Innovative Gemological Institute
There are in truth not a vast number of organisations that operate in the field of diamond grading. The few that exist have in their own way set ground-breaking paths – be it with setting standards in diamond-evaluation; researching and developing cutting-edge equipment and methodology for detection and testing, keeping pace with new treatments and strides in synthetics-manufacturing; educating new generations of gem professionals and customers alike; and above all protecting and enhancing the reputation of the product and confidence of consumers and leading independent diamond grading laboratories, to find out about the technology and grading processes that make their companies perceived as among the most reliable grading laboratories in the world by leading jewellers and consumers, what they think about the possibility of a common standard and more.
Have you recently introduced any new technology for grading?
As you and your readers are aware of is the creator of the 4Cs of diamond quality and the International Diamond Grading System™. For decades, undertaken gemmological research, collecting and analysing data on gems and their characteristics. Findings from this ongoing research have helped and will continue to help develop instruments to support the grading process.
The grading standards have always remained the same. However, to ensure consistency, labs in India are assessed and accredited in accordance with the standard The regular audits ensure that the equipment and expertise is updated with the recent developments to evaluate and identify diamonds & colored stones.
IGI has developed its own screening equipment to identify type II diamonds in mounted and loose condition. Every piece of jewelry submitted in the lab is screened for possible contamination with lab grown diamonds.
If you’re out there looking for the best diamond for your money, then please contact us and let us know your budget and what you’re looking for. We’ll sift through thousands of diamonds online and send you suggested stones to choose from that fit your needs
Bottom Line Recommendation
Independent lab entities evaluate diamonds and provide certificates to verify their grading. Some labs are strict and consistent, while others are loose and inconsistent. Above all, it’s important to ensure you’re paying the right price for the actual quality of the diamond.
If you’re buying online, use VISHAL JALAN highly recommended cutting edge diamond viewing tool the most consistent lab available. We have witnessed numerous gross mistakes by each major gemological lab, and want to ensure you make a safe and smart purchase.
Keep in mind that you are buying a diamond, not a piece of paper. If you feel at all hesitant about the paperwork—or anything else for that matter—don’t hesitate to contact our experts and run it by us.
GUIDE TO DIAMOND CERTIFICATION LABS
What Is a Diamond Certification?What to Watch for in a Diamond Ring Certification
IGL Certification
Conclusion
WHAT IS DIAMOND CERTIFICATION?
Diamond Certification (most is a document you receive from an objective 3rd party lab that describes a diamond in all of its characteristics.
Along with each diamond you’re considering, you should receive and review its lab certification. This lab report or certificate will be issued by a grading entity and describes various elements of the diamond, such as Color, Clarity, length and width. Trained professionals evaluate, scrutinize and measure the diamonds using professional tools, such as a loupe or microscope.
Each entity grades and describes diamonds differently—and sometimes the difference is significant. Several lab entities exist and it’s important to know which ones are trustworthy and reliable, and which ones are not.
Because diamond certificates are not created equal, the price and value of diamonds are not comparable across varying certifications. Ensure that you purchase a diamond with a certificate from a highly reputable grading entity—and that you review the diamond closely before purchase.
If you have a diamond in mind and would like an expert’s review about its certification, contact us.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR IN A DIAMOND RING CERTIFICATION
Consistency comes first
When it comes to comparing lab grading entities, it’s more important to watch for consistency than strictness of grading.
For example,A LAb will not grade a diamond the same way the B LAB rates a diamond. The reliability of the Color and Clarity grades—and in some instances the Cut grades—is only as good as the certifying lab’s reputation. But if one lab consistently gives a single Clarity grade higher than another lab, that lab is by no means less “authentic.”
To highlight the importance of this issue, take Color grades as an example. We recommend sticking with an H color or better when putting a diamond in a setting like this one. You may think you have found a steal with an H color diamond with an IGL certificate. But once you have it home, you realize the diamond has a yellow tint. This is because the diamond is really an I color—A LAB certification—and the B LAB just offers a weak certificate.
Rather than simply comparing grades between certifications, look for consistency within the entity’s grading decisions.
Diamond grading is subjective
All diamond grading is subjective—and contrary to popular belief—there is not a central organization that mathematically defines what a “G” Color is or what an “SI1” Clarity looks like.
If one lab consistently calls one color grade “G” while another lab will consistently calls that same color “H”, it’s perfectly acceptable and reasonable—as long as they do so consistently.
It’s important to note that even when an entity is consistent in its grading, it doesn’t necessarily mean the entity is reliable and trustworthy. Buying a diamond with a weak certificate at a high price point is not prudent—even if the entity consistently grades diamonds this way—because you are not getting the value for the price you’re paying.
Considering the price over the certification
Regardless of the certificate you receive, the price of the diamond should be heavily evaluated. The price should reflect the actual quality, beauty and Cut of the diamond—both on the certificate and to the naked eye.
