Understanding and Decoding Laser Inscriptions in Fine Jewelry
Fine jewelry, with its dazzling allure and whopping price tags, carries an intrinsic need for certainty. No one wishes to find out that the 'important stone' they purchased is merely moissanite in a diamond's attire! So how can one protect themselves from such culinary deception? The answer is as high tech as it gets – Laser Inscriptions.
What Are Laser Inscriptions?
Before we highlight the 'why', let's delve into the 'what.' Imagine your jeweler as an artist and the laser machine as the brush, creating a masterpiece of trust on a diamond's girdle! This touch of laser creates permanent microscopic inscriptions on the diamond. These inscriptions, visible under 10X magnification, typically feature a unique ID number that matches its grading report.So, how does Moriarty's diamond masquerading as Darcy's become improbable? The answer lies in their unique Identifying Numbers. Each certified diamond comes with a grading report, whose number is laser-inscribed on the stone. Any discrepancy in the number can point out potential foul play.
Decoding Laser Inscriptions
The art of decoding laser inscriptions to ensure authenticity can be as thrilling as that of a spy decoder! Jokes apart, it involves three steps. The identification number is the entrance to this secret fort. Every diamond certifying lab assigns these identification numbers – systems may differ, but the purpose doesn’t. GIA, for example, includes the GIA Report Number and the lab's logo on its inscriptions.While your eyes profoundly gaze upon the charming stone under the microscope, bingo if you locate the inscription. In case it remains elusive, or if you fear that reading glasses are the next step, the jeweler's loupe can be quite handy.
While authenticity reigns supreme, what adds icing to this jeweled cake is that these inscriptions can be personalized. Having your initials or date of an anniversary inscribed on your jewel makes it unique and precious in every sense.
Precautions Are Always Better
Now that you are familiar with this authenticity-check tool, it is also necessary that you know about jewelry care corresponding to laser inscriptions. Jewelry with laser inscriptions requires a bit of gentle care. Harsh cleaning treatments that involve high heat or ultrasound may damage these precious inscriptions, blurring out the lines of safety.If you ever detect any discrepancies in your jewelry’s laser inscription, do not hesitate to contact your jeweler or the pertinent grading lab. Transparency is paramount in this industry, and any hesitation in discussion or resistance to provide information should be a significant red flag.
References:
- GIA (2017). 'The Importance of Inscriptions.'
- Forevermark (2018). 'The Meaning Behind the Inscription.'
- HRD Antwerp (2019). 'The Power of Laser Inscriptions.'