The International Gemological Institute is located in Antwerp, New York, Hong Kong, Mumbai, Bangkok, Tokyo, Dubai, Toronto, Los Angeles, and Cavalese. It employs over 450 gemological experts. IGI issues over a million grading reports each year and their reports encompass three distinct areas including the Diamond Report, Identification Report, and the Information Appraisal Report. The Diamond Report helps ensure the diamond’s authenticity by providing information about weight, measurements, shape and cut, clarity, color and several other aspects of the gemstone. Each diamond is inspected by several gemologists who use top notch equipment to make their reports. Consumers might be familiar with these reports as the “credit card” version often appears alongside diamonds in jewelry stores. Upon request, IGI can also seal the diamond with a miniature copy of the diamond report in order to ensure that the diamond matches the diamond report. The Identification Report provides an enlarged photograph of the diamond to substantiate the information about proportions, measurements and the 4 C’s. This report can also be done if the diamond is already placed in a setting. Finally, the Appraisal Report gives an estimate about the diamond’s replacement value expressly for insurance purposes. IGI believes strongly in their mission because they are aware that the average consumer is much more educated about the 4C’s than in previous generations. Most consumers expect to receive a report such as the ones that IGI produces when they purchase their diamonds. IGI calls their reports a “passport” because it travels with the diamond. IGI also offers consumers the option of registering their diamond online to assist in recovery if lost or stolen.
The American Gemological Society (also referred to as AGS Laboratories) serves a wide variety of clients including jewelry wholesalers, diamond cutters, jewelers, and various manufacturers. It was founded in 1934 by a group of jewelers as well as Robert M. Shipley who founded the Gemological Institute of America. The Society headquarters is located is Las Vegas, Nevada but its members are spread throughout the United States and Canada. Each member of AGS has to have completed education at either GIA or the Gemological Association of Great Britain in order to be eligible for membership. Membership into the AGS is very selective. AGS focuses on consumer protection and education. Their grading report, referred to as the AGS Diamond Quality Document (DQD) offers a comprehensive report on the cut grade of round, brilliant cut diamonds. In addition, their report covers all four aspects of the grading process including cut, clarity, color and carat weight. Their ratings are given on a scale from 1 to 10. A diamond can also be rated a zero which is the highest grade. For instance, a perfectly colorless diamond would be rated a zero. Cut, clarity and color are ranked separately from carat weight. Therefore, a perfect diamond would be rated a triple zero. Each category is judged by at least two graders who are considered experts in their fields. AGS Laboratories does more than just grade diamonds. They also are experts in laser inscription, a process which allows words or symbols to be placed on the girdle of a diamond.
The EGL (European Gemological Society) has really been the defining group in setting the standards and criteria for diamond grading. The society was founded by Guy Margel, who opened the first of the EGL’s laboratories inAntwerp, Belgium in 1973. Two laboratories were opened in the following years in Los Angeles and New York, and in the ensuing years they have been followed by sites virtually all over the globe. Their Diamond Certificate and Diamond Consultation offers diamond buyers a detailed report on the various aspects of the grading process. Their certificates are recognized worldwide and their client base includes craftsmen, wholesalers, dealers and manufacturers. However, the EGL does not sell diamonds and works independently from any diamond sales groups. The EGL has been a leader in the area of education also. EGL recognized that although investing in certified diamonds was becoming very popular, most people had little knowledge of grading criteria, and had trouble even reading the grading certificates. To counter this problem, the EGL began the EGL College of Gemology in 1983. The Mission Statement of the EGL sums up their main purpose by saying they exist to take the guess work out of diamond buying, and to provide ongoing education. The organization is dedicated to setting and maintaining International standards in diamond grading. The EGL recognizes that the grading of diamonds is not an exact science. Rather, it is considered an art form and an applied science, and relies very heavily on the education and training of the gemologist and a set of standards that are applied in a universal way.
GIAThe Gemological Institute of America was actually the first group to develop an internationally accepted grading system. GIA is the creator of what is known as the 4C’s of diamond grading, (color, clarity, cut and carat weight). Even prior to the EGL, GIA was the first to introduce a diamond grading report and set the standards for diamond grading worldwide. The company compiles reports on diamonds over 1 carat in size. Each diamond screened with GIA comes with a complete report detailing the weight, cut, proportions, color grade and clarity. The real core of the GIA’s activities are in the area of education. The Institute is the home of the very prestigious GG degree, (Graduate Gemologist) and those two letters following an individual’s name marks him as a top professional in the jewelry world. The Institute produces two credentials that are known and respected world wide. The first is the GIA Diamond Grading Report and the second is the GIA Diamond Dossier. Diamonds are sent from all over the world to the Institute to be graded. What’s more, they are the group responsible for examining some of the world’s most famous gems. Among the well known gems that have been handled by the Institute are the Hope Diamond, the Steinmetz Pink, The Taylor-Burton Diamond, and the Incomparable Diamond that weighed out at an incredible 407.48 carats. Such is the reputation of the GIA that the White House and Congress have sought its services. Its publications are the bibles of the gem industry, and it houses the largest library of books related to diamonds and gems in the world. The GIA is a non-profit organization, and was founded in 1931, giving it 75 years of serving as the leader in the diamond grading field.