Anyone who has shopped for diamonds and put any effort into the endeavor likely knows about the four C’s involved with the gems. Color, cut, clarity, and carat are all assessed in order to place a value on a diamond in both prestige and price. There is another term that some in the industry like to mention, and that is the certificate. A certificate is provided by a third party that works on neither the behalf of the seller nor the buyer. Some are not quite sure what a certificate is, while others claim that it is not necessary in order to evaluate the worth of a diamond. As previously stated, a diamond certification is produced by a third party. This person will look at the qualities of the four C’s and provide a value based on them. The reason certification is done is to fairly assess the diamond without bias on the part of those looking to buy or sell the gem. It is usually wise to seek a certificate, especially for buyers who are unfamiliar with what to look for. Sadly, there are some jewelers who are looking to make a bigger buck at someone’s expense, and they might try to sell a stone at a higher value than it deserves. A certificate is a good tool for new buyers to use to avoid getting taken for a raw deal. The necessity of a certificate then becomes an issue. Is a diamond required to possess certification in order to be sold? No. The presence of a certificate, however, offers the peace of mind that buyers are looking for when shopping for diamonds. A third party is unbiased. Even if a buyer is unfamiliar with the terminology and has never purchased a diamond before, the certificate provides instant reference points that they can utilize. Additionally, they are less likely to get the short end of the stick from a jeweler who is more interested in profit than integrity. Simply the lack of a certificate does not necessarily point to a rip-off. Oftentimes, it just means that a diamond has been enhanced in some manner, altering the natural grade of it. Laser treatments, for example, do not ruin a diamond. In fact, they provide a jewel to some who are looking for a bigger stone at a smaller price. So the bottom line is this; diamond certification is not necessary to buy and sell diamonds, but it probably should be in the eyes of the buyer. This will help him or her to be sure that the diamond he or she buys is worth what the price tag and placard say it is. More – Diamond Earrings