Choose wisely
How to make your choice when it comes to
diamonds or diamond jewellery
What you need to know
about jewellery…
an hrd antwerp certificate,
your peace of mind
Weight of the jewel
The total weight of a jewel is
expressed in grams. If a
diamond is set in the jewel,
this diamond cannot be
weighed. Its weight is
therefore calculated on the
basis of measurable
dimensions.
In the complex world of diamonds and
jewellery, you want the most accurate and
independent diamond lab to examine your
diamonds or jewellery. Do not hesitate to
choose Antwerp’s long-standing diamond
heritage combined with HRD Antwerp’s
exacting standards as the leading
authority in diamond certification.
Precious metals
A jewel is made of precious
metals. The best-known are
silver, gold and platinum.
However, it is impossible to
determine the precious
metal content with the
naked eye. HRD Antwerp’s
lab can analyse this for you
by using x-rays.
Setting
There are different ways of
setting a diamond in a jewel.
The diamond’s setting
determines the final look of
the jewel.
Carat
A diamond set in a jewel
cannot be weighed. Its
weight is therefore
calculated on the basis of
measurable dimensions.
Colour
When comparing the colour
of set diamonds, the master
stones are set in a metal
that is the same colour as
the jewel. This allows us to
compensate as much as
possible for the influence of
the metal’s colour on the
colour of the diamond.
Clarity
Clarity for set diamonds is
measured by using a
microscope and loupe (10x).
Cut
Symmetry is measured and
calculated. Possible
evaluations are Excellent,
Very Good, Good and Fair.
Founded in 1976, the HRD Antwerp Diamond Lab
has grown into one of the largest and most respected
diamond grading labs worldwide. We issue reliable
diamond certificates, grading and jewellery reports
fully compliant with the rules for grading polished
diamonds set by the International Diamond Council
(IDC). We are the only international lab that strictly
adheres to these rules, which have been approved
by the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB)
and the International Diamond Manufacturers
Association (IDMA), the industry’s two leading
representative bodies.
Why choose an HRD Antwerp
Diamond Certificate?
prong
pavé
bar
BEZEL
CHANNEL
INVISIBLE
Because of our extensive know-how and highly
innovative equipment, we are able to analyse whether
your diamond is natural, treated or laboratory
grown. An HRD Antwerp Diamond Certificate
confirms a diamond’s authenticity and describes
its characteristics, the so-called 4Cs: Carat, Colour,
Clarity and Cut.
SECURITY ITEMS
HRD Antwerp has created a tamper-proof certificate. We incorporate exclusive security features
that are only visible by loupe and/or UV light.
Micro
Text
Fluo
Marks
Line
Structure
Embossed
Logo
Water
mark
Safety
Paper
Why choose an HRD Antwerp
Jewellery Report?
Our laboratory has the knowledge and instruments
needed to thoroughly analyse your jewellery. An HRD
Antwerp Jewellery Report is an official document in
which a jewellery item is authenticated for different
purposes, such as insurance, inheritance, purchase,
etc. It also can be used to determine the market
value of a jewel.
Both the HRD Antwerp Diamond Certificate and
the HRD Antwerp Jewellery Report are your written
guarantee for quality, authenticity and objectivity.
Strict anonymity and objectivity
Once a diamond is delivered to our laboratory,
the absolute objectivity of the grading results is
guaranteed by means of a double coding system: one
set of codes is given to the customer, while the other
follows the diamond in the lab. Strict anonymity
guarantees strict objectivity.
Hearts and Arrows is a special pattern of 8 hearts
and 8 arrows in precisely cut brilliants with specific
proportions and symmetry resulting in a very high
grade of brilliance and fire.
1. CARAT
.05
2. COLOUR
D
.10
3. CLARITY
EXC.
WHITE +
4. CUT
1. CARAT
4. CUT
PROPORTIONS
The weight of a diamond is expressed in carats. One
A diamond’s cut is essential to its beauty. The cut is
Av. Diameter = 100 %
carat equals 0.2 grams or 100 points, which indicates
divided into 3 grades: proportion, polish and symmetry.
the size. HRD Antwerp has extremely accurate scales
Each grade is evaluated according to four parameters:
that measure up to 5 figures after the decimal point.
