How to get a diamond certed?

[clearfading]

Can you just send a diamond to GIA yourself for certification? It seems like with AGS you have to go through an "AGS jeweler" whatever that means. Who would you trust to use as an AGS jeweler since I can't send it myself? Thanks

 

[bmfang]

GIA does accept walk-ins from the general population. Or you can send your stone to them directly or via a jeweller.

Re: AGS grading, you will need to find a jeweller that is a member of the American Gem Society and get them to submit it to AGS labs for grading.

You can find your local AGS jeweller via the following link: http://www.americangemsociety.org/search/custom.asp?id=4674

 

[ringo865]

This for a stone you have bought recently? Or stone that you inherited? AGS is known to be stricter on cut than GIA. So, depending on what's what with the stone, would determine who you would want to send it to.

 

[EvaEvans]

You can send your stone to GIA, following their instructions on their website, creating personal account and signing GIA's policy. Go to https://www.gia.edu/ and read the information carefully.
You can trust AGS dealers, they are all reputable jewelers.

 

[daisydukes]

I've wondered about this too. The stone in my e-ring was never certified or mapped and of course does not have a number etched into it. If I were to send my stone in to AGS or GIA, how would I know that the stone I get back with the paperwork is indeed my stone?

 

[EvaEvans]

@daisydukes
Only TRUSTED jewelers are GIA representatives!
This is what GIA says:
3 ways to submit a gemstone to GIA:
FIND A JEWELER - Submit your gemstone through your local jeweler. (search by ZIP)
SEND TO GIA - Ship your gemstone directly to one of our laboratories.
HAND DELIVER- Bring your gemstone to any 16 drop-off locations in 11 countries.

click here

 

[denverappraiser]

As a minor correction, AGS Lab will accept work from anyone in the industry, whether they're an AGS member or not. They don't take work directly from the public. Just call your favorite jeweler and ask them to help. GIA will take work from anyone who will pay them. Often people want to have a 'middleman' because they're a bit of a pain and the shipping, resetting and appraising can sometimes be troublesome because GIA doesn't do any of these things, but you are welcome to submit lab work yourself if you wish. Instructions are on their website at www.gia.edu.

 

[denverappraiser]

I've wondered about this too. The stone in my e-ring was never certified or mapped and of
course does not have a number etched into it. If I were to send my stone in to AGS or GIA, how would I know that the stone I get back with the paperwork is indeed my stone?

You can get it appraised by a local appraiser, usually while you wait and you can have this include plotting. The report from this appraisal can be used to bind an insurance policy that will be in force when you send it to the lab (assuming you still feel you need to do that). The appraiser can probably help with the logistics of that as well if you wish. That doesn't reduce the extremely low chances that the lab will steal your stone, but it does pass the risk off to the insurance company if it does. (again, I think your exposure to the lab here is remote and the only real issues have to do with the shipping and the pull/reset process, but the insurer is assuming these as well).

 

[daisydukes]

Thanks so much @denverappraiser. That process makes absolute sense and I will be sure to follow that to a T.