Diamond Certificates
Posted by: | Comments
Bottom Line Recommendation: Some labs are more strict, and some are more loose. All that matters, though, is that you pay the right price for the diamond you are buying. If you are buying online blind (using James Allen’s cutting edge diamond viewing tool is very much recommended), then stick with the GIA which is the most consistent lab available. I have personally witnessed numerous gross mistakes by each major gemological lab (yes, including the GIA).
When you’re a big diamond company, and you’re sending thousands of stones a month to a lab, 5% inconsistency isn’t such a big deal. But as a consumer, why risk being stuck with that 5%? Just always keep in mind that you are buying a diamond, not a piece of paper.
When choosing a diamond, the reliability of the color and clarity grades (and in some instances the cut grades) is only as good as the certifying gem lab’s reputation. But there’s one important thing to remember, the only thing that really matters when discussing different labs is not how strict they are, but how consistent they are. If one lab consistently offers a single color upgrade over another lab, then that lab is by no means less “authentic.” All diamond grading is subjective, and contrary to popular belief, there is no one central organization to define mathematically what a “G” color is or what an “SI1” clarity looks like. So if one lab will consistently call one color grade “G” while another lab will consistently call that same color “H”, it’s perfectly acceptable and reasonable — as long as they do so consistently. You, as a consumer, though, need to remember one more very important thing: the price needs to be right for the diamond, regardless of the accompanying certificate.
Also, it is important to realize that every lab has its quirks. Some are looser in color. Some are looser in clarity. Some will always upgrade specific color ranges, while others favor particular arrangements of inclusions. Smart diamond companies use this knowledge (gained from sending thousands of diamonds a month to different labs) to maximize their results.
Click on the images below to read about different specific labs.
If you have any questions, please post them in the comments below. I will usually respond within 24 hours.
Related posts:
- IGI vs GIA
- Worth it to Fly UK to Dubai to buy a Diamond?
- GIA
- Should You Be Worried? Jewelers Evaluating Diamonds Independently
- GIA Reporting Increased Business
trying to find out if AGI is a reputable certification, any thoughts?
No it is not a legitimate certificate.
I am looking for a unique engagement ring on a low budget ($2000). Is it safe to buy a ring from a site like ebay or etsy if the jeweler has a ABCG cert or appraisal? This is the ring I am looking at- http://www.etsy.com/listing/82066164/14k-white-gold-blue-white-diamonds
Thanks
Hi Owen,
That is not a legitimate certificate at all. We have found that Ebay offers terrible value for consumers in diamonds. The only ones that are ever decent deals are the ones put up by other consumers that want to sell their ring. These are so few and far between, and there is the problem of not being able to verify quality, that I don’t think Ebay is worth your time.
Hi mike,
I saw your assistance and sincerity in helping others buying diamonds.
I would like to know if you are able to tell the diamonds are real or fake from
diamond beat – http://www.diamondbeat.com/
jewelry by novel – http://www.jewelrybynovel.com/
blue nile- http://www.bluenile.com/
If they are real, which website would you recommend ?
If they are fake, any other budget trusted website to intro?
I was looking at diamond beat webby for a 0.4 ct D FL round cut ring at USD900
Can you please give advices ?
Will greatly appreciate it!
Thanks.
Regards,
Alan
You can’t get a D FL for anywhere close to that price. Make sure its a legitimate certificate.
THANKS AGAIN!!!
Hi,
My fiance’ and I are looking between to rings on two different web sites, The first
one is: bridalrings.com, the item #34694 The price without the center stone is $1400
w/(60) prong set full cut brillant dia. weighting 0.57 in 18 karat white gold also,
the matching band is #1450 the total for both is $2850, they offer a lifetime warranty
and an appraisal certificate, they use GIA or (I believe) this is the spelling EGLIEA
appraisal certificate. And, the second web is VIP Jewerly Art, the description is 2.00
ct. Braided Princess cut engagement set in Platinum setting.The price with the center
stone is: $4399.00. Diamond information is Color F-G Clarity VS2-SI1 Cut: Very good
they use, ABCG, American Board of Certified Gemologists. What do you think about them
both?
Thank you for your time, and any information you can give will be Greatly
appreicicted!!
time, any information would be Greatly appreciated!!!
bridalrings.com is a despicable website. They try to deceive people by saying they have a ‘GIA standard lab’ trying to imply that they have those standards. They do not. You should stay far away from them.
As for the other diamond, that is not a legitimate certificate. Your best bet is to stick with a legitimate certificate (GIA/AGS). You don’t save money with these certs, you just get a far lower quality diamond.
Thank you!!!!! for the information.
We live on the west coast, we were thinking having a ring custom made, we have a emerald cut. do you have any suggestions of what jewerlier, we would could use and be there in person..
I wouldn’t know who to recommend for that. The best custom jewelry department we’ve experienced online is at http://www.briangavindiamonds.com . You may need to buy the center diamond elsewhere, but they have a great custom design team.
Thank-you!!!!!
I email Zoara, I got their name from your site… I wiil contact them also. Do you have a perfenece to 14 or 18 White gold or platinum, Which is sturder, shinier etc. also. is some rings hollow, they seem SO lite, almost not real. I will tell my friends about your AWESOME site!!!! THANK-YOU AGAIN!!!!!
I don’t have a preference between 14kt and 18kt but I think platinum is a waste of money.
Hi There
My fiance saw a very original looking ring in platinum. It was a 0.5 carat Brilliant shape, VS2, D colour, Good cut. It had a further 8 x small diamonds making up another 0.50 carats on the shoulders (but I don’t have the specs for these). It was certified by the EGL and although I’m aware I don’t have the full specs I wondered if you’re able to advise a rough value. The ring costs £3400 (around $5100) which I believe is massively overpriced.
Many thanks!
No way to truly tell what it is unfortunately. But lets assume the ring itself is about $2000. A stone like you described is probably an F SI1 or F SI2 in GIA terms. Here’s something to compare it to:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-SI2-Fair-Cut-Round-Diamond-1475479.asp
What do you think about darasdiamonds.com? They use a certification called GGS (Gemological Grading Service). Have you heard of it?
They offer diamonds at way lower cost (like 50%) than most sites I have researched for similar quality stones. I feel like there has to be a catch but they tell me prices are so low because they are wholesalers.
I am trying to buy my wife diamond stud earrings for under 2k budgett, here is an example on the darasdiamonds.com site..
Http://www.darasdiamonds.com/earrings/1.00%20Ct.%20D-VS1%20Round%20Cut%20Diamond%20Stud%20Earrings
Dont know the site, but that lab isn’t a reliable lab. The stones are 50% cheaper because they’re 75% lower in quality. As I like to say, you’re not comparing apples to apples. You’re comparing apples to rotten apples.
I just bought an engagement ring from Blue Nile. Here’s the diamond itself.
http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-or-less-ideal-cut-h-color-si1-clarity_LD02464686
I am just wondering if the certification is okay, or if I should consider getting a different diamond that is GIA only. Thank you for your time.
It’s fine