Education
Diamond Education
- Lab Diamonds
- History Of Lab Grown Diamonds
- Lab Diamond Shapes
- Lab Diamonds
- Lab Diamond Ring Guide
- Lab Diamond Carat Guide
- Lab Diamonds Color Guide
- Lab Diamond Shape Guide
- Lab Diamond Size Guide
- Lab Diamond Cut Guide
- Lab Diamond Jewelry Guide
- Lab Diamonds vs Moissanite
- Lab Diamonds vs. Real Diamonds
- Lab Grown Diamond vs. Cubic Zirconia
- Lab Diamonds vs. White Sapphires
- Lab Diamonds
- Diamond 4 C's
- Diamond Buying Guide
- Answers to 1 Carat Diamond Questions
- Your Guide to Buying a Diamond Online
- How to Pick the Right Diamond
- Diamond Buying Mistakes
- Real vs. Fake Diamonds
- Lab Diamond Buying Guide
- 10 Most FAQ - Diamonds
- Off Size Diamonds Guide
- Popular Diamond Cuts
- Price of a 2 Carat Diamond
- Top FAQ - Lab Diamonds
- What Is the Average Diamond Size in Engagement Rings?
- Diamond Carat
- Diamond Clarity
- IF Diamonds
- FL Diamonds
- Diamond Inclusions Guide
- Flawless vs Internally Flawless
- Which Diamond Clarity Is Best?
- VS2 vs VS1: Diamond Clarity Comparison
- VVS2 vs VVS1: Diamond Clarity Comparison
- SI2 vs SI1: Diamond Clarity Comparison
- SI1 vs VS2: Diamond Clarity Comparison
- VS1 vs VVS2: Diamond Clarity Comparison
- Accent Diamond Clarity
- Lab Diamond Clarity
- SI Diamonds
- VS Diamonds
- VVS Diamonds
- Diamond Color
- Diamond Cut
- Diamond Cut Types
- Ideal Cut Diamonds
- Hearts and Arrows Diamonds
- What is Diamond Depth
- Diamond Table
- Lab Diamond Cut
- Antique Cut Diamonds
- Brilliant Cut Diamonds
- Rose Cut Diamonds
- What Is The Most Expensive Diamond Cut?
- What Are Step Cut Diamonds?
- Diamond Bow Ties
- How Are Diamonds Cut
- Diamond Brilliance
- Spread Diamonds
- Diamond Fire
- Crushed Ice Diamonds
- Diamond Shape
- Lab Diamond Shape
- Asscher
- Cushion
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- Marquise
- Oval
- Pear
- Princess
- Radiant
- Round
- Which Diamond Cut Is Best?
- Round vs Princess Diamond Cut
- Round vs Cushion Diamond Cut
- Cushion vs Princess Diamonds
- Cushion vs Oval Cut Diamonds
- Emerald vs Asscher Cut Diamond
- Princess vs Marquis Diamonds
- Princess vs Radiant Cut Diamonds
- Cushion vs Asscher Cut Diamonds
- Emerald vs Radiant Cut Diamonds
- Oval vs Marquise Cut Diamonds
- Oval vs Pear Cut Diamonds
- Pear vs Marquise Cut Diamonds
- Emerald vs Cushion Cut Diamonds
- Elongated Cushion Cut Diamonds
- Diamond Certification
- Diamond Fluorescence
- How Diamonds Are Formed
- Diamond Pricing
- Diamond Size Chart Carat & MM
- Diamond Symmetry
- Diamond Polish
- Diamond Girdle
- Diamond Culet
- Engraved Rings
- Fancy Colored Diamonds
- Loose Diamonds
- History Of Lab Grown Diamonds
- Natural vs Synthetic Diamonds
- Diamond Sourcing
- NY Diamond District
- Diamond Certification
- A Guide to Accent Diamonds
Engagement Ring Education
- How To Buy Engagement Rings
- Affordable Engagement Rings
- Cost of a One Carat Diamond
- How To Buy A Lab Diamond Ring
- How to Buy An Engagement Ring In a Time Crunch
- How to Choose An Engagement Ring
- How to Pick Your Engagement Ring Budget
- Engagement Rings For Second Marriage
- Best Time to Buy An Engagement Ring
- How to Buy An Engagement Ring As a Couple
- Everything You Need to Know About Dainty Engagement Rings
- Future Mother In Law's Guide to Engagement Ring Shopping
- Engagement Ring Financing
- Why You Need an Engagement Ring Appraisal
- Best Round Cut Engagement Rings
- Best Square Cut Engagement Ring
- Top Teardrop Engagement Rings
