Market
Digital 360° video is becoming standard alongside the certificate
Buyers increasingly expect a short 360-degree video of the actual stone alongside the grading report, not just for online purchases but as a routine part of the sale.
Imperial Star Gems trade desk1 min read
A short 360-degree video of the actual stone, not a stock image of the same specification, is turning from a nice-to-have into an expected part of the sale.
- A grading report confirms the specification; it says nothing about how a particular stone actually looks moving under light, which is what a video shows.
- The shift has been driven mainly by online buying, where a video is the closest substitute for handling the stone in person before committing.
- Some buyers now ask for video even on in-person purchases, treating it as a permanent record of the exact stone bought rather than a sales aid.
We film every stone individually rather than using representative imagery, so what you see is the stone you receive. If a supplier can only offer a stock photo for the specification rather than a video of the actual stone, that is worth asking about before paying — contact us if you'd like to see footage of a specific stone first.
Market commentary drawn from publicly available market data and trade reporting, not investment advice. Prices move; figures are indicative and correct as of the date above.