What is a diamond plot. No, not the plot of a book I am talking about the diamond plot. A diamond plot is a diagram of the diamond with all the identification marks of the diamond. The flaws of the diamond are shown marked in such a way that if you view the diamond under magnification the flaws on the diagram will be placed at the same place on the diamond. This is the best way of identifying the diamond.

Each Diamond is as unique as a fingerprint. By plotting its characteristics, and combine this with the measurements of a Diamond, a Lab can uniquely identify each stone. This plot helps the Grader in the event that a customer returns to the Lab and requests a verification that the Diamond presented with a certificate refers to the same Diamond described in the Certificate.

Internal characteristics are plotted in red, and external characteristics are plotted in green.

These are what I like to call "diamonds birthmarks " make every diamond unique. However, they do affect the beauty and value of the diamond. These birthmarks are often referred to as inclusions. The fewer inclusions a diamond has the more valuable it is. Can you get any Diamond plotted?

Yes when you are ready to purchase your diamond, your diamond retailer should have the diamond sheet available we prefer you use a GIA diamond grader to do this. The jewelry will place your diamond on a microscope and from there will start to fill in the birthmarks of your stone. You should also be able to see your stone under the microscope and at this time you have a map of your stone with all of its birth marks pre say you can pick out these birthmarks and see them on the diamond plot for yourself. You now have a birth certificate of your stone with all of its internal flaws plotted. This is the one document that you can always turn to for verification that this is your stone.

You should not be charged extra for the diamond plot, and this should be done with a diamond certificate. If your jewelry does not do this in their store ask to have it sent out to a gemological institute use caution not all grading systems are the same.

Why we recommend GIA diamond grading and the GIA standard Other labs usually plot only the more noticeable internal and external characteristics. Minor inclusions that are difficult to see may not be shown on the plot.

Kathy Abdelhak is Co-Owner of N.J.Diamonds