16 Certified diamond
Diamond certification is essential when you’re buying a diamond and is different from a jewelers appraisal, although the certification is part of any appraisal.
Many diamonds look the same, but not all of them are going to be of the quality you might like.
Diamond certification is the written proof of a diamond’s attributes.
Without it, you have no assurance that the diamond you are buying is of the quality you’re paying for.
With it, you know the precise grading for each of the 4Cs color, cut, clarity and carat weight, and, therefore, the diamond value.
Certification gives you the information you need to assess a diamond’s value compared to other diamonds.
It also allows you to make an intelligent comparison with other diamonds either in the same jewelry store or in another.
Diamond certificates are issued by independent gemological laboratories, not your jeweler.
There are several grading laboratories, the most prominent being: the International Gemological Institute (IGI); the Gemological Institute of America (GIA); the American Gem Society (AGS); the European Gemological Laboratories (EGL) and GemEx Systems.
When you buy a diamond, be sure to question the sales associate first about the characteristics or attributes of the stone.
Ask to see the diamond certification that will accompany the diamond when you purchase it.
If you do some comparison shopping, you will note that the quality of the diamonds each jeweler carries varies depending on the store.
A diamond certification will also give you indicators about other diamond qualities, such as fire, brilliance and scintillation, also called Return of Light.
These qualities refer to how light is refracted back to the viewer when held stationary or when in motion.
The certification will also give you a measure of the stones fluorescence.
These factors also impact the beauty and brilliance of your diamond.
Auscert (SGTL) Still
a NON Compliant Diamond Grader
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The above information was sent to us by Anthony Bates of Auscert, one of the non compliant pseudo diamond grading laboratories in Australia.
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I have been requested by Mr. Bates of Auscert to keep up to date with our facts and findings.
This is one of those rare moments where I will agree with him and I thank him for bringing this to my attention.
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The old pictures and information on the DiamondSure(tm) and DiamondView(tm) came from De Beers the company responsible for manufacturing both these instruments and De Beers was named as the source of this information.
The new pictures come from the GIA British site. Previously only De Beers marketed these two products but now they are available for sale from GIA who has been appointed a retail distributor.
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During the course of the last year we have subjected Mr Bates to justifiable scrutiny.
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Gemological Qualifications?
Until only recently we believe Mr Bates has finally acquired a gemological qualification offered by GIA for those who need a diamond grading qualification quickly in the shortest space of time. We are not sure exactly which course it was suffice to say it was a diamond evaluation course not equivalent to residence course which is part of the esteemed graduate gemologist qualification which takes six months and a lot more money.
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It is encouraging to see Mr Bates, who previously would never reveal his gemological credentials to us in the past, has finally become slightly more educated.
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Colour Grading Diamond Master Set?
We still have no confirmation of Auscert’s (SGTL) diamond master set that a laboratory requires for colour comparisons. The Colorimeter which we believe Auscert uses is unacceptable.No respectable laboratory that requires recognition would seriously use a colorimeter for ascertaining accurate colour grades on their diamond grading reports.
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The colorimeter is simply a convenient indicator of colour. Those who use it rarely practise and train their eyes and colour grading skills by constantly comparing real diamonds with real diamonds.
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However there is still a problem.
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Mr Bates and his sidekick Monica Crofts continue to falsely claim they are an independent diamond grading laboratory yet both of them are trading in jewellery and gemstones.
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Mr Bates has a retail jewellery business and even has the chutzpah to list the Auscert logo on his retail jewellery website.
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Hardly independent is it Mr Bates ?
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Under the CIBJO Diamond Blue Book guidelines to avoid a conflict of interest both gem or jewellery traders and vendors are not permitted to certify diamonds.
The world jewellery and diamond governing bodies such as CIBJO and the WFDB do not permit jewellery or diamond dealer members to have cross ownership or interests in laboratories.
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Can you imagine buying a diamond from a diamond vendor who certifies his own diamonds ? To understand why this is unethical read more here .
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Monica Crofts has a coloured gemstone business.
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I quote Mr Bates on Gemex 23rd August 2006:
“Simply, we are not a CIBJO approved Laboratory, thus we can do whatever we want. We are not answerable or legally bound to any of their codes of ethics or rulings from the blue book”
I further quote Mr Bates on Gemex 24th August 2006:
“I have never hidden the fact from anyone that I run a very small and exclusive design studio. When and if I require diamonds I will source them from many avenues in order to gain the best deal for my clients, At a retail level I have absolutely no preference of one type of cert over another”
Yet on the Auscert website of which Mr Anthony Bates is the Director it clearly says “We don’t even sell diamonds! ” and “Auscert is completely independent. We do not sell diamonds, nor are we affiliated with any manufacturers of diamonds”.
Mr Bates has resented our exposure but it is very simple.
Either you are an independent diamond grader or you are a diamond/gemstone/ jewellery trader.
Attempting to gain credibility by attaining qualifications and upgrading a ” lab ” with recognised instruments might be admirable but all is negated and certainly NOT independent.
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Professional Liability
Assuming Auscert ( SGTL ) has finally acquired suitable instruments for determining the differences between synthetic and natural diamonds, what of the thousands of diamonds that were graded and tested by the previously unqualified Mr. Bates ? ; not to mention inaccurate colour grades which under world trade organisations’ guidelines require a minimum of three people to assess real diamonds against a real diamond master set.
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Ridiculous Correspondence
Both Messrs Bates & Croft have written to me requesting I remove information that they obviously are uncomfortable with.
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They have requested I do not show or publish their letter to me.
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I understand completely. I would be embarrassed also.