Difference-between-Certificates---Appraisals

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Difference between Certificate & Appraisal:

What is the difference between a Diamond Grading Report and an Appraisal?

A Diamond Grading Report is a document issued by a Gemological Laboratory describing a Loose Diamond and indicating the physical properties "at the time of evaluation". The laboratory will not issue reports on set Diamonds. A certificate is a document which retains its value over a long period of time, assuming the Diamond does not chip or is not otherwise altered.

An appraisal can be performed on a loose Diamond, a mounted diamond or gem stones, watches, jewelry or anything of value. Appraisers us various estimation techniques to obtain the physical properties of a mounted stones. Most importantly, an appraisal indicates the Dollar Value of the item being appraised. Obviously, the Dollar Value can easily change considerably over a relatively short period of time. Appraisals are most often used for insurance purposes only.

Many people use an in-house appraiser to evaluate the purchase price for their Diamond. Evaluating a diamond is subjective and there could be a huge difference between opinions. Also, appraisals are often over-estimated, and are therefore a very poor estimation of price. More importantly, any in-house Jeweler may be biased towards their own merchandise.

Many people are becoming more educated when buying a Diamond, and have learned the importance of a Certificate. What they do not realize is how to differentiate between a GIA GTL (Gem Trade Lab) Grader, and a GIA G.G. or Graduate Gemologist. Many assume that getting an appraisal by a GIA gemologist is the same as getting a GIA Grading Report. Some unscrupulous Jewelers attempt to further that illusion.

The GTL (Gem Trade Lab) Grader is a GIA employee who performs the Diamond Grading for the Institute. A GIA Graduate Gemologist, on the other hand, has simply passed the GIA Diamonds, Diamond Grading and Colored Stone, Gem Identification and Colored Stone Grading courses.

The GTL grader has all of the above and more. S/he is far better trained in grading and usually has far more experience than a G.G. Further, the GTL grader does not have the same vested interest in the outcome of the grade of the stone they are evaluating.

est. 1989

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