{"id":846,"date":"2026-10-30T01:00:32","date_gmt":"2026-10-30T01:00:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.usajewels.com\/blog\/index.php\/2026\/10\/30\/certified-vs-non-certified-diamonds\/"},"modified":"2026-10-30T01:00:34","modified_gmt":"2026-10-30T01:00:34","slug":"certified-vs-non-certified-diamonds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.usajewels.com\/blog\/index.php\/2026\/10\/30\/certified-vs-non-certified-diamonds\/","title":{"rendered":"Certified vs Non-Certified Diamonds: What Buyers Should Know"},"content":{"rendered":"<\/p>\n<p>A certified diamond comes with an independent laboratory report that lists its grades, measurements and treatments. A non-certified diamond has no such report, so you are relying on the seller\u2019s word. For most engagement rings and any stone of meaningful size, we recommend the report. For very small or low-value stones, going without one can be reasonable, if you take a few precautions.<\/p>\n<div data-blg-cta=\"after_tldr\" data-blg-cta-layout=\"split\" style=\"margin:28px 0;font-family:-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, &apos;Segoe UI&apos;, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif\">\n<div style=\"border-radius:26px;padding:min(22px,3.2vw);background:radial-gradient(circle at 100% 0%,#eae4d5 0 150px,rgba(255,255,255,0) 151px),radial-gradient(circle at 0% 100%,#eae4d5 0 130px,rgba(255,255,255,0) 131px),linear-gradient(180deg,#f1ede3 0%,#f8f6f1 100%)\">\n<div style=\"background:#ffffff;border-radius:18px;overflow:hidden\">\n<div style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap\">\n<div style=\"flex:1 0 36%;min-width:220px;padding:30px 76px 30px 26px;color:#ffffff;background:linear-gradient(104deg,#42320a 0%,#271d06 82%,rgba(0,0,0,0) 82.15%)\">\n<div style=\"margin:0 0 14px\"><span style=\"display:inline-block;max-width:100%;border-radius:999px;padding:6px 13px;font-size:12px;font-weight:800;letter-spacing:0.1em;text-transform:uppercase;line-height:1.3;background:#ffffff;color:#533f0c\">Usajewels<\/span><\/div>\n<div style=\"font-size:12px;opacity:0.75\">usajewels.com<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"flex:999 1 300px;min-width:0;padding:30px 28px\">\n<div style=\"font-size:23px;font-weight:800;line-height:1.2;letter-spacing:-0.01em;color:#1f2937;margin:0\">Choose a Diamond With Confidence<\/div>\n<div style=\"width:56px;height:6px;border-radius:3px;background:#8B6914;margin:12px 0 14px\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"font-size:15px;line-height:1.55;color:#64748b;margin:0 0 22px\">USA Jewels offers custom jewelry with choices in diamond quality and metal type, alongside a commitment to ethical sourcing.<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/usajewels.com\/\" style=\"display:inline-flex;align-items:center;gap:9px;border-radius:10px;font-weight:700;font-size:15px;text-decoration:none;padding:13px 22px 13px 26px;background:#8B6914;color:#ffffff\">Explore USA Jewels<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"tldr\" tabindex=\"-1\">TL;DR<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>A grading report describes a diamond\u2019s 4Cs, proportions and treatments. It does not set a price or promise beauty.<\/li>\n<li>Without a report, you can overpay or receive a stone graded lower than advertised.<\/li>\n<li>Small, lower-color or lower-clarity stones are often sold without reports because of cost.<\/li>\n<li>If a stone is uncertified, make the sale conditional on an independent grading or appraisal.<\/li>\n<li>Check the report number with the issuing lab and look for the laser inscription on the stone.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"table-of-contents\" tabindex=\"-1\">Table of Contents<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#what-certified-actually-means\">What \u201ccertified\u201d actually means<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#what-a-non-certified-diamond-is\">What a non-certified diamond is<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#why-some-diamonds-are-sold-without-a-report\">Why some diamonds are sold without a report<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#certified-vs-non-certified-at-a-glance\">Certified vs non-certified at a glance<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#the-real-risks-of-buying-without-a-report\">The real risks of buying without a report<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#what-a-report-does-not-do\">What a report does not do<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#perspective-why-we-put-reports-first\">Perspective: why we put reports first<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#how-to-protect-yourself-if-a-diamond-is-uncertified\">How to protect yourself if a diamond is uncertified<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#how-to-verify-a-report-you-are-given\">How to verify a report you are given<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#when-going-without-a-report-is-reasonable\">When going without a report is reasonable<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#choosing-a-certified-stone-with-us\">Choosing a certified stone with us<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#faq\">FAQ<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#sources\">Sources<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"what-certified-actually-means\" tabindex=\"-1\">What \u201ccertified\u201d actually means<\/h2>\n<p>People say \u201ccertified diamond,\u201d but the correct term is a grading report. A <a href=\"https:\/\/4cs.gia.edu\/en-us\/how-gia-grades-diamonds\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">GIA Diamond Grading Report assesses a natural diamond\u2019s 4Cs, proportions, finish and treatments<\/a>, and maps its unique characteristics. The lab examines the stone and records what it finds.<\/p>\n<p>Two points matter here. First, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gemsociety.org\/article\/diamond-certification\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">gemologists are encouraged to avoid calling grading reports certificates, because grades are expert opinions, not facts<\/a>. A good lab is consistent, but it is still a professional judgment. Second, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gemsociety.org\/article\/diamond-certification\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">GIA does not certify diamonds or their value<\/a>. A report describes. It does not tell you what to pay.