You might come to a point in life where you want change, something a bit different. Styles naturally change over time, and trends are forever moving on and coming back into fashion. You might find that your diamond ring is no longer what you want or maybe, unfortunately, you and your partner have decided to go through with a divorce. Sometimes we don’t want to keep reminders, better to sell and move on. The question is, can you sell a diamond ring without a certificate?
You can sell a diamond ring without a certificate or grading report. However, the downside is you could potentially receive less money when you sell since it’s authenticity can not be verified. If your diamond was previously certified and you simply lost the documentation, then your diamond may have a serial number etched into it that can be verified.
Diamonds will always be valued at a higher price when they have been examined and professionally certified. So without having a certificate, your diamond ring will likely be worth significantly less. If you are looking to receive more money, then your best chances are to have your diamond graded and certified. Even if you do not have it certified you at least want to confirm if the diamond is real.
Why are diamond rings sold for less without a certificate?
The reason for a diamond ring potentially being sold for less is because when a gemologist does an examination, they can verify specific details about the diamond. The diamond will receive an in-depth analysis which determines many factors and helps to determine an accurate price for the diamond. The certificates provide the following type of information:
- Quality of the diamond
- The diamond measurements
- The Fours C’s – cut, color, clarity and carat weight
- It provides clarification that the diamond is genuine
- It confirms who owns the diamond
You can usually sell an uncertified diamond, but we expect the individual, jeweler, or pawn shop that you sell to might want to do their own examination or appraisal of the diamond to see whether it is worth purchasing from you. They will want to make sure that the diamond ring has resale value.
As a side note, diamond certifications are fairly new, they weren’t around over 30 years ago. This means that a lot of vintage diamond rings do not have certificates to go with their diamond rings.
What if I lost my certification?
You may be in luck. If your diamond was GIA certified, then there will be a serial number etched on the diamond. Grab a microscope and look for the GIA number on the edge of the diamond.
Once you have your GIA serial number, head over to their report lookup tool and search your number. If found, then you can download the report and print it out.
Where can I sell my diamond ring?
Jewelry Stores
Sometimes jewelry stores can be your best bet when it comes to selling a diamond without a certificate, or even if you are looking at selling your diamond in general. Whether you have a diamond ring certification or not, jewelry stores will always buy your diamond ring for less money. This is for the Jewelers to make a profit. See also: Do Jewelers Buy Used Diamond Rings?
Pawnshops
Again like a jewelry store, it is likely that a pawn shop will offer you a lower price for your diamond ring, especially without a certificate. But if you are looking to sell your diamond ring without a certificate quickly, it might be worth a shot. They usually sell for less because the pawnshop is aiming to make a profit. See also: How Much Do Pawn Shops Pay for Diamond Rings?
Online Selling Platforms
There is a range of different platforms that you could potentially sell your diamond ring on, such as eBay, Craigslist, Facebook Market Place, etc. The only trouble with this is that it might be difficult to sell without a certificate; it would be entirely down to the buyer’s trust. You might find that this way is more problematic than alternative options. See also: Who Buy Diamonds: Where to Sell your Jewelry
What should I do if I’m struggling to sell my uncertified diamond ring?
If you are struggling to find a way to sell your diamond ring, we believe that the best solution to this problem would be to have your diamond ring certified before selling it as this will higher the chances of it selling. This does not necessarily mean that it will sell better to a jeweler or a pawnshop though. They usually offer smaller amounts, whether there is a certificate or not.
If you choose to sell on an online selling platform, it is likely to do better with the certificate. However, it does cost to have your diamond professionally certified, so consider this and weigh up the differences.
If you don’t have a certificate for your piece of jewelry or you don’t wish to purchase one. It is still worth selling to a jeweler or a pawnshop but do not be surprised if they offer you less money than you may have expected.
In Summary, Diamond rings can be sold without a certificate
You should now understand that even if you do not have a certificate to be sold alongside your diamond ring, it is still possible that you will be able to sell your diamond ring without a certificate. Nonetheless, if you are looking to get the best price possible, then you might want to consider paying for a certification to be done.