Keeping Our Members Safe - Take-in Procedures

28 Feb 2022

It is important to remind all our members about the take-in procedures provided by the NAJ’s Education Department and used by our Members and Fellows of the NAJ’s Institute of Registered Valuers when carrying out valuations.

The prevalence of synthetic and treated diamonds is increasing.  Whilst the valuer may be able to identify microscopic treatments such as glass filling and laser drilling, the possibility of identifying HPHT; radiation treated diamonds or synthetic diamonds is outside the scope of basic gemmological testing equipment used by most NAJ members and Members and Fellows of the NAJ’s Institute of Registered Valuers.

If a principal diamond is accompanied by a report from a recognised diamond laboratory, the nature of the diamond will be presumed by the valuer according to the report.  However, if the diamond has not been confirmed as natural and untreated by a laboratory, it can be sent to a recognised laboratory for testing allowing positive identification in all but the rarest of cases, prior to valuation, or repair work; this will involve additional time and costs but would mean that the diamond would have an independent diamond report in addition to a valuation report, or would assist the NAJ member to identify the diamond prior to any repair work being carried out. We recognise that not all customers will want to have their diamond checked as natural or laboratory-grown, laboratory-created, but in drawing this to the attention of the public, it is carrying out due diligence.

Along with this NAJ educational take-in document, there is also the correct terminology update provided by the NAJ and supported internationally by the whole of the jewellery industry.

When and Where to use the Diamond Terminology Guideline

The leadership of NAJ, AWDC, CIBJO, GJEPC, IDI, IDMA, NDC, WDC and WFDB strongly recommend all traders, sector bodies and other organisations comply with the guideline on all documents, websites and other means of communication that are intended to e.g. sell, buy and promote diamonds, synthetic diamonds, gemstones, gemmological laboratory reports, diamond jewellery and synthetic diamond jewellery.

NAJ Take-in document

Diamond Terminology Guidance

Source: National Association of Jewellers