More Australian buyers are choosing to source a loose certified diamond themselves and then take it to a trusted jeweller to be set. It is a considered, transparent way to commission a piece: you select the stone on its own merits, you hold the certificate, and you work directly with a bench you trust on the design. This approach is often described as bringing your own diamond, or a customer-supplied stone. Done properly, it gives you control over both the quality of the stone and the craftsmanship of the setting. This guide explains how it works in Australia, what to confirm with your jeweller before you commit, and how the paperwork, inspection and insurance fit together.
Why source the diamond separately
When you buy a finished ring from a retailer, the stone and the setting arrive bundled, and the value of each is rarely itemised. Sourcing the diamond on its own changes that. You see the certificate before you commit, you know precisely what you are paying for the stone, and you are free to commission the setting from a jeweller whose work you admire rather than accepting whatever is on the shelf.
For lab-grown diamonds in particular, this separation suits the way the market works. A loose certified stone can be sourced to your exact specification, then matched to a setting designed around it. CRTD is stone-only by design: we source the diamond, certify it, and ship it to your jeweller's bench so the two halves of the project stay in expert hands. You can read more about that model on our how we source page.
What CRTD supplies, and what your jeweller supplies
It helps to be clear about the division of work from the outset. CRTD supplies the loose certified stone, the independent laboratory certificate, and a signed authenticity letter. Your jeweller supplies the design consultation, the metal, the setting and the labour to set the stone securely. Knowing where one responsibility ends and the other begins makes every later conversation, particularly around inspection and insurance, far simpler.
Confirm your jeweller will set a customer-supplied stone
The single most important step is to ask, early, whether your jeweller is willing to set a stone you have sourced yourself. Most established benches do this regularly, but their terms vary, and it is far better to know them before you have a diamond in hand.
Raise these points in your first conversation:
- Willingness and experience. Confirm the jeweller routinely sets customer-supplied stones and is comfortable working with lab-grown diamonds specifically. A lab-grown diamond sets exactly like a mined one of the same shape and dimensions, so this is a matter of preference and policy, not capability.
- Liability while the stone is on the bench. Ask what happens in the rare event a stone is damaged during setting. Reputable jewellers carry their own cover and will explain their position in writing.
- Setting fee and timeline. Request a written quote for the design and setting, separate from the stone, along with an expected turnaround.
- Re-certification or appraisal. Some jewellers offer a valuation for insurance once the piece is finished. Confirm whether this is included or charged separately.
Getting these answers in writing protects both sides and sets clear expectations for the work ahead.
Understand the certificate and the paperwork
A loose diamond is only as trustworthy as its documentation. Every CRTD stone is independently certified by a recognised laboratory such as IGI or GIA, with a minimum clarity of VS1. The certificate is the formal record of the stone's identity, and it travels with the diamond.
Familiarise yourself with what the certificate states before the stone reaches the bench:
- The four Cs. Carat weight, cut, colour and clarity, recorded by the laboratory.
- Measurements and proportions. The stone's dimensions in millimetres, which your jeweller needs to design a setting that fits precisely.
- The laboratory report number. Often inscribed on the girdle of the diamond and matched to the certificate, allowing the stone to be verified under magnification.
- Confirmation it is lab-grown. The report will state that the diamond is laboratory-grown, which is the correct and expected designation.
Alongside the certificate, CRTD provides a signed authenticity letter. Keep the certificate, the authenticity letter and your purchase receipt together. This trio is what your insurer and your jeweller will want to see, and it is the basis of any future valuation.
Why the paperwork matters for resale and valuation
A diamond with complete, traceable documentation is far easier to value, insure and, should you ever choose, pass on. The certificate links the physical stone to an independent assessment made before it was ever set. Holding that record yourself, rather than relying on a retailer's internal description, gives you a clear and verifiable account of exactly what you own.
Ship-to-bench logistics within Australia
CRTD ships from Sydney by insured courier. With a bring-your-own-diamond commission, the most efficient route is usually to have the stone delivered directly to your jeweller's bench, or to you, depending on what you and the jeweller prefer. Coordinate this before you order so the delivery address and the receiving arrangements are agreed in advance.
