Hourglass Diamonds
Diamond Guide / Certification
A certificate is only as useful as how you read it.
Diamond certification provides a standardized way to evaluate a stone, but understanding what those grades mean in real terms is where the value actually comes from. The report is a tool, not the final decision.
Begin here
A few essentials.
Most read
The questions that come up first.
IGI Diamond Certification Explained
How IGI compares and where it tends to be used most often.
AGS Diamond Certification Explained
What made AGS different and how it is viewed today.
HRD Diamond Certification Explained
Where HRD fits globally and when it appears in the market.
Do Lab Grown Diamonds Have Certificates
How certification works for lab grown diamonds compared to natural.
Understanding Certification
What a diamond certificate represents and why it matters when comparing stones.
Major Labs
How different grading labs compare, and why consistency matters more than name alone.
Practical Considerations
How certification affects buying decisions, value, and long-term confidence.