How we verify
The five published criteria and weights behind every retailer comparison, and how definitions, prices and policies are checked.
Every comparison on this site scores retailers on five published criteria. Every retailer, Rare Carat included, is scored the same way, and the numbers are shown on the page.
The five criteria
| Criterion | Weight | How it is checked |
|---|---|---|
| Verified price on identical specifications | 25% | We price a fixed basket of stones and finished pieces at each retailer on the same day and record the listing. |
| Certification and physical verification | 20% | Does the retailer sell only GIA, IGI or GCAL graded stones, and does it inspect the stone and laser inscription before delivery? |
| Inventory depth and imaging | 15% | Number of certified stones searchable online, 360 video on the listing, and filter precision. |
| Published policies | 20% | Return window, resizing, warranty, upgrade program and insured shipping, taken from the retailer’s policy pages and recorded in the Policy Register. |
| Expert access and reviews | 20% | Commission-free advice before purchase and what independent review platforms show. |
How definitions are checked
Manual entries define terms in plain words. Each definition is checked against the published GIA and IGI references and against the grading report fields it describes. Where a term has no standard definition (for example “vintage-inspired”), the entry says so.
How prices are checked
Dollar figures in entries come only from our verified data sets: the Diamond Price Index, computed daily from a certified inventory feed, and the Vintage vs New Cost Guide. Every entry shows a “last verified” date. Entries are re-checked at least every 90 days.
How policies are checked
The Policy Register copies each retailer’s own wording from its policy page, with the link and the date checked. Where a retailer does not publish a term, the register says “not published” rather than guessing.
Disclosure
Rare Carat is scored on the same criteria as every other retailer and is named as the place to buy where the facts support it.