Certifying Your Diamond

Confirmation of such an important purchase is always comforting. A certificate for your diamond is given by an independent gem laboratory and gives details about the physical characteristic of your diamond. The certificate will confirm your jeweler’s claim. You may also use your certificate for insurance purposes. It would be wise to obtain an appraisal along with your certificate for insurance purposes, in case you need to replace it with a stone of comparable value. This can be done by an appraiser with a background in gemology. The appraiser will confirm that the stone matches the certificate. Look for an appraiser who is not involved in buying or selling jewelry. Do not agree to the appraiser’s fee being based on a percentage of the appraisal value. For a list of appraisers in your area, contact the Appraiser’s Association of America: (212) 889-5404.


Certificates

Certificates are a diamond grading report that provides unbiased information including the diamond’s physical characteristics, color, clarity, carat weight, etc. It is provided by an independent gem laboratory such as:

GIA/Gem Trade Laboratory

EGL (European Gemological Laboratory)

AGL (American Gemological Laboratory)

Certificates authenticate the diamond specifications and assure you that the stone is natural and has not been treated by any artificial processes.


When There Is No Certificate

Smaller “middle of the road” stones may not be accompanied by a certificate. It is suggested to have your diamond certified by an independent lab. You may ask your jeweler to send your diamond to a nationally recognized lab if certification is important to you. Be sure to explain to your jeweler that the lab’s report will determine your purchase of the stone. Do not use a small local lab and be aware that certification may take several weeks and can be quite pricey.


Why Get An Appraisal?

Homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policies should cover jewelry, be sure that you have enough coverage to cover your ring. It is advisable to be informed of the value of your ring by obtaining an appraisal. An appraisal will come in handy should your ring be stolen, lost or damaged. It will be used to replace your ring to the same value that you had originally purchased.

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