“SI3” does it exist

 Time,   SI3 is grade that is often used by  those who are selling Diamonds 

             It is not a grade that is recognised by any of the teaching Associations  

             I t is most certainly NOT  a grade that is taught by any teaching institute anywhere; neither the
             GIA, GemA or GAA have such a grade in their teachings 

 body  

            The J&W is now a member of CIBJO and as such we the members should abide by the

            CIBJO rulings and recommendations and SI3 is NOT a grade in the CIBJO articles

            The SI3 grade is one that some diamond merchants use in the process of justifying the price
            charged for their diamonds 

            B oth the GIA and GRD would I am sure totally refute  the existence of an SI3 grading,

             A diamond merchant or anyone for that matter is entitled to state what they want in the selling of

             their goods; but it  does not mean they are correct, anyone is entitled to disagree with the

             gradings of the GIA or  HRD or any laboratory, but are the correct in doing this? 

             Is it ethical to sell and supply your own grading certificate for diamonds?

             I have seen certificates that have split grades VS2/SI1, SI2/SI3 and even SI3/I1 to me this is

             nonsense as when you are grading a loose diamond I was taught to make a call it is either a VS2

             or it is an SI1, if in the course of my practical had I offered such a split grading I  know for sure

             I would have failed

             In the grading of a diamond yes there can be an SI2 diamond that is at the high or low end of the

             scale, but to state it is an SI3 grade when this grade is not a recognised grade is to me unacceptable 

            The GANZ, (Gemmological Assn of NZ) the JASNZ (Jewellery Appraisers Society of NZ) and

            JVS (Jewellery Valuers Society) do not include such  a grade in any of their teachings and all

            agree there is no such grade as SI3  

             With all diamond grading there are many variables and these are the opinion of the appraiser, there are

             just 2 certainties; the weight and the cut grade, instrumentation to determine these is now available,

             the colour and clarity is a matter of the opinion and can vary from appraiser to appraiser, that is

             why most labs have 2 or more graders check the grading so as a consensus can be reached

             Graeme E Petersen F.G.A. 

SI3 Grading

Whilst certainly I and many in the trade would agree in respect to the soft certs issued by some overseas Labs, I am at odds with those attempting to adjust or compromise such internationally recognised Labs of GIA and HRD. Some graders in this country are continuing to apply their own interpretation or split grading and have the audacity to state they grade under GIA standards. I HAVE YET TO SEE FOR EXAMPLE, SI3 OR SI2-I1 OR SI2+ OR I1+ ON ANY GIA CERTIFICATE. The JWNZ & JASNZ align nomenclature with the GIA system and those stepping outside the boundaries according to past president of JASNZ and JWNZ Dennis Blacklaws 'are behaving in a fraudulent manner.'

The twisting of the GIA system has been brought to the GIA's notice and those trying to justify ambiguous terms as already referred to above need to cease forthwith.

What should be clearly understood is that it is the LABORATORY not STONE PRICING LISTS that JASNZ & JWNZ align itself with. Recently the GIA revamped their certs with the addition specifically relating to cut grade of rounds. I do not recall any statement from the GIA pointing out that this could not be proceeded with for fear of having to retrospectively change all the old certificates. This new and important aspect was clearly deemed a necessary update - if alleged SI3 was deemed necessary then it would surely stand to reason that it would have been incorporated, but it was not!

Any continued connection of this alleged SI3 with GIA standard terms is a complete misnomer and further, such terms as SI2-I1 are a misapplication of GIA terms as they do not issue split grade designation.

Ian Shackley