<\/p>\n<p>If you want a deeper walk-through of the major labs, our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usajewels.com\/education\/about-diamond-certification\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">guide to GIA, AGS and IGI reports<\/a> compares them side by side.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.usajewels.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/1793161175917_What-certified-actually-means-overview-diagram.jpeg\" alt=\"What &quot;certified&quot; actually means \u2014 overview diagram\"><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"what-a-non-certified-diamond-is\" tabindex=\"-1\">What a non-certified diamond is<\/h2>\n<p>A non-certified diamond has not been graded by an independent lab. It may still come with a description from the seller, a store-written card or an in-house document. Those are claims, not independent findings. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.naturaldiamonds.com\/diamond-engagement-rings\/diamond-certification\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Buyers should be cautious of in-house documents or papers from unknown organizations<\/a>, since they may not follow strict, independent standards.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.usajewels.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/1793161130030_Independent-lab-grading-compared-with-seller-claims.jpeg\" alt=\"Independent lab grading compared with seller claims\"><\/p>\n<p>That does not make every uncertified stone a bad one. It means nobody outside the sale has confirmed what you are told.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"why-some-diamonds-are-sold-without-a-report\" tabindex=\"-1\">Why some diamonds are sold without a report<\/h2>\n<p>Not every diamond gets graded. <a href=\"https:\/\/help.rapaport.com\/en\/articles\/4170625-understanding-diamond-grading-certificates\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Diamonds may be listed as ungraded because of cost, often when they are smaller or have lower color or clarity<\/a>. A lab fee can be a large share of the value of a tiny stone, so it often does not make sense.<\/p>\n<p>Other common cases:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Melee and accent stones.<\/strong> The small diamonds around a center stone are rarely graded one by one.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Antique and heirloom stones.<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gemsociety.org\/article\/diamond-certification\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Older diamonds may lack reports, and sending one to a lab can help confirm it is genuine and give an idea of its value<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Stones whose seller prefers to compete on price.<\/strong> This is the case to look at carefully, since a missing report removes the easiest way to compare.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"certified-vs-non-certified-at-a-glance\" tabindex=\"-1\">Certified vs non-certified at a glance<\/h2>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th><\/th>\n<th>Certified<\/th>\n<th>Non-certified<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Grades confirmed by independent lab<\/td>\n<td>Yes<\/td>\n<td>No<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Easy to compare across sellers<\/td>\n<td>Yes<\/td>\n<td>Hard<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Treatments disclosed<\/td>\n<td>Yes, in the report<\/td>\n<td>Only if the seller says so<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Risk of overpaying<\/td>\n<td>Lower<\/td>\n<td>Higher<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Typical use<\/td>\n<td>Engagement rings, larger stones<\/td>\n<td>Small accents, antiques, some low-value stones<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Resale and insurance paperwork<\/td>\n<td>Report supports both<\/td>\n<td>Needs a new appraisal<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2 id=\"the-real-risks-of-buying-without-a-report\" tabindex=\"-1\">The real risks of buying without a report<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gemsociety.org\/article\/diamond-certification\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">A grading report provides information about a diamond\u2019s quality. Without one, buyers may overpay or receive a stone with different grades than advertised<\/a>. That is the heart of it.<\/p>\n<p>Price gaps are real. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.checkbook.org\/national\/how-to-buy-diamonds\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Prices for comparable diamonds can differ by thousands of dollars<\/a>, which is why a shared, independent description helps you shop. Without it, a seller can call a stone a color or clarity grade that a lab would not.<\/p>\n<p>There is also the matter of how labs themselves are judged. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gemsociety.org\/article\/diamond-certification\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">A lab overgrades a diamond when its grade is off by two or more color or clarity grades<\/a>. So not every report is equal, and the name on it matters.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"what-a-report-does-not-do\" tabindex=\"-1\">What a report does not do<\/h2>\n<p>A report is not a guarantee of beauty. <a href=\"https:\/\/4cs.gia.edu\/en-us\/blog\/what-is-a-gia-diamond\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Fire and brilliance can still vary between stones with similar objective grades<\/a>. Two diamonds with identical paper can look different on the hand.<\/p>\n<p>It is also not an appraisal. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gia.edu\/FAQ\/gia-faq-analysis-grading-certify-appraise-diamond-gemstone\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Grading reports describe a diamond\u2019s characteristics without assigning a dollar value, while appraisals set a value for insurance or other purposes<\/a>. You may need both. And a report on its own is not proof that a stone is conflict-free; that comes from the seller\u2019s sourcing practices, so ask about them directly.