From my experience selling gems from Vietnam to the international market

Buying a gemstone is like falling in love — your heart tells you it's beautiful, but your head still needs some proof. That’s where gemstone certifications come in.

Over the years working with Lục Yên gems, I’ve handled hundreds of stones — some rough from the mines, some already cut and polished, waiting to be matched with the right owner. One of the most frequent questions I get from customers is: "Do you offer gemstone certificates?" And the answer is: Yes, we do. But let me explain a bit more.

Do All Gemstones Need a Certificate?

Short answer: Not always.
Long answer: It depends on the stone’s value, your buying purpose, and your peace of mind.

If you're buying a small gem for a pendant — say, a $200 spinel — a certificate isn’t always necessary, unless you're gifting it or reselling it later. But if you're buying a $3,000 ruby or investing in a rare piece? Then yes, a certification gives both seller and buyer a common ground: clarity, authenticity, and confidence.

We Usually Recommend GUILD

At our store, we typically use GUILD Gem Lab (GGL). They’re based in Bangkok, highly experienced with colored gemstones, and their reports are reliable — especially for ruby, spinel, sapphire, and tourmaline from Vietnam.

Why we like them:

• Cost-effective: For small stones, certification can cost only $20–30.

• Quick turnaround: Usually 3–5 working days.

• Recognized in Asian markets: Especially in China, Hong Kong, Vietnam.

For High-End Stones, We Also Offer GIA

GIA (Gemological Institute of America) is the most respected gem lab worldwide — no argument there. Their standards are incredibly strict, and their reports are the gold standard in the diamond industry, also very solid for colored stones.

But here’s the catch:

• Very expensive: A single certificate can cost up to $150–300 for colored stones.

• Longer wait: Up to 2–3 weeks for processing and shipping.

• Mostly used in high-end US or European markets.

If a customer requests GIA — we’re happy to do it. But for everyday jewelry and more commercial pieces, GUILD is often the smarter, more efficient choice.

Other Gem Labs You Might Hear About

Besides GIA and GUILD – the two gem labs we work with most often – there are several other reputable gemological institutes worth knowing.

GRS (GemResearch Swisslab) is well-known for colored gemstones like ruby, sapphire, and spinel. Their reports often include famous color terms like "pigeon blood" or "royal blue," and are trusted in international trade. However, GRS certification can be expensive and time-consuming.

AGL (American Gemological Laboratories) offers detailed origin reports, especially for sapphire and emerald. Their narrative-style certificates are ideal for high-value stones and collectors.

IGI (International Gemological Institute) is best known for diamonds but also offers colored stone grading. It’s fast, global, and reasonably priced.

NGI (Ngoc Gems Institute) is a local Vietnamese lab. While smaller, it provides basic certifications that are useful for entry-level trading.

So, What Should You Choose?

Here's my honest recommendation:

• For stones under $1,000: GUILD is enough. It’s fast, cost-effective, and credible.

• For high-value or collector stones: Go for GIA, GRS, or even SSEF if the buyer is in Europe or you’re aiming for auction-level quality.

• If you just want to wear something beautiful: Trust your jeweler, ask the right questions, and enjoy the gem.

We always give our customers the option. We won’t push you toward an expensive certificate if it doesn’t make sense. But we also won’t cut corners when it comes to big purchases — that’s our reputation on the line.

Final Words

As someone who grew up in a gem-mining town, I’ve seen how a simple piece of spinel can change a family’s future — or how a forged certificate can ruin trust. That’s why we take gem certifications seriously. But we also know when to simplify things, when to focus on the beauty of the stone itself.

Whether it’s GUILD or GIA, we’ll walk you through every step. If you're still unsure — just ask. That's what we're here for.