subject: How to Read a Diamond Appraisal Report [print this page] Have you ever requested or received a Diamond Appraisal Report but been unable to completely understand everything it was detailing or discussing? Naturally you aren't the first person to run into this dilemma as it isn't as if De Beers offers a diamond appraisal course in all major high schools. Although the understanding of a diamond appraisal report is rarely achieved, it should definitely be a necessary step in the purchase of a diamond as it details everything about the diamond and helps an appraiser decide how much value the unique gem contains. Let us take a look at some of the most common definitions of the terms used within a diamond appraisal report so that you can not only admire your gemstone from a naked eye standpoint but also understand and appreciate its minute features and characteristics.
When reading a diamond appraisal report, the first thing to take notice of is the name of the laboratory that conducted the report. Just as is true with the appraisal of anything of value, the end resulting appraisal is only as legitimate as the lab that conducted it. If you aren't familiar with the laboratory that conducted the report don't think twice about researching the lab to verify legitimacy. After this is complete we can get to the diamond itself. Most labs now a days employ laser inscription as a way to "mark" the diamond without visibly altering it. This laser etching will provide a serial number so that the diamond can be tracked if stolen or lost. A lab will keep a copy of the diamond appraisal report on file for future verification purposes as well.
On the report you will see the terms "shape" and "cutting style" mentioned. These basically refer to the actual physical shape of the diamond as well as the arrangement of the facets of the diamond. When someone says they have a heart shaped princess cut diamond, this is what they are referring to. When it comes to weight, a diamond is weighed out to the thousandth of a karat but your report is only going to reflect the weight rounded to the hundredth.
If you are reading the report and see a name like VVS2, SI1, VVS1, etc...these are the clarity grades of a diamond. In order of depreciating clarity they go as follows- IF, VVS1, VVS2, VS1, VS2, SI1, SI2, I1, I2 and I3, with If being the best grade of clarity possible. The color of the gem starts from the letter D and descends as the alphabet progresses thus a D grade gem is the most purest color possible.
In terms of brilliance or fluorescence as it would be referred to as, this is quantified by viewing the amount of fluorescence given off by a diamond when hit with a burst of long wave ultraviolet radiation. Although it is important for a diamond to have a good amount of fluorescence, it is possible for a diamond to be too fluorescent as it takes away from the ability to actually observe the diamond in light. When it comes to the "Finish" of a diamond, the report is referring to the level of polish the diamond has received as well as the quality of the symmetry present within the facets themselves.
Now that you understand the terminology and grading scale of a diamond appraisal report, it should be easier for you to distinguish whether a particular diamond is of good enough quality or not. You should be able to proficiently analyze the report and see the diamond not only from a naked eye point of view but from the standpoint of the expert gemologist who analyzed the diamond as well.
