Certifying Colored Gemstones

A common question among customers is why all colored gemstones arn't certified. Simply put, the biggest reason not to certify is cost. Costs to certify a stone can range from $150 - $300 from a recognized, reputable, and independent organization such as the American Gemological Laboratories or the AGTA Gemological Testing Center.

Besides these two institutions, there are many agencies and organizations that may issue gem certifications- and some may do it for less- but jewelers and insurers do not recognize many of these 'unknown' certificates. Even worse, certificates might be issued by the sellers themselves, creating conflicts of interest.

If you require a certification, the best advice is to buy stones certified by an independent organization that is industry recognized. If there's any doubt, look up the certifying agency or organization on the web and form your own opinions based on what you find.