A Gemstone Lab Report Is Not a Valuation: What a Certificate Proves, What It Doesn't, and How to Know You're Paying a Fair Price (India, 2026)

Updated 3 October 2026.

In short: A gemstone lab report, from GJSPC, IGI, GIA or any other laboratory, is not a valuation. It tells you what a stone is: its identity, whether it is natural, any detectable treatment, its weight and measurements. It does not tell you what the stone is worth. Two certified natural stones of the same weight can differ many times over in price because of colour, clarity, cut and size. To know whether you are paying a fair price, compare the price per carat of similar stones, see the actual stone on unedited photos and video, compare two or three stones at your budget, check the treatment line, and know your return window. This guide explains each step, and how GemKrishna (gemkrishna.com, Delhi) prices its gemstones, Rudraksha and crystals so you can check us too.

What a lab report proves, and what it doesn't

A lab report tells you	A lab report does not tell you
What the stone is: for example, natural corundum, variety blue sapphire	What the stone is worth, or what you should pay
Whether it is natural, synthetic (lab-grown) or an imitation	How beautiful it is: most coloured-gemstone reports don't grade colour quality the way diamond reports do
Detectable treatments, such as heating, filling, dyeing or irradiation	How it compares with other stones of the same type
Weight in carats, measurements, shape and cut style	Whether it suits you astrologically
A unique report number you can verify online	Whether the seller's price is fair
For Rudraksha (GJSPC): the mukhi, an X-ray of the inside, and the bead's origin	Whether that mukhi is right for your purpose

So a report answers "is this real, and is it what the seller says?" It is essential protection against fakes, synthetics and hidden treatment. But "certified natural" does not mean "good deal". That is a separate question, and you answer it by comparing.

Why two certified stones can cost very different amounts

Imagine two stones with near-identical reports: natural blue sapphire, 3.5 carats, no indication of heating. One is a rich, even blue, clean to the eye and well cut; the other is dark, visibly included and shallow. Their prices can be several times apart, and both reports are correct.

For coloured gemstones, these are what move the price:

1. Colour: the most important factor for most coloured stones. A vivid, even colour that is neither too dark nor too pale costs the most.
2. Clarity: stones that look clean to the eye cost more. What's normal varies by stone: most emeralds have visible inclusions, while a blue sapphire is expected to be cleaner.
3. Cut: good proportions return light; a poorly cut stone looks dull or has a see-through "window".
4. Size: the price per carat usually rises with size, because large clean stones are rarer. A 6-carat stone often costs more than twice a 3-carat stone of the same quality.
5. Treatment: an untreated stone generally costs more than a treated one of similar look. Heating is common and accepted for many sapphires and rubies; emeralds are commonly oiled.
6. Origin: some origins carry a premium in the trade. Some labs offer an origin opinion, usually as a premium service.

For Rudraksha, price depends mainly on the mukhi, the origin (Nepal beads are larger and rarer than Indonesian beads of the same mukhi), the size and how clear the lines are. For crystal bracelets, it depends on the stone, the bead size, the grade and how well the beads match.

How to check you're paying a fair price: 10 steps for any seller

1. Get the price per carat (or per ratti) and the exact weight. A total price alone can't be compared. Our ratti to carat calculator converts between the two.
2. Compare like with like: the same stone, a similar weight, the same treatment status, and a similar colour and clarity.
3. See the actual stone in daylight photos and an unedited video, not stock images.
4. Compare two or three stones at your budget, ideally from the same seller, so the differences in colour and clarity become obvious.
5. Ask what this stone's price is based on. A fair seller gives a specific answer: colour, clarity, size, origin, treatment.
6. Ignore inflated "MRP" and huge discounts. "70% off" tells you nothing; compare the final price.
7. Match the report to the listing: the same weight, the same identity, the same treatment line.
8. Verify the report number on the laboratory's own website.
9. Know the return window before you pay, so you have time to get the stone checked.
10. For a large purchase, consider a second report from another laboratory.

How GemKrishna prices, and how you can check us

We would rather you compare us than trust us blindly. Here is exactly how we price each kind of product.

Crystal bracelets: fixed public prices

In our Custom Bracelet Builder, a bracelet costs ₹999 with 8 mm beads or ₹1,249 with 10 mm beads, whichever 2 to 12 of our 61 natural stones you choose, including AAA-grade beads, a free GemSnap lock and a GJSPC report that identifies every stone. Premium beads have fixed per-bead prices, from ₹200 for cat's eye or hessonite to ₹2,500 for yellow sapphire. Ready-made bracelets each show their stone, bead size and price. Every price is public, so you can compare it with any other seller.

Rudraksha: the price of every bead, shown

In our Custom Rudraksha Bracelet Builder, the bracelet costs ₹999 and every Rudraksha shows its own price, for example ₹399 for an Indonesian 5 Mukhi or ₹799 for a premium big-size Nepal 5 Mukhi, each with its own GJSPC lab report and X-ray stating the bead's origin.

