Unfortunately, this is not the case with diamonds, where subtle differences in colour, clarity and cut can have a significant impact on value. This being the case, it is possible for unscrupulous sellers to try and pass inferior stones as being of a higher quality than they really are.

If you are investing in something as valuable as diamond jewellery, it stands to reason that you want to make sure that the diamonds you receive are of the quality that the seller is asserting.

Fortunately, in the case of diamonds, you don't need to take the word of the seller, as there are third-party organisations which independently assess and grade diamonds so that you can buy stones that come with diamond certificates.

There are more than 20 organisations worldwide that offer diamond certificates, and some of the most widely used include the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), the Diamond High Council (HRD), the European Gemological Institute (EGL) and the International Gemological Institute (IGI).

While the re can be subtle differences in the way that each of these organisations grades diamonds, as long as your diamond certificate has come from a reputable organisation it does provide the buyer with reasonable reassurance about the quality of diamond they are buying.

However, as with any significant purchase, you shouldn’t just rely on a certificate to tell you whether or not you will prefer one diamond to another. A diamond certificate confirms the quality of a stone, but nothing can replace viewing and comparing different diamonds in person to ensure that you receive exactly what you are looking for.

If you are looking to buy a diamond or diamonds, make sure you ask the jeweller whether they supply diamond certificates. You can do some research beforehand and that way you’ll get an idea of what to expect from a certificate and the vital information that you should be on the lookout for. By doing this you know that you are getting the best quality stone for your money and you have a certificate to prove it.