Why are Certificates that Important for Sapphires?

Trustworthy sources usually sell sapphires with a certificate from an independent and recognized laboratory. But why is this necessary?

Appearances can be deceiving, especially if you are not an expert - a stone that looks like it is worth a fortune may end up being almost worthless.
This is exactly what a certificate prevents: it describes exactly, as verified by a laboratory, which stone you are holding in your hands or being offered. 

A treasure from earth, a product from the laboratory, or an imitation?

Natural sapphires are a natural product that has been formed over millions of years. They are genuine, rare, and therefore valuable. 

Synthetic sapphires, which are grown in a laboratory, look identical to natural sapphires at first glance. They even have the same chemical structure. However, synthetic sapphires are mass-produced. They have no character and almost no financial value. 

In the worst case, the stone could even be a imitation, such as colored glass.

This is the most important function of the certificate: to identify exactly what kind of stone it is and whether it is natural. 

Treatments

There are treatments that are barely recognized, if at all, and make the stone almost worthless. These include diffusion treatments, glass filling, and irradiation. A reputable certificate would reveal such treatments.

However, most sapphires are only treated with heat. This is a recognized and accepted method of improving color and clarity. This treatment is also mentioned on a certificate.

Untreated sapphires are the premier class. Pure nature in its most beautiful form. These sapphires are extremely valuable, since untreated sapphires are rare: more than 90% of all sapphires are treated in some way. This increase in value of untreated stones, which can be more than double that of a heated stone, can only be achieved with proof that the stone is natural: in the form of a certificate.

Origin

Laboratories can determine the region of origin of a stone based on very small inclusions within it. The value of a sapphire can vary greatly between regions. Its origin is also a strong indicator of the ethical conditions under which it was mined. 

Professional Color Grading

In the world of gemstones, even small color nuances can be of great importance. A “sky blue” or “deep blue” is priced much lower than the coveted “royal blue” or “cornflower blue.” Especially when buying online, where the color may not be 100% accurately estimated, a professional, objective color grading by a laboratory under standard lighting is helpful. It protects you from paying a premium price for an average color. 

Important Key Data such as Weight and Dimensions

The certificate also includes a picture and other basic data such as weight and size. This helps to avoid possible measurement inaccuracies on the part of the supplier. It also ensures that you are holding the stone described on the certificate. 

Can Certificates be Faked?

The following procedure prevents fakes: Reputable certificates have an unique code. This can be entered on the laboratory's website. The certificate that you receive physically is then also displayed digitally. 
In the case of fakes, either the certificate code would not lead to any results or the information displayed on the web would differ from the physical certificate. This quick check therefore ensures that the certificate is valid.