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All about HRD and GIA certificates

Diamond certificates have today become an essential part of the diamond trade. Originally, they were required only by professionals; but in recent years, demand has been growing steadily by consumers who wish to safeguard their purchases and investment.

After all, buying a diamond is a very special thing. Information concerning the diamond is essential and this can be found on a diamond certificate which is only useful if it is reliable. The two most reliable and reputable Institutions that certify diamonds are the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and the Diamond High Council of Belgium (HRD). So, a reputable certificate in hand means peace of mind. This is why it is necessary to request either a GIA or an HRD certificate when buying a diamond in order to support your purchase.

GIA - the Gemological Institute of America - Head Office based in New York, was established in 1931 as the non-profit educational resource for the gem and jewelry industry. Their aim is to provide the industry and the public at large with an independent, objective opinion regarding the quality of the diamond and as an unbiased arbitrator of standards in diamond grading thus securing the public’s trust. Each stone submitted for certification is carefully checked by numerous professionals to ensure maximum accuracy and grading consistency for client protection.

GIA developed the first internationally accepted Diamond Grading System with unbiased opinions of the quality of polished diamonds by applying uniform criteria to their grading. It also introduced the foremost diamond report in setting the standard for diamond quality documentation around the world.

HRD - the Diamond High Council (Hoge Raad voor Diamant) is a non-profit organization at the service of the Belgian diamond trade and industry. The HRD Certificates Department, was founded in 1976 to meet the growing demand for reliable diamond certificates.

In 1975, the WORLD FEDERATION OF DIAMOND Bourses (WFDB) and the International Diamond Manufacturers Association (IDMA) appointed a Joint Committee to create an international standard for rules, working methods and nomenclature. The results were that in 1976, a comprehensive system of rules and methods was built up, combining the experience of professional diamond people with scientific facts and figures. This Joint Committee is now the International Diamond Council (IDC) who, in 1978, presented the result of all their efforts at the world congress of WFDB and IDMA: the International Rules for Grading Polished diamonds. This system was unanimously accepted, and since then the HRD Certificates Department has been working according to these IDC Rules.

The HRD Certificates Laboratory has, since its foundation in 1976, grown into one of the largest diamond certification labs in the world and enjoys an excellent reputation for objectivity and quality. Here, each diamond is examined independently by several experts with very sophisticated machinery, such as spectrophotometers, Dia-Mention systems, cathode luminescence apparatus, etc. to ensure a high level of reliability.

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