and attesting to its authenticity. This report is released following a third-party gemological examination and acts as a reliable blueprint of the stone's quality. Certification safeguards both seller and buyer by assuring that there is no confusion regarding what is being traded.
Without certification, it's hard to objectively grade or value a diamond since two stones can appear the same but vary significantly in terms of cut accuracy, clarity, or even where they come from. Certification prevents misrepresentation, overpricing, and unethical sourcing.
Who Provides Diamond Certification?
Among several grading organisations around the world, some of the most renowned and reliable include:
❖ GIA (Gemological Institute of America) – The industry standard for accurate and unbiased grading.
❖ IGI (International Gemological Institute) – Widely used in the retail space and known for accessibility.
❖ AGS (American Gem Society) – Known for strict cut grading standards.
❖ HRD (Hoge Raad voor Diamant) – Based in Antwerp, preferred in European markets.
At Laxmi Diamond, we primarily work with GIA certification for our larger stones, while maintaining internal quality control and transparency across our full inventory, including those that may not be individually certified but still meet stringent internal standards.
Breaking Down the 4Cs in a Diamond Report
A diamond grading report outlines the 4Cs: Cut, Colour, Clarity, and Carat Weight. Here’s a closer look at each component:
1. Cut
Often misunderstood as the shape (like round or oval), cut actually refers to how well a diamond’s facets interact with light. It directly impacts the stone’s brilliance, fire, and scintillation.
❖ Grades: Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, Poor
At Laxmi Diamond, we prioritise precision cutting to maximise light performance, because even a high-carat diamond can appear dull if the cut is poor.
2. Colour
This scale measures the degree to which a diamond is colourless. The GIA scale ranges from D (completely colourless) to Z (light yellow or brown).
❖ D–F: Colourless
❖ G–J: Near Colourless
❖ K–M: Faint Colour
❖ N–Z: Noticeable colour
Colour can subtly affect a diamond’s value, especially in white stones, where lack of colour is more prized.
3. Clarity
Clarity evaluates internal inclusions and external blemishes. Most diamonds contain some natural imperfections, but the fewer they are and the harder they are to detect, the higher the clarity grade.
❖ Grades: FL (Flawless), IF (Internally Flawless), VVS1–VVS2, VS1–VS2, SI1–SI2, I1–I3
Each grade represents the visibility, number, and type of imperfections under 10x magnification.
4. Carat Weight
Carat refers to a diamond’s weight, not its size. Two diamonds may weigh the same but appear different in size depending on their cut proportions. A well-cut 1.00 ct diamond may appear larger and sparkle more than a poorly cut 1.20 ct diamond.
What’s Included in a Diamond Report?
A typical GIA or IGI report includes:
❖ Unique Report Number
❖ Shape and Cutting Style
❖ Measurements
❖ Grades for the 4Cs
❖ Proportions Diagram
❖ Clarity Characteristics Plot
❖ Comments or Additional Notes
❖ Laser Inscription (if applicable)
Understanding this document equips buyers to compare stones objectively, ask informed questions, and ensure fair pricing.
Transparency You Can Trust
At Laxmi Diamond, we partner with globally respected mining and grading institutions to provide a clear journey for each stone, from source to final polish. Powered by technologies like Tracr and GIA SVS, our processes are built to uphold ethical sourcing, fair labour, environmental responsibility, and technical excellence at every stage.
Backed by an expertise of over 53 years, it is our consistent quality, precision, and integrity that make Laxmi Diamond a name trusted by clients worldwide.
Final Thoughts
A certified diamond is a documented assurance of value, authenticity, and transparency. As the industry evolves, knowledge becomes your best asset.
With Laxmi Diamond, you don’t just receive exceptional diamonds, you receive diamonds backed by clarity in every sense of the word.