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Guide to BIS Hallmark
(Trusted Gold Purity Explained)
Gold is emotion, tradition and often an investment. At Zorba Diamond, we believe every customer should buy gold with absolute confidence. The BIS Hallmark is India’s official stamp of that trust — here’s a clear, elegant guide you can use for website copy, showroom panels, or customer handouts.
What is the BIS Hallmark?
The BIS Hallmark is an official certification issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards that verifies the purity and fineness of gold and silver jewellery sold in India. Introduced in April 2000, hallmarking protects buyers from misrepresentation and ensures the metal meets nationally accepted standards.
Why Hallmarked Gold Matters
- Assured purity: You don’t have to rely on claims — hallmark proves the metal’s fineness.
- Resale confidence: A hallmarked piece carries verified value when exchanged or sold.
- Consumer protection: Prevents fraud and builds trust between buyer and jeweller.
- Peace of mind: Ideal for investment purchases and heirloom pieces.
Who Can Hallmark Jewellery?
Only BIS-approved jewellers and assaying centres may hallmark items. Always buy from reputed, certified jewellers — like Zorba Diamond — who provide hallmarked pieces and a Hallmark Certificate.
The Five Marks of a BIS Hallmark
A genuine BIS hallmark contains five clear elements stamped on the piece:
1. BIS Standard Mark — The official triangular BIS logo, indicating third-party verification.
2. Purity Grade (Fineness Number) — A three-digit number representing purity (e.g., 916 for 22K, 750 for 18K, 585 for 14K).
3. Assaying / Hallmark Centre Mark — Identifier of the BIS-approved centre that tested the item.
4. Year of Marking — A code letter denoting the year the item was hallmarked.
5. Jeweller’s Mark — The unique maker’s or retailer’s identification stamp.
Tip: All five marks are tiny but legible — check them carefully before purchase.
Quick Reference: Purity Numbers
● 22K = 916 → 91.6% gold
● 18K = 750 → 75.0% gold
● 14K = 585 → 58.5% gold
How to Verify a Hallmarked Item
- Look for all five stamps on the piece.
- Ask for the BIS Hallmark Certificate and a bill.
- Purchase from a jeweller who displays their BIS approval and provides lab/assay details.
Zorba Diamond Promise
At Zorba Diamond, every eligible gold item is hallmarked and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. We only source from trusted suppliers and partner with BIS-approved assaying centres — because trust is the finest carat of all.
GSI Certification (Gemological Science International)
GSI Certification (Gemological ScienceInternational)
In today’s world, trust and transparency are the true foundations of fine jewellery. When investing in something as meaningful and valuable as a diamond, certification becomes your ultimate assurance of authenticity, quality, and value.
This is where Gemological Science International (GSI) comes in — one of the most respected global authorities in diamond and gemstone grading.
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💠 Why Certified Jewellery Matters
A diamond isn’t just a purchase — it’s a symbol of emotion, elegance, and investment. But before it shines on your finger, it must first be verified for what lies within: its cut, colour, clarity, and carat weight.
A certified diamond ensures:
- Authenticity – the diamond you buy is natural and genuine.
- Transparency – every detail, from inclusions to brilliance, is documented.
- Value assurance – the price you pay matches the quality you receive.
- Global recognition – certification adds resale and insurance value.
At Zorba Diamond, every certified piece comes with documentation from trusted laboratories like GSI, giving our customers complete confidence in their jewellery’s integrity.
What is GSI Certification?
Gemological Science International (GSI) is a leading independent gemological laboratory headquartered in New York, with a presence across major diamond markets worldwide.
GSI offers scientific grading, identification, and appraisal for diamonds, coloured gemstones, and finished jewellery.
Each stone is evaluated by expert gemologists using state-of-the-art technology, and the grading follows the universally accepted 4Cs – Carat, Colour, Clarity, and Cut.
