Is Your GIA Diamond Certificate Real? Everything You Need to Know About This Important Diamond Grading Report and Running a GIA Report Check

If you’ve ever purchased diamond jewelry, you likely have noticed that some jewelers mention that they only sell GIA certified diamonds, which means that their jewelry has been inspected by the GIA and received a GIA report. 

Unless you’re already knowledgeable about the diamond industry, you may have not given this GIA diamond grading report a second thought. Instead, you may have simply taken your jeweler at their word, and accepted that the diamonds included in a piece were both the size and the quality that the jeweler claimed. 

However, while we like to believe that all jewelers are scrupulous, that doesn’t mean that everyone who ever sells you a diamond is going to be both honest and knowledgeable about the diamonds they’re selling. That’s where the GIA grading report comes in. It tells you everything you need to know about your diamond, with a full breakdown from the experts at the diamond industry-leading Gemological Institute of America. 

“No problem,” you think. “I might’ve not known what the GIA report is, but I know I definitely have one for my diamond jewelry. I’m all in the clear.” 

Well … maybe not. Sometimes, GIA grading reports are faked. 

To give you peace of mind, we’re breaking down everything you need to know to determine whether or not your GIA diamond certificate is real.

What Does a GIA Full Diamond Grading Report Look Like? (Important GIA Report Check Features)

GIA reports feature a report number at the very top of the report, and that report number is unique to your diamond. The report will also feature a few other key pieces of information, such as…

• The date the report was processed
• Your diamond’s shape and cutting style
• Your diamond’s measurements, including weight
• Your diamond’s grading results based on the GIA clarity scale, color scale and cut scale 
• Notes about polish, symmetry and fluorescence
• A diagram that shows the proportions of your individual diamond, as well as clarity characteristics, like clouds or feathering, that you can find in your individual diamond

The GIA grading scales are also included, so you can compare your diamond’s grades and results to the overall scale. 

Beyond this, an authentic report from the Gemological Institute of America will feature certain design details that make it more difficult to fake, such as a hologram and microprint lines.

If your report does not match the above description of what a full diamond grading report should look like, you already have good indication that your report could be a fraud.

How to Run a GIA Certificate Report Check Using the GIA Report Database

If your GIA check report looks like the above description, the next step you can take to verify your report’s authenticity is by looking up the GIA report number and ensuring that the report matches the information stored within the GIA database. All you have to do is use the gia.edu report check feature, online. 

Just visit the GIA website and you’ll be able to enter your GIA report number. Depending on when your report was conducted, you’ll be able to see… 

• The report’s full data
• A PDF report image
• An image of the diamond connected to the report
• And more!

No GIA Report? (Or Worse — A Fake GIA Report?)

Check a GIA report and found that your report just doesn’t exist? You don’t have to simply guess and wonder at your diamond’s clarity and quality, if you’d like to be sure of its value (which can be helpful when it’s time to insure that diamond!).

Anyone can order their own GIA report by going to the GIA’s website and submitting a few details. The GIA offers multiple reports for a range of gemstones, from natural diamonds to colored diamonds, pearls to other colored stones. You’ll need to provide a range of information, including your diamond’s estimated weight and value, the shape (if you’re submitting round diamonds, square diamonds, etcetera), and what type of report you’d like. Among its multiple reports offered, the GIA offers both diamond grading and diamond origin reports. 

Do note that all gemstones that are sent to the GIA for inspection must be removed from their settings, so you may need to enlist a jeweler to help you with that part of the process.

GIA Report FAQs

Have more questions about GIA reports? We have more answers. 

• Are there alternatives to the GIA report?

Yes! You could feasibly regularly check multiple reports for your diamonds, if you want second opinions or more information regarding your diamonds’ values and grading. Beyond the GIA, other organizations that offer grading reports include the American Gem Society, European Gemological Laboratory and the International Gemological Institute. However, the GIA is generally accepted as the most reputable report provider. 

• Do I really need a GIA report?

While you don’t necessarily need a GIA report, you do need some proof of your diamond’s value if you plan on getting it insured. Your insurer will need to know how to appropriately insure your diamond based on its value, and a verifiable report from a reputable source will help with this. 

• How much does it cost to get a diamond report from GIA?

If you’re not checking a prior report’s authenticity and, instead, are wanting to order a brand-new report on a diamond, the cost will generally be a few hundred dollars, depending on factors like your diamond’s size and which reporting services you purchase. 

• How much does it cost to check a report from GIA?

If you want to get a report checked by GIA, all you have to do is go online and enter the report number. There is no associated fee.

Knowing Your Diamonds’ Value Will Give You Peace of Mind — And Keep You Protected

Even if you don’t have a report from a gemological institute or association like the ones mentioned above, getting your jewelry appraised is still important for myriad reasons. Luckily, if you need an appraisal, you can receive an online jewelry appraisal valuation suitable for securing jewelry insurance, quickly, easily and affordably. 

Once your diamonds and other jewelry are appraised, you can then purchase the right jewelry insurance for your needs. Check out BriteCo’s comprehensive coverage options today, to learn more.

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