- Best Asscher Cut Engagement Rings
- Best Oval Cut Engagement Rings
- Best Radiant Cut Engagement Rings
- Best Marquise Cut Engagement Rings
- Twisting Rings
- Best Emerald Cut Engagement Rings
- Best Cushion Cut Engagement Rings
- Best Dainty Engagement Rings
- Best Unique Engagement Rings
- Best Traditional Diamond Engagement Rings
- Best Split Shank Diamond Engagement Rings
- Top 10 Square Halo Engagement Rings
- Top 10 Unusual Engagement Rings
- Black Diamond Engagement Rings
- Edwardian Engagement Rings
- Antique Style Engagement Rings
- Nature Inspired Engagement Ring
- Filigree Rings
- Art Deco Rings
- Wide Band Engagement Rings
- Infinity Engagement Rings
- Best Two Tone Diamond Engagement Rings
- Victorian Style Engagement Rings
- Minimalistic Engagement Rings
- Big Style Engagement Rings
- Cute Style Engagement Rings
- Modern Style Engagement Rings
- Past Present and Future Rings
- Thin Engagement Rings
- Pretty Style Engagement Rings
- Double Band Engagement Rings
- 1 Carat Diamond Ring
- Top Princess Cut Halo Engagement Rings
- Top Cushion Cut Halo Engagement Rings
- Top Women's Rose Gold Engagement Rings
- Top Round Halo Engagement Rings
- Top Sapphire and Diamond Engagement Rings
- Top East West Engagement Rings
- Top Pave Engagement Rings
- Top Split Shank Halo Engagement Rings
- Top Unique Halo Engagement Rings
- Rose Gold Pear Shaped Engagement Rings
- Top Yellow Gold Pear Shaped Engagement Rings
- Top Oval Halo Engagement Rings
- Top Cushion Halo Engagement Rings
- Top Yellow Gold Engagement Rings
- Top Marquise Halo Engagement Rings
- Top Yellow Gold Cushion Cut Engagement Rings
- Top Emerald Cut Three Stone Engagement Rings
- Top Bypass Engagement Rings
- Top Rose Gold Cushion Cut Engagement Rings
- Top Rose Gold Oval Engagement Rings
- Top Emerald Cut Halo Engagement Rings
- Top Yellow Gold Oval Engagement Rings
- Top Rose Gold Emerald Cut Engagement Rings
- Top Oval Three Stone Engagement Rings
- Top Floating Diamond Engagement Rings
- Top Cushion Cut Three Stone Engagement Rings
- Top Princess Cut Three Stone Engagement Rings
- Top Simple Engagement Rings
- Vintage Style Engagement Rings
- Types of Accent Diamonds
- Everything You Need to Know Before Setting Diamonds
- Engagement Ring Prong Guide
- All About Ring Resizing
- Identifying Your Ring After A Repair
- Everything You Need to Know About Milgrain
- Everything You Need to Know About Wide Band Engagement Rings
- Eternity Rings vs Infinity Rings
- When To Propose
- What Are Baguette Diamond Engagement Rings
- What to Say When You Propose
- What Are the Groom's Parents Responsible For?
Gemstone Education
Jewelry Education
- Jewelry Buying Guide
- How To Buy Jewelry Online
- Diamond: 10th Anniversary Gifts
- Ruby: 40th Anniversary Gemstone & Jewelry
- Sapphire: 5th Anniversary Gemstone & Jewelry
- Top 10 Sapphire Earrings
- Emerald: 20th Anniversary Gemstone & Jewelry
- Top 10 Push Presents
- How To Shop For Christmas Jewelry Gifts
- How To Buy An Anniversary Band
Metal Education


Guide to HRD Certification
If you’ve ever been shopping for diamonds or diamond jewelry, you may have noticed that some have, aside from a simple certificate of authenticity, official reports and certification documents from various gemological organizations. IGI and GIA are among the most often certifications issued and seen; however, there are others that classify and grade diamonds according to a strict set of regulations and factors. One example is the HRD certification.
