Jewelry without a Certificate of Authenticity?

 

Is it legal for me to sell my diamonds and diamond jewelry without a certificate?

 

If you don't have the certification documents for your precious gems, here's what you should do.

It stands to reason that the industry requires certificates of authenticity when buying and selling diamonds. After all, these are extremely valuable gemstones, and buyers want to know that they are getting a good deal. However, if you're selling a diamond ring or other diamond jewelry, you can often get a good price without a certificate.

 

What exactly is a diamond certificate?

 

Diamond certificates, also known as gemological certificates or grading reports, are issued by accredited laboratories, the Gemological Institute of America being one of the most well-known (GIA). The Hoge Raad voor Diamant (HRD) is a European alternative, and other reputable gemological laboratories include the Parisian Chambre de Commerce and the EGL (European Gemological Laboratories). The labs will issue certificates stating the characteristics of the diamond based on the '4Cs': color, clarity, carat weight, and cut. There is no single grading body that defines what a color or clarity grading is, and each laboratory has its own grading quirks and criteria. Color gradings may be stricter, but clarity gradings may be more generous. What is important is that they are all consistent.

 

Why do we request them?

 

When we buy diamonds, we ask for certificates for a variety of reasons.

 

1. Authenticity: The primary reason is to ensure that we are purchasing genuine, natural diamonds.

2. Rapaport's Cost: The Rapaport Price List, established in 1978 by New York diamond broker Martin Rapaport, is the industry standard for pricing diamonds - used as a guideline for prices by both dealers and buyers based on GIA reports. A certificate tells us exactly how much we should pay for the diamond.

3. Cracks or other flaws: the certificate will highlight any cracks or natural defects that may affect the diamond's final weight.

4. Diamond ID: The diamond certificate will provide us with a 'diamond ID,' which will detail all of the physical details and characteristics of the diamond.

5. Cut parameters: The gemological certificate will provide us with the diamond's "cut parameters," which will ultimately affect pricing.

 

What if I don't have the diamond certificate?

 

Many people contact us because they do not have a certificate for their diamond or their certificate has been lost, but they still want to sell. If you're dealing with a single stone, especially one of high value, we recommend having it officially certified, preferably by the GIA. It is a low-cost procedure that will allow you to sell your diamond quickly and at the best possible price. Remember that the family heirloom may have been exaggerated over time when it comes to jewelry. Before deciding whether to seek diamond certification, have it reviewed by a couple of experts. Of course, the inverse could be true: perhaps that 'costume jewelry' is worth a fortune! Always seek the advice of a reputable professional (or, even better, several trusted professionals).

 

Is there a substitute for a certificate?

 

If money is tight and you don't want to pay for an assessment and certificate, there are a few other options for determining the value of your gem or jewelry item. You can ask a professional diamond buyer, or even a pawnbroker, for a free professional opinion. Be aware that they may have a vested interest in giving you a lower appraisal if they are considering purchasing the diamond, so get at least two or three opinions.

 

Sale options are limited.

 

While not having your diamond officially evaluated and certified may save you some money in the short term, it is likely to limit the sales potential and final price you may receive for your diamond or item of diamond jewelry. Because many reputable buyers will not accept diamonds without certificates, you may be limited to selling on sites like Ebay or to pawnbrokers. While you may get a reasonable price, it is likely to be less than the price of a diamond with a certificate and guide price.

 

Inscriptions from the GIA

 

The girdle of the majority of diamonds that have been officially evaluated by the GIA has a micro laser inscription. The inscription is so small that it is invisible to the naked eye, but a professional diamond dealer's microscope can easily find it. The inscription authenticates the diamond and connects it to the accompanying grading report and certificate. It's a simple way for reputable traders to determine a gem's cut and quality.

 

Is it necessary to certify low-carat diamonds?

 

In some cases, having your diamond or piece of jewelry officially certified is not a wise financial decision. Diamonds under 0.30 carats, for example, are rarely certified because they are unlikely to be sold for a high enough price to justify the investment. Because certification typically costs 10-20% of the price of a small diamond, many people choose to sell these without a certificate. For example, if you have a small stone from a diamond tennis bracelet, it is unlikely that it is worthwhile to pay for an evaluation. However, make sure it is evaluated by two or more reputable professionals.

 

Is it possible to sell my diamond ring without a certificate?

 

Selling a diamond ring, whether your own or inherited, can be an emotional experience, so keeping a cool head when deciding how much to sell it for can help. The first step should be to take it to a professional for evaluation; many diamond rings are made with certified stones, so it's possible that you don't need to have your stone certified at all.

It's important to remember that the GIA and other gemological laboratories will only evaluate individual stones, not entire pieces of jewelry. This is due to the fact that they must be able to examine the entire stone in detail, and some parts will be obscured by the ring or other jewelry item. So you essentially have two options: have the stones removed, evaluated, and then re-set with their inscription (this could be a good option if you are looking at higher value stones), or take your ring to professional appraisers (again, visit at least two or three to ensure a fair appraisal) before putting your precious ring on the market. The same is true for necklaces, earrings, and bracelets.

 

Is it possible to sell my diamond tennis bracelet without a certificate?

 

Tennis bracelets are commonly sold without certificates because they are typically made with smaller stones. However, if your bracelet contains larger, natural diamonds weighing more than 0.50 carats, it may be worthwhile to have the stones certified.

 

Natural diamonds have a rare secret...

As a certified gemologist, I can let you in on a little diamond jewelry secret. When a diamond is mounted in a ring or other piece of jewelry, it is virtually impossible to assess its color, clarity, and cut quality, so any jewelry certificate or evaluation will be inaccurate. And one person's assessment may be vastly different from another's. If you have a large diamond set in a ring, for example, it is worthwhile to have a professional remove the stone to be assessed and inscribed before remounting it in the ring.

 

Diamond jewelry's "hidden secrets"

 

The diamonds in your ring, necklace, or earrings may not be what they appear to be. How so? A good jeweler, on the other hand, knows how to present the brightest, whitest side of a diamond when setting it in jewelry. It can be difficult to tell the 'real' color, clarity, and cut quality to the untrained eye - or even the expert eye. Sometimes an irregularity is hidden beneath a ring prong, for example, and is only revealed when we remove it.

 

Should I sell my diamond jewelry in the absence of a certificate?

 

The short answer is most likely 'yes.' Having a trusted professional examine your jewelry for quality and price recommendation should suffice. It is probably best to leave the diamond in place unless it is larger than 0.70 carats. There is a chance that your diamond will break under the settings, in which case it will need to be recut and the Rapaport price will fall. Any removed stones in older jewelry are likely to require recutting, so unless it is a very large, white, and clean natural diamond, I would not rush to have the stones removed and certified. That's all there is to it! If you have individual diamonds, it is a good idea to have them certified so that you can sell them to the right buyer for the best price. If you're looking to sell diamond jewelry, you should be able to do so without diamond certificates - just make sure to get an idea of value from a trusted professional, and don't be afraid to get a few professional opinions to be sure of your asking price!

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