Excellent, Very Good, Good and Fair. A perfect cut equals
This accurate weight is very useful for the identification
more sparkle, brilliance and fire.
LOUPE
CLEAN
% Table Width
% Crown Height
.15
E
EXC.
WHITE
Crown Angle
LC
% Girdle
Pavilion Angle
% Total Depth
.20
.25
% Pavilion Depth
F
RARE
WHITE +
VVS1
.50
of the diamond.
VVS2
H
% Length Halves Pavilion
POLISH
VS1
SLIGHTLY
TINTED
WHITE +
J
SLIGHTLY
TINTED
WHITE
2. COLOUR
and ‘fire’ of a diamond.
Symmetry describes the variation of different
Most diamonds range in colour from colourless to slightly
parameters that define the proportions.
yellow. The colour grade is determined by comparison
Polish describes the finish of the facets.
with a series of master stones, the best grade being
WHITE
I
Proportions determine the brilliance
% Culet
% Length Halves Crown
RARE
WHITE
.75
1.25
VERY VERY
SMALL
INCLUSIONS
Excellent | Very Good | Good | Fair
G
1.00
Sum α & β
colourless – a perfect diamond has no colour at all (D
VERY SMALL
INCLUSIONS
Colour: Exceptional White +).
Diamonds can also occur in all ranges of colours, from
brownish to striking yellow, pink, purple, red, blue and
1.50
1.75
K
TINTED
WHITE +
L
TINTED
WHITE
green. These are called ‘fancy colours’. Some diamonds
VS2
Excellent | Very Good | Good | Fair
SI1
SMALL
INCLUSIONS
SYMMETRY
2.00
M
fluorescence, which ranges from ‘nil’, ‘slight’, or ‘medium’
to ‘strong’.
3. CLARITY
SI2
2.50
react to UV-light (black light) with a grading scale for
Well cut
TINTED
COLOUR
Shape
With clarity, we describe a diamond’s purity. As they are
a product of nature, all natural diamonds have traces
of their growth history. In most gem quality diamonds
3.00
N-O
TINTED
COLOUR
these are minor internal characteristics or inclusions.
P1
The clarity scale reflects the size, number and location
piqué
4.00
P-R
TINTED
COLOUR
S-Z
TINTED
COLOUR
Too Deep
round
princess
marquise
oval
heart
pear
emerald
radiant
of the characteristics when examined with a 10x loupe.
Diamonds that have no inclusions visible to the naked
P2
eye are of excellent quality. The very best – and rarest
– clarity is called ‘loupe clean’. This means that upon
5.00
Too shallow
P3
Excellent | Very Good | Good | Fair
examining the diamond with a loupe, no inclusions can
be found.
HRD Antwerp is based in Antwerp,
diamond capital of the world.
HQ
HRD ANTWERP
Hoveniersstraat 22
BE - 2018 Antwerp
Belgium
Tel. +32 3 222 06 11
Fax +32 3 222 06 09
[email protected]
www.hrdantwerp.com
DIAMOND LABS
ANTWERP
Hoveniersstraat 22
BE - 2018 Antwerp
Belgium
Tel. +32 3 222 06 11
Fax +32 3 222 06 09
[email protected]
INDIA
HRD Antwerp Mumbai
HRD Diamond Institute
506 5/F Trade Centre
Bandra Kurla Complex
Bandra East
400051 Mumbai
India
JEWELLERY LAB
TURKEY
HRD Antwerp Istanbul
Piyerloti Cad.
Dostlukyurdu Sok. N° 3
Cemberlitas
31100 Istanbul
Turkey
Tel. +91 22 42 56 8000
Fax +91 22 42 56 8005
Mobile +91 98 20 29 1492
[email protected]
Tel. +90 212 512 4246
Fax +90 262 321 9838
Mobile +90 532 401 5686
mehmetcanozdemir@
hrdantwerp.com.tr
REPRESENTATIVE OFFICES
HONG KONG | MADRID | SHANGHAI | SURAT | TEL AVIV
Please visit www.hrdantwerp.com
Please visit
www.hrdantwerp.com