- Certified Gemologist Appraiser (CGA), the highest credentials in the profession with 4 CGA's on staff.
- First Accredited Gem Lab in Arkansas.
- An almost 50 year history of ethical and professional conduct, each year being re-examined and re-certified by the American Gem Society.
- Knowledgeable and professional advice on what quality factors are most important to you when selecting your diamond.
- Everything we tell you we will put in writing and notarize, so it becomes a legal document.
- Every diamond comes with a Certified Appraisal, complete with photograph and all grading data.
- Full value (100% of diamond value) allowed when you trade up. No time limitation.
Why Buy A Diamond From Underwoods Vs The Internet Or Some Other Source?
Because Underwoods selects diamonds at the “top end” of each grading bracket and that makes a difference in beauty and value. Our AGS Accredited Gem Lab, the first in Arkansas, allows us to grade diamond quality to much closer tolerances. For instance, even if a diamond you are considering comes with a grading report or certificate from a lab, the grading is done is brackets. And these grading brackets are spread approximately 10% apart in cut and clarity and 5% apart in color. So it is possible to have two diamonds with exactly the same stated grade from a lab that are as much as 25% apart (10% + 5% +10%) because of bracketing. Obviously, the diamond that is at the top of the bracket is considerably more desirable even though both diamonds carry the same “grade” and the same price. Because of our Accredited Gem Lab and Beauty Grade ® machine, we are able to “cherry pick” those diamonds at the top of the brackets.
(and why trust is important)
One of the most frequent statements we hear from our customers goes something like this: “I have come to Underwoods because I want to deal with someone I can trust. I realize I don't know how to judge diamonds and I want to deal with someone who does…..and who has a reputation to protect”.
The Diamond Trade is one of the last bastions of: “A man's (or woman's) word is his bond.” And for centuries diamond dealers have sealed multi-million deals with a handshake. There is a “Trust Factor” that often transcends several generations of the same family….and it is established by those same several generations of honest and reputable business practices. But in recent years, sellers of diamonds have come into the marketplace who are unknown and unproven. This is especially true with Internet sellers because the transactions are conducted electronically and the federal mail fraud laws do not apply. So claims, however fictitious, can be made without fear of prosecution and it becomes almost impossible for the buyer to locate and take legal action. By contrast, Underwoods brings you almost half a century of knowledge, integrity, and a name you can trust.