How to Sell Diamonds Without Certificates (2024)

If you're here, it's probably because you have diamonds to sell but you are not in possession of the accompanying certificates. If that is the case, keep reading to find out how you can still sell your diamonds.

Can I Sell Diamonds Without Certificates?

Perhaps you lost your diamond's paperwork, or maybe you inherited a diamond and have no idea what its characteristics are. If you are in this situation, you may be wondering if you can sell diamonds without certificates.

The short answer is: yes. You have the following options available to you:

  1. Certify your diamond independently
  2. Get a jeweler's appraisal
  3. Sell your diamond without any certificates

Below we outline the advantages and disadvantages of both options for you.

However, the first and most important step is to confirm that your item is in fact a diamond. It is always beneficial for you to learn more about your item before you sell it.

Understanding the characteristics of your jewelry will make it easier for you to get an accurate quote for your item.

1. Certifying Your Diamond Independently

If you would like to certify your diamond, then we recommend you send the diamond to a reputable Gemological Laboratory such as the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) or European Gemological Laboratory (EGL USA).

These gemological laboratories analyze each diamond individually and grade according to their specifications, producing a grading certificate also known as a Diamond Grading Report.

The Advantages

A certificate will provide you with all the characteristics of your diamond. This will allow diamond buyers such as myGemma to be competitive when pricing your stone, as the certificate will eliminate any ambiguities about the stone, in turn offering you a more accurate price quote.

The Disadvantages

Depending on the laboratory you choose and the size of your diamond, the process can be quite costly (approximately $150) and take a minimum of 3 weeks, not including the time it takes to sell the stone.

It is always important to remember that obtaining a certificate does not guarantee an increase the value of your diamond, however it will allow you to get the most competitive price for your diamond.

A GIA-certificated diamond with an 'Excellent' cut grade can carry a premium of up to 30%. Upload your certificate here to get a price quote from myGemma: selling@mygemma.com or contact us on +1 646 569 3655.

2. Getting A Jeweler's Appraisal

Jewelers can provide both written and verbal appraisals. An appraisal represents the Jewelers opinion of the stone's characteristics, usually providing an estimated retail value.

The Advantages

You can get an appraisal completed the same day in most areas of the country. An appraisal might reveal if the diamond has a lasered certificate number on it, which may mean it has been certified by a laboratory at some point, helping you to get more accurate assessment of your diamond.

An appraisal could also provide some guidance of the important characteristics of the diamond such as the carat weight, color and clarity. These characteristics are necessary for you to get comparable prices when shopping around. Having some documentation also allows the buyer to insure the item correctly during transit.

The Disadvantages

The information found on a jeweler's appraisal represents the opinion of that particular jeweler which may not align with the strict grading standards of the laboratories listed in our first article, myGemma or another diamond buyer.

An appraisal provides a New Replacement Value for insurance purposes, not a re-sale value. If the intention is to sell this item, keep in mind that this value will never be achieved when you come to sell the item.

Jewelry appraisals can cost around $100 or a percentage of the item’s value. The document will not increase the value of your item, but give you the information you need to market your item more accurately.

Do You Have a Jewelry Appraisal?

Upload your Jewelry Appraisal here to get a price quote from myGemma. You can live chat with an expert, make an appointment, or email us at selling@mygemma.com.

3. How To Sell Diamonds Without Certificates

It is important to understand that when you are looking to sell diamonds without certificates, anyone serious about paying the best price for your diamond jewelry will need to see it in person before they can give you a price.

Sell To myGemma

Established in 2012, myGemma is a leading, international online diamond buyer. We prefer to give a price quote before an item comes tous. However, without specific diamond information such as carat weight, color and clarity of the diamonds, we will not be able to do so.

Without a price quote we cannot provide our free, fully insured shipping, meaning that you will need to send then item to us yourself.

Once you send your diamond to myGemma, our diamond experts will give you a no-obligation offer over the phone or by email. Once the offer is agreed, we will wire the money to you.

If you decide not to sell, we can send the item back to you. Alternatively, you can make an appointment to come into one of our offices to receive an offer there and then.

Fill out the easy and quick online form to get started.

How to Sell Diamonds Without Certificates (2024)

FAQs

Are uncertified diamonds worth anything? ›

Gem labs use very strict criteria to grade diamonds. An uncertified or self-certified diamond advertised as colour grade F may turn out to be more like a G or even an H colour grade when compared with an independently certified diamond, meaning that, like for like, you have probably paid more than you should have!

