Let’s not keep the suspense and answer the question right away. Yes, they are more expensive. Sometimes, the price difference can reach 150%. This is understandable because the seller pays for the lab services and is forced to include these costs in the product’s price. Of course, if you shop necklaces at Rare Carat with small stones, you do not need to consider certification. But what if you want to buy a large stone separately? Does it make sense to pay more?
The Goal of the Procedure
This procedure protects consumer rights and bona fide manufacturers from unfair competition. These activities are the procedure for confirming the compliance of goods and services with existing standards. When purchasing a precious stone, there is undoubtedly a need to verify the quality, like any other good. However, diamonds are a specific product, and one of the most significant factors for the consumer is its authenticity, i.e., the consumer must be sure they are getting a real thing.
Therefore, these documents include evaluating the stone’s characteristics as a product. The presence of certificates in the diamond market helps to increase buyer confidence in the product. A document issued by a trustworthy lab certifying the quality of a gemstone plays a vital role in building trust and forming the end price. The cost of lab-grown diamond earrings depends on many factors, including a certificate.
When It Is Necessary
It makes no sense to obtain certificates for some categories of diamonds: small stones, stones of low color, and quality categories. According to international practice, stones from 0.47 carats are accepted for this evaluation. Larger and more valuable stones in diamond-consuming countries are certified in almost 100% of cases. When you shop 3 stone rings with big gemstones, as a rule, you get a certificate.
The document confirms the stone’s origin and registers its characteristics, as well as the distinctive features of the diamond, determined during special gemological tests. It guarantees the buyer the origin of the purchased diamond and the compliance of its characteristics, based on which the cost is determined. The data presented in the certificate allows for identifying the stone and, thus, gives the owner additional advantages in the event of loss or theft during the repair and alteration of jewelry, facilitates the sale, storage, appraisal, insurance, and other operations.
The laboratory’s services for gemstone analysis and certificate issuance are the actions of a third-party organization unrelated to the seller and buyer, manufacturers, or trade. Independence ensures the laboratory’s objectivity. Therefore, it is evident that the value of the assessed stone increases. Firstly, it must cover the costs of the assessment. Secondly, acquiring such stones is less risky and provides greater guarantees.
Certification of Lab Grown Diamonds
Stones grown in a lab are also certified. The criteria for their evaluation are the same as those for the usual testing, with one exception: it contains a note about artificial origin. Large laboratories have already developed an evaluation procedure to obtain reliable information about the stone’s quality.
Without special equipment, it is impossible to distinguish a lab-grown stone from a natural one. However, specialists can not only determine the origin pf the stone but even diagnose the creation method. In addition, gemologists evaluate the purity and transparency of the sample, forming a final assessment of its characteristics.
Gemologists examine all stones using professional, expert-class diagnostic equipment. This allows them to identify the latest types of HPHT-synthesized and/or modified diamonds by studying the nature of their luminescence and phosphorescence. The most reliable identification method is IR spectroscopy, in the spectra of which an admixture of boron (± X-center) and the absence of single nitrogen are recorded. The latter factor indicates the continuous improvement of synthesis technologies and the complexity of reliable examination.
Conclusion
Precious stones are an exceptional product. They can be a great decoration and an excellent investment. Therefore, when buying, do not skimp on the certificate. It will confirm the quality of the gemstone. In addition, it will help protect you in case of theft or loss. Thanks to the certificate, you can always confirm your ownership. This is true for stones of any origin. Therefore, the higher price is fully justified.
