Diamond Certificates / Appraisals

When buying an engagement ring, particularly if you are spending a great deal of money for a high end diamond, I would recommend you ask for a diamond certificate of authenticity, from an independent gem lab like GIA or AGS. You will also want a written appraisal.

A certified gemologist will give you a written description of everything you need to know about the diamond you are considering buying. Along with a description of the diamond, you will be given information about the color, cut and clarity of the diamond, as well as a diagram mapping any internal inclusions the diamond may have. The internal map will show you what kind of inclusions are in the stone, as well as where they are located as they relate to the diamond shape and to the other inclusions.

Although certification by a gem lab will tell you all you need to know about the physical properties of your diamond, the one thing is will not do is give you a dollar value. For the value, you will also need a written appraisal of the diamond, and the engagement ring its in.

A written appraisal will tell you many of the same things the certificate tells you about the diamond, such as the color, cut and clarity grade of all the diamonds in the engagement ring, you will also get a description of the ring. A written appraisal frequently also includes a photograph or drawing of the ring as well as a diamond map for the largest diamond in the ring. Most importantly, the appraisal will give you the current market value of the entire engagement ring.

Dont be at all surprised if you pay several hundred dollars more for a diamond with a certificate. After all, the jeweler had to pay the gem lab to make the certification, and of course, this cost will be passed on to you. However, the extra cost is well worth it particularly when purchasing high-end diamonds.
Organizations like GIA and AGS have very strict standards for grading diamonds, and you can rest assured if you are shown a 1 Carat VVS1 grade diamond in California, it will have been graded the same way as a 1 Carat VVS1 grade diamond in New York. This knowledge will make it much easier to be certain you are comparing apples to apples as you go from store to store looking for an engagement ring.

Aside from knowing the quality of the diamond your buying, there are other reasons for getting both a diamond certification and an appraisal. They will help protect your investment. These two documents will not only help assure you that you are not paying to much, it will also make it much easier in the future if you ever decide to sell the diamond, as it will help assure your possible future buyer the diamond is everything you say it is.

Another reason for having an appraisal is for insurance purposes. You will most likely want to insure the engagement ring against possible loss or theft. The insurance company will require a copy of the written appraisal, before writing the insurance policy.

The final reason I would strongly suggest having a diamond certification and an appraisal is for your own security when you have to leave the engagement ring to be cleaned or repaired. While most jewelers are very honest, there can be the rare exception. Having these two documents will help protect you against one of those rare exceptions, if there should ever be any question.

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