Introduction
This article explains the specific standards Arete Diamond applies to every diamond we sell. It is the one page in the encyclopedia that is about us — not about gemology in general, but about the commitments we make and how we hold ourselves to them.
Most jewellers describe their standards in broad terms: "ethically sourced," "certified diamonds," "quality guaranteed." These phrases are not wrong, but they are not specific enough to mean much on their own. What laboratory issued the certification? What sourcing framework was followed? What information is disclosed on the product page, and what is left out?
We answer those questions here — concretely, with the criteria we actually use. If you are comparing retailers, this page tells you exactly what Arete Diamond does and does not do. If you are already buying from us, it tells you what to expect and what to hold us to.
For a broader introduction to diamond grading and quality, start with Diamond in 10 Minutes. For our perspective on what makes natural diamonds special, see Our Philosophy.
Lab Report Requirements
Which Laboratories We Accept
Every diamond above 0.30 ct sold by Arete Diamond carries a grading report from one of three laboratories:
- GIA (Gemological Institute of America) — the global benchmark for diamond grading. GIA developed the 4Cs framework and applies the most conservative, consistent grading standards in the industry. A GIA grade is the grade the rest of the market measures against.
- HRD Antwerp (Hoge Raad voor Diamant) — the diamond grading arm of the Antwerp World Diamond Centre. HRD's rigorous methodology and proximity to the world's largest diamond exchange make it a trusted authority, particularly for European-sourced stones.
- IGI (International Gemological Institute) — the largest independent gemological laboratory by volume, with facilities across multiple continents. IGI has established itself as the primary grading authority for lab-grown diamonds and produces reliable reports for natural stones as well.
Melee diamonds — the small accent stones set into jewellery — are graded by Arete Diamond's own gemologists and accompanied by an Arete quality guarantee rather than an external laboratory report. At these sizes, independent lab reports are neither standard industry practice nor cost-effective for the buyer, but every melee stone we use is assessed against the same quality thresholds we apply to our independently graded diamonds.
For diamonds above 0.30 ct, we do not accept stones graded only by in-house or unrecognised laboratories. A grading report from a laboratory without documented, reproducible methodology does not give you — or us — a reliable basis for pricing or comparison.
For a detailed comparison of grading laboratories, see Choosing the Right Lab Report.
What the Report Must Include
Every grading report accompanying an Arete Diamond purchase includes, at minimum:
- Carat weight — measured to the hundredth of a carat
- Colour grade — on the D-to-Z scale for colourless diamonds, or the fancy colour grading system for coloured stones
- Clarity grade — from Flawless to Included, with a clarity plot mapping internal characteristics
- Cut grade — for round brilliant diamonds (GIA grades cut as Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, or Poor; fancy shapes receive proportion and symmetry data)
- Proportions — table percentage, crown angle, pavilion angle, girdle thickness, and total depth
- Fluorescence — graded from None to Very Strong
- Laser inscription — linking the physical stone to its report number
If any of these elements are missing from a report, we do not list the diamond. The report is the buyer's primary protection, and an incomplete report is not protection at all.
Report Verification
Every GIA, HRD Antwerp, and IGI report number can be verified through the issuing laboratory's online database. We encourage every buyer to check the report independently — not because you should distrust us, but because the ability to verify is the entire point of third-party certification.
Quality Thresholds
Arete Diamond does not sell every diamond that comes with a valid report. We apply minimum quality thresholds to the stones we list:
- Cut: For round brilliant diamonds, we list only stones graded Very Good or Excellent by GIA (or equivalent by IGI). Cut determines how a diamond handles light, and a stone below Very Good loses too much brightness and fire to meet the standard our buyers expect. See Cut: The Round Brilliant for why this matters.
- Clarity: We list diamonds from Flawless through SI2. Stones graded I1 or below have inclusions visible to the unaided eye in most cases, and we do not consider them appropriate for the jewellery categories we serve. See Clarity for the full grading scale.
- Colour: We list diamonds across the D-to-Z range and do not impose an arbitrary colour floor. Colour preference is personal, and a well-cut K-colour diamond in a yellow gold setting can be a deliberate, informed choice. We provide the data; you make the decision. See The D-Z Colour Scale for details on each grade.
These thresholds are not about exclusivity. They are about ensuring that every diamond on our site meets a baseline of optical performance and structural integrity that justifies the purchase.
