CDG Professional Standards & Competencies 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is NOT typically included in a professional diamond grading report?
- Color grade
- Clarity grade
- Retail market value (Correct answer)
- Cut grade
Correct answer: Retail market value
Grading reports document objective gemological properties; retail value appraisals are a separate service distinct from grading.
Question 2: A grader suspects that a submitted diamond has been laser-drilled to improve apparent clarity. The appropriate professional response is to:
- Grade the stone as presented without comment
- Disclose the treatment on the grading report and document observations (Correct answer)
- Return the stone without grading
- Notify law enforcement immediately
Correct answer: Disclose the treatment on the grading report and document observations
Disclosure of detected treatments is mandatory on a professional grading report to ensure consumer protection and transparency.
Question 3: Continuing education requirements for certified diamond graders primarily serve to:
- Increase laboratory revenue through recertification fees
- Keep professionals current with evolving detection technologies and industry standards (Correct answer)
- Satisfy insurance liability requirements
- Limit the number of active graders in the market
Correct answer: Keep professionals current with evolving detection technologies and industry standards
The gem industry continually advances; continuing education ensures graders stay current with new treatments, synthetics, and detection methods.
Question 4: When grading a parcel of melee diamonds, a professional grader should:
- Grade every stone individually to the same standard as larger diamonds
- Apply sampling protocols appropriate for melee while documenting the methodology used (Correct answer)
- Estimate grades based on visual inspection without instrument use
- Issue a single average grade for the entire parcel
Correct answer: Apply sampling protocols appropriate for melee while documenting the methodology used
Melee grading uses accepted sampling and average-range protocols, but the methodology must be clearly documented on any accompanying report.
Question 5: A client claims a diamond returned from your laboratory has been switched. The best defense against such claims is:
- Security cameras in the grading room
- Thorough intake documentation including measurements, weight, and photographs (Correct answer)
- Requiring clients to sign a waiver upon submission
- Having two graders handle every stone
Correct answer: Thorough intake documentation including measurements, weight, and photographs
Detailed intake documentation with weight, measurements, and photographs creates a verifiable record that protects both the laboratory and the client.
Question 6: The difference between a diamond grading report and a diamond appraisal is best described as:
- Grading reports are issued only by GIA; appraisals are issued by all others
- A grading report documents gemological properties; an appraisal assigns monetary value (Correct answer)
- Appraisals are more accurate than grading reports
- Grading reports are legal documents while appraisals are not
Correct answer: A grading report documents gemological properties; an appraisal assigns monetary value
Grading reports objectively document the 4Cs and other properties, while appraisals assign a monetary value for insurance or resale purposes.
Question 7: A professional diamond grader's obligation to maintain client confidentiality means:
- Never discussing any client's stone details with outside parties without consent (Correct answer)
- Keeping grading results secret even from other laboratory staff
- Refusing to testify in court about client stones under any circumstances
- Deleting all records after the client receives the report
Correct answer: Never discussing any client's stone details with outside parties without consent
Client confidentiality protects client information from unauthorized third-party disclosure while allowing necessary internal laboratory communication.
CDG Professional Standards & Competencies 3
Which of the following is NOT typically included in a professional diamond grading report?