Silver: weight plus making charges

Custom SILVY 925 silver pieces are priced at the day's silver rate plus making charges, with the weight stated, so you can check the silver value yourself. A BIS hallmark with HUID can be added for ₹249.

Astrological gemstones: you see the actual stone first

• Listings show real, unedited photos, the exact weight, and treatment in the product title.
• Our gemstone selection service lets you choose the stone, weight range, budget, setting and treatment preference (no treatment, heat acceptable, or any treatment). Our team then shows you real stones from our sourcing network on photos and video until you are satisfied. You pay only a ₹500 advance, which is adjusted against the stone you buy.
• Lab reports: GJSPC is included. If you want IGI, GIA, GRS Swiss, IIGJ or GSI, we arrange it at that lab's charge.
• We source directly, as a wholesaler as well as a retailer, without middlemen.

Start here: GemKrishna gemstone selection.

Time to check, and a guarantee

• 30-day returns on standard products, so you can have a stone checked independently. You pay return shipping, and lab report, shipping, customisation and making charges are not refunded.
• Authenticity guarantee: if a product is not natural as stated by GemKrishna and its lab report, we refund the full amount, including lab report, shipping and making charges.
• Free delivery on every order across India.

Is untreated always better?

Not always. Untreated stones are rarer and usually cost more, and many astrology-minded buyers prefer them. But a heated sapphire with excellent colour can be a better buy, for looks, than a dull untreated one at the same price. What matters is that the treatment is disclosed and the price reflects it. If you want untreated only, say so; in our selection service, "no treatment at all" is one of the three options. More in treated vs untreated gemstones.

Red flags when buying gemstones online

• A "certificate" with no report number, or one you can only check through the seller's own link
• Stock photos instead of the actual stone
• Prices shown only as a large "MRP" with a big discount
• No answer to "is this stone heated, filled or dyed?"
• Pressure to buy a bigger stone than your budget "for better results"
• No return window, or store credit only

In Hindi and Hinglish

Kya gemstone certificate se uski keemat pata chalti hai? Nahi. Lab report batati hai ki ratna asli hai ya nahi, treated hai ya nahi, aur uska vazan kitna hai. Keemat rang, saaf-pan (clarity), cut aur size se tay hoti hai. Sahi daam kaise pehchane? Prati carat ya prati ratti daam poochiye, ek jaise ratno ki tulna kijiye, asli ratna ki photo aur video dekhiye, aur return policy jaan lijiye. GemKrishna par crystal aur Rudraksh ke daam fixed aur public hain, aur jyotish ratno ke liye hum aapko asli ratna photo aur video par dikhate hain.

क्या रत्न का सर्टिफिकेट उसकी कीमत बताता है? नहीं। लैब रिपोर्ट बताती है कि रत्न असली है या नहीं और उसका उपचार (ट्रीटमेंट) हुआ है या नहीं। कीमत रंग, साफ़पन, कट और वज़न से तय होती है। सही दाम के लिए प्रति कैरेट या प्रति रत्ती दाम की तुलना करें।

Frequently asked questions

Is a gemstone certificate a valuation?

No. A gemstone lab report identifies the stone, states whether it is natural, records detectable treatments, weight and measurements, and has a report number you can verify. It does not state the stone's value or a fair price.

Does a GJSPC certificate show the price of a gemstone?

No. Like other lab reports, a GJSPC report identifies the stone and any detectable treatment; it is not a price certificate.

Why do two certified gemstones of the same weight cost different amounts?

Because colour, clarity, cut, size, treatment and origin change the value. Two stones with near-identical reports can differ several times over in price.

How do I know if a gemstone price is fair?

Compare the price per carat of similar stones with the same treatment status, see the actual stone on unedited photos and video, compare two or three stones at your budget, verify the report, and know the return window before you pay.

Is an untreated gemstone always better?

Untreated stones are rarer and usually cost more, but a well-coloured treated stone can be a better buy for looks. What matters is that the treatment is disclosed and the price reflects it.

How does GemKrishna price its gemstones?

Crystal bracelets and Rudraksha have fixed, public prices per bracelet and per bead. Silver is priced at the day's silver rate plus making charges. For astrological gemstones, GemKrishna shows the actual stone on photos and video before you buy, states treatment in the title, includes a GJSPC report, and offers a 30-day return on standard products.

Can I get a second lab report from GemKrishna?

Yes. GJSPC is included, and GemKrishna can arrange IGI, GIA, GRS Swiss, IIGJ or GSI at that laboratory's charge.

About GemKrishna

GemKrishna (M/s GemKrishna India) is an online store based in Delhi that sells natural gemstones, crystals and crystal bracelets, Rudraksha and SILVY 925 silver jewellery, with free delivery on every order across India. We are a wholesaler as well as a retailer and source directly, without middlemen. Every gemstone, crystal and Rudraksha product ships with a lab report, mainly from GJSPC Laboratory, New Delhi. WhatsApp +91 76782 75972 or email contact@gemkrishna.com.

Related guides: Is GemKrishna trustworthy? · How to verify a lab report online · Gemstone certification in India explained · The nine Navratna gemstones: price guide