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jewelers.org\/buying-jewelry\/jewelry-buying-guides\/diamond-buying-guide\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Jewelers of America advises treating a report as an informative blueprint, not the only factor, and comparing stones in person when possible<\/a>. We agree. Cut quality in particular shapes what your eye sees, and our piece on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usajewels.com\/blog\/index.php\/2026\/10\/11\/diamond-cut-grades\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">diamond cut grades<\/a> explains how.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"perspective-why-we-put-reports-first\" tabindex=\"-1\">Perspective: why we put reports first<\/h2>\n<p>We have been a family-owned business since 1999, and we make our jewelry in-house. Over those years, the most common regret we hear is not about a stone that was too small. It is about a stone that was not what the buyer thought it was.<\/p>\n<p>That is why our loose diamonds are certified, and why we are comfortable saying the report belongs in the conversation before the price does. A report lets you compare our stones to anyone else\u2019s on equal terms. We would rather win that comparison than avoid it.<\/p>\n<p>We also think the report is a starting point. Look at the stone, ask questions, and take your time. Our lifetime diamond upgrade program exists because we expect people to care about this stone for decades.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><em>\u2014 Joseph<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h2 id=\"how-to-protect-yourself-if-a-diamond-is-uncertified\" tabindex=\"-1\">How to protect yourself if a diamond is uncertified<\/h2>\n<p>Sometimes the stone you love has no report. You still have good options.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Make the purchase conditional.<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gemsociety.org\/article\/diamond-certification\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Buyers can negotiate the sale on the condition of an independent grading or appraisal by a qualified professional<\/a>. Get that in writing, along with the return terms.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Work with a reputable jeweler.<\/strong> The same source notes that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gemsociety.org\/article\/diamond-certification\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">a highly reputable jeweler can reduce risk when no formal report exists<\/a>. Ask how long they have operated and what their return policy is.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Have it looked at under magnification.<\/strong> Any honest seller should be happy to show you the stone under a scope.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Compare price against graded stones.<\/strong> If an uncertified stone is far cheaper than a graded one with the same stated grades, ask why.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Send it to a lab yourself.<\/strong> For a stone you already own or are about to buy, a lab report gives you an independent baseline.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2 id=\"how-to-verify-a-report-you-are-given\" tabindex=\"-1\">How to verify a report you are given<\/h2>\n<p>A report is only useful if it is real and belongs to your stone. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jewelers.org\/buying-jewelry\/jewelry-buying-guides\/diamond-buying-guide\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Legitimate reports come from laboratories independent of suppliers, mines or retailers<\/a>, so be wary of a lab tied to the seller.<\/p>\n<p>Then check it:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jewelers.org\/buying-jewelry\/jewelry-buying-guides\/diamond-buying-guide\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Look up the report number on the issuing lab\u2019s own website, and check the diamond\u2019s laser inscription<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>Compare the stated measurements and grades with the stone in front of you.<\/li>\n<li>Confirm the inscription matches the report number.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>We have step-by-step guides on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usajewels.com\/blog\/index.php\/2026\/09\/26\/how-to-read-gia-report\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">how to read a GIA report<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usajewels.com\/blog\/index.php\/2026\/09\/15\/gia-laser-inscription\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">how to verify a laser inscription<\/a> with a 10x loupe. For the wider picture, see our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usajewels.com\/blog\/index.php\/2026\/08\/05\/jewelry-certification-types-guide\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">overview of certification types<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usajewels.com\/blog\/index.php\/2026\/07\/07\/diamond-quality-4cs-breakdown-your-buying-guide\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">how the 4Cs work<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"when-going-without-a-report-is-reasonable\" tabindex=\"-1\">When going without a report is reasonable<\/h2>\n<p>Uncertified is not always a red flag. It can make sense when:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The diamonds are small accents in a piece, where individual grading is not practical.<\/li>\n<li>You are buying an antique or estate piece and plan to have it appraised.<\/li>\n<li>The budget is modest and the stone is small, and you buy from a seller you trust with a solid return policy.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>It makes much less sense for a center stone in an engagement ring, where the price is high and small grade differences change the cost noticeably. Here we would not skip the report.