Diamond & Jewelry News, Advice and Prices for Consumers
Diamond & Jewelry News, Advice and Prices for Consumers
July 28, 2010
I inherited a diamond ring from a great great ancestor that I never met. We melted it down to have it reset as a diamond necklace, but in the meantime I have it loose and I was thinking that this is a great opportunity to get it examined for a diamond certificate.
July 29, 2010
The GIA takes in diamonds from anyone, anywhere, for diamond grading and certification. The only stipulation is that the diamond be loose and not set into any jewelry or setting - so in this case you are in luck if your diamond is already loose. The GIA has a number of laboratories all over the world, and you can drop off your diamond at any one of them for testing and certification. In the United States there are GIA diamond grading labs in New York and California, and if you live elsewhere and can't make it to either of the coasts, you are welcome to send your diamond to the laboratory through the mail. There are also laboratories in London, Tel Aviv, Antwerp, Florence, Moscow, Johannesburg, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Mumbai and a few other locations. The diamond grading can take anywhere from 2 to 12 days, depending on various factors such as color, type of gemstone and size. An over 4 carat diamond, for example, has just a 2-3 turnaround time (not including transit time). In order to submit a diamond, you must place it in an individual parcel wrapping, and the parcel paper must note the diamond's shape and weight - although note that no other information is allowed on the parcel paper, especially not a company name or logo, address, phone number or website, or any such information that identifies who you are as a client. You must also sign a Client Agreement. If you bring the diamond in person, bring photo ID; if you are shipping the diamond, include your shipping information: address, phone, insurance requirements and estimate values. There is more specific information on the GIA website as to the protocols, so check up on their website or email them if you need addresses and details.
July 29, 2010
You can definitely have any diamond graded, the GIA would accept any diamond which it receives and exam it thoroughly. It won't be a simple procedure, though. I bet you don't have a GIA institute near your home (check up GIA locations in the GIA website) and must fill up certain forms, arrange a proper package and send it exactly as requested in the GIA site. If you consider the shipping and the grading fee than I don't see how you can get away with it for less than $100, and it might take a couple of months until you receive your certificate. I'm not saying you shouldn't go for it, but it depends on how much you need a GIA grading report, whether a reliable diamond appraisal could be good enough, etc.