Beyond these, GSI also analyses:
- Fluorescence levels
- Symmetry and proportions
- Treatment detection using UV and fluorescence imaging
This ensures every certified piece meets the highest standards of quality and transparency.
🔍 What Makes GSI Certification Unique
- Impartial & Independent
GSI operates as an unaffiliated organisation, ensuring grading that is fair, transparent, and unbiased — with no commercial influence from the diamond trade. - Advanced Technology
GSI employs proprietary grading software and automated imaging systems that reduce human error and maintain precision consistency across evaluations. - Comprehensive Grading Reports
Every GSI certificate includes detailed information about:
- Diamond proportions and symmetry
- Clarity characteristics and inclusions map
- Colour and fluorescence grade
- Finishing details and comments on treatments, if any
The result is a scientifically backed report you can trust.
🪙 Why Zorba Diamond Trusts GSI
At Zorba Diamond, integrity is as important as artistry.
By working with internationally recognised certification bodies such as GSI, we ensure that every diamond we sell meets the strictest global standards of purity and craftsmanship.
Each certified piece tells you exactly what you’re buying — a diamond that’s authentic, accurately graded, and ethically sourced.
💬 Do You Always Need GSI Certification?
While GSI is among the world’s leading laboratories, the key is buying jewellery certified by any reputable gemological institute such as GSI, IGI, or GIA.
What truly matters is that your diamond is backed by independent, scientific evaluation.
Purchasing uncertified jewellery exposes you to risks — from inaccurate grading to inflated pricing and potential challenges with insurance or resale.
At Zorba Diamond, we ensure every certified diamond gives you the one thing money can’t buy — peace of mind.
💎 Zorba Diamond — Where Every Certified Sparkle Speaks of Trust.
IGI Certification (InternationalGemological Institute)
Diamonds are more than just gems — they are symbols of love, milestones, and timeless value. But when investing in something so precious, trust becomes essential. How do you know that the diamond sparkling before you is truly worth its brilliance?
That’s where IGI — the International Gemological Institute — becomes your most trusted ally.
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💠 What is the International Gemological Institute (IGI)?
Founded in 1975 in Antwerp, the International Gemological Institute (IGI) is the world’s largest independent gemological laboratory. With offices across major global jewellery hubs — including New York, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Mumbai, and New Delhi — IGI is a name synonymous with credibility, precision, and global standards in diamond and gemstone certification.
Every diamond or gemstone certified by IGI undergoes scientific testing and grading by expert gemologists using advanced equipment and internationally accepted grading parameters.
An IGI certificate provides a detailed evaluation of a gemstone’s:
- Cut – craftsmanship and symmetry
- Colour – hue and transparency
- Clarity – inclusions and purity
- Carat Weight – actual size and weight
Each report serves as the gemstone’s authentic “identity card”, guaranteeing that what you see — and what you pay for — are perfectly aligned.
Why IGI Certification Matters
Not all gemstones are created equal. Two diamonds may look identical to the eye but differ drastically in value. Subtle differences in clarity, treatments, or even origin can dramatically affect a gem’s worth.
That’s why certification is more than paperwork — it’s your assurance of truth and transparency.
An IGI certificate ensures that:
- Your diamond or gemstone is authentic and natural.
- Any treatments or enhancements are clearly disclosed.
- The stone’s 4Cs are graded by experts using scientific instruments.
- You can compare stones fairly, based on the same trusted standards.
💬 Zorba Tip: Certification is like a gemstone’s passport — it validates its journey from nature to your hands.
The Three IGI Reports
IGI provides three types of certification reports, depending on your purchase:
1. Diamond Report
A detailed, internationally recognised assessment of the diamond’s cut, colour, clarity, and carat weight, along with any treatments or enhancements.
This report is available for natural and lab-grown diamonds of all sizes, offering complete transparency.