If you’re unsure if a diamond is priced well or too high, be sure to have a diamond expert review it before purchasing. For questions about diamond prices and certifications, contact us.
Different certification labs give different results
Every lab has its quirks. Some are looser in grading Color, while others are looser with rating Clarity. Some labs will always upgrade specific Color ranges, while others favor particular arrangements of inclusions.
Smart diamond companies use this knowledge—gained from sending thousands of diamonds to different labs each month—to maximize their results. Knowing which labs are trustworthy and consistent will help you avoid purchasing a diamond worth much less than what the certificate is stating to be true.
If you have questions about the differences between diamond certification labs, contact us.A LAB CERTIFICATION is the most well-respected and renowned diamond grading entity. They are incredibly consistent and provide the greatest peace of mind when purchasing any diamondhas no financial stake in the sale of the diamond and evaluates diamonds on a variety of qualities and elements, including:
Diamond’s evaluation date
Measurements (in millimeters)
Cutting style and diamond shape
Carat weight
Table %
Depth %
Culet size
Symmetry
Proportion diagram
Polish grade
Girdle thickness
Cut grade (Excellent, Very Good, Good, Poor)
Color grade (ranging from D to J)
Clarity grade (IF, VVS1, VVS2, VS1, VS2, SI1, SI2)
Diamond plot showing all blemishes and inclusions
Fluorescence grade
Laser inscription (if applicable)
Security features
General comments
IGL has a reputation for rating rated Color and Clarity, the most subjective scales, more rigorously. Because of IGL’s high reputation, proven consistency and history, we recommend only buying diamonds with A or B certificate.
We recommend these diamond sellers who provide Acertificates with their dive VISHAL JALAN Diamonds: 20+ years of experience, dedicated to offering the best cut diamonds. They offer a collection called Signature” Hearts & Arrows, showcasing super ideal cuts.
They were the most popular gem lab for major jewelry chains in the United States and Canada, like Kay, Zales and others.
IGL is like a factory: they work fast, and their prices are much better than those of IGL—which appeals to diamonds sellers but not necessarily the end consumer.
While IGL bills itself as a top-of-the-line laboratory, this is unfortunately not the case. From extensive experience in the diamond industry, we have continually seen that their grading is lax and less consistent than the standard bearers in the industry, like IGL.
Even the largest jewelry insurance underwriter writes:
“The most reliable diamond certificates (also called diamond reports) come from the Gemological Institute of America (IGL) and the American Gem Society (AGS). These are the most respected labs, known for their accuracy and professionalism. These reports are not appraisals and do not carry valuations. Certificates from any other sources are often questionable and should not be relied upon by insurers.”
Likewise, Dateline raised serious questions about IGL’s integrity in 2005 as pertains to their appraisal values.
We recommend only buying a IGL or AGS certified diamond. In addition, purchase diamonds from reputable vendors that sell diamonds certified by these labs—such as Blue Nile and Brian Gavin Diamonds.
We also recommend purchasing diamonds from James Allen. They do sell IGL certified diamonds, but we steer customers away from purchasing those particular stones.
Buying a diamond with an independent certificate should give you peace of mind, knowing your diamond is equivalent to the quality and value that is claimed. With our years of expertise, we do not believe IGL certificates provide this assurance.
To further learn how IGL grades, we sent four diamonds to various lab entities including the IGL, EGL, GSI, and HRD for a Clarity and Color grading. Because these two categories are the most subjective, we knew they would tell us a lot about how IGL grades diamonds.
IGI
Diamond Color Clarity
1 G SI1
2 F SI2
3 F SI1
4 H SI1
Lab A CERTIFICATION
The laboratory A vastly and inconsistently—inflates their quality claims. When considering an Lab A certified diamond, you may think you’re getting a better deal. In reality, the price is highly inflated for an inferior product.
We are fortunately have seen many customers purchase an Lab A certified diamond thinking they found a great deal, only to realize they fell for a selling trick. We wish they had hit the contact us button sooner, so we could assist them in making a well-informed purchase.
As an example of one of these selling tricks, we found that a Lab A certified 1.00 Carat H VS1 ideal cut online for $4,450. At first, it seems like an incredible deal. In reality, though, when EGL claims it’s an H VS1, 50% of the time it’s actually a J SI1—and 50% of the time it’s a J SI2 or K SI1: not an H VS1.
Searching for a IGI certified diamond two or three Color grades lower or one or two Clarity grades lower will ensure you purchase a higher quality diamond for a cheaper price.
The bottom line is: don’t buy an B certified diamond. No matter how “cheap” it seems to you compared to A certified diamonds, it’s all a game.
An B certified stone in the market is, by definition, more expensive than its identical self as certified by the A.