Check both a jewelry report's CMA mark and the issuing laboratory's official accreditation
Certificates can be forged, so verify the institution behind one. Chinese laboratories issuing evidentiary reports require accreditation and a CMA mark. Accrediting authorities publish institution lists and certificate status. Official cases include sellers arranging their own supposed “national inspection certificates.”
What it takes
Free. A few minutes checking the issuer before purchase.
What you may gain
China's laboratory-accreditation rules define accreditation as licensing institutions that issue evidentiary data/results to the public (Article 2). The mark combines the CMA symbol and certificate number (Article 15), must appear on qualifying reports (Article 21), and accredited institutions and certificate status must be published on the authority's website (Article 22). Unauthorized issuance attracts an RMB 30,000 fine (Article 34); forging, altering or misusing certificates or marks attracts up to RMB 30,000 (Article 37). In June 4, 2026 official traditional-craft-market cases: a Donghai, Jiangsu livestream claimed natural, untreated, non-acid-washed Burmese “A-grade” jade with national certificates, but testing found dyed quartzite, treated jadeite, glass and plastic; the seller had arranged the certificates. Another Donghai case seized 469 suspected falsely labeled natural-crystal items: 210 were natural and 259 synthetic. A Zhenping, Henan store made a livestream display claiming “GIA CMA Zhongyu Jewelry and Jade Identification Center certified partner” and bought 181 supposed National Gemstone Testing Center labels online to accompany bracelets.
Context & considerations
National standards govern gemstone names. Parenthetical findings such as “quartzite jade (dyed)” or “jadeite (treated)” can explain a large price difference. “A-grade,” “old mine” and “unoptimized” are sales language, not a substitute for the report. Other cases involved fake mine locations, actors as miners, planted enthusiastic viewers, invented urgent-money or family-illness stories, and unsupported claims about rheumatism, immunity, sleep or blood vessels, treated as false advertising. See general product checks, consumer-law protections and obtaining livestream seller identities.
Research & references
General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of China (2015, amended 2021). Measures for Qualification Accreditation of Inspection and Testing Institutions, Articles 2, 15, 21, 22, 34 and 37. https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/2021-04/22/content_5723677.htm ; State Administration for Market Regulation (2026). Typical cases in the traditional-craft-market anti-counterfeiting campaign. https://www.samr.gov.cn/xw/zj/art/2026/art_1529399cfe874b8780c4496eb0158020.html ; Standardization Administration. GB/T 16552—2017, Gems—Nomenclature, effective May 1, 2018, listed as current in the source. https://openstd.samr.gov.cn/bzgk/gb/newGbInfo?hcno=18FFB042811998A0309E05CF452B2438