A certificate is not the same thing as a diamond appraisal. A certificate will describe the quality of a diamond, but it does not place a specific cash value on the gem. An appraisal places a monetary value on your diamond, and it does not certify the quality of the diamond.
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and the American Gem Society (AGS) are the two most widely regarded and recognized diamond grading labs in the world. There are also smaller labs --check with your retailer to make sure your diamond is certified. Different labs have different grading standards. Some have much more lax standards than others. You may want to do some research on the lab before buying your diamond to ensure the quality of it.
Shopping for certified diamonds allows you to make a better choices about your diamond purchases and to comparison shop. You can evaluate one diamond with a particular weight and quality with other diamonds of similar weight and quality and determine which is the better value. By comparison shopping this way, many consumers find that Ashoka diamond jewelry is superior in quality and value to its competitors.
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