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IGI, or the International Gemological Institute, is one of the most famous diamond certification organizations, especially in the Asian market. Established in 1975, IGI was created to ensure clear and expert grading of diamonds, helping buyers make informed choices. Over the years, the institute has built a strong reputation for its commitment to quality and reliability in the diamond industry.
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In addition to its certification services, IGI is dedicated to education, offering various programs that teach individuals about diamond grading and gemology. This focus on education not only enhances the knowledge of consumers and jewelers but also promotes transparency in the diamond market. The institute conducts fine jewelry examinations to ensure that every certified piece meets high standards of quality.
In general, those IGI specialists who certify diamonds have a good reputation. Their thorough understanding of diamonds and commitment to quality make them trusted experts in the field. Let’s check how this diamond certification institute works and what its key advantages are.
IGI Diamond Certification: The Basic Information
The first time IGI certified diamonds happened in 1975 in Antwerp, Belgium. Many people remember it as an innovative happening for the diamond industry. In particular, IGI certified diamonds as part of jewelry grading and offered diamond certification education. The list of its exclusive services included diamond repair and re-cutting, protective sealing, and comprehensive cut measuring. Besides, IGI diamond certification documents are known for their clarity and clearness. Finally, IGI has established a unique co-branded certification these days. It’s a stable network of partnerships with various jewelry brands.
Among all, IGI diamond certification specialists are known for being eager to share their knowledge. The institute created the first public school to introduce classes on evaluating rough diamonds. These days, IGI certified “Polished Diamond Course” is its most popular program, aimed at helping people to identify the diamond grading by themselves.
How does IGI certification work?
IGI diamond certification institute has 18 laboratories, along with 14 certification schools of gemology, all over the world. The IGI geography includes Belgium (Antwerp), India (Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Chennai, and Surat), United Arab Emirates (Dubai), China (Shanghai), and Italy (Rome, Cavalese, Ascoli Piceno, Trecastagni, and Marcianise).
IGI certified diamonds can get a report of different types:
- The Diamond Report, or a traditional certificate mentioning diamond 4C’s,
- The Jewelry Report, or a revolutionary invention of IGI that evaluates finished diamond jewelry pieces,
- The Colored Stone Report, or the certification designed by IGI especially for colored diamonds,
- IGI Laboratory Grown Diamond Report, or a diamond certificate for a man-made diamond. IGI issues this document on the yellow paper.
Additionally, IGI diamond certification may work with the Hearts & Arrows report. This is a branded certificate for premium-cut diamonds. In it, IGI experts certify the symmetry of all the diamond facets to validate its Hearts & Arrows title.
IGI Certified Diamonds: Key Characteristics Mentioned In The Report
The Diamond Report from IGI has the following sections:
- Carat weight,
- Diamond color,
- Diamond clarity,
- Diamond finish (includes polish, symmetry, and proportions).
As you can see, IGI-certified diamonds do not have a specific grade in the “Cut” section, in contrast to GIA and AGS certificates. However, you can get the idea of this diamond certification parameter after checking the “Finish” section in IGI Diamond Report.
Let’s investigate how IGI specialists certify each diamond grade in detail now.
Carat weight
To certify the number of carats, IGI professionals use highly calibrated instruments. Measuring the diamond weight is extremely important since the cost of a diamond is calculated with the diamond price per carat formula. And IGI gemologists certify this parameter pretty accurately.
Diamond color
When it comes to color grading, IGI-certified diamonds mostly receive a stricter or looser parameter than GIA. That’s the reason why many observers accuse IGI for manipulating with this diamond parameter – especially those who prefer GIA laboratories to certify their diamonds.
The diamond price heavily depends on the precise grade in the color category. Compared to GIA’s reputation, IGI certification is frequently accused of prescribing inaccurate grades. This trick makes jewelers benefit from the diamond price, in the end.
