When you buy a diamond, you want to be sure it's been examined by a reputable gemological expert so that you can be guaranteed that you're getting what you're paying for. Diamonds are judged on the 4 Cs - clarity, cut, color and carat. When a diamond is graded, it helps determine its value, so it makes sense to have any diamond you're considering buying examined by someone from one of the institutes that do so. Keep reading to find out which ones are the best.

Gemological Institute of America

The Gemological Institute of America is one of the best diamond certification labs and you can count on their experts to give you an accurate and quality rating on your diamond. This institute created the standards used to grade a diamond's color and clarity, so their rating is a great one to look for if you're choosing a colored diamond or you want one that is colorless. A diamond's brilliance is another factor you can count on from the Gemological Institute of America. This is your best option for getting a high value grading on your diamond.

American Gem Society

For superior cut grading, you can rely on the American Gem Society. This institute is one of the best for grading light performance on diamonds so they're your go-to if you want a brilliant diamond that reflects the light for the ultimate sparkle. Since this determines about 50 percent of a diamond's value, it's important to be sure you're getting a good grading so if brilliance and sparkle is important to you, check the grading from the American Gem Society for all the assurance you need.

International Gemological Institute

This highly regarded institute is your first choice for loose diamonds, but they also give top quality grading to stones that have already been set in jewelry. This is also the premier option for grading lab-created diamonds. The International Gemological Institute has 18 labs around the world and is the largest diamond grading institute anywhere in the world. They also feature schools of gemology, so you can be assured that their experts are well trained and able to deliver accurate diamond grading.

Gem Certification and Assurance Lab

Here's a great choice for experts is imaging, cut analysis and videography that creates a highly accurate grading for your diamonds. Not only will the Gem Certification and Assurance Lab grade your diamond, but they also have a lot of resources for learning about what to look for when you choose a diamond, whether it's loose or in a setting. They can also grade metals and appraise jewelry you already own so you always get the best rating there is.

When you want to be sure you're getting what you pay for when you choose a diamond, having a grading for it is essential. The above-listed labs are your best options for reputation and accuracy. Other labs might not be of the highest quality so avoid them and stick with the experts listed here.

This is a guest post. Risa James Events has no financial relationship with any of the companies or products linked in this post.