Is the certification of a diamond so crucial when I purchase a diamond?

A diamond grading report, or certification, is very important! It's great that you like the way your diamond looks, but a grading report from a reputable lab like GIA will tell you things about your stone that cannot be seen by the naked or untrained eye. GIA, the lab that developed the 4 C's in the first place, provides the most accurate and reliable reports. Any reputable jeweler should be willing to submit a diamond to GIA for certification. If not, you should question if they are hiding something.

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A diamond certificate is also essential to anyone who is concerned with the origin of the diamond. It is important to be aware of international political warfare that is being funded by the smuggling of conflict diamonds. It is also important to be aware of the environmental impact of diamond mining in specific areas of the world. If these are of any concern to you, then you will insist on buying only certified diamonds.

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A diamond that hasn't been examined by a respected diamond institute is most likely falsely described by its vendor. Sure, independent diamond appraisals could be performed, but this would complicate your purchase process and would cost some money as well. Many jewelry store owners have their diamonds over-graded for marketing reasons (they hire gemologists that provide very "generous" appraisals to their diamonds) and as a diamond consumer you should avoid all this subtle misinformation. 1 color grade can mean more than a $1000 difference for a 1 carat diamond.

In the current diamond market, an official diamond certificate is the only way to obtain a 100% unbiased diamond assessment. The value of a diamond is very hard to calculate. Numerous factors determine the price of a diamond and only an institute that works with proper grading standards could be trusted for giving a correct info regarding a diamond's value.

Needless to say, a diamond consumer could never obtain enough diamond knowledge in order to evaluate a value of a diamond independently.

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Never buy any diamond jewelry without a diamond certificate of authenticity! A jeweler can sell you whatever he pleases at whatever price without a diamond grading report to back it up. Not only that, you should do some research on how to read and understand official diamond certification before you head out to the jewelry shops. It's always best to be an informed customer so no jeweler will try to pull a fast one on you. If your jeweler doesn't offer to show you the diamond report, ask if there is one and say that you'd like to see it. Look for the seal of one of the few accredited diamond grading institutions: the AGS, GIA, EGL, HRD or IGI. The diamond grading report will show you how your diamond rates on all the factors that decide how much the diamond costs, known as the 4cs - clarity, color, carat weight and cut. In most of these categories of diamond evaluation, you'd never be able to distinguish between the differences of diamond grade with your naked eye, so best rely on the diamond experts.

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Sometimes decent diamonds are sold with no certificate, which usually makes them cheaper. If you trust the diamond vendor, then go for it, but I suggest that you still visit an appraiser to examine the diamond's important features.

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