While GIA can’t recommend an individual appraiser, there are several appraisal associations and networks that can help you locate one in your area. These are national associations that have members all over the country, and many require that their appraisers have a Graduate Gemologist (G.G.) diploma from GIA in addition to supplemental appraisal training.

The effect of the lighting environment was well understood by jewelers in the late 1800s. Minimal grading standards at the time included  “good north light unobstructed by buildings or other objects”, grading between the hours of 10am and 2pm only, no use of artificial light, and use of the same location for grading (amongst others that are less important to this story). 

Christie’s will hold its Magnificent Jewels auction at its Rockefeller Center Galleries in New York on Monday, April 12, 2011.

When men and women really start looking into diamond grading, a common question is, “Why does the GIA color grade start with a D?”