If you’re wondering how you can get a certificate of authenticity for your diamond earrings, perhaps we can help you with this article. Let’s see what this certificate actually is, how to obtain one, and whether it is actually worth it to get such a document for your earrings.
What Is a Diamond Certificate of Authenticity?
When most people hear the term “certificate of authenticity” with respect to diamond jewelry, they think of a document that verifies a diamond’s quality characteristics and certifies that the stone is not fake.
In reality, such a document is usually called a “diamond grading report” by jewelers, although the popular name most people use is “diamond certificate.”
There are some gem labs that issue documents actually referred to as “certificates of authenticity,” but they usually contain similar information to that customarily included in a diamond grading report.
What Is a Diamond Grading Report (Grading Certificate)?
Now that you know that the terms “diamond certificate,” “diamond grading report,” and “certificate of authenticity” are often used interchangeably, let’s see what the actual purpose of these documents is.
Diamond certificates are issued by gemological laboratories, which serve as independent gemstone evaluators. These labs inspect for a fee the properties of each diamond they receive and then prepare a report that contains the results of the assessment.
One thing to remember is that a diamond certificate does not guarantee, or certify, that a stone is of high quality.
This document simply describes the diamond’s characteristics and guarantees that the evaluation of the stone has been done by experts in gemology.
Therefore, a diamond could come with a certificate and be of low quality.
You should use a diamond grading certificate to find out how a diamond’s quality is graded as well as learn more about its measurements and physical characteristics.
What Information Does a Diamond Certificate Contain?
Labs differ with respect to what information they include in a grading certificate.
The GIA (Gemological Institute of America) includes in its reports information on the stone’s color, clarity, cut, and carat weight, as well as measurements of the diamond and assessments of its symmetry and polish.
Other information that can be included is an assessment of how the stone reflects light (level of brilliance, symmetry of reflection, etc.), close-up pictures of the diamond taken from different angles, whether the stone exhibits fluorescence under UV light, etc.
How to Obtain a Diamond Certificate for Diamond Earrings
The best way to obtain grading certificates for the diamonds in your earrings is to send the stones to one of the grading labs providing this service.
Some of the more prominent gemstone graders are the GIA, the AGS (American Gem Society), and the EGL (European Gemological Laboratory), among others.
Keep in mind, however, that if you want to have your earrings’ diamonds graded, you will most likely need to have the stones taken out of their settings – most labs accept only loose stones.
Don’t remove the diamonds yourself, though, as you might damage them or their settings. Instead, it’s safer if a jeweler takes the diamonds off your earrings.
You will need to send the loose stones to the gem lab you’ve chosen, and when the diamonds are graded, they will be sent back to you, along with a grading report for each.
Is It Worth It to Get a Certificate for Your Diamond Earrings?
Before you go ahead and send your diamonds for grading, ask yourself if you really need it.
If the stones in your earrings are too small (under 0.2 carats) and relatively cheap, it might not be worth it to pay for a certificate.
If you simply need to know whether your diamonds are real, there are quicker ways to find out, without grading all key characteristics of the stone.
Every jeweler can tell you whether your stone is actually a diamond by testing it, usually with an electronic diamond tester.
Where to Buy Diamond Earrings?
We recommend James Allen (read review) because you can take a 360-degree look at any stone before having it set in the earrings of your choice.
Blue Nile is another reputable diamond retailer we recommend.