Our Fully Graded Certification
Certified Diamonds
They say ‘All that glitters is not gold’ and many have learned that lesson to their cost. Similarly, all that sparkles and flashes like a diamond, may not necessarily be the real thing. Manmade ‘diamonds’ can be hard to tell apart from the real thing with the naked eye, so how can you be sure that you are really buying a natural diamond of the quality you expect?
There are two important ways to be assured that your diamond purchase is worth its price and will retain its value.
- Buy from a reputable company who has fully accredited GIA trained gemologists
- Ensure that your diamond is accompanied by certified documentation from an independently recognized source
Making this important purchase from River Oak Diamonds will ensure that both these criteriaare fully satisfied.
How a Diamond is Graded
The value of a diamond is determined by four separate factors: the Cut, Colour, Clarity and Carat weight of the stone. This is the accepted universal standard for grading the quality and value of a diamond.
Carat weight denotes the true size of a diamond. One carat is equal to 0.2 grams and a carat is further divided into 100 points. Even a fraction of a carat can make a considerable difference to its value, so precision is crucial. However, two diamonds of exactly the same carat weight may not be of the same value because of the other three factors.
Cut assesses how well the facets of the diamond are properly proportioned and precisely faceted. Symmetry refers to the precise alignment of the facets and Brilliance refers to the amount of light reflected out to the viewer. If a diamond is cut too shallow or too deep then the light will not refract back with that characteristic flash of brilliance and allure. The quality of the cut is marked from Excellent to poor.
Colour is important and it is all about what you cannot see! The less colour a diamond has, the higher the grade, as the diamond is clearer, brighter and less yellow. The scale runs from D (near colourless) to Z as the presence of some slight colour is detected.
Clarity grades a diamond from flawless up to i3. Higher grades will of course have fewer, if any natural inclusions or blemishes, even under 10X magnification.
GIA and AGS Lab Grading Reports
Now you know what to look for, how can you be sure that what you are buying is what you are actually paying for? All high quality diamonds come with their own unique lab grading report from either the GIA (Gemological Institute of America) or the AGS (American Gem Society). When buying a diamond, you should not accept anything less.
These are the two most trusted names in diamond grading and give independent, world-recognized grading reports of each diamond. All River Oak Diamonds are supplied with a GIA or AGS lab grading report.
GCAL Certificates
Equally important is a GCAL certificate from the Gem Certification and Assurance Lab. A GCAL certificate provides an independently guaranteed diamond grading certificate so buyers can be 100% sure they are getting exactly what they are paying for.
Sarin or OGI Megascope Report
High quality Round Brilliants come with an additional report which shows the precise technical assessment of the diamond cut. A Sarin or OGI Megascope Report measures the precise angles and measurements of this specialized cut to a minute degree. Remember, a well cut diamond reflects the most light outwards which is what gives the Hearts and Arrows diamonds their distinctive flash and stunning radiance over and above other round brilliants. As well as the diamond looking stunning, you need a Sarin or OGI Megascope report to confirm the diamond is of the highest cut quality.
All this information may sound boring and technical but the truth is these certificates separate the highest quality diamonds from the poorer quality stones. They also identify a trusted, high quality diamond dealer from a mediocre tradesmen or worse, a conman.
You would never buy a car without the correct registration and paperwork, and similarly you should never even consider buying a diamond without these recognized certificates. If a diamond is offered for sale without these accreditations, there is a good reason why not. Don’t be conned. Now you know what to look for, you should insist on a certified diamond from a supplier who is prepared show the credentials of his wares.
A GIA or an AGS lab grading report
A GCAL certificate
A Sarin or OGI megascope report (round brilliants only)
At River Oak Diamonds we only supply diamonds with these fully accredited certificates, plus our own unrivalled 12 month money-back guarantee.
Trust us at River Oak Diamonds and trust our fully graded and certified diamonds
for complete peace of mind.