E.S. Design

Most people purchase diamonds already set in either ring mountings or other jewelry settings such as earrings and pendants. However, there are those who purchase loose diamonds either for investment or for stone upgrade of their current jewelry articles.

Loose diamonds of many kinds are traded freely in the market. Some of them are certified diamonds because they come with a certificate report from certification companies like the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) or the European Gemological Laboratories (EGL). The report indicates the stone’s cut, clarity, color and carat weight. The rest of the diamonds sold in the market that do not come with a report are non-certified loose diamonds.

It is recommended that any loose diamond purchases must be certified. Those that are not certified do not provide any assurance to the buyer that he or she is really getting what he is paying for. The appraisal of the stone’s value is merely an appraisal made by the jeweler or the seller. A non-certified loose diamond that is listed as having an SI2 clarity means that the assessment was made by the jeweler who is selling the stone. In reality, these jewelers can push up the actual quality of the stone in order to command a higher price, and therefore make more money.

The trade of non-certified diamonds is not illegal. The entire jewelry industry and trade allows jewelers to make their own appraisal or assessment. There are no rules against the sale of diamonds that are not certified. In fact, there may be more non-certified diamonds being sold than otherwise.
For serious buyers of loose diamonds, it is highly recommended that you only purchase diamonds that are certified. The certificate report assures every buyer that the assessment or appraisal is accurate. You are paying for exactly what you are receiving.