GIA and IGI Lab Diamonds

When it comes to diamond grading, there are several different labs out there. Some are more reputable than others.

GIA is one of the most popular and respected gemological labs in the world. They have stricter grading standards than other labs.

1. Better Value

If you’re looking for a lab-grown diamond to purchase for your engagement ring or other significant jewelry piece, you’ll want to choose one that has been certified by the GIA or IGI. These two labs are the leading gemological institutes around the world and they will give you a report with grading information about your diamond.

The GIA and IGI use the 4 Cs grading system to evaluate diamonds. These include color, clarity, cut, and carat weight. The GIA is more well-known in the United States and its report will often be the one most jewelers refer to when a diamond’s quality needs to be evaluated.

However, if you’re not located in America and prefer to shop overseas, you’ll probably be happier with an IGI report. They’re more popular in Europe and Asia where GIA is not as well-known, and their reports are often more cost-friendly than GIA.

IGI is a reputable diamond grading lab serving the jewelry trade with 20 locations worldwide, primarily concentrated in India. They are known as the leading grading lab for synthetic diamonds and offer screening services for loose stones as well as finished jewelry.

They’re able to screen millions of melee diamonds each year and issue grading reports on individual gems. They’re also one of the only major laboratories that offers grading on finished jewelry.

Their grading reports for lab-grown diamonds look nearly identical to those for natural diamonds and feature most of the same information. The girdle of a lab-grown diamond will be laser inscribed with the laboratory report number and the words “lab grown.”

In addition to grading the color of a lab-grown diamond, IGI also grades the diamond’s fluorescence (the way it glows under long-wave ultraviolet light). They do this on a scale from no fluorescence to strong fluorescence.

Another aspect of grading a lab-grown diamond is clarity, which measures the size, number, and location of internal diamond characteristics. This is determined by an expert gemologist using x10 magnification.

IGI is the clear winner when it comes to grading lab-grown diamonds, as they grade all of them with internationally accepted standards and scales for clarity and color. In fact, their grading reports are so accurate that they’ve become the industry standard.

2. Environmentally Friendly

The International Gemological Institute (IGI) is a world leader in lab grown diamonds. It provides grading services, training and education courses for the jewelry industry. It also offers evaluation and appraisal of finished jewelry items.

IGI was founded in 1975 and is the oldest diamond grading laboratory in Antwerp, the world’s biggest diamond center. It is also the only gemological laboratory with operational bases in nearly every continent.

Today, IGI screens millions of small diamonds for the jewelry trade each year separating naturally mined from laboratory grown diamonds. They then issue a variety of reports and certificates for those stones.

Many of these diamonds are used for small accents in pendants and rings, where it is important to separate natural from synthetic origin. In this way, IGI has become one of the key players in the global jewelry trade, particularly overseas where GIA and AGS are not as dominant.

The IGI uses a similar system of grading to GIA and AGS, but it is a little different in some ways. For example, IGI does not provide an overall cut grade on round diamonds, like GIA does. Rather, it offers hearts and arrows patterning for round diamonds that indicate the level of craftsmanship a diamond exhibits.

Additionally, IGI does not offer light performance analysis with ray tracing like AGS does, which means that they do not report on the quality of facet precision. This can be problematic, as if a facet is out of alignment with its neighboring ones it will affect the overall light performance.

For these reasons, it is important to understand the differences between IGI and GIA when shopping for diamonds. Generally, we recommend buying a diamond from an established GIA lab in the United States or Europe.

If you are concerned about the environment, you should consider IGI-certified lab-grown diamonds. These diamonds are a great alternative to mined diamonds as they don’t require any major resources, which is environmentally friendly. In addition, they are often much more affordable than naturally mined diamonds.

3. Ethical

Lab diamonds are a popular choice for ethically-minded shoppers who are looking to purchase a piece of jewelry that’s both environmentally friendly and ethically sourced. These stones are a great alternative to mined diamonds that often result in unethical and dangerous working conditions and leave significant environmental impacts.

Buying lab grown diamonds from an artisan or jeweler with a reputation for ethical practices can give you peace of mind knowing that your investment is backed by a proven history of sustainability. Look for a company that has GIA or IGI certificates. These are the only two diamond grading laboratories that specifically grade lab-grown diamonds.

IGI is a leading gem laboratory that conducts research on gemstones and lab-grown diamonds to ensure that they’re truly authentic. It is also one of the few major gem laboratories that provides appraisal valuations.

These are an important step in the certification process as they ensure that you’re purchasing a diamond that is genuine and has been accurately inspected by a qualified expert. They also provide a detailed report that you can use to compare diamonds and make an informed purchase.

The IGI is dedicated to protecting its customers from scams, fraud, and other unethical practices by ensuring that only legitimate products are certified. They use a variety of testing methods, including spectrometers and X-rays, to determine the authenticity of lab-grown diamonds.

IGI has a reputation for honesty and integrity, which is why they are the only diamond grading laboratory that grades both mined and lab-grown diamonds. They have been in business for over three decades and have offices worldwide.

They work with a variety of manufacturers and retailers to test their diamonds and jewelry and offer an affordable, fair price for certificates. This helps jewelry stores to keep prices low for their customers while still maintaining a good profit margin.

In addition to grading, IGI offers an extensive sustainability certification for natural and lab-grown diamonds. They assess each stone and verify that it has been rated as environmentally sustainable, and the resulting certificate will list its IGI sustainability rating.

4. Reliable

Lab-grown diamonds are becoming popular these days. They’re a good choice for people looking to get a diamond at a fraction of the price, but there are some things you should know before purchasing one.

When it comes to grading and certifying diamonds, you should always opt for a well-respected and trustworthy lab. GIA and AGS have a reputation for being the gold standard, but there are other reliable grading labs out there as well.

IGI, also known as the International Gemological Institute, is a well-known diamond grading authority and has certified millions of diamonds since it was founded in 1975. They have locations worldwide and are the largest independent grading laboratory.

They provide a variety of services for the jewelry industry, including grading, appraisals, and gemological consulting. Their certifications can help you gain customers’ trust and ensure that you provide them with high-quality jewelry.

The IGI is known for their rigorous grading standards and state-of-the-art technologies. They screen millions of small diamonds for jewelry manufacturers and consumers, separating lab-grown diamonds from natural ones.

Whether you’re buying a loose diamond, a set of earrings, or a pendant, it’s important to ensure that the gem is authentic. This can be done by checking the diamond’s grading certificate.

Most diamond grading laboratories will use the 4Cs of carat weight, color, clarity, and cut to grade your diamond. While GIA and AGS are the most recognized and trusted, IGI is also an excellent option for ensuring that your diamond is truly authentic.

IGI is the oldest and most respected diamond grading laboratory in the world. Its headquarters are in Antwerp, Belgium and its laboratory network is spread across the globe.

When a gem is certified by IGI, it’s guaranteed to be authentic. This allows you to rest assured that you’re getting a real, natural diamond.

Another benefit of IGI diamond grading is that it’s less expensive than a GIA or AGS certificate. IGI certificates typically sell for a slight premium over non-certified stones, which means that buyers can save some money when buying an IGI certified diamond.

GIA and IGI Lab Diamonds