DCA Certification Standards & Documentation 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which organization issues the GIA Diamond Grading Report that is widely accepted as the industry standard for diamond documentation?
- American Gem Society
- Gemological Institute of America (Correct answer)
- Diamond Council of America
- International Gemological Institute
Correct answer: Gemological Institute of America
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) issues the GIA Diamond Grading Report, which is considered the global benchmark for diamond certification.
Question 2: What does a laser inscription on a diamond's girdle typically record?
- The diamond's owner name
- The certificate or report number (Correct answer)
- The carat weight
- The country of origin
Correct answer: The certificate or report number
Laser inscriptions on a diamond's girdle most commonly record the corresponding grading report or certificate number for identification and authentication.
Question 3: On a DCA-style grading report, what does the 'plot diagram' illustrate?
- The diamond's cut proportions
- The location and type of inclusions and blemishes (Correct answer)
- The color distribution within the stone
- The fluorescence pattern under UV light
Correct answer: The location and type of inclusions and blemishes
A plot diagram is a schematic map of a diamond showing the exact position and nature of internal inclusions and external blemishes.
Question 4: Which clarity grade indicates a diamond with no inclusions or blemishes visible under 10× magnification?
- VVS1
- IF
- FL (Correct answer)
- VS1
Correct answer: FL
FL (Flawless) is the highest clarity grade, meaning no inclusions or blemishes are visible even under 10× magnification.
Question 5: When a grading laboratory issues a 'Diamond Dossier,' how does it differ from a full Diamond Grading Report?
- It includes a plot diagram
- It omits the plot diagram but includes a laser inscription (Correct answer)
- It grades only color and cut, not clarity
- It is issued only for colored diamonds
Correct answer: It omits the plot diagram but includes a laser inscription
A GIA Diamond Dossier is a smaller report for diamonds typically under 1 carat that includes all grades but omits the full plot diagram, relying instead on a laser inscription.
Question 6: Which term describes the process of a laboratory re-examining a diamond to confirm or update its grading report?
- Recertification
- Resubmission
- Regrading (Correct answer)
- Reverification
Correct answer: Regrading
Regrading refers to the process where a diamond is sent back to a laboratory for a new or updated assessment of its 4Cs characteristics.
Question 7: In diamond certification, what does the abbreviation 'AGS' stand for?
- American Gem Standards
- American Gemological Society
- American Gem Society (Correct answer)
- Accredited Gem Specialists
Correct answer: American Gem Society
AGS stands for American Gem Society, a trade organization that operates its own gem laboratory and is known for its unique 0–10 grading scale for cut quality.
DCA Certification Standards & Documentation 2
Which organization issues the GIA Diamond Grading Report that is widely accepted as the industry standard for diamond documentation?