Can you sell an engagement ring without a certificate? ›

Selling a diamond ring without a certificate is possible. Highlight its unique features, such as cut, color, and clarity, through professional appraisal. Provide potential buyers with detailed information, emphasizing the ring's aesthetic appeal. Be transparent about the lack of certification and offer a fair price.

Do you need paperwork to sell diamonds? ›

In some cases, diamonds can be sold without paperwork. But generally, you'll want prior appraisals, certification paperwork, and the original receipt. What factors impact the worth of a diamond ring? The diamond's cut, color, carat weight, and clarity affect its price.

What happens if I lost my diamond certificate? ›

A diamond certificate should always be stored somewhere safe, but sometimes, they end up lost. You cannot receive a new physical copy of a GIA report. Of course, you can find the certificate online using the report check tool, and you can also have your diamond reevaluated to have a new report made.

Can you sell a diamond without a GIA certificate? ›

If you are in this situation, you may be wondering if you can sell diamonds without certificates. The short answer is: yes.

What happens if a diamond is not certified? ›

Uncertified diamonds are riskier to buy than certified stones because their quality is unknown. You don't know whether the price asked for a noncertified stone is fair relative to its quality. The price tag may appear low, but diamonds of the same quality grade may have an even lower market price.

How much to get a GIA certificate? ›

How much does a Gia certificate cost. The GIA report lab charges between $150 to $300 for the diamond's certificate. In order to certify your diamond with a GIA report, the cost depends on numerous factors such as the 4Cs factors, the type of diamond certificate, and other features for purchase.

What is the best way to sell diamonds? ›

Visit multiple local jewelers and compare their offers to those from online re-sellers. Negotiate: Be prepared to negotiate the price, especially with local jewelers or in online marketplaces. Be patient: Unless you're in a hurry, take your time to find the right buyer and the best offer.

Should all diamonds come with a certificate? ›

Certified diamonds are more valuable since the grading acts as proof of authenticity and verifies that the diamond meets all quality standards. However, don't be alarmed if your jeweler does not have a certificate for the diamond you want to purchase because not all diamonds are certified since it is not compulsory.

How do I get a diamond certificate? ›

The most convenient way to obtain a GIA Diamond Grading Report, Diamond Origin Report, Diamond Dossier® or Diamond Focus Report is through a local fine jewelry retailer. Retail jewelers are uniquely qualified to obtain a GIA report and to explain its contents.

Why are diamonds hard to sell? ›

There are many factors affecting resale value with the most prominent being the actual quality and current condition of the Diamond, the market demand and official certification of the Diamond.

How to exchange diamonds without a certificate? ›

Be honest about the diamond's characteristics: When selling a diamond without a certificate, it is important to be honest about its characteristics, including its 4Cs and any flaws. Transparency will help you build trust with potential buyers and increase the likelihood of a successful sale.

Can I sell diamond I found? ›

Yes, you can sell a diamond you found as long as it was found on your own property or in a public area that allows for the collection of minerals. However, if the diamond was found on someone else's property, you may need to obtain permission before selling it.

Can a jeweler steal my diamond? ›

Do Jewelers Swap Out Diamonds? Swapping diamonds would be extremely bad for any jeweler's business, and any accredited, independent jeweler will do everything possible to avoid it. This includes only removing your diamond from your ring when absolutely necessary.

Can you get a copy of a GIA certificate? ›

GIA does not offer duplicate reports. If you have the report number and would still like to view the information on your report, you are able to view the report data through Report Check. If your report is dated after 1 July 2010, a PDF version of the report is also available to view or download.

Are non-certified diamonds fake? ›

There is a common misconception that non-certified diamonds are of lesser quality than certified diamonds. This is not the case though; they are created in exactly the same way. Many jewellers carry non-certified diamonds. They are simply stones that have not been put through formal lab grading.

Is it important to buy a certified diamond? ›

Peace of Mind: Buying a certified diamond can provide peace of mind knowing that the diamond has been thoroughly evaluated and graded by a reputable diamond grading laboratory. This knowledge can help alleviate concerns about the diamond's authenticity or quality and give the buyer confidence in their purchase.

Do fake diamonds have value? ›

But lab diamonds have virtually no resale value, according to Zimnisky and other experts. "If you go to a gem laboratory, you can distinguish between a natural and man-made diamond, and that's why the price differential is so wide," Zimnisky said.

Do certified diamonds hold their value? ›

The short answer is yes, but the long answer will walk you through the fundamentals of diamond trading (buying and selling). However, unlike gold, diamond jewellery and loose diamonds maintain a stable market value. Instead, it is contingent upon market forces governing the cost and availability of these gems.

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