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Cost Savings DealsHere is the surveys go, I interviewing several girls what Christmas gifts they wish to receive.
Me : Adeline, what do you wish to have for this coming Christmas?
Adeline : Diamond rings
Me : Why you want that?
Adeline : It represents eternity.
Me : Coli, what you wish your boyfriend give you during this coming Christmas?
Coli : Of course Sapphire Rings.
Me : Why?
Coli : Because this is the most real, sapphire rings won’t cheat me. And I longed for it for years.
Me : Really nothing else you wish except this sapphire rings?
Coli : Don’t you know, diamonds are girl best friend! Forever it will be.
Me : No wonder so many guys out there working so hard just to get diamonds for their love one.
Me : Fiona, you are going to engage soon. How’s your engagement rings look likes?
Fiona : Oh, my husband to be bought a pair of diamond engagement rings.
Me : Diamond for engagement? Won’t it be too much?
Fiona : Not of course. Diamond represents eternity of a relationship.
Me : Where your husband to be bought the diamond engagement rings? As I know, in this town, only few shops selling diamonds and designs are old.
Fiona : My hubby, he ordered it online. The designs are great, we can even make our own designs. Lots of variety there.
Me : Online ordering? Can it be trusted?
Fiona : Of course! Our diamond engagement rings had arrived. They are in extremely good condition.
Me : What is the website for it? I wish I could pay a visit.
Fiona : It is mysolitaire.com
Me : What else, I can order from there? Apart from engagement rings.
Fiona : Wedding rings of course, anniversary rings and so on.
Me : How about the diamond earrings?
Fiona : Yes. Of course, they are plated on platinum or gold.
Me : Sorry, I got to go now; I want to pay a visit for it. Try to get some information and maybe will order.
2 weeks later.
Me : Adeline, how is these pair of earring looks like?
Adeline : They look so pretty!! Diamonds plated on platinum are awesome.
Me : If you want it, I help you to put it on.
Adeline : Put it on? Is for me?
Me : Yes, of course. If not, for who?
Adeline : Thanks very much dear.
Me : Diamonds are girls’ best friends. J
Coli : Where is my sapphire ring?
Adeline : Maybe your boyfriend sending for you soon. J
3 comments:
Why is it unethical for a jeweller or a diamond dealer to certify their own diamonds?
The most obvious reason is the ethical position. If the certificate or diamond grading report has not been independently certified it would represent a conflict of interest. If the seller is grading their own diamonds they will always be more lenient and biased towards the better colour and clarity grade because of the difference in value the diamond would achieve.
For example, if the diamond was a G colour with a VS2 Clarity and the diamond was up graded to F VS1 this could represent an added value of 20% for a 0.50 carat diamond or 22% for a 1.00 carat size diamond. This may not seem like a lot at first glance but if you are selling 5 diamonds a week and they are bringing in an extra 20% because of what is known as "grade bumping", it can certainly amount to alot over a period of time.
In certain grades such as D-F or IF- VVS2 the differences in price are much greater.
A 1.00 carat diamond in a D IF is around $18900 USD per carat and a 1.00 carat diamond in an E VVS1 is around $12300 per carat at today's prices. So you can see that a little grade bumping here and there, can be, and is very profitable.
This is the reason why the world jewellery and diamond governing bodies such as CIBJO and the WFDB do not permit jewellery or diamond dealer members to have cross ownership or interests in diamond grading and coloured gem laboratories.
There is also the undeniable fact that some diamonds are treated or enhanced in some way, and these diamonds are very difficult, and in some cases impossible to identify, without the correct laboratory equipment.
Synthetic diamonds are the latest threat to the uneducated consumer. If you are buying a diamond with out a recognised certificate (IE; a certificate recognised by either the WFDB, IDC, or CIBJO) it is possible that it may not be a Natural diamond at all.
These are a couple of reasons to insist that your jeweller supplies you with a diamond grading certificate from an officially recognised laboratory.
Make sure the certificate you are offered is recognised, please visit http://www.independentlycertifieddiamonds.com/ for a list of compliant laboratories.
It is up to you the consumer to ensure that the diamond grading certificate is recognised.
Protect your self and only shop where independent recognised diamond certificates are supplied. The rule is, if you have to ask for one without the diamond vendor being forthcoming, shop else where.
Now how do you identify the rogue sellers? Well they will market non compliant diamond grading certificates along side official recognised and accredited diamond grading laboratory certificates in order to lend credibility.
Unethical diamond vendors misrepresent the diamond facts with non compliant diamond grading reports and/or diamond certificates.
Deceptive diamond grading laboratory certificates from "labs" that sound reputable should not be trusted. Neither should any merchant who presents one .
Genuine accredited and recognised diamond grading reports / certificates do not cost much at all and will not affect the cost of the stone. If you are told the they do, it is a sign that the diamond might not be what they are claiming.
How much is a certificate from a laboratory?
The prices range from $ 35.00 upward depending on the size of the diamond. Certificates are never based on the value of the diamond and remember a value will never appear on a official diamond certificate.