2. Coloured Stone Report
Gemstones such as sapphires, emeralds, rubies, and others are analysed for:
- Type and variety
- Cut, shape, and carat weight
- Colour and clarity
- Treatment disclosure
- Country of origin (on request)
This ensures that your gemstone is genuine, naturally formed, and ethically sourced.
3. Jewellery Report
A hallmark IGI innovation — this report covers the entire finished jewellery piece.
It analyses both the metal (purity and weight) and the mounted stones, describing their cut, colour, clarity, and overall craftsmanship — without altering or removing the settings.
Ideal for engagement rings, necklaces, and high-value sets, this report provides holistic authentication in one document.
🔍 The IGI Advantage
- Global Trust: Recognised and accepted by jewellers and institutions across the world.
- Unbiased Grading: Independent and neutral certification ensures absolute objectivity.
- Technological Precision: Uses cutting-edge imaging and spectroscopy for accurate results.
- Digital Verification: IGI maintains a global database for all certified gemstones — ensuring authenticity even years later.
💎 Zorba Diamond’s Commitment to Certified Brilliance
At Zorba Diamond, every diamond and gemstone is sourced and sold with complete transparency.
We partner exclusively with globally trusted laboratories like IGI, GSI, and BIS, ensuring that each piece you choose is scientifically verified and ethically crafted.
Because we believe that true luxury lies not just in sparkle — but in trust you can see and certification you can verify.
💬 Zorba Diamond — Where Every Certified Gem Tells a Story of Purity, Precision, and Perfection.
SGL Certification(Solitaire Gem Laboratories)
They say diamonds are forever — symbols of love, milestones, and timeless memories. But forever begins with trust. When investing in something as rare and meaningful as a diamond, you deserve absolute certainty — not assumptions.
That’s where Solitaire Gem Laboratories (SGL) brings science, precision, and credibility into your purchase.
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💠 What is Solitaire Gem Laboratories (SGL)?
Solitaire Gemmological Laboratories Ltd. (SGL) is a globally recognised gem testing laboratory renowned for its transparent and reliable diamond certification.
An independent and international authority, SGL operates across major jewellery hubs including London, Dubai, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Pune, providing consistent grading standards across all locations.
Every diamond tested at SGL undergoes detailed scientific analysis by trained gemologists using advanced instruments.
The resulting SGL certificate verifies every aspect of the diamond’s authenticity, proportions, and quality — empowering you to buy with clarity, confidence, and certainty.
💎 Why Diamond Certification Matters
Diamonds may look alike, but their value, rarity, and brilliance can vary dramatically.
Without a certificate, it’s nearly impossible to know whether a stone is natural, treated, or synthetic — and whether the 4Cs (cut, colour, clarity, carat) are as claimed.
That’s why certification isn’t just a formality; it’s your safeguard — a universal language of trust in the jewellery industry.
An SGL certificate guarantees that your diamond has been:
- Scientifically evaluated using precise instruments
- Graded for cut, colour, clarity, and carat weight
- Verified for authenticity (natural vs. treated or synthetic)
- Recorded in the SGL global database for traceability
💬 Zorba Tip: Think of certification as your diamond’s DNA — unique, verifiable, and irreplaceable.
💎 The Reports Offered by SGL
SGL offers two primary report types, catering to both loose diamonds and mounted jewellery.
1. Diamond Report
A comprehensive analysis of a loose diamond, detailing its 4Cs and overall character:
- Cut: Defines brilliance and symmetry. The higher the cut grade, the greater the sparkle.
- Colour: The less colour, the more rare and desirable the diamond.
- Clarity: Assesses inclusions or blemishes — even those invisible to the naked eye.
- Carat Weight: The physical weight of the diamond; price rises with size, but beauty depends on balance, not just weight.
Beyond these, SGL certification introduces a fifth “C” — Confidence.
Because when your diamond is SGL certified, you don’t just see brilliance — you know its story.
2. Diamond Jewellery Report
For finished jewellery, SGL analyses both the metal and mounted stones without altering the setting.
