Certificate & Identity Verification (Points 1–4)
1. Verify every certificate on the issuing lab’s website (gia.edu/report-check or igiworldwide.com/verify) before physical inspection. Confirm report number, shape, weight, and grades match exactly. Flag any discrepancy immediately.
2. Confirm stone-to-certificate matching: all GIA-certified stones have a laser-inscribed report number on the girdle, visible under 10x magnification or UV. Verify this matches the certificate. IGI certificates may include inscription for stones 0.30 ct and above.
3. Check the certificate date. Certificates older than 5 years on melee stones or 3 years on important singles warrant re-verification, as GIA periodically updates grading standards.
4. For natural diamonds above 1.00 ct, request an origin report or origin declaration if your end-market requires it. The US Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) and EU due diligence regulations are increasing documentation requirements for goods with Chinese supply chain links.
Physical Inspection (Points 5–7)
5. Inspect every stone 0.30 ct and above under 10x magnification. Confirm the clarity grade visually — you should be able to identify the key inclusion shown in the certificate plot. Confirm the inscription matches. Note any chips, abrasions, or naturals that may affect durability in setting.
6. Check proportions with a Sarine DiaMension or Proportion Scope for any round brilliant above 0.50 ct. Confirm the table %, depth %, and crown/pavilion angles fall within the grade window specified on the certificate.
7. View all stones in consistent, standardised lighting. A daylight-equivalent LED loupe light for colour assessment, and a dark field loupe for clarity. Avoid assessing colour under mixed or warm incandescent sources — this systematically mis-judges colour grades.
Pricing & Market Benchmarking (Points 8–9)
8. Reference Rapaport price lists (naturals) or IDEX Lab Grown price reports (lab grown) for the relevant shape, weight, colour, and clarity before negotiating. Know the current market discount or premium to Rap for the category you’re buying. Never negotiate without a price benchmark.
9. Calculate the effective price per carat (invoice total ÷ total carat weight). Compare to your benchmark. A parcel priced significantly below market warrants extra due diligence — not celebration. Understand why it’s cheap before buying.
Documentation & Logistics (Points 10–12)
10. Confirm Kimberley Process documentation is included for all natural diamond shipments. The KP certificate should accompany the shipment and list the country of origin. Request a copy in advance for your customs broker.
11. Confirm insurance coverage for transit. Diamonds above $10,000 total value should be insured under an all-risk inland/marine policy with a reputable carrier. Rachna Export arranges transit insurance on all shipments as standard; confirm coverage limits match parcel value.
12. Verify the incoterm on the invoice (typically CIF or DDP for international buyers). Confirm your import duties and GST/VAT obligations at destination before the parcel ships. US buyers note the current tariff environment; EU buyers note EU VAT on import; UAE buyers note zero VAT on diamonds under current rules.