The “Forevermark”  from De Beers raise questions about the actual grading of these diamonds sold into the markets. A diamond that is laser imprinted other than the girdle of the diamond cannot be concluded as a natural diamond.

According to diamond grading BELAC and ISO 17025 certification standards, all diamonds that are altered, enhanced or treated are no more open for a proper clarity grading rapport.The reason being that clarity grading is done in the centre of the stone whilst any obstruction of such clarity grading by the using of such as a laser inscription or imprinting cannot give a proper grading result after such inorganic changes were made to the diamond.

Once a diamond has been altered in some way or another is can no more be considered an authentic natural diamond. The value of such diamonds should theoretically be of much lesser value to the diamantaires and investor. A true Diamantair will buy diamonds with exceptionally clarity and clarity is determined by the visibility or window within the centre of the diamond when viewed from the top.

Ethically this will raise serious concerns how clarity grading is posed to conclude the final grading of the “Forevermark”   whilst the diamond has a laser inscription within the stone. Technically any enhanced stone should then fall under the microscope for it is no more possible to distinguish the real clarity of such diamonds once in the market and sold.
De Beers announced the opening of two new diamond grading laboratories, one in the UK and in Antwerp.These laboratories apparently will be exclusively for grading of the “Forevermark”, however should these “new ‘ diamonds be graded in any ISO 19001 or a 17025 laboratory such as the HRD they most likely won’t be passed as natural.

The question then will remain; how valuable is the diamonds and will it truly sustains a market already with segments in serious vulnerability? Additionally this would raise grave concerns about the CIBJO bluebook for consumer trust implementation within the EU and how will this new hitch be encountered.

Several court cases has risen in the last few years in the United States with regards to the De Beers Group’S reputation and one has to once more ask if this is an attempt to profit from sales and the recreation of an lost empire in the European Union that needs to survive the consumption of “Diamonds” .

Credit is given to Keven Brenan IFJ – Member (Federation of Press.)