Top 10 Important Facts about Certified Diamonds

You may be wondering what the difference is between certified diamonds and diamonds that do not come with a certification. Here are the top 10 facts to know about certified diamonds and why diamond certifications are so important when shopping for diamonds and diamond studded jewelry:

1. A diamond certification is likened to a diamond’s passport. It lists the diamond’s various qualities, including the diamond’s 4 C’s (its clarity, cut and color grades, as well as its carat weight), any internal inclusions and external blemishes the diamond may possess, whether the diamond had undergone any clarity or color enhancement treatments, etc.
2. A diamond certification is issued by licensed gemologist labs, the most well-renowned being the AGS (American Gem Society) and the GIA (Gemological Institute of America). These gemological labs are known for their expertise in all things concerning diamonds and precious gemstones.
3. A diamond certificate not only ensures the quality of a diamond or precious gemstone, it also guarantees the gemstone’s authenticity, discerning whether the diamond was naturally formed or whether it was synthetically made. Generally speaking, diamonds which were naturally formed are worth more than synthetic or artificial diamonds as natural diamonds are increasingly rarer, and thus considered to be more valuable than synthetically formed diamonds.
4. Diamond vendors and retailers will not trade in gemstones that lack a proper certificate of authentication as there is no way to determine whether the diamond or precious gemstone is truly authentic.
5. Since a diamond certificate of authentication is practically the best way of guaranteeing the authenticity of your selected diamond, it is highly recommended that you avoid diamonds and diamond studded jewelry that lacks an approved certificate.
6. If the diamond is under a certain carat weight, if it is relatively small in size, it may not come with an approved certificate of authentication as gemological labs will not bother certifying said diamonds.
7. A diamond certificate may tell you the quality and authenticity of a diamond or precious gemstone, but it will not list the diamond’s value. Although it is true that a diamond’s value is determined by the diamond’s 4 C’s, it is also influenced by a number of additional factors, such as market fluctuations, changes in diamond trends and popularity, etc.
8. A diamond appraisal cannot replace an AGS or GIA approved certificate of authentication. A diamond appraisal is designed to give you a rough estimate of the gemstone’s value and an appraiser will be able to verify the authentication of a diamond, but his testimony is not as binding as a proper certificate of authentication.
9. If your diamond or diamond jewelry lacks proper certification you may encounter difficulty when trying to sell your diamond as diamonds that are not certified are considered to be suspicious and will most likely not be traded.
10. An insurance company may refuse insuring a diamond that lacks the proper certificate of authentication.