{"id":5600,"date":"2014-06-22T09:24:12","date_gmt":"2014-06-22T13:24:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.jewelry-secrets.com\/Blog\/?p=5600"},"modified":"2016-08-20T14:18:21","modified_gmt":"2016-08-20T18:18:21","slug":"is-gia-really-that-important","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jewelry-secrets.com\/Blog\/is-gia-really-that-important\/","title":{"rendered":"IS GIA REALLY THAT IMPORTANT?"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Is<\/div>\n

You’re out comparing Diamonds, and Quality, and Prices, and Certs (Certified Diamonds<\/strong>).<\/p>\n

\nYou see some stones are Certified by GIA<\/strong> (Gemological Institute of America<\/a>), others IGI<\/strong> (International Gemological Institute<\/a>), some EGL<\/strong> (European Gemological Laboratory<\/a>), and you even come across some AGS<\/strong> (American Gem Society<\/a>) Certified Diamonds.<\/p>\n

\nThey all seem to list the 4C’s<\/a>, which is Cut<\/a>, Color<\/a>, Clarity<\/a> and Carat Weight<\/a>. They are all sold by reputable, nation-wide Jewelry Stores. They all have great warranties and return policies. It all looks, sounds, and acts promising…<\/p>\n

\nBut yet, if you’ve read any of my posts here (on Jewelry-Secrets<\/strong>), you’ll see that I always say “Buy ONLY GIA DIAMONDS!<\/strong>”<\/p>\n

\nSo the real question becomes “Is GIA really that important?<\/strong>”<\/p>\n

\nDoes it make a big difference in WHO certifies the stone?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\nThe answer is not so cut and dry. In fact, it’s both YES<\/strong> and NO<\/strong>!<\/p>\n

Why GIA is Important!<\/h2>\n

\nYes, GIA IS important because GIA is the leader in the grading industry<\/strong>. They devised the 4C’s! They wrote the book that everyone uses to Grade, Buy, Sell, Price, and Compare Diamonds by.<\/p>\n

\nTheir Certifications (which are really called Diamond Reports<\/strong>), are the most accurate reports you can get in the WORLD!<\/strong><\/p>\n

\nGIA IS KING!<\/strong> (Just ask any Jeweler!)<\/p>\n

\nBut…<\/p>\n

Why GIA Doesn’t Matter!<\/h2>\n

\nOn the flip side, GIA is not really important<\/strong>. And here’s why…<\/p>\n

\nGIA only grades the stone!<\/strong> They list what they believe the true quality of that Diamond is. And nothing more! Period! That’s it!<\/p>\n

\nWhich means, if the stone is a good quality stone (like VS, F<\/a>), it’ll end up getting a good grade<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\nBut, if the stone is a low quality Diamond (like an I1, K<\/a>), then the grade will be low as well.<\/p>\n

\nSo whether the stone is certified or not doesn’t affect what the stone is<\/strong>, or what quality it is. Having a GIA report does not change that fact. <\/p>\n

\nIf it’s a VVS Clarity Diamond<\/a>, then it’s still a VVS Diamond regardless if it has paperwork or not.<\/p>\n

\nSo in reality, you don’t really need any certification<\/strong>, none, to get a great Diamond.<\/p>\n

\nBut, if you opt for NO certification, then you better know and understand Diamonds and Quality! Otherwise, you’ll probably get taken! <\/strong><\/p>\n

\nSo Certification is great in that aspect. It keeps you from getting ripped off. For a salesperson could tell you anything and you’d have no choice but to accept it<\/strong>. <\/p>\n

\nBut still… <\/p>\n

WHY GIA, versus IGI, EGL or even AGS?<\/h2>\n

\n\"Is<\/p>\n

\nWith all the other certification companies out there (and there are thousands of them), is GIA really BETTER?<\/strong><\/p>\n

In My Opinion YES!!!!<\/h2>\n

\nThey are the most respected in the field. They have the most technically advanced<\/strong> system that exists today. They are ultra strict<\/strong> in their gradings, and they will never “bump<\/a>” a grade higher than what it should be (which is what many other companies tend to do).<\/p>\n

The Proof is in the Re-Sell!<\/h2>\n

\nThe biggest eye-opener and testimony<\/strong> there is, is when a customer goes to sell their Diamond (whether it be an Engagement Ring<\/a> or what not, for whatever reason it may be). They’ll bring their stone into a Jewelry Store and the buyer (owner, manager, sales representative) will ask them “If the stone is Certified?<\/strong>“… What they are really asking is this: “Is the stone Certified by GIA?<\/strong>”<\/p>\n

