Lab-made Lab-created Synthetic Cultured Created
Look for a jeweler who’s a certified gemologist. They might display their credentials in the store or you can ask if they’re affiliated with a professional association like the Gemological Institute of America.
If the jeweler doesn’t have the information or isn’t willing to share it, consider shopping with a different jeweler.
Original lab-grown diamonds from the 1970s might have a yellow tinge to them since lab techniques hadn’t been perfected yet.
If you see any initials, serial numbers, or grades, you can ask the jeweler to tell you more about them or look the information up online. For example, go to the lab’s website and enter the number to view the report.
This is another reason it’s important to shop with a jeweler who’s honest about what you’re purchasing.
Don’t be surprised if a jeweler doesn’t have a UV screener available. Many of these high-quality screeners cost tens of thousands of dollars.
Keep in mind that about less than 2% of mined diamonds are type IIa diamonds, so this indicator won’t give you a definitive answer.
If you’re interested in the value of the diamond, don’t forget to ask the appraiser to include a value. You can also use this information if you want to insure the diamond.
