IGI has added a grade for cut to fancy shape diamond reports. In addition to traditional polish and symmetry analysis, the institute is now assessing the influence cut quality has on light behavior seen in shapes other than round. The cut grade will be offered at IGI’s 20 worldwide laboratories and will be optional for manufacturers for the next six months.
More complex than round
Fancy shapes are more complex than round brilliants. The performance of a round can be predicted decisively if you know its primary measurements, or proportions. But with fancy shapes, you can’t predict light performance with proportions. Because of this, IGI will use a four-step system that combines recommended proportions with visual assessment, explained in a short, two part video synopsis, below.
Increasing attention on cut
As e-commerce grows more professionals and consumers, alike, rely on grading reports to provide thorough, objective information on all four of a diamond’s value-setting Cs prior to ever seeing the diamond. IGI CEO Roland Lorie described the impetus behind the institute’s decision.
For many decades Carat, Color and Clarity were the main points of emphasis with consumers. In recent years we have seen increasing attention drawn to Cut, first with rounds and now with fancies. IGI has proactively responded to the growing demand for this assessment, in the interest of better serving buyers and sellers alike.
Join Rapaport’s ‘Fancy Shape’ webinar Tuesday
Assessing fancy shape diamond cut quality will be one of the topics covered during: “Fast-Tracking the Future: The Shape of the Fancies Market,” presented by Rapaport on Tuesday September 13th at 10:30 am Eastern Time.
Description: Demand for fancy-cut diamonds has grown in recent years, as has the range of shapes available. On this webinar, experts will investigate the forces driving the sector and the challenges it faces. The session will also delve into the important topic of grading, asking why it’s so hard to assess cut quality for stones that aren’t standard round brilliants. Finally, the panelists will discuss the influence of technology on the market.
Moderator: Joshua Freedman, News Editor, Rapaport
Panelists:
- John Pollard, Senior Director of Education, International Gemological Institute (IGI)
- Nilesh Chhabria, Chief Operating Officer, Finestar Jewellery & Diamonds
- Avi Froindlikh, Diamond Director and Buyer for Tacori and CEO of AF Special Diamonds
6 month optional period
Originally piloted with a small group of clients, IGI will now add the cut grade to fancy shape reports at all 20 laboratories worldwide. That grade will be optional to manufacturers for a six-month period of adjustment. In the interest of industry-wide improvement IGI is providing “Guidelines for Excellent” to all producers, identifying ranges of proportions and other factors the institute’s laboratory locations have historically observed to accompany fancy shaped diamonds with the most positive beauty components.
“Guidelines For Excellent” coming
IGI has put together a document containing additional information, including a flowchart describing process, additional requirements and proportions guidelines by shape. That information will soon be available on the IGI website.
