One evaluating diamonds one must thoroughly evaluate its characteristics; whether they are type Ia diamonds or a type IIa diamonds may be irrelevant to its true value. Although type IIa diamonds are more rare that does not necessarily mean they will always be more valuable than a type Ia or even Ib or IIb. President of Graff USA, Henri Barguirdjian explains, "we try to summarize two or three elements – color, clarity, type, fluorescence. Not just one quality on a piece of paper." Barguirdjian explained that auction houses are responsible for the current market atmosphere regarding type IIa diamonds and
Barguirdjian explained that auction houses are responsible for the current market atmosphere regarding type IIa diamonds. Furthermore, he notes the popularity of type as price determines of diamonds that has only occurred within the past 5 to 7 years. This is the case because the Gemological Institute of America only started designating the different diamond types within the past 10 years. These labels, in turn, provided consumers with yet another mechanism to differentiate and evaluate diamond values.
Since diamonds have been separated into four distinct subtypes: Ia, IIa, Ib, and IIb there has been a misuse and overuse of the term type IIa especially when the Indian mine Golconda is mentioned. It is without a doubt that the Golconda mine has produced some of the finest diamond material in the world however not all diamonds retrieved from the Golconda mine are type IIa. Many people assume that the all the diamonds from this prestigious mine are of exceptional material, shine, and brilliance. Unfortunately, that is not the case. It is important to note that the term Golconda and type IIa are not interchangeable.
Chairman of Sotherby's jewelry department for the Middle East and Europe, David Bennett goes on to say "before GIA and certificates became de rigueur, you talk about 'first water' or 'limpidity' and every new what you are talking about. Many diamond producing regions produce type IIa stones, including Brazil, South Africa, and Central Africa.
If you are going to have a white diamond, type IIa is the cherry on the cake. It's something you can say about it, another detailed, something positive. There is no reliable diagnostic tests that can show categorically that a diamond is of a certain geographic origin. What we do know is that the prime origin of diamonds from antiquity was Golconda. Rappaport Magazine, recently spoke with Tom Moses of GIA about the overuse of the term type IIa, he says "we have always been careful to stay that there is no scientific means to determine the geographical origin of diamonds, so I am not overly concerned what may be inferred from a GIA letter."
Nevertheless, GIA, as well as other diamond grading laboratories, indicate the type for a specific stone. This lends credibility to its importance. For example, in May 2013 Christie's held an auction in Hong Kong for a pearl and diamond pendant. They were accompanied by two laboratory certificates; one certified by the Gemological Institute of America and the other a prestigious Swiss lab Gubelin.
The GIA letter reads as follows.
"Type IIa diamonds were first identified as originating from India. Particularly from the Golconda region, but have since been recovered and all major diamond-producing regions of the world."
The pendants other certificates by Gubelin that the "diamond of this type exhibiting an antique cutting style as well as a fine quality are very rare and will most certainly you vote references to the historic term of 'Golconda."
Some suggest these catalog comments are an invitation to distort the line between type IIa and the historic Golconda designation.
Type IIa Diamonds are some of the most brilliant and expensive materials on Earth.http://www.rwwise.com/tgd2.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/18/fashion/18iht-acaj-diamonds-18.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
http://www.nationaljeweler.com/diamonds/supply/95-carat-Type-IIa-d-2541.shtml
