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The history of the Finest gemstones is nearly as old as the emergence of human beings on this planet. The documented history may be short but the usage, significance, impact, and value of gemstones are mentioned in numerous ancient scriptures prevailing around the world.
When it comes to buying or selling gemstones, numerous questions pop up in mind but the one most essential question is how to check the authenticity of a gemstone. Though there are umpteen methods stated on various sources on the web to test the credibility of a gemstone, one of the hassle-free ways is gemstone certifications or gem lab certifications. It is the best way to check the authenticity of the gem without the risk of damaging it.
A gemstone certification is an official document issued by a gemological lab licensed by the respective government of a country. When you plan to buy an expensive piece of gemstone, it’s exemplary as well as wise to spend a few more bucks and collect a gem certificate to ensure what you are buying is not some cheap replica. But some people will also have in mind, which laboratory is the best or if we should believe in their results.
To make our readers more aware of gemstones and their certifications, we have jotted down all the prominent types of gemstone certifications that will help gemstone collectors as well as those who seek to embrace gemstones greatly when buying an expensive gem. These are certified, issued and authenticated certifications and laboratories, where you will only get real information.
GIA stands for the Gemological Institute of America. It is one of the most respected and prestigious institutes for gemological knowledge in the world. This non-profit organisation was founded in 1932 and is based in Carlsbad, California. This institute inspired the International diamond grading system.
Here, you can get all the information about a gemstone, as well as a grading report, colour report, and origin report and can get your gemstone verified as well. If a seller is selling you a gem with a GIA report proving its authenticity, then the gem is 99.99% original. The GIA-certified gemstone is highly respected in the industry and is known to provide complete standard evaluation reports including information like Origin, treatment, colour, cutting style, etc.
The standard grading system used by GIA evaluates a stone based on its colour, cut, clarity and carat.
The AGS is the American Gem Society, one of the fastest-growing bodies with highly experienced professionals. It was founded in 1934 with the mission of gemological research and establishing standards. It grades the gemstones, identifies them, and provides accreditation, and education as well. It also keeps the audience well updated about the latest trends in the jewellery industry as well as helps you find the right jeweller for you as per your needs and preferences.
AGS provides full disclosure information about the products they sell and provides certification with all the knowledge gained by them through proper gemstone grading. They use a standardized grading system and evaluate the fem based on 4C’s.
Indeed, AGS and GIA have a long-standing collaboration, they have combined their efforts to develop the world of gems.
Gem Research Swiss Lab, GRS, is an independent gemological laboratory based in Switzerland. It is globally recognized as a leading lab for providing certification services. It is specifically known for its expertise in coloured gemstones like rubies and sapphires. It not only provides the certifications but can also identify a stone, grade it and provide origin reports.
It can also identify gemstone advance treatments and select even minuscule treatments and enhancements in gemstones. Its branches are established at key sites with high equipment to detect heat treatment, diffusion treatment, fracture filling, etc.
Their reports are available for loose gemstones, and gemstone pairs, as well as gem sets and jewellery like rings, necklaces, etc.
Additionally, they also provide the services to cross-check the authenticity of a GRS report. Their GRS report verification services are free of cost and you can avail on their website online. So you can easily crosscheck if a GRS-certified gemstone provided by a retailer to you is original or not. The lab will confirm if the certificate is issued by this lab or not.
The International Gemological Institute (IGI) is the world’s largest independent organization for testing and grading gemstones and gem jewellery. This lab was founded in 1975 and have branches in over a dozen countries. They offer a wide range of services to their customers, providing information on gemstones such as their grading, gem identification, screening and string services, and education as well. They provide all the relevant information on their IGI certifications from origin, and weight to color and clarity grading.
They play an essential role in the diamond, jewellery and coloured gemstones market, globally. They also have a school of gems, providing world-class education on gems, and offering webinars and e-learning programs as well. They are known for their expertise in both natural and lab-grown gemstones.
EGL is a European Gemological Laboratory that was established in 1974, with the aim of professionalism and perfection in the gemological world. It has become one of the leading forces in the world in the gem industry and provides prominent gemstone certifications, along with offering a large number of services in this field. They not only identify and grade gems but also provide other services like laser inscriptions, light performance reports, and consultation of diamonds.
You can also verify EGL-certified gemstones by cross-checking your report for its authentication on their official website. Their complete grading system is also available on their site.
The American Gemological Laboratories (AGL) is a certification organization, founded in 1977 and based in New York, America. It is renowned for providing one of the most comprehensive grading reports on the quality of a gemstone. The certification provided by this laboratory is known for its simplified presentation and identification. They have expertise in gemstone grading and identification and provide other services like prestige report, jewel report, grading and origin services, etc.
They use an intricate and quality grading system to evaluate a gem based on its 4Cs and provide a detailed report. All the measurements, cutting style, colour, etc.
A Gubelin, the most trusted and highly skilled gemologist tests or verifies the authentication of a gemstone. Gubelin Gem Lab is a reputed laboratory that provides independent identification reports for gemstone jewellery and loose stones. You can let your gem be tested for a trace of treatments as well. This lab is based in Switzerland and has been in the industry for over 90 years.
They offer many services including the identification of all the gemstones in jewelry which is known as the Jewellery Passport.
They have Ruby as their signature stone and sell beautiful and unique jewellery pieces of it. Other than this, you can also buy luxury watches and other gemstone jewellery like rings, earrings, necklaces and bracelets. All the accessories are of good quality, provided with a complete report and are known for their designs.
Gubelin is known for its accuracy and integrity around the world, hence your Gubelin-certified gemstone is definitely original.
Here are some of the recognized and known gemstone laboratories in India, where you can get your gem tested and verified for originality.
The Gemological Institute of India (GII) is a leading and prestigious gemological institute in India based in Jaipur Rajasthan. The lab offers tests in bulks as well as for single gemstones. All the required tests are done in their laboratory including gemstone identification and grading.
GII is most known for providing the certification for real gems but they also are a research and development centre. They have highly trained gemologists and techniques and equipment. Indeed, they offer excellent courses for anyone who wants to gain knowledge about the world of gems.
IGI-GTL - is a government-approved gemological laboratory and a project of GJPEC. Licensed by the Indian government, it is one of the most reliable institutes in India that offers many services in the gemological industry. IGI reports are widely accepted and acknowledged because of their team of highly trained gemologists and their world-class techniques. They use microscopy, spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence and chemical analysis, to identify and grade gemstones.
It was established in 1972. Their reports are recognized by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BSI) as well because of their transparency levels.
If you need updates on the information of this field, you should be checking their website on a regular basis. They provide all the info from time to time.
The Gemmological Research Institute of India (GRI) is a non-profit organization that provides diamond and other gemstone identification, grading, and certification services. GRI's reports are on par with some of the biggest gem labs in the world. It provides a wide array of services like onsite testing, certificate reading, lab-grown diamond testing, and geographical origin determination. Also, it is known to publish utterly informative and valuable research papers that elevate the standards of the gemstone industry.