Diamond clarity
IGI-certified laboratories evaluate clarity under a 10x magnification glass. Like GIA, IGI uses the scale with parameters from IF (internally flawless) to I3 (severely imperfect).
The most problems come with distinguishing SI1 and SI2 grades in IGI diamond certificates. Many experiments proved that IGI laboratories in different countries make mistakes here and certify the same diamond differently. In particular, they prescribe SI1 grade and SI2 grade to this jewel without any strong reason. The situation deepens because the GIA laboratory may certify this diamond with an even lower grade than in those both IGI laboratories.
Thus, there’s a strong indictment of IGI in favoring diamond prices for jewelers.
Diamond finish
Finally, IGI diamond finish is the parameter that includes polish, symmetry, and proportions. Here, the IGI diamond certificate assigns a grade from Excellent to Poor, similar to the diamond cut grades in GIA and AGS certificates. For proportions, IGI specialists certify table, crown, girdle, and culet for their depth, height, and width.
Comparing IGI And GIA Diamond Certifications
When it comes to choosing a certified diamond, understanding the differences between IGI and GIA certifications can help you make a smart choice.
| Criteria | IGI (International Gemological Institute) | GIA (Gemological Institute of America) |
|---|---|---|
Cost of Certification | IGI is usually cheaper for certification, making it a more affordable option for many buyers. | GIA tends to be more expensive because of its high standards and detailed grading. |
Report Format | IGI provides detailed reports that include extra information, like how much a diamond glows (fluorescence), its polish, and symmetry. | GIA reports are more straightforward, focusing mainly on the 4 Cs: carat, color, clarity, and cut. |
Grading Methodology | IGI pays a bit more attention to how well a diamond is cut, which can affect its sparkle and appearance. | GIA places more importance on the diamond’s color and clarity when grading. |
Grading Standards | IGI’s grading can be slightly more lenient, meaning diamonds might get a better grade compared to what other organizations might give. | GIA is known for its strict grading standards, making it a trusted choice for many buyers looking for reliable certifications. |
Both IGI and GIA are respected organizations that certify diamonds. IGI is often less expensive and provides more detailed reports, while GIA is known for its strict standards and is generally more costly. When choosing between them, it’s important to consider what matters most to you as a buyer, whether it’s price, detail in the report, or trust in the grading process.
Diamond Certification Institutes: Is IGI The Best?
The question of high-quality certification is sharp in the diamond industry. In this discussion, IGI has a doubtful reputation, especially when it comes to the accuracy of clarity and color grades. Independent experts often notice that specialists from this institute certify wrong grades and favor prices for jewelers. Thus, they recommend asking for a GIA certificate instead.
Let’s study out the validity of these accusations.
Among all, diamond certification from IGI is known for being cheaper than the one from GIA. This factor has its logical outcomes: the low certification price attracts jewelers like Kay and Zales. In addition, IGI certificates are issued fast, which increases the chance of making a mistake and assigning inaccurate grades. In return, this destroys IGI‘s reputation. So, its laboratories have turned into the factories that certify diamond grades that serve the price policies set by jewelers.
Also, diamond experts don’t recommend IGI certificates because the institute collaborates with retailers. The closer IGI works with them, the more it ruins its image of an independent third-party that can certify the true quality of a diamond. In this situation, the introduced idea of co-branded certification deepens this problem even further. Actually, that’s the main reason behind the mixed reputation of IGI diamond certification, especially in the USA market.
One more important factor that downgrades IGI reputation is the inconsistency between its various branches. Frequently, one laboratory assigns a diamond a one set of grades for clarity and color, while another one puts different numbers there. The whole situation complicates the fact that GIA may have a completely different vision on its color and clarity.
In the given circumstances, many observers tend to rely on more consistent and stable GIA grading methodology. And Diamond Registry experts affiliate with this recommendation.
Diamond Registry works with GIA-certified diamonds to ensure our clients get the most accurate diamond grading. Also, we consult people on how to read and get certificates for their diamonds. Feel free to submit the quote through the form below!
