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The Associated Press

You’re paying a lot for your new family jewel. Do you know what you’re getting?

If you’re a novice, you can be taken by the glitter or brilliance of a stone. Or you can just be taken.

Expect an independent laboratory report, or certificate, for any worthwhile diamond purchase, says Gregory Sherman, director of marketing and education for EGL USA, one of the country’s largest and oldest gemological institutions.

That certificate will give you, essentially, the product information you need to make an informed purchase. It will attest to the stone’s genuineness and evaluate the factors that affect quality, beauty, and value. The certificate also will help you identify your gem if it is lost or stolen, so you can receive an equivalent gem as replacement.

EGL USA (EGL stands for European Gemological Laboratory) suggests what you should look for in a reliable diamond certificate:

• Date of report. There’s a possibility that the diamond has been damaged since the report was issued. Ask your retailer to show how your diamond matches the certificate offered.

• Identification number. Consumers can check out individual certificates online via http://www.EGLUSA.com. Often this identification number can be found laser-inscribed on the diamond itself. If your stone doesn’t have an inscribed number, ask your jeweler to have it done.

• It’s the genuine article. Look for a statement that says that the diamond is genuine and whether it has been enhanced — meaning if it has been treated to fill fractures. Labs will not grade fracture-filled diamonds, though reports are issued about laser-drilled diamonds.

• Weight. The exact carat measurement must appear on the report.

• Shape and cut. The stone’s shape (round, pear, oval) and its cutting style (brilliant or step-cut) are noted on the certificate.

• Measurements. Most labs measure diamonds in millimeters, most often to the hundredth. These exact dimensions are important for identification; it’s unlikely that two diamonds will have identical weight and dimensions.

• Proportion. Good proportion, especially the depth and table percentages, affects the brilliance and fire of a diamond. Proportion may be as important as color and clarity grades, says EGL USA. “Diamonds that are cut to ’ideal’ proportions can cost up to 25 percent more than diamonds with poor ’makes,”’ says Sherman.

• Clarity and color grades. Familiarize yourself with the ”4Cs.” Most reputable jewelers, and EGL USA, have this information if you need a review.

• Fluorescence. Ask your jeweler to tell you what color the diamond fluoresces, if this quality is present.

After studying the certificate, don’t think your purchase should be based solely on its findings. “It cannot replace a visual inspection of the diamond you are considering,” says Sherman. “Some diamonds are beautiful even if they don’t look good on paper.”

Diamond certificates are not the same as guarantees, valuations, or appraisals. Keep in mind that diamond grading, like the cutting, is an art, says the organization.

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