Customer Service
Gemstone Certification
Why Certification Matters
The Role of a Laboratory Certificate
In the world of gemstones, certification is the single most important document a buyer can hold. A certificate from an accredited independent laboratory confirms the stone's species, country of origin, and any treatments it has undergone. It is the only objective verification that exists between what a seller claims and what is actually in the stone.
VividCarat provides certification for all listed gemstones and recommends laboratories whose results are globally recognized as reliable and non-negotiable in the resale market.
What a Certificate Tells You
A full laboratory report covers: species and variety (e.g. "corundum — sapphire"), geographic origin (e.g. "Sri Lanka"), treatment status (e.g. "no indications of heating"), weight, measurements, cut, color description, and clarity grade. For investment-grade stones, origin and no-heat status are the two factors that most significantly affect market value.
A certificate does not set price. It establishes facts. Market value depends on demand for those facts. An unheated Burmese ruby and an unheated Sri Lankan ruby can both be certified — but their market value differs significantly based on origin premium.
Laboratory Comparison
Which Lab Is Right for Your Stone?
Different laboratories are trusted differently depending on the gemstone type, country of destination, and intended use (personal, resale, auction). Below is a comparison of the major labs we work with.
| Laboratory | Report Type | Cost | Turnaround | Origin | Treatments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gübelin GemLab | Master Report | On request | Varies | Included | Yes |
| SSEF | Master Report | On request | Varies | Included | Yes |
| GRS | Gem Report | $100 – $1,200 | 1 day – 2 months | Included | Yes |
| GRS | Platinum Report | $2,000 | 1 day | Included | Yes |
| GIA | Full Report | $150 (origin +$100) | ~1 week | Add-on | Selected stones |
| AIGS | Gem Report | $80 (origin +$20) | ~1 week | Add-on | Yes |
| AIGS | Master Report | $500 | ~1 week | Included | Yes |
| Lotus Gemology | Gem Report | $120 | ~1 week | Included | Yes |
| Lotus Gemology | Master Report | $500 | ~1 week | Included | Yes |
| GUILD GemLab | Gem Report | $75 | ~1 week | Included | Yes |
| ICA GemLab | Mini-Card | $20 | 2 days | Included | Yes |
| ICA GemLab | Full Report | $70 | ~1 week | Included | Yes |
| GIT | Gem Report | $30 – $70 | 2 days – 1 week | Add-on ($30) | Yes |
We recommend GRS, AIGS, or GUILD for stones destined for the US market. For auction-house resale or high-value investment stones, Gübelin and SSEF carry the highest international prestige. Ask us during the consultation which lab is right for your purchase.
Verification
How to Verify a Certificate
Every legitimate lab certificate carries a unique report number. You can enter this number directly on the issuing laboratory's website to confirm the certificate is genuine and matches the stone. We encourage all buyers to do this. If a certificate cannot be verified online, treat it with scepticism.
Certification at VividCarat
We disclose the certification status of every stone in its listing. Stones already certified ship with the original certificate. For stones we source on request, we advise on the most appropriate lab and arrange certification as part of the purchase process. Certification costs are disclosed before you commit to a purchase — never added as a surprise after the fact.