Diamond certificates

Diamond certificates have become an essential part of the diamond trade. After all, buying a diamond is a significant investment and consumers are entitled to know they’re getting the quality of diamonds they’re paying for. It needs to be said that diamonds vary enormously and only premium stones are certified. For example, diamonds with a carat weight of 0.50 and under are not certified.

For this reason Nina’s hold both certified and uncertified diamonds in all sizes, cuts and colours. Nina’s also provide a valuation with all items over $1,000AUD. A registered valuer provides these.

If you are purchasing a certified diamond, information about its carat weight, cut, colour and clarity can be found on a diamond certificate. 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).

The GIA Diamond Certificate

GIA - the Gemological Institute of America - has its Head Office in New York. The Institute was established in 1931 as the non-profit, educational resource for the gem and jewellery industry. Its aim is to provide the industry and the public with an independent, objective opinion regarding the quality of the diamond. Each stone submitted for certification is carefully checked by numerous professionals to ensure maximum accuracy and grading consistency.

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

The HRD Diamond Certificate

HRD - the Diamond High Council (Hoge Raad voor Diamant) is a non-profit organisation 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. By 1976, a comprehensive system of rules and methods was established combining the experience of diamond industry professionals with scientific data.

This Joint Committee is now the International Diamond Council (IDC) which, 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 the HRD Certificates Department works according to these IDC Rules.

The HRD Certificates Laboratory has grown into one of the largest diamond certification facilities in the world and enjoys an excellent reputation for objectivity and quality. Each diamond is examined independently by several experts with very sophisticated equipment such as spectrophotometers, Dia-Mention systems, and cathode luminescence apparatus to ensure the high level of reliability.