This report details:
- Metal purity and weight
- Gemstone cut, clarity, colour, and carat
- Craftsmanship details
Each report carries the SGL Diamond Trust Mark — a global symbol of integrity and uncompromising standards.
💫 Advanced Services by SGL
- Diamond Sealing: Protects your certified diamond in a tamper-proof sealed pack, linking it to its grading report.
- Lab-Grown Diamond Screening: Detects and distinguishes natural diamonds from lab-grown ones using advanced testing methods.
- Online Verification: Every SGL report can be verified digitally through the SGL Report Database, ensuring full transparency.
💬 Do All Diamonds Need SGL Certification?
Not every diamond is SGL certified — but every smart diamond purchase should be certified by a recognised gemological lab.
An SGL certificate doesn’t make a diamond better — it proves what it truly is.
Without one, you rely solely on the seller’s word, which can lead to misrepresentation or overpricing.
At Zorba Diamond, we never leave trust to chance. Every certified diamond is accompanied by its laboratory report, giving our customers clarity, confidence, and credibility in every sparkle.
💎 Zorba Diamond Promise: Certified Brilliance, Guaranteed Trust
Every Zorba creation is more than beautiful — it’s verified, transparent, and true.
Partnering with trusted global labs like SGL, IGI, GSI, and BIS, we ensure that your jewellery isn’t just breathtaking — it’s certified to be authentically yours, forever.
💬 Zorba Diamond — Where Every Certificate Speaks the Language of Trust.
GIA Certification (GemologicalInstitute of America)
Every diamond tells a story — of nature, brilliance, and emotion. But behind that sparkle lies science, precision, and credibility.
When it comes to global trust in diamonds, no name shines brighter than the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) — the world’s most respected authority in gemology.
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What is GIA?
Founded in 1931, the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) is a non-profit organization and the world’s foremost authority on diamonds, coloured gemstones, and pearls.
Headquartered in Carlsbad, California, GIA operates laboratories and research centres in major diamond hubs worldwide, including New York, Hong Kong, Antwerp, Mumbai, and Tokyo.
GIA is not just a certification body — it is the creator of the 4Cs (Cut, Colour, Clarity, Carat) and the International Diamond Grading System™ used across the global jewellery industry today.
In short, when a diamond is GIA certified, it’s not just authentic — it’s benchmarked against the highest scientific standards in the world.
Why GIA Certification Matters
A GIA certificate represents uncompromising integrity and scientific precision.
Each diamond submitted to GIA undergoes independent analysis by expert gemologists using advanced gemological instruments.
A GIA Diamond Grading Report includes:
- Carat Weight – The diamond’s exact weight, measured to the hundredth of a carat.
- Colour Grade – From D (colourless) to Z (light yellow/brown). The less colour, the higher the grade.
- Clarity Grade – Evaluation of internal inclusions and surface blemishes, from Flawless (FL) to Included (I).
- Cut Grade – Analysis of light performance, symmetry, and polish, graded from Excellent to Poor.
The report also includes a unique GIA Report Number, often laser-inscribed on the diamond’s girdle, allowing easy online verification through the GIA Report Check database.
🔬 What Sets GIA Apart
1. Scientific Authority:
GIA established the global diamond grading system, setting the foundation for every reputable lab in the world.
- Neutral & Non-Profit:
GIA is fully independent and non-commercial, meaning its grading is objective, unbiased, and research-driven. - Global Recognition:
GIA-certified diamonds are recognised and trusted universally — ideal for collectors, investors, and discerning buyers. - Cutting-Edge Technology:
Each stone is examined using spectroscopy, magnification, and advanced imaging, ensuring accuracy at every stage. - Laser Inscription & Verification:
Each certified diamond can be traced through GIA’s secure online database — a hallmark of transparency and authenticity.
💎 Types of GIA Reports
GIA offers several types of reports based on the diamond or jewellery:
1. GIA Diamond Grading Report
Provides a full evaluation of the diamond’s 4Cs, proportions, and light performance. Ideal for loose, natural diamonds.
