7 Mistakes to Avoid When Buying GCAL 8X Diamonds

The Gem Certification And Assurance Lab (GCAL) 8X is the most thorough diamond grading method in the industry. Unlike other gemological institutions, GCAL grades diamonds for eight different parameters. The parameters include: brilliance, fire, scintillation, spread, cut, color, clarity, and fluorescence.

However, customers can make mistakes when buying GCAL 8X certified diamonds. In this blog, we discuss mistakes to avoid when buying GCAL 8X diamonds.

Why buyers trust GCAL 8X diamonds

GCAL is recognized and trusted for its grading standards. Apart from precision guarantee, the certificate also offers transparency to customers. Here are some factors that makes GCAL 8X different:

• Photographic technology to measure how light behaves inside the diamond

• If the diamond does not match the certificate, GCAL refunds the difference

• Every graded diamond has a unique laser inscription on the girdle

Mistakes to avoid when buying GCAL 8X diamonds

Here is a checklist of 7 mistakes to avoid when buying GCAL 8X diamonds.

1. Ignoring the light performance report

While you look at the grades in the certificate, don’t miss the images. The 8X report shows light performance imagery. You can see images of brilliance (white light return), fire (spectral dispersion), and scintillation (sparkle pattern). Don’t miss the images because two diamonds can have the same grades but still perform differently under light.

Tip: Look at both the numbers and the visual imagery of the diamond.

2. Not comparing prices across vendors

A GCAL 8X certificate doesn’t mean a fixed price. Diamonds of the same grade or same specifications can have different prices. The prices depend on factors, such as the brand, retailer, margin structure, among others. Hence, when buying GCAL 8X diamonds, never make the mistake of not examining the certificate. Ensure you have the full certificate, not just the grade summary.

Tip: Always explore two or more reputed diamond vendors and examine the GCAL 8X certificates.

3. Overlooking diamond shape preferences

The shape of a diamond impacts its perceived size and brilliance. But sometimes customers pay more attention to metrics and certification tiers, ignoring if the shape matches their aesthetic preferences, proportions, and style.

GCAL 8X certified diamonds are available in various shapes, and hence you must view diamond shapes through high-resolution videos before making purchases. Because a diamond that performs well in data might not suit your style.

Tip: Consider the shape of the diamond and its visual appeal when buying a GCAL 8X diamond.

4. Confusing GCAL 8X with standard GCAL certificate

Another mistake to avoid when buying GCAL 8X diamonds is assuming that GCAL always means 8X. GCAL offers various certification tiers. Standard GCAL certificates only grade the 4Cs – cut, color, clarity, and carat weight.

This standard certificate does not grade the other parameters of optical performance analysis. Hence, if you miss on confirming whether the certificate is GCAL or GCAL 8X, you might end up with lower quality diamonds.

Tip: Always look for 8x when buying a GCAL certified diamond.

5. Skipping expert consultation

Buying diamonds online has made the process of choosing good-quality diamonds easier. Customers can not only see detailed diamond grading reports but also compare many different diamonds to pick the best one. However, this process also leads customers to make the choice independently without consulting an expert.

A qualified diamond expert can help identify subtleties that may not be obvious when a layman looks at a diamond. While the GCAL 8X certificate is thorough, an experienced diamond expert can notice what the certificate missed.

Tip: There’s no harm in paying a one-time small consultation fee and purchasing the best GCAL 8X diamonds.

6. Overlooking milky or hazy diamonds

Diamonds often have a hazy of milky appearance. This might not have been captured by the grading certificate or the visuals in the certificate. If missed, you might end up with a diamond that does not perform well.

For instance, a diamond can carry a VS1 clarity grade but still look hazy under certain lighting. The GCAL 8X light performance images help identify this issue.

Tip: Always examine the light performance visuals in the GCAL 8X certificate. One mistake to avoid when buying GCAL 8X diamonds is to avoid diamonds that will dull or uneven light.

7. Failing to verify the laser inscription

Every GCAL 8X certified diamond carries a laser inscribed certificate number on its girdle. This inscription is a link between the physical stone and the certificate. But many customers forget to check this detail.

One mistake to avoid when buying GCAL 8X diamonds is to ignore the inscription. You might trust the retailer or might be shopping online, but it is essential to pay attention to the inscription in the certificate and on the diamond girdle.

Tip: View the inscription via a magnifying glass and cross-check the inscription in the certificate.

Pro tips to buy GCAL 8X certified diamonds

• Request the full digital 8X report, not just a summary and verify it directly on GCAL’s website.

• Compare at least 4 to 5 vendors as the prices of lab grown diamonds vary. Buy from reputed brands such as Grown Diamond Corporation.

• Prioritize light performance over grade as two diamonds with identical grades can look different.

• Confirm the 8X designation. Ask the retailer to confirm that the certificate is a GCAL 8X report, not a standard GCAL.

• Understand the return and upgrade policy and ensure your merchant offers a meaningful return window and a clear upgrade path for future purchases.

Wrapping up

GCAL 8X certified diamonds give the assurance of authenticity and top quality. But that does not mean you must blindly purchase any diamond with the certificate. The mistakes to avoid when buying GCAL 8X diamonds are listed above. Make it your quick checklist. And buy the best quality diamonds with reassurance from Grown Diamond Corporation.