Which Gemstone Certificates Can You Trust?

For astrological gems, the reputable labs in the U.S. are GIA, AGL, and Stone Group Labs. A certificate written by the seller, or by a lab you can’t look up, is not the same as an independent laboratory report.

Start with the source

Buy gems from someone you know to be knowledgeable and trustworthy. If the price seems too good to be true, there probably is something wrong that you are missing. Shop and compare quality, and get expert advice if needed.

We always recommend working with an experienced gemstone dealer, someone with a good reputation and a great deal of knowledge about the gem business and about Jyotish, Vedic astrology, in particular. This creates a series of filters, and only the good stones get through. The vast majority of gems sold at gem shows or in jewelry stores are not of Jyotish quality.

The labs we rely on

GIA (the Gemological Institute of America), AGL (American Gemological Laboratories) and Stone Group Labs are the only three labs in the United States we believe are qualified to make judgment calls on the very rare quality of gems we sell. Now and then a stone comes to us with a report from a lab outside the U.S., such as C. Dunaigre in Switzerland. Wherever a stone has a report, its page names the lab and the report number.

For diamonds, GIA reports are preferred. Most dealers buy diamonds after they are cut and certified, and a GIA-certified diamond of high color and clarity, with good proportions, is the one to look for.

A certificate from the seller is a different thing

Many stones sold online arrive with a certificate printed by the seller, or by a lab that turns out to be hard to find. Treat it as the seller’s own description of the stone. However official it looks, it isn’t an independent laboratory report. If a stone matters to you, ask for a report from GIA, AGL or Stone Group Labs.

How to check a report is real

Match the report to the stone. The report number, the weight and the measurements on the report should match the stone and the listing exactly.

A GIA report says on its face “Verify this report at GIA.edu”, and carries a QR code that opens the same report on GIA’s own site. If you have any doubt about a report, contact us so we can help you coordinate reliable third party verification.

When a jeweler says your stone is fake

It’s generally an unwise idea to take your Jyotish gemstone to the rock shop, commercial jewelry store, or local gemologist down the street for assessment or appraisal. It should be evaluated by someone with the appropriate laboratory equipment and experience to make an accurate judgment call. Gem testers are not always accurate, and as such should not be used as a sole means of identification. If you are unsure whether your gemstone is genuine, review the gem’s laboratory report or contact us so we can help you coordinate reliable third party verification.

Read how to read a gemstone certificate here. Read which stones must be unheated here.

Not sure which gem is yours? Start with our Free Gem Report. If you’re ready to buy, order a Personal Consultation to confirm the gem is the right match for you. The consultation fee is credited back with any gemstone purchase over $500.