There are many factors to consider when purchasing new jewelry: your style, budget and desired gemstones. However, gemstone certification often gets overlooked. Gemstone certificates can be beneficial to both buyers and sellers and can help ensure that you’re getting a high-quality stone. Let's take a deeper look into gemstone certification, exploring the process, different certification types and associated costs.
What Are Gemstone Certificates?
A gemstone certificate is a document that verifies the quality, authenticity and value of a gemstone. This certificate provides buyers with the information necessary to make informed purchasing decisions. Think of it as a gemstone’s birth certificate—it can attest to a gem’s identity and authenticity.
What Information is Included in a Gemstone Certificate?
While the details may differ from one issuer to the next, here are some key factors that may be found in a gemstone certificate.
- Type of gemstone: Many different types of gemstones exist. If you are someone who may not be able to confidently identify a gemstone type (most people!), this important detail can help you differentiate among similar-looking gemstones. Being equipped with this information can help prevent you from overpaying for a gem you thought was rare alexandrite, when in fact it’s an emerald.
- Gemstone origins: When inclusions (any material trapped inside a gem’s structure during formation) are identified, they can often be traced back to a specific country, or at least the general region of the world, where similar element combinations are commonly found. Think of this as the “birthplace” on the gemstone’s “birth certificate.”
- Color grade: For diamonds, color is graded based on the absence of color. The more colorless a diamond is, the more valuable it is. For colored gemstones, three aspects are considered: hue, saturation and tone. Hue is the shade of color present, tone is how light or dark the hue is and saturation is the intensity of the hue. Gemstones that have a uniform, deep hue and intense saturation are often seen as more valuable. Beyond value, color grade is also included in gemstone certificates for identification purposes, similar to how hair or eye color is listed on your passport for the same reason.
- Clarity: A gemstone’s clarity, another of the well-known “4Cs” of gemstone grading, may also be listed on a gemstone certificate. A higher clarity grade generally indicates a more valuable gemstone, as it will appear cleaner and more transparent. The rating of a gemstone’s clarity will be listed as FL (flawless), IF (internally flawless), VVS (very, very slightly included), VS (very slightly included), SI (slightly included) or I (included). These ratings run the gamut of gemstones with zero visible inclusions at 10x magnification to stones that show inclusions visible with the naked eye.
- Enhancements: Gemological analysis will be used to determine whether the gemstone has undergone any treatments, such as heating or irradiation (when a gemstone is exposed to artificial radiation) to remove imperfections or enhance its color or clarity. Gemstones that have been treated may be considered less desirable and less valuable than untreated stones of similar quality. Other enhancements and treatments such as dyeing, fracture filling, bleaching and coating may also be noted on a thorough gemstone certificate. This section is like a vehicle history report informing a potential buyer about things that may not be visible to the naked eye.
- Measurements: The measurements of a gemstone, including its length, width and depth are included on gemstone certificates to provide precise data about the stone’s size and proportions. Just as a driver’s license lists weight and height, this information can be used to verify the gemstone’s identity in the future. These specifics can also be used to assess the gemstone’s quality and determine its potential value.
- Shape and cut style: A gemstone's shape and cut style may be included on a certificate, not only for identification and authentication purposes, but also to provide details about how well the cutter has maximized the gem’s brilliance.
- Additional remarks or comments: Any additional details that may not be captured in a standard report are included here. This is likely where you’ll find information regarding optical phenomena, such as the presence of gemstone fluorescence, chatoyancy (cat’s eye), asterism and adularescence (moonstone effect).
A gemstone certificate may include an estimated monetary value. However, those that do should be viewed with caution. This information is often absent from gemstone certifications, as this value can change depending on factors such as market trends and current demand. You should rely more heavily on a gem’s appraised value than any value provided on its gemstone certificate as its appraised value will reflect the current market value.
Benefits of a Gemstone Certificate: For Buyers, Sellers and Beyond
- Buyer protection: A certificate can help protect buyers from being deceived or misguided by false information about a gemstone.
- Seller credibility: A gemstone certificate can bolster a seller's credibility, assuring buyers of their gemstones’ authenticity and quality. This increased trust can lead to greater confidence in the seller and their products, potentially resulting in more sales and stronger customer relationships.
- Appraisals, insurance and reselling: Having a gemstone certificate establishes its authenticity, making it easier to obtain accurate appraisals, secure adequate insurance coverage and facilitate fair resale transactions.
Gemstone Certification Process
The gemstone certification process includes the analysis of various elements of a gemstone by a gemological lab. It involves several tools and techniques to assess a gem's quality and authenticity. Key tools include a loupe or microscope for examining clarity and inclusions, a refractometer to measure refractive index (how light bends as it passes through a gemstone) and a spectroscope to analyze light absorption and determine the gemstone's identity. Additionally, a polariscope helps assess pleochroism (when gemstones display different colors when viewed from different angles), while a scale measures carat weight.
During certification, a trained gemologist examines the gemstone's characteristics, including color, clarity, cut and carat weight, and documents these findings. After a thorough analysis, a certificate is issued that details the gemstone’s attributes, providing buyers with assurance regarding its quality and authenticity.
Types of Gemstone Certificates
Various organizations exist that can provide detailed gemstone certifications. While most gemstone certificates will contain similar information, some may focus more heavily on specific aspects of the gemstone, such as color or treatment history. Here are a few well-known gemstone certification institutions.
- International Gemological Institute (IGI) Certificate. IGI is known for its global presence and emphasis on providing detailed grading reports, particularly for diamonds and colored gemstones, focusing on consumer education and transparency.
- Gemological Institute of America (GIA) Certificate. One of the most respected institutions in gemology, GIA established the 4Cs standard for diamond grading and offers comprehensive certification for a wide range of gemstones.
- American Gem Society (AGS) Certificate. AGS is known for its strict ethical standards and emphasis on cut quality, offering comprehensive evaluations that prioritize consumer protection and education in the jewelry industry.
- The Gemological Science International (GSI) Certificate. GSI emphasizes affordability and accessibility in gemstone certification, providing reliable grading reports while also promoting consumer education and awareness.
- International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA) Certificate. The ICA gem lab focuses on colored gemstones, providing in-depth analysis and certification that highlights origin and treatment history, making it valuable for those investing in vibrant, unique gems.
Gemstone certificates provided by retail sellers may not always meet the reliability standards recognized within the gem industry. To maintain trust and transparency, gemstone certificates should be issued by an independent third-party gemological laboratory with no financial interest in the outcome. Also, most (but not all!) gemstone graders typically err on the side of caution, assigning lower grades to stones that may fall between grades. This helps prevent overvaluing gemstones and ensures accurate representation of their quality.
How Much Does a Gemstone Certificate Cost?
A gemstone certification will likely cost between $50 and several hundred dollars. The final cost will depend on factors including the gemstone’s value, the complexity of the analysis performed and which certification institute you use for the certification. Gemstones of higher quality and those that require a more thorough review may result in a higher cost.
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