The International Institute of Diamond Grading & Research (IIDGR), part of the De Beers Group of Companies has announced the agreement of a partnership with the National Association of Jewellers (NAJ) for its diamond grading service in the UK, whereby NAJ members will benefit from preferential terms when they submit diamonds to the IIDGR’s UK lab for diamond grading.

De Beers grading service

IIDGR offers Diamond Grading Reports, and the more concise Diamond Identification Report, from its UK laboratory. Reports are now offered with the enhanced security option of table marking of the grading number, a service unique to IIDGR. All requests will be processed through www.iidgr.com and will require adherence to IIDGR terms and conditions.

Commenting on the partnership, Jonathan Kendall, President, IIDGR, said: “Working with bodies such as the NAJ, IIDGR hopes to bring consistency, accuracy and increased security to the diamond sector. Grading is of central importance to consumer confidence and we therefore see our offer as a great fit with the work of the NAJ. We look forward to working with them and their members.”

Michael Rawlinson, CEO, NAJ, said: “Members of the NAJ are set apart from the industry in general by their desire and endeavour to do their best, and this is their mark of quality. This partnership allows our members to access this first class diamond grading service at the very best rates, and I hope many members will see the results for themselves.”

The grading standards and systems developed by IIDGR are underpinned by the technology developed by De Beers following decades of research. The 21st century processes integrate technology into the grading system by design. Exclusive machines allow digital benchmarking to enhance human skills and established diamond master sets. The use of machines alongside the human expert provides the highest standards of consistency, accuracy and integrity. Every diamond graded will have passed patented tests for synthetics, simulants and treatments.