There are many companies that issue diamond grading certificates. There is GIA, EGL, AGS, IGI, and some others. Some people think that an appraisal is a diamond grading certificate but there is a difference.
GIA or the Gemological Institute of America is a diamond grading certificate company. GIA is the foremost authority for gemology and diamond grading. They offer a service where you send in your diamond to them and they will provide you a diamond grading certificate. GIA is the most highly regarded in the diamond and jewelry industry and have been doing diamond grading certificates since the 1950’s. GIA offers diamond grading certificates; the GIA Diamond Grading Report and the GIA Diamond Dossier. GIA Diamond Grading Report: Commonly referred to as a diamond grading certificate. GIA Diamond Dossier: For those diamonds weighing between 0.15 and 1.99 carats get this type of diamond grading certificate.
EGL or the European Gemological Laboratory is a company that does diamond grading certificates. EGL stared doing diamond grading certificates in 1974. They have a USA office that does diamond grading certificates and they also have an international office that does diamond grading certificates. EGL is headquartered at the World Diamond Tower in the heart of New York City’s Diamond District, where they do diamond grading certificates. EGL USA has three other North America laboratories in Los Angeles, Vancouver and Toronto they do diamond grading certificates in all office they have. E.G.L. International has laboratories all over the world in London, Paris, Antwerp, Tel Aviv, Seoul, Mumbai, Hong Kong and Johannesburg they do diamond grading certificates in all office they have.
AGS or the American gem society is a gemological laboratory that provides diamond grading certificates. They have an AGS 0 that is an ideal cut diamond. They offer 2 types of diamond grading reports Diamond Quality Document and a Diamond Quality Certificate. These reports are a testament to the authenticity of the diamond’s color, carat weight, clarity and cut. A diamond graded with a 0 cut is considered to be an AGS Ideal Cut.
IGI or The International Gemological Institute is a company that provides diamond grading certificates to the general public as well to the jewelry trade. They started doing diamond grading certificates in 1975. They do diamond jewelry grading certificates and also they do fine jewelry diamond grading certificates. They have locations in Antwerp, New York, Hong Kong, Mumbai, Tokyo, Bangkok, Dubai, Toronto, Los Angeles, Tel Aviv and Cavalese.