Why GCAL 8X Certification Matters While Buying Lab Grown Diamonds

The preference for and confidence in lab grown diamonds is increasing. Thanks to the many lab grown diamond grading institutions that assess diamonds and provide certification.

While GIA and IGI are considered the global standard lab diamond certification organizations, there’s one more institute that assesses lab diamonds, which offers one of the best certificates.

Why best? That’s because GCAL goes beyond the 4Cs to assess eight critical parameters of lab diamonds.

In this blog, we look at what makes GCAL 8X lab diamond certification so important, why it matters, what it provides, and more.

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What is GCAL 8X certification?

An overview of GCAL

GCAL 8X is a gem certification and assurance lab. It provides a comprehensive and thorough diamond cut grading certificate. GCAL 8X is unique compared to other grading certificates, because it assesses eight aspects of diamonds. Only the best and extraordinary diamonds achieve excellent grades in all eight aspects.

It assesses:

1. Polish

2. External symmetry

3. Proportions

4. Optical brilliance

5. Fire

6. Scintillation

7. Optical symmetry

8. Heats & arrows

What makes the 8X grading unique?

The GCAL 8X certification includes eight aspects when assessing and grading diamonds. While more than half of the diamonds assessed and graded by other institutions are given ‘Excellent’ grades, typically, only 1% of those qualify as 8X.

GACL 8X grading is unique because it grades aspects beyond the 4Cs, which include cut, clarity, color, and carat weight. For a long time, ‘triple excellent’ has been the industry benchmark for diamond grading. However, ‘triple excellent’ doesn’t necessarily mean excellent standard, because the standards are broad. A ‘triple excellent’ diamond can leak light, or doesn’t sparkle as much as it should.

That is why, GCAL created 8X, raising the standards of how diamonds are graded. To achieve an 8X, a diamond has to achieve ‘Excellent’ grade in eight categories – polish, external symmetry, proportions, optical brilliance, fire, scintillation, optical symmetry, and hearts & arrows.

GACL vs. GIA vs. IGI: Key differences

Why GCAL 8X certified lab grown diamonds are better

1. Superior cut precision and light performance

GCAL 8X has a comprehensive evaluation system. It includes three elements of physical excellence: polish, external symmetry, and proportions. Each of these parameters must have an ‘Excellent’ rating to qualify for 8X certification.

Unlike standard certification that assess basic proportions, the GCAL certification considers precision at every level. From flawless polish that allows light to pass through the diamond to ensuring the facets align perfectly for light return.

The GCAL lab grown diamonds must have proportions that fall within precise parameters that maximize the diamond’s optical potential. This thorough approach to assessment ensures that GCAL 8X certified lab diamonds have the parameters for exceptional light performance.

2. Verified brilliance, fire, and scintillation

The GCAL 8X certification assesses three optical qualities – optical brilliance, fire, and scintillation. Each of these must achieve an ‘Excellent’ grade. Optical brilliance is the white light return that lends diamonds sparkle. Fire measures the dispersion of light into spectral colors. And scintillation captures the pattern of light and dark flashes.

While traditional grading methods might fleetingly mention these qualities, GCAL uses proprietary technology to measure and verify them objectively.

3. Strict quality standards for consistency

The GCAL 8X certification measures eight parameters. Beyond the 4Cs, the GCAL system includes physical and light performance metrics, optical symmetry, and hearts and arrows patterning.

The rigorous method used by GCAL means that every lab grown diamond provides consistency, and predictability. When you buy a lab grown diamond with GCAL certification, you can be sure it is measured against the same standards and meets every benchmark.

The benefits of choosing GCAL diamonds 

1. 100% guaranteed accuracy reports

GCAL offers a high level of accountability with the 8X certification. This means, if any assessment is found to be inaccurate, GCAL takes financial responsibility for it. Each diamond undergoes multiple levels of verification by independent gemologists using advanced equipment. This level of guarantee offers peace of mind and satisfaction to lab grown diamond buyers.

2. Lifetime certificate and authenticity guarantee

Every lab grown diamond with GCAL diamond grading comes with a lifetime certificate and guarantee. This lifetime certificate helps in various ways, for instance, in insurance matters, for estate planning, etc.

The certification includes laser inscription on the diamond’s girdle with the GCAL certification number. Moreover, GCAL offers ongoing verification services. Customers can validate their GCAL lab grown diamonds at any time. This system helps with fraud protection.

3. Transparency and trust for online buyers

Today, consumers can easily buy diamonds online via eCommerce stores. GCAL certification provides the transparency and trust with which online buyers can easily buy diamonds. Rather than a subjective description, the GCAL 8X lab diamond certification provides objective and specific quantifiable data about every aspect of the diamonds. Buyers all across the world can get diamonds graded through the same standard.

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Which diamond shapes get the GCAL certification?

GCAL certifies various diamond shapes through the 8X assessment system. The diamond shapes include pear, princess, oval, round, marquise, radiant, cushion, and emerald.

Source

The round brilliant cut was the first diamond shape to receive the GCAL 8X certification and it remains the most widely available GCAL 8X lab diamond option.

The princess cut diamonds have geometric facet patterns and square shape, which create brilliance. The princess cut GCAL 8X certified lab diamonds are evaluated through established performance standards like other diamonds.

GCAL also assesses many fancy cut diamonds to offer the 8X certification. These include oval, pear, marquise, and radiant cut.

GCAL 8X certified lab grown diamonds: pricing and value insights 

GCAL diamond grading certification commands a premium price over standard certification. That’s because GCAL gives ‘Excellent’ grading to only those diamonds that pass all eight parameters. Its exceptional precision cutting and comprehensive verification process differentiates lab grown diamonds assessed by other institutions.

• The GCAL 8X certificate is worth the premium pricing because these lab grown diamonds offer superior visual performance.

• Buyers purchasing diamonds with GCAL 8X buy diamonds with confidence.

• GCAL certification provides guarantee, backed by their ISO 17025 accreditation.

• Consumers purchasing diamonds for special occasions such as engagement rings and wedding rings go for GCAL 8X certification.

• 8X certification’s premium pricing makes sense when buying larger carat weight lab grown diamonds where the cut quality differences become more visible.

• When customers purchase lab grown diamonds online and physical inspection isn’t possible, spending on the GCAL 8X lab diamond premium prices makes sense.

How to verify a GCAL 8X certificate?

1. Check the GCAL certificate number

The GCAL certificate number is displayed in the certificate/report document. For instance, for lab grown diamonds, the certificate number would start with GCAL LG followed by the digits.

2. The GCAL verification portal

The official website of GCAL, www.gcalusa.com, includes a ‘Verify Your Certificate’ section. The portal is accessible 24/7, which makes it easy for customers from across the globe to access the portal and verify their GCAL 8X certification at any time.

3. Check the QR code

GCAL certificates display QR codes on the certificates. This makes it easy for customers to verify their 8X diamond grading certificate via different devices with ease.

Summing up: Should you buy a GCAL 8X lab diamond?

If you’re considering buying GCAL 8X lab diamonds, you’re already on your way to buying the best graded lab diamonds. GCAL assesses diamonds for eight different parameters, unlike other diamond assessment institutions that measure fewer metrics.

Buying GCAL 8X diamonds provides confidence, trust, and assurance of quality. If you’re looking to invest in a diamond for a special occasion, such as an engagement ring or a wedding ring, choosing a premium GCAL 8X lab diamond definitely is a better option.

Explore GCAL 8X Lab Diamonds from Grown Diamond Corporation

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