How We Buy & How We Grade
I’d like you to know more about the Hallmark of Quality. To understand how we buy and see how we grade. First and foremost every single diamond that we sell has been graded at least 5 times. It is understood that the accepted grading standard is the GIA standard. We select from large quantities of GIA certified diamonds and reject 19 out of 20 GIA certified diamonds. I want to make this clear, the diamonds that we reject come with GIA certificates and the diamonds that we select come with a GIA certificates. We chose the cream of the GIA. The Hallmark of Quality simply sells a better...
read moreWhat Makes Our Grading Different?
All diamonds sold by Hallmark of Quality are graded in house; we do not use outside laboratories. The purveyors of the Hallmark of Quality have maintained a consistent recognizable standard of grading for 32 years. There has been much talk about international laboratories changing standards. The Hallmark of Quality is aware that international certificates have changed the severity of their grading standards. A Gemologist may be trained by the foremost laboratory in America to a standard that is higher than that institute uses for its own certificates. There are good certificates and bad...
read moreWhat is Rapaport and How is it Used?
The Rapaport diamond price list separates the different sizes, colours and clarities of diamonds and arranges these factors into price categories. The problem arising in using the Rapaport list is the subjective nature of diamond grading. Some speak about a Rapaport price and do not consider the price variation from a cut perspective. Some speak about a Rapaport price and do not consider the variation of grading standards from one laboratory to another. Some speak of a general discount that is below the Rapaport list that does not take into consideration the premiums the market demands for...
read moreGrading and Appraising Jewellery
The first thing that needs to be agreed upon is a definition of an appraisal and the difference between an appraisal and a grading certificate. An appraisal gives a value to a gem or piece of jewellery along with a complete description of the item being valued. An appraisal can be issued for estate purposes, for insurance purposes or other reasons that may occur. An appraisal is not intended for selling purposes. It is my understanding and opinion that to place an appraisal with a value before a consumer is in some countries illegal and in all situations deceptive. (I also believe that...
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