Why should I buy a certified Diamond?

Name: Gabriel Edward Jewelers
Price range: $$

Diamonds graded by reputable labs like the GIA are the best choice for your ring

When shopping for an Engagement Ring, the center Diamond should always be certified. Why? Because without a grading report from a reputable 3^rd party lab, the jeweler selling the stone can subjectively grade it to whatever quality they’d like, charge whatever they’d like, and tell you you’re getting a good deal. Read on for more, and if you need help creating a ring with a beautiful certified stone for thousands off retail price, click here.

What’s a certified Diamond?

A “certified” Diamond is one with a Grading Report from a reputable 3^rd party Diamond Grading Laboratory. These laboratories are responsible for grading a Diamond’s Color, Clarity, Cut quality, Polish, Symmetry, Fluorescence level, in addition to providing accurate measurements and weight of the stone.

What Grading Labs are best for Natural Diamonds?

For Natural Diamonds, we recommend only considering stones with reports from the Gemological Institute of America (the GIA). Why? First, because the GIA has the strictest standards in terms of Color Grade, one of the most noticeable 4 Cs.

Also, after merging with the AGS, the grading lab who pioneered grading a Diamond’s “Cut” off light performance, their “Cut” grading guidelines became much sharper and more in-depth. You can now tag on an AGS Cut Quality Report to the GIA Report of any Diamond, which includes an ASET image and a judgment of how well the stone reflects light.

ASET Scope image for a certified AGS diamond

And lastly, the GIA is your best-bet for a Natural Diamond because of resale value. Now, we’ve explored this in another post– the majority of Natural (and all Lab-Grown) Diamonds are NOT appreciating assets. But, to minimize your losses in the event you have to sell the stone, GIA certified Diamonds retain the more value than Diamonds graded by other laboratories on the secondary market.

What Grading Labs are best for Lab-Grown Diamonds?

For Lab-Grown Diamonds, our favorite grading lab is the International Gemological Institute (the IGI). Why? First off, Color’s not really a factor with Lab-Grown Diamonds, as your budget will be enough for a “D” , “E” , or “F” Color Diamond (collectively known as the “Colorless” range). In this range, GIA versus IGI grading is almost a toss-up. But, when it comes to the “Near Colorless” range (G, H, I, J), we feel that the GIA is a little stricter and they hold the standard.

Secondly, in terms of Cut, the IGI holds its own. Their Grading Reports include a full Proportions section, including Crown Height and Pavilion Depth, which are not included on standard GIA Reports. They also pioneered a comprehensive fancy-shape (non-Round) Cut Grading system, based on Proportions and Polish/Symmetry marks.

GIA certified diamonds cost a little bit more than IGI certified diamonds

And lastly, IGI graded Lab-Grown Diamonds trade for significantly less than GIA graded Lab-Grown Diamonds. Oftentimes the difference is thousands of dollars for two stones with identical grading. You can absolutely pick out a GIA certified Lab-Grown Diamond, just be prepared to pay a little bit more.

Limit your grading labs to these- we don’t recommend Diamonds from the EGL, GCAL, HRD or other labs for an Engagement Ring’s center Diamond. In our opinion, their grading standards are not up to par.

Why buy a certified Diamond instead of a non-certified one?

Now that we’ve tackled which Grading Labs to buy your certified Diamond from, let’s talk about why you should buy a certified Diamond over a non-certified one. Simply put, you can walk into a jeweler or pawn shop and tell them what kind of stone you’re looking for. Now imagine they take out a non-certified Diamond and tell you it’s an “I” Color and “SI1” Clarity Round Brilliant Natural Diamond. They offer you what sounds like an incredible price.

Don't buy a non-certified diamond from a jeweler

Here’s the problem(s). First, the difference in price between an “I” and “J” Color is hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars, depending on carat weight. The difference between an “SI1” Clarity and an “SI2” Clarity is almost as severe. So, if you’re being offered a subjective “I” Color and “SI1” Clarity Diamond for a “great” price, but the GIA would grade the stone as a “J” Color and “SI1” Clarity, you’re actually getting ripped off. And this is without confirming that the Diamond’s Lab-Grown or Natural, CVD or HTHP, and seeing if it’s laser-inscribed.

So, when it’s time to buy your Dream Engagement Ring, choose a certified Diamond for guaranteed quality, value, and peace of mind.

Javi Perez,
President

I’m here to help you create the PERFECT Engagement Ring for thousands off retail price. Keep saving for a lifetime with your soulmate while creating a Ring she’ll adore forever.

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