Sourcing and Conflict-Free Compliance
The Kimberley Process
All natural diamonds sold by Arete Diamond are sourced through channels that comply with the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS). The Kimberley Process requires that every parcel of rough diamonds crossing an international border carries a government-issued certificate confirming the stones are conflict-free — not used to finance armed conflict against recognised governments.
The Kimberley Process is a necessary foundation, but we recognise its limitations. Its definition of "conflict diamond" is narrow and does not address labour conditions, environmental practices, or human rights abuses by state actors. For a full assessment of what the Kimberley Process does and does not cover, see Conflict Diamonds & the Kimberley Process.
Beyond the Kimberley Process
We source from suppliers who participate in the World Diamond Council's System of Warranties — a voluntary framework that extends conflict-free commitments through every step of the supply chain, from rough dealer to polished wholesaler to retailer. Each invoice in the chain carries a warranty statement confirming Kimberley Process compliance.
We also evaluate our suppliers against the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) Code of Practices where applicable. The RJC standard covers labour rights, environmental management, anti-money laundering, and product disclosure — areas that the Kimberley Process alone does not address. For more on how these frameworks interact, see What Responsible Sourcing Means.
Treatments and Disclosure
If a diamond has undergone any treatment beyond standard cutting and polishing — laser drilling, fracture filling, HPHT treatment, irradiation, or coating — that treatment is disclosed on the product page and noted on the grading report. We do not sell treated diamonds without explicit disclosure, and we do not describe treated diamonds using language that could obscure the treatment.
This is not a special policy. It is the baseline ethical standard set by GIA, the FTC, and CIBJO. We mention it here because not every seller follows it, and you should know that we do. See What Ethical Diamond Sellers Disclose for more on this topic.
What We Show on Every Product Page
Transparency is not a principle if it is not practiced on every listing. Here is what you will find on every diamond product page at Arete Diamond:
- Full grading data — every field from the lab report, including proportions, fluorescence, and symmetry. Not a summary. The actual data.
- Origin type — whether the diamond is natural or lab-grown, stated clearly and prominently.
- Treatment disclosure — if any treatment has been applied, it is listed on the product page. If no treatment has been applied, that is stated as well.
- Lab report number and verification link — so you can confirm the report independently through GIA's Report Check, HRD's My Diamond tool, or IGI's verification service.
- Pricing breakdown — the diamond price and any setting or customisation costs shown separately. You should always know what you are paying for the stone versus the metalwork.
- High-resolution imagery — photographs and, where available, 360-degree video of the actual stone. Not a stock image. Not a rendering. The diamond you are considering.
Under EU consumer protection regulations — which apply to all purchases made through aretediamond.com by Czech consumers — you are also entitled to clear information about your right of withdrawal, warranty terms, and the seller's identity and contact details. We provide all of this on every product page and at checkout.
What We Do Not Do
Standards are defined as much by what is excluded as by what is included:
- For diamonds above 0.30 ct, we do not use in-house grading or proprietary quality scales. Every quality claim is backed by a third-party lab report from GIA, HRD Antwerp, or IGI. Melee diamonds are graded by our own gemologists and accompanied by an Arete quality guarantee.
- We do not describe diamonds with subjective superlatives ("breathtaking," "flawless beauty," "investment-grade") in place of grading data. The data speaks.
- We do not sell diamonds without documentation. Every stone above 0.30 ct carries an independent grading report; every melee diamond carries an Arete quality guarantee.
- We do not obscure the distinction between natural and lab-grown diamonds. Each is labelled clearly, and they are never presented in a way that could cause confusion.
Summary
Arete Diamond's standards are not aspirational statements. They are operational requirements applied to every diamond we list and every transaction we complete. Independent grading from GIA, HRD Antwerp, or IGI for every diamond above 0.30 ct, and Arete Diamond's own quality guarantee for melee stones. Conflict-free sourcing through the Kimberley Process and the World Diamond Council's System of Warranties. Full disclosure of treatments, origin, and pricing on every product page. Minimum quality thresholds for cut and clarity.
These are the commitments we make, and this page is where we put them in writing. If you have questions about any specific standard or want to verify how it applies to a particular diamond, contact our team directly. We are happy to walk you through the details — that is the point.