It is important to choose a reputable and reliable diamond wholesaler within the industry, especially when you're buying melee diamonds. Larger diamonds are sold with GIA certificates that verify the size, color, clarity and cut information to authenticate that the information the wholesaler has provided to you is in fact correct. However, this is not the case with diamond melee. If you're buying melee diamonds, don't expect them to come with any certification. GIA does offer a service for diamonds smaller than 0.15 carats that can determine if they are natural or have been treated, but nothing more. The cost of a certificate is far more than the actual value of the stone itself so it does not make economical sense. It can also be extremely difficult or near impossible to see the characteristics with the naked eye.
The Gemological Institute of America sets the “gold standard” in terms of diamond grading. World-renowned for its unbiased, consistent, comprehensive, and uncompromising reports, GIA is an invaluable voice that any diamond buyer would be wise to heed. But there are endless opportunities out there for buying a diamond without certification. Is this a wise move?
About GIA
Established in 1931, GIA exists to “protect the gem and jewelry buying public.” It is a nonprofit institute that conducts extensive research, provides invaluable industry education, and delivers services that truly protect buyers. Diamonds are examined by experienced experts according to exacting and meticulous processes. Whether the “consumer” is a jewelry designer, a retail business, or an individual looking for the perfect engagement ring for their partner, GIA certification delivers peace of mind that the stone is of the quality for which they are paying.
A GIA grading report encompasses four different aspects, otherwise known as the 4Cs:
- Cut: Arguably the most important C, cut refers to the diamond’s angles and proportions.
- Color: This is graded on its lack of color. The more colorless, the more valuable.
- Clarity: Clarity refers to the blemishes or inclusions you find in the diamond.
- Carat: The weight of the diamond may be the least important of the 4Cs. For example, small melee diamonds are low in carat weight but exceptionally important because they accent the jewelry into which they are set. They can also help smaller center stones appear larger and more dazzling.
Certified Diamonds vs. Non-Certified Diamonds
If this grading process is the gold standard, is it ok to buy a non GIA-certified diamond?
A certified diamond is evaluated by an objective expert and comes with a unique identification number and certificate. In other words, you know it’s the real deal and you have a clear indication of its scoring in terms of cut, color, clarity, and carat weight.
The same cannot be said of non-certified diamonds. Because they have not been assessed by an expert, you are getting the best guest of the retailer (or other seller) about its quality. Everything then is open to interpretation or spin. Accurate details concern the 4Cs are conspicuously absent. At best, it’s a guess. At worst, it’s a ploy to get buyers to spend more than the diamond is worth.
Some people argue that GIA certification is not as important, and perhaps not even necessary, when you are talking about smaller stones. It's true that it is difficult to assess quality with the naked eye. However, GIA can test small and melee diamonds. This is particularly important given the advent of lab-grown diamonds. Some sellers mix mined diamonds with manufactured stones or with those that have been treated to artificially improve color or clarity.
While there is nothing inherently “wrong” with these, if you are paying for real mined diamonds, you want to make sure that you are getting them.
K. Rosengart: An Experienced Diamond Partner You Can Trust
Retailers absolutely need to work with a wholesaler who is known for their honesty and integrity. When retailers reach out to K. Rosengart for diamond melee, we happily provide references in the trade and recommend that you reach out to colleagues as well to get recommendations. It's always reassuring to confirm that the wholesaler you're going to buy from is trustworthy. It's important that you are receiving the correct details as the retailers will be passing along that information to their client and you never want to misappropriate what is being sold. It can be scary buying non certified diamonds so choose your supplier wisely.
Buying a diamond without certification is certainly an option - but it is essential that you know what you are paying for as a consumer, a jeweler, or a retailer. If you want real quality, there is no question that you need a thorough grading report.
Melee diamonds make things sparkle , and if you choose the right melee dealer your jewelry will shine even brighter. Surround yourself with amazing suppliers so when you need something you have already vetted the wholesaler and can rest assured that you will get the best diamond melee for the best price and it is exactly what you asked for even without a certificate.
K. Rosengart has a full team of GIA certified diamond specialists who are ready to bring your vision to life.