It should be noted here that most of the biggest internet sellers are guilty of misusing the term 'certificate' or 'certified' diamonds.
Neither the Gemological Institute of America nor the American Gem Society will certify any diamond. They simply grade diamonds in their labs and issue grading reports.
GIA calls theirs a Diamond Grading Report, while the AGS refers to their report as a Diamond Quality Document. GIA discourages the use of the term "certificate" to describe it's grading reports. The dictionary describes the word certify as: "to guarantee the quality or value of" or "to guarantee as certain."
GIA clearly states on the bottom of every document: "this report is not a guarantee. "
One would think that any diamond laboratory that is not worried about it's professional liability exposure would be able to stand by it's documentation and therefore guarantee it.
The CIBJO & IDC diamond grading lab DCLA http://www.dcla.com.au/ in Sydney Australia and GCal Gem Certification & Assurance Lab http://www.gemfacts.com/ in New York issue diamond grading CERTIFICATES that are guaranteed.
Therefore my question is why do so many of the diamond dealers place so much emphasis on GIA and AGS who do not guarantee their reports?
Could it be those labs who are essentially gemologists with very little gem cutting or gem trading experience, have marketed themselves successfully over a period of time via their educational arms giving the illusion they are more elite than other lesser known diamond grading laboratories with better hands on experiennce who may have different philosophical outlooks in the direction they wish to direct their own diamond labs for the benefit of the public consumer not the trading dealers who easily adapt to changing scenarios.
Why is there no value on a certificate?
The reason is that the certificate will not date, the quality of the diamond will remain the same unless the stone is damaged or altered in some way. However pricing fluctuates daily according to the currency fluctuations and exchange rates,rarity of the diamond and the international price lists.
PRINCIPALS: Ms Monica Crofts Gem Dealer ? FGAA & Mr Anthony Bates qualifications unknown.
Auscert is a JAA member
AUSCERT IS UNRECOGNISED BY WFDB, IDC & CIBJO
JAA is a member of CIBJO
The two principals provide a diamond certification service in Melbourne while trading in gems, diamonds and jewellery.
Under the CIBJO Diamond Blue Book guidelines to avoid a conflict of interest both gem or jewellery traders and vendors are not permitted to certify diamonds.
The world jewellery and diamond governing bodies such as CIBJO and the WFDB do not permit jewellery or diamond dealer members to have cross ownership or interests in laboratories
" The international standard for diamond grading is the International Diamond Council (IDC) standard. The IDC is a joint committee founded by the International Diamond Manufacturers Association (IDMA) together with the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB )
The aim of the IDC is to ensure adherence to the grading standards defined in the CIBJO Blue Book.
"The CIBJO Blue Book is a definitive set of standards for the grading, methodology and nomenclature standards for diamonds, coloured gemstones and pearls, in which the latter incorporates all organic materials."
A pre-requisite for international recognition is recognition by the national organisation of the country, defined in this criteria:"The laboratory must be recognized by the national organization, which is a member of CIBJO as being representative of its country and the trade. In principle, only one laboratory per country, with or without branches, can be recognized."
Gemex Australia (Please click on the link below and when 403 Forbidden window opens then click on the wording bypass this message to take you to the story)http://www.gemex.com.au/forums/index.php/2006/07/19/internationally_recognised_grading_labor#c135
I am at a loss understanding why both Messrs Croft & Bates object to my earlier blog re:
Non Compliant Diamond Grading Laboratories
I quote Mr Bates on Gemex 23rd August 2006
"Simply, we are not a CIBJO approved Laboratory, thus we can do whatever we want. We are not answerable or legally bound to any of their codes of ethics or rulings from the blue book"
I further quote Mr Bates on Gemex 24th August 2006
"I have never hidden the fact from anyone that I run a very small and exclusive design studio. When and if I require diamonds I will source them from many avenues in order to gain the best deal for my clients, At a retail level I have absolutely no preference of one type of cert over another"
"Let me tell you a story> Last week I sold a five-carat diamond to a private client. The stone came with an IGI cert with which I personally disagreed."
Yet on the Auscert website of which Mr Anthony Bates is the Director it cleary says "We don't even sell diamonds! " and "Auscert is completely independent. We do not sell diamonds, nor are we affiliated with any manufacturers of diamonds".
"Daniel is still insisting that I name a certain piece of equipment that we own to Detect HPHT and Synthetic diamonds as this would seem to him the single most important thing in his little world at the moment. Thus, I will relieve him from the pressure, so Danny hold on to your boots. We own an HRD D-Screen, Series number DSA042 Code G410/000-000 O/ Ref BE/65167 Doc No 2005387"
But this is the best one from Mr Bates:
"To be honest, the last diamond I sold through my design studio was a DCLA certified stone and it was bloody nice, correctly graded and the client loved it!"
