GIA Certificate- How old is too old?

[atiaofthejulii]

Hi all, I've just started my diamond search about a month ago and just discovered the forum a week ago
I have a question about GIA certificates. Everyone I know keeps saying that It's a must when purchasing a diamond. Luckily I haven't seen any diamonds that didn't have a GIA cert.

This weekend I saw a diamond and the GIA certificate was from 2015. How old is too old and is it a red flag if it's been "unbought" for so long?

Also, I was wondering what was customary for jewelers to give customers. One store I went to gave me a copy of the GIA before I left. The other was very reluctant to give me the GIA certificate and said that he will only review in person. Is there a reason for this?

Thanks!

 

[rockysalamander]

Hi all, I've just started my diamond search about a month ago and just discovered the forum a week ago
I have a question about GIA certificates. Everyone I know keeps saying that It's a must when purchasing a diamond. Luckily I haven't seen any diamonds that didn't have a GIA cert.

This weekend I saw a diamond and the GIA certificate was from 2015. How old is too old and is it a red flag if it's been "unbought" for so long?

Also, I was wondering what was customary for jewelers to give customers. One store I went to gave me a copy of the GIA before I left. The other was very reluctant to give me the GIA certificate and said that he will only review in person. Is there a reason for this?

Thanks!

I personally assume any modern cut diamond with a grading report more than 1 year old is very very likely to be a trade-in stone. Unless you are working with a very tiny vendor with loads of money they leave tied-up in stock (read...almost nobody). I will still consider that stone, but only if the vendor will send it back to the grading house (GIA or AGS) for confirmation that there is no damage that would alter its grade.

If they won't give you the GIA number, walk away. They are simply trying to avoid you finding the stone elsewhere for less.

 

[HappyNewLife]

ditto rocky. If someone is hiding something, there's a reason. I wouldn't even consider a diamond without a GIA # provided to me freely

 

[MissGotRocks]

I agree. Transparency in any diamond purchase is a must for me. If you don't want to share the cert with me, I'll find another vendor.

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

if a diamond has been sold and worn, then an old cert can be an issue - may be small chips etc.
But I have some stones in my stock that have been set into an ugly setting and sat in my store for 2 years. That happens.

 

[yssie]

Also depends on size/colour/clarity. I’d much more readily believe that a 5ct J VVS has been sitting on a shelf for two years than a 1ct G VS, say.

 

[Rockdiamond]

I’d say it’s more common for a stone not to be sold to a consumer within the first year or two.
As others have said, a seller not willing to share a GIA report # is a big red flag.
But a 2 year old report is no guarantee of anything.
It could mean the diamond had been sold and returned.....maybe.
Another reason why choosing a trustworthy seller is so important.

Like Garry-we’ve had cases of GIA graded stones sticking around for more than a few years. It happens

 

[WinkHPD]

Agree with Garry and Rock. Easy way to know, ask. If the seller seems evasive or uncomfortable, then walking away is always a good option. I have some incredible diamonds in my inventory that are "brand new" with grading reports that are two or more years old.

Hard to say why, but it happens.

You can always also ask if the seller will send a diamond with an old report back for a new one. The response will also be a good indicator of the level of service the jeweler is willing to offer.

Wink

 

[Karl_K]

If its a virtual stone from the lists and the report is over 2 years old I wonder a bit about it.
If the stone is in stock at the dealer and they have had it that whole time then its not an issue for me.
It further depends on the size, color, and clarity.
3-4 even 5 year old reports on a 2ct D-E/IF are fairly common as they move slowly.
A 1ct H/VS2 GIA EX/AGS0 with good numbers with a 3-4 year old report, really needs a new report to make me comfortable.