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"choosing-a-certified-stone-with-us\" tabindex=\"-1\">Choosing a certified stone with us<\/h2>\n<p>If you want the report and the design freedom, our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usajewels.com\/diamonds\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">certified loose diamonds<\/a> start from $142. You can pick the shape, quality and metal, then have us set it. Our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usajewels.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Design Your Own Diamond Ring<\/a> option starts from $399, and our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usajewels.com\/jewelry\/rings\/engagement-rings\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">engagement rings<\/a> start from $346.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.usajewels.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1779762064186_usajewels.jpg\" alt=\"Usajewels\"><\/p>\n<p>Shipping is free and insured, there is a 30-day money-back guarantee, and our pieces are solid, not hollow or plated. If you would like a walk-through of the design process first, read our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usajewels.com\/education\/design-your-own-guide\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">step-by-step design guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"faq\" tabindex=\"-1\">FAQ<\/h2>\n<h3 id=\"do-all-diamonds-get-certified\" tabindex=\"-1\">Do all diamonds get certified?<\/h3>\n<p>No. Smaller stones and those with lower color or clarity are often sold without a report because of cost. Larger, higher-value stones usually come with one, and it is the norm for engagement ring center stones.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"is-a-certified-diamond-always-better-quality\" tabindex=\"-1\">Is a certified diamond always better quality?<\/h3>\n<p>Not necessarily. A report tells you what the stone is, not whether it is a good one. A certified stone can still have a weak cut or lower grades, so read the details and look at the diamond itself.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"is-a-certificate-the-same-as-an-appraisal\" tabindex=\"-1\">Is a certificate the same as an appraisal?<\/h3>\n<p>No. A grading report describes the diamond and does not assign a dollar value. An appraisal states a value, usually for insurance, so you will likely want one after you buy.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"can-i-trust-a-stores-own-certificate\" tabindex=\"-1\">Can I trust a store\u2019s own certificate?<\/h3>\n<p>Treat it with caution. In-house documents and papers from unknown organizations may lack independent standards. Ask for a report from an independent lab, or make the sale conditional on one.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"what-if-my-diamond-is-an-heirloom-with-no-report\" tabindex=\"-1\">What if my diamond is an heirloom with no report?<\/h3>\n<p>You can send it to a lab. That can confirm the stone is genuine and give you an idea of its value, which is also useful for insurance.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"sources\" tabindex=\"-1\">Sources<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/4cs.gia.edu\/en-us\/how-gia-grades-diamonds\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">GIA: How GIA grades diamonds<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gemsociety.org\/article\/diamond-certification\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">International Gem Society: Diamond certification FAQ<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/help.rapaport.com\/en\/articles\/4170625-understanding-diamond-grading-certificates\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Rapaport: Understanding diamond grading and certificates<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/4cs.gia.edu\/en-us\/blog\/what-is-a-gia-diamond\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">GIA: What is a GIA diamond?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.checkbook.org\/national\/how-to-buy-diamonds\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Checkbook: Diamonds shopping guide<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jewelers.org\/buying-jewelry\/jewelry-buying-guides\/diamond-buying-guide\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Jewelers of America: Diamond buying guide<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.naturaldiamonds.com\/diamond-engagement-rings\/diamond-certification\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Natural Diamonds: Diamond certification and appraisal<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gia.edu\/FAQ\/gia-faq-analysis-grading-certify-appraise-diamond-gemstone\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">GIA: Does GIA certify or appraise diamonds?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"recommended\" tabindex=\"-1\">Recommended<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/usajewels.com\/blog\/index.php\/2026\/07\/01\/why-diamond-certifications-differ-globally-2026-guide\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Why Diamond Certifications Differ Globally: 2026 Guide<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/usajewels.com\/blog\/index.php\/2026\/08\/05\/jewelry-certification-types-guide\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Jewelry Certification Types Guide: What U.S. Buyers Need<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/usajewels.com\/blog\/index.php\/2026\/07\/02\/gia-certification-diamonds-what-buyers-need-to-know\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">GIA Certification Diamonds: What Buyers Need to Know<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/usajewels.com\/blog\/index.php\/2026\/06\/25\/how-to-choose-a-certified-ethical-diamond-jeweler\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">How to Choose a Certified Ethical Diamond Jeweler<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Certified or non-certified diamond? Learn what a grading report verifies, when going without one is reasonable, and how to protect yourself before you buy.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":847,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-846","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Certified vs Non-Certified Diamonds: What Buyers Should Know<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Certified or non-certified diamond? 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