\nYou see, if it’s GIA, then they’ll look at the paperwork (or report), to see what the quality of that stone is. But if it’s not GIA<\/strong>, then they’ll usually dismiss the paperwork and not even bother to glance at it<\/strong>… For real! For in most cases, it won’t be accurate, so why waste your time looking at it?<\/p>\n

\nIn other words; GIA matters, all the others DON’T!<\/strong><\/p>\n

The GIA Name Carries Weight!<\/h2>\n

\nIf GIA says that a Diamond is E Color<\/strong>, then by all means it’s an E<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\nBut if IGI, or EGL state that it’s an E Color, then quite frankly, it could be an E, or more than likely, it’ll be closer to an F or a G.<\/p>\n

\nI’ve seen quite a few of their Diamond Reports that are WAY off mark!<\/strong> <\/p>\n

It’s Almost Shocking!!!<\/h2>\n

\nSo certs are not the make it or break it by all means. You can still get a great Diamond without any paperwork<\/strong>. But the paperwork does provide assurance and peace of mind, and it says “Yes, experts have looked at this stone and have arrived at this particular grade!<\/strong>”<\/p>\n

\nCertification makes understanding and seeing everything in simple black and white. It gives you charts to look at. Grades to go by. And if the stone has a plot, then it shows you all the natural Inclusions and Flaws inside the stone (which is very cool<\/strong>).<\/p>\n

\nCerts remove all guess work…<\/p>\n

Certs like GIA that is!<\/h2>\n

\nOther certs are very questionable<\/strong>. <\/p>\n

\nAnd if you look at enough of them, and then compare them side by side with GIA Certified Diamonds, then you’ll really see that there is a difference<\/strong>. It will blow you away! Some are like Night and Day!<\/p>\n

\nSo while you can still purchase an awesome Diamond that’s NOT certified<\/strong>, I’d probably NOT advise it<\/strong> (unless you know what you’re doing).<\/p>\n

\nThat’s why I also say “Buy ONLY GIA, and then ONLY compare GIA Certified Diamonds to GIA Certified Diamonds!<\/strong>“<\/p>\n

\nThat way, you’re comparing apples to apples<\/strong>… Don’t even look at IGI or EGL Certified stones. Really! <\/strong><\/p>\n

What about AGS?<\/h2>\n

\nEarlier, I mentioned the name AGS<\/strong> (which is the American Gem Society<\/a>). And even though I say “Buy ONLY GIA<\/strong>“, I will say “You CAN buy AGS as well!<\/strong>”<\/p>\n

\nAGS reports are highly accurate as well. I WOULD trust them!<\/strong> But, I would still buy GIA first<\/strong>, and then AGS second (Just because GIA is the Report God<\/strong>).<\/p>\n

I would skip IGI or EGL all together!<\/h2>\n

\nIf you know what’s good for you, and your pocket book… <\/strong><\/p>\n

\nBuying certified is a decision you’ll have to make. But, if you’re spending good money for a high quality stone, then you really should get the quality listed on the report (and nothing less).<\/p>\n

\nBecause if you want a VVS1, D<\/a> (incredible stone), and you end up with a VVS2, E<\/a> (which is still a kick-ass stone), then it’s not such a grand deal after all, because you probably paid thousands more than you should have<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

So Watch the Certs… LOOK FOR GIA!<\/h2>\n

\nAnd in the long run, you’ll be very happy you did.<\/p>\n

\nFor GIA IS important!<\/strong> And YES, GIA really does matter! <\/strong><\/p>\n

\nIt most certainly does!<\/strong> :)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

You’re out comparing Diamonds, and Quality, and Prices, and Certs (Certified Diamonds). You see some stones are Certified by GIA (Gemological Institute of America), others IGI (International Gemological Institute), some EGL (European Gemological Laboratory), and [Read More…]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5602,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9,29,3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5600","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-certification","category-diamond-guide","category-diamonds"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jewelry-secrets.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5600"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jewelry-secrets.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jewelry-secrets.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jewelry-secrets.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jewelry-secrets.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5600"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.jewelry-secrets.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5600\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jewelry-secrets.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5602"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jewelry-secrets.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5600"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jewelry-secrets.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5600"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jewelry-secrets.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5600"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}