2. GIA Diamond Dossier®
A concise version of the grading report for diamonds under 2.0 carats. Includes laser inscription for identification.
3. GIA Laboratory-Grown Diamond Report
Specifically for lab-grown diamonds, this report uses distinct descriptions and grading parameters to ensure clarity for buyers.
4. GIA Coloured Stone Report
For sapphires, rubies, emeralds, and other coloured gems — detailing identification, treatments, and origin analysis.
Why Zorba Diamond Trusts GIA
At Zorba Diamond, our commitment goes beyond beauty — it extends to truth and transparency.
We proudly source and sell diamonds certified by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), ensuring every stone meets the world’s most stringent standards.
A GIA certificate not only validates authenticity but also safeguards your investment — giving you confidence that the diamond’s beauty is matched by its integrity.
HRD Antwerp Certificate ?
HRD Antwerp (Hoge Raad voor Diamant) is one of the world’s leading diamond certification laboratories,
based in Antwerp, Belgium — one of
the global centers for the diamond trade.
It was founded in 1976 and is recognized internationally
for providing independent and reliable
diamond grading reports.
It’s often compared with GIA (Gemological Institute of America)
and IGI (International Gemological
Institute) as one of the top 3
diamond grading authorities.
📜 Importance of an HRD Antwerp Certificate
An HRD certificate ensures:
1. Authenticity – Confirms the diamond is natural, not synthetic or treated.
2. Transparency – Provides full grading details (4Cs: Cut, Colour, Clarity, Carat).
3. Trust in trade – Recognized by global jewelers, wholesalers, and retailers.
4. Value protection – Certified diamonds hold stronger resale and insurance value.
5. Conflict-free assurance – HRD follows strict ethical sourcing and testing protocols.
Essentially, it’s a passport for a diamond’s identity and quality — helping avoid disputes in B2B or retail transactions.
📋 Types of Reports HRD Antwerp Provides
1. Diamond Grading Report
For loose diamonds, it covers:
● Carat weight
● Colour grade (D–Z)
● Clarity grade (FL–I3)
● Cut grade (Excellent–Poor)
● Polish, symmetry, fluorescence
● Proportion diagram and laser inscription (if applicable)
✅ This is the most common report used by manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers.
2. Sealed Diamond Report
● The diamond is graded and sealed in a tamper-proof plastic casing with its certificate number.
● Useful for wholesale trade and consumer confidence, as it ensures the stone hasn’t been swapped or altered.
3. Jewellery Report
For finished jewellery pieces containing diamonds.
Includes:
● Total diamond weight
● Quality range of stones
● Type of metal
● Visual image of the jewelry item
✅ Commonly used for brand authentication and export documentation.
4. Natural Diamond ID Report
● Confirms whether a diamond is natural or synthetic.
● Ideal for checking CVD/HPHT lab-grown vs. natural origin.
5. Colour Diamond Report
● Specialized grading for fancy-colored diamonds (e.g., yellow, pink, blue).
● Evaluates hue, tone, and saturation.
🔍 Summary Table
Report Type
Purpose
Key Use
Diamond Grading Report
Full 4C evaluation of loose diamond
Certification & trade
Sealed Diamond Report
Diamond sealed for safety
B2B, retail assurance
Jewellery Report
For finished jewellery
Retail/export
Natural Diamond ID
Confirms natural vs lab-grown
Origin verification
Colour Diamond Report
Fancy colored diamond grading
High-end stones
Zorba Diamond Promise: Certified to Perfection
Every Zorba diamond reflects our belief that luxury should come with honesty, heritage, and proof.
By partnering with trusted global authorities like HRD ANTWERP , GIA, IGI, GSI, SGL, and BIS, we ensure that every gemstone is scientifically graded, ethically sourced, and beautifully crafted — so your sparkle is as true as your love.