Mr Michael Baumbach of Diamond Exchange Canada commented
"The HRD -D Screen is in fact a retail tool and not really suitable for detecting HPHT and Synthetic stones to grading lab standards. It will screen out Type 2 diamonds and some fluorescing diamonds making it unreliable in effectively detecting HPHT and most Synthetics. In fact the instruction say if you get a yellow reading the stone must be sent to a Gem Lab for in depth testing"
Mr Albert Seymour London commented:
"Mr Bates obviously has no idea of the equipment necessary in a modern laboratory."
Mr Anthony Bates of Auscert has never confirmed his qualifications.
I hope these quotes support my concerns.
non-compliant-diamond-grading.html
I am perplexed at the role of the JAA allowing this to continue with their endorsement while being the Australian Jewellery Association representative body of CIBJO.
In addition there are members of the Diamond Dealers Club of Australia (DDCA) who are selling Auscert certified diamonds while openly rubbishing DCLA, the official CIBJO diamond grading Laboratory for Australia.
I therefore question the behaviour and ethics of the DDCA.
The DDCA is seeking affiliation with the World Federation of Diamond Bourses(WFDB).
The DDCA would be making a mockery of the WFDB should it be allowed to become affiliated when it's own members choose to ignore what is a very basic requirement
I fail to see any distinction between the rules and guidelines of the WFDB,CIBJO and the JAA whereby they would actually recognise any non compliant and unaccredited diamond grading laboratory especially where the two principals mentioned admit to trading in gemstones and jewellery.
It is questionable when there is such a blatant conflict of interest, endorsed by the JAA as a member and Auscert certified diamonds being marketed by DDCA members.
Recently I was responsible for exposing a founding member of the DDCA who had a criminal conviction. I am led to believe he has been expelled because he never disclosed this in his membership application. How did he become a member in the first place? There should be a better screening process.
Even after being notified about this the committee of the DDCA refused to act until I had to badger them to do it. The chairman and vice chairman (unelected) failed in their duty to it's club members.
Unfortunately the JAA are too busy pussy footing around to expel the same member who boldly displays the JAA logo on his diamond website.
Under the circumstances I would display caution now when dealing with a JAA member part of CIBJO.
How is the public consumer able to trust any diamond or jewellery vendor if all these trade organisations amount to bubkes (a big zero)? They boast of a code of ethics which amounts to nothing because no one objects or speaks up.
IT IS THE DIAMOND BUYER'S OWN RESPONSIBILITY TO EXERCISE CAUTION WHEN PURCHASING A DIAMOND
Deceptive diamond grading laboratory certificates from "labs" that sound reputable shouldn't be trusted. Neither should any merchant who presents one.
HOW DO YOU KNOW IF THE DIAMOND GRADING LABORATORY IS KOSHER????
Independently Certified Diamonds Trustmark
http://www.independentlycertifieddiamonds.com.au/
The Independently Certified Diamonds Trustmark is a definitive mark that identifies diamonds independently graded to the highest certification standards. Where you see this trustmark, the jeweller will be providing you with an independently certified diamond, examined and graded by a qualified and recognised laboratory.
A diamond certificate is only as good as the Laboratory it comes from. For this reason, only Laboratories which are internationally recognised and affiliated are included in this trust mark.
These laboratories are recognised for their procedures, technical ability and cutting edge equipment necessary to analyse and grade diamonds.
Furthermore these laboratories are Independent, grade to an internationally recognised standard and subscribe to the highest ethics.
Look for the trustmark, and check that the certificate is from one of the accepted laboratories. This will help provide you the assurance of a sound purchase.
CAUTIONARY NOTICE
to the
Diamond Trade and Public
Be aware of pseudo diamond grading laboratories using fraudulent and misleading phrases such as "The laboratory adheres to the grading standards of the IDC (International Diamond Council)" or "grading to IDC rules".
*
In order to adhere or grade to IDC rules, the Diamond laboratory must have.
1. Full gemmological facilities.
2. Registered master sets of Diamonds.
3. The official set of rules to which multiple graders work.
The IDC Rules are the diamond grading guidelines devised by the International Diamond Council ( IDC ), which was set up in 1978 by the World Federation of Diamond Bourses ( WFDB ) and the International Diamond Manufacturers Association ( IDMA ).
*
There are currently five gemmological laboratories worldwide that apply the IDC Rule Book.
They are:
1. The Certificates Department of the Antwerp Diamond High Council ( HRD ), Belgium;
*
2. The Swedish Testing Institute, Stockholm, Sweden;
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3. The SAJC (Jewellery Council of South Africa Laboratory), Johannesburg, South Africa;
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4. The Diamant Prueflabor, Idar Oberstein, Germany.
*
5. The DCLA (Diamond Certification Laboratory of Australia), Sydney, Australia;
*
For further information on these laboratories call the IDC laboratory in your time zone or visit http://www.independentlycertifieddiamonds.com/
***
http://thediamondguru.blogspot.com/2007/12/why-is-it-unethical-for-jeweller-or.html
Why have you taken my story without identifying me as the author?
Daniel F Katz
www.thediamondguru.blogspot.com
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