And finally…

The last of the diamond ‘Cs’ stands for certification

A law in thirteenth century France decreed that just the king could wear diamonds. Today,most of us can get pleasure from the regal gem. Having discussed the 4Cs of diamonds in detail,we move to the fifth and fairly significant one. This C is for ‘Certification’. The Gemmological Institute of America is an independent non-profit organisation distinguished for its neutral service as the world’s primary authority in gemmology. In the 1950s,the Gemmological Institute of America developed the initial internationally accepted diamond grading system. The system provides even-handed opinions of the quality of polished gems by applying standardized criteria to their grading. The GIA Gem Trade Laboratory Diamond Grading Report has become the yardstick for the international gem and jewellery industry that is found accompanying diamonds globally. Since the invention of laser,GIA graded diamonds may have the grading details laser-inscribed on the stone’s girdle. The number matches the GIA grading report. Certificate akin to one from GIA or GES explain the eminence of diamond but doesn’t place the monetary label on it. On the other hand,an ‘Appraisal’ places a fiscal tag on your diamond but the quality tag is absent. Another noteworthy fact — Synthetic Diamonds were successfully created in the mid-’50s. They were produced on the mercantile scale since 1960s and gem-quality synthetic diamond arrived in the ‘90s. Did you know that the tradition of diamond rings for engagement is believed to have begun when Austria’s Archduke Maximilian made a gift of a diamond ring upon his engagement to Mary of Burgundy? The coloured gemstones and diamond engagement rings again became fashionable with Princess Diana’s infamous ring. One small request to all is to try and buy ‘Conflict Free Diamonds’. They are those that are not mined under conditions deemed unethical by the Kimberley process. Always insist on Conflict Free Diamonds from your jeweller.