Buy moissanite almost anywhere and it arrives with a small card marked GRA. Buyers reasonably ask what it is, whether it means anything, and whether it can be faked. Here are straight answers, and what to check before you rely on one.
What a GRA certificate shows
A typical GRA card lists:
- Report number, which should match a number laser-inscribed on the stone's girdle
- Shape and cut, such as round brilliant or oval
- Measurements in millimetres
- Carat weight, often given as DEW (diamond-equivalent weight). Our size chart explains DEW.
- Colour grade, on the D-to-K scale used for diamond
- Clarity grade, such as VVS1
- Sometimes cut, polish and symmetry grades, and a photo of the stone
Our grading guide explains what each grade means, and the colour chart shows the colour bands.
Is a GRA certificate legit?
It's a genuine and useful document, as long as you understand what it is. GRA certifies a very large share of the world's moissanite, and its reports are normally ordered by the manufacturer when the stones are made. That makes it closer to a maker's quality record than to an independent appraisal.
It does three things well. It confirms the stone is moissanite, it ties the card to the stone through the inscribed number, and it records the stone's details, which helps with insurance and with a warranty claim.
What it doesn't do is prove the grades to the standard of a diamond lab. Two stones both carded as D colour can look slightly different side by side. That's why who you buy from matters as much as the card.
GRA vs GIA and IGI
GIA and IGI are independent labs best known for grading diamonds. Their reports are expensive and the grading is strict, which is why a diamond's price depends on them. They can identify moissanite, but moissanite is not normally sent to them for grading, because grown moissanite of a given quality is priced by size alone and a diamond-lab report would cost a large share of the stone's price. So a GRA card isn't a lesser version of a GIA report: it does a different, simpler job.
How to check a GRA certificate
- Match the number. Look at the stone's girdle under a 10× loupe. The inscribed number should match the number on the card exactly.
- Look it up. Enter the report number on the GRA website's verification page. The record should show the same shape, size and grades as your card.
- Measure it. A jeweller can check the millimetre measurements against the card in a minute.
- Test it. A multi-tester confirms it is moissanite. See does moissanite pass a diamond tester?
Can a GRA certificate be fake?
Yes. Because the cards are simple and familiar, copies circulate, sometimes with stones that are not moissanite at all. A card with no matching inscription, a number that doesn't look up, or a price far below the market are all warning signs. Our guide to where to buy loose moissanite covers what else to check in a seller.
What comes with our stones
Every SOLA™ stone of 5mm and larger is laser-inscribed on the girdle with a unique number and comes with a GRA certificate carrying the same number, and we record that number against your order. Smaller stones aren't inscribed or certified individually, but they carry the same warranty, which our sales records confirm.
The certificate is backed by something a card alone can't give you: our lifetime warranty, from a South African business that has sold moissanite since 1999. The exact terms are on the warranty page. Browse the stones, all DEF colourless and VVS clarity.
What is a GRA certificate for moissanite?+
A report card recording a moissanite's shape, measurements, weight, colour and clarity, with a report number that is usually laser-inscribed on the stone's girdle. It confirms the stone is moissanite and describes it.
Is a GRA certificate legit?+
It is a genuine document that identifies and describes the stone, but it is usually ordered by the manufacturer, so it works more like a maker's quality record than an independent appraisal. Check that the inscribed number matches and looks up online.
How do I verify a GRA certificate?+
Check that the number laser-inscribed on the stone's girdle matches the card, then enter the report number on the GRA website's verification page and compare the details.
Does GIA grade moissanite?+
GIA and other diamond labs can identify moissanite, but moissanite is not normally sent to them for grading. Most moissanite is certified by GRA instead.
Does Moissanite SA moissanite come with a GRA certificate?+
Yes. Every SOLA™ stone of 5mm and larger is laser-inscribed and comes with a GRA certificate carrying the same number. Smaller stones carry the same lifetime warranty, confirmed by our sales records.