Shop DiamondsWhat is an HRD Certification?
The HRD (Hoge Raad voor Diamant) certification, was founded in the early 1970’s. This certification, unlike the GIA (Gemological Institute of America), and the IG (the International Gemological Institute) issues certificates of authenticity, quality and grade scale placement for diamonds located almost solely in Europe. The HRD is considered the main authority of all things related to diamonds throughout all European countries. The overall purpose of an HRD certification is the same as the GIA and IGI certifications: to accurately examine and assess diamonds, and assign them proper ratings and grades according to quality charts and lists the HRD has created.
What scale does the HRD use for grading? How does it work?
The HRD grades and certifies diamonds in much the same way that the GIA and the IGI do. They rely on characteristics of diamonds, such as the 4 C’s (color, clarity, carat, and cut) to determine where on its scale each diamond belongs, and the grade it receives. Diamonds that reach or surpass a certain grade are considered of high enough quality to receive an official certification. Those that rank too low to meet each of the HRD’s standards are denied certification.
Not every diamond that doesn’t make the grade is just tossed aside as “worthless.” In many cases, they are distributed to collectors, other organizations for further testing, or to jewelry retailers. Most of these diamonds are still of decent enough quality to be sold in jewelry stores, as long as they maintain an adequate record of their flaws and characteristic grades, and priced accordingly.


HRD Grade and Certification
Like the other gemological organizations, the HRD bases its grade and certification issuances not only on the 4 C’s, but also on a diamond’s finish (polish), symmetry, light reflection, proportion, and the overall beauty of the gem. These qualities are rated on a scale, from “Excellent,” to “Fair,” with “Fair” being the lowest classification possible by HRD standards.
In regards to three of the 4 C’s, the HRD grades them thusly:
- Color- D-Z
- Clarity: LC (Loupe-clean)- P3 (Piqué (or Included) 3)
- Carat: weight of the diamond (usually in relation to the size)
What do HRD diamond grading reports include?
The primary information found in HRD certification reports relates to the 4 C’s of each diamond. The HRD outlines the qualities of the diamond as they observed and eventually graded, and gives brief explanations for their findings. However, the HRD tries to be all-inclusive in its reporting, and add details for which they do not specifically test or assess. Reports for treated diamonds may be included with their notes, as well as any laser inscriptions found, re-polished diamonds they encounter as they study the gems, and reports on diamonds grown and formed in labs. Occasionally, the HRD will incorporate notes taken during the initial exams done on each diamond or group of diamonds.
How popular is HRD in the U.S.?
Because it primarily serves and grades diamonds and gemstones in Europe, with its headquarters located in Belgium, the HRD certification holds little rep in the United States. Most jewelry professionals and institutions in America do not consider the HRD certification or standards to be adequate substitution for the country’s own official certificates and classification (i.e., from the GIA), or professional reports from international organizations, such as the IGI.
While an HRD certification is hard to come by, and carries little weight, in the United States, a diamond shopper/customer in Europe might want an HRD certified diamond as proof that the diamond is worth the money spent, and documented information on the value increase (if any) of the diamond over time. An HRD is also proof of a diamond’s authenticity, so if the consumer ever needed to prove that the diamond was real, the HRD certificate should be more than adequate evidence.
What is the difference between getting an HRD certification and an AGS certification?
One of the biggest differences between the HRD and AGS (American Gem Society) is that, unlike the HRD, the AGS has little authority in Europe. However, diamonds distributed from European countries may land in the hands of the AGS at some point, because they are renowned as one of the top diamond grading organizations in the country.
Like the HRD, the AGS grades on the 4 C’s. They additionally grade diamonds based on diamond table (the top surface of the gem) percentage, as well as diamond width and percentage of depth in each diamond.
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