A few practical points for the handover:
- Agree the delivery address early. If the stone is going straight to the bench, confirm the jeweller will accept and sign for an insured parcel and store it securely until your appointment.
- Insured transit. CRTD stones travel by insured courier, so the diamond is covered while it is in transit to the agreed address.
- Signature on receipt. Insured parcels require a signature. Make sure whoever receives the stone is expecting it and can sign.
- Keep the consignment details. Hold the tracking and delivery confirmation with your other paperwork.
Inspect the stone against its certificate
Before any setting work begins, the diamond should be checked against its certificate. This is standard practice and a sensible safeguard for everyone involved. You can do this yourself on receipt, and your jeweller will almost always do it as a matter of course before the stone goes on the bench.
The inspection confirms three things:
- The stone matches the certificate. Carat weight, measurements and the report number on the certificate correspond to the diamond in hand.
- The laser inscription is present. Where the laboratory has inscribed the report number on the girdle, your jeweller can verify it under magnification.
- The diamond is sound. A visual check for any condition issue before work commences, recorded so there is a clear baseline.
Asking your jeweller to note the result of this inspection, ideally in writing, creates an agreed record of the stone's condition at the point it entered their care.
Insurance: before, during and after setting
Insurance for a bring-your-own-diamond project falls into three stages, and it is worth understanding each.
In transit. CRTD ships by insured courier, so the stone is covered on its way from Sydney to the agreed delivery address.
On the bench. While the jeweller is setting the stone, their own policy is the relevant cover. This is why confirming their liability position in writing, as described above, matters.
After completion. Once you have the finished piece, arrange your own jewellery insurance, whether a standalone policy or an addition to your home and contents cover. Insurers will typically ask for the laboratory certificate and a current valuation. Many jewellers can provide a valuation for the completed piece; confirm whether yours does, and factor it into your timeline.
A simple sequence to follow
Pulling the steps together, a straightforward commission usually runs in this order:
- Speak to your jeweller and confirm they will set a customer-supplied lab-grown stone, then obtain a written setting quote and the stone dimensions they need.
- Source the loose certified diamond to that specification and agree the delivery address.
- Receive the stone by insured courier and inspect it against its certificate.
- Hand the diamond to the bench for setting, with the condition noted.
- Collect the finished piece, obtain a valuation, and arrange your own insurance.
- Store the certificate, authenticity letter, receipt and valuation together.
Followed in this order, the process is calm and orderly, with no step left to chance.
Frequently asked questions
Can any jeweller set a stone I have sourced myself?
Most established jewellers will set a customer-supplied stone, but terms differ, so confirm willingness, liability and the setting fee in writing before you order the diamond. A lab-grown diamond sets exactly like a mined diamond of the same shape and size, so it is a question of the jeweller's policy rather than any technical limitation.
Will a lab-grown diamond set the same way as a mined one?
Yes. A lab-grown diamond is chemically, physically and optically the same as a mined diamond, with the same hardness and dimensions for a given carat weight. Your jeweller works with it using identical techniques. The certificate will note that it is laboratory-grown, which is the correct designation.
Who is responsible if the stone is damaged during setting?
While the stone is on the bench, your jeweller's own cover applies, which is why it is important to confirm their liability position before work begins. In transit to the agreed address, CRTD ships by insured courier. Once you have the finished piece, your own jewellery insurance takes over.
What paperwork should I keep?
Keep the independent laboratory certificate, the signed authenticity letter, your purchase receipt and any valuation your jeweller provides. Together these document the stone's identity and value, and they are what your insurer will ask to see.
Source your stone with CRTD
CRTD sources loose certified lab-grown diamonds to order, with a minimum clarity of VS1, independent IGI or GIA certification, and a signed authenticity letter with every stone. We ship from Sydney by insured courier, direct to you or to your jeweller's bench, so your chosen bench can do what it does best. Explore our collection of loose diamonds, or visit our wholesale page if you are a jeweller sourcing stones for clients.