IGI is a leading international diamond certification laboratory. Their diamond certification is recognized by many of the world’s leading jewelers and diamond retailers. IGI also offers a range of other services, including diamond grading, jewelry appraisals, and gemstone identification.
As far as accuracy and professionalism are concerned, IGI is one of the leading diamond certification laboratories. It is important to purchase diamonds with legitimate certification. This way, you’ll rest assured that the diamond is the quality the seller claims it to be.
In this post, we’ll explain why IGI is a good diamond certification.
Read on to learn about IGI’s diamond grading and the info included in its diamond certification.
What is IGI certification?
IGI certification is a process by which diamonds are evaluated and Certified to verify their authenticity and quality. The International Gemological Institute (IGI) is the world’s largest independent diamond certification and appraisal institute.
Founded in 1975, IGI aims to provide accurate, reliable, and impartial gemstone evaluations. Today, the IGI certifies over 1 million diamonds each year, making it the most trusted name in diamond certification. It conducts a thorough examination of each diamond using state-of-the-art equipment and techniques.
Every aspect of the diamond is scrutinized, including its carat weight, color, clarity, cut, and more. Once the evaluation is complete, the diamond is given a unique IGI certification number that can be used to verify its authenticity. The IGI certification process is recognized and accepted by the vast majority of the diamond industry, making it the most trusted and reliable way to certify diamonds.
If you’re looking for a diamond that comes with the peace of mind of knowing it has been thoroughly evaluated by experts, then look for one that has been certified by the IGI.
When you buy a certified diamond from the Blue Nile, you’ll receive a certificate that includes all of the details about your stone and a tamper-proof hologram that can be used to verify its authenticity.
What scale does the IGI use for diamond grading?
The IGI uses a concise color scale for diamond grading. IGI-certified diamonds are graded on a scale from D (100% colorless, white, or clear) to Z (including diamonds with the most yellow tint or primarily yellow-hued diamonds).
The IGI uses a numeric scale from 0 to 10 for clarity and a separate alphabetical scale from D (no included diamonds visible to the unaided eye) to I3 (prominent inclusions visible to the unaided eye).
The IGI’s diamond grading scale is as follows:
- 0-10 = no included diamonds visible to the unaided eye
- D = no included diamonds visible to the unaided eye
- E = slightly included diamonds visible only with 10X magnification
- F = included diamonds visible only with 10X magnification
- G-I = included diamonds visible to the unaided eye
- J-K = prominent inclusions visible to the unaided eye
- D-Z = colorless to yellowish color
IGI diamonds are popular with buyers for a few reasons:
- The certification provides peace of mind that the stone is the same as advertised.
- IGI appraisals can be used to protect the diamond against loss or damage.
- IGI-certified diamonds typically sell for a slight premium over non-certified stones, so buyers know they’re getting a quality product.
Does IGI grade lab-grown diamonds?
IGI grades lab-grown diamonds, but there are a few things to remember. Although IGI is one of the world’s most respected diamond grading organizations, its standards for lab-grown diamonds may differ from those with which you’re familiar.
For example, IGI grades clarity on a scale of FL (flawless) to I3 (included), whereas other organizations use a scale of IF (internally flawless) to I1 (included). IGI is a respected authority on diamond grading, and you can trust their lab-grown diamond grades.
Is IGI a reliable diamond certification?
IGI is one of the most respected and well-recognized certification organizations in the world. It offers a wide range of services and benefits to its customers. IGI’s strict standards, experienced staff, and accreditation by the IGI make it an excellent choice for anyone looking for a reputable diamond certification organization.
It has been in business for over 50 years and has certified millions of diamonds. IGI’s strict standards and procedures ensure that only the highest quality diamonds are certified.
IGI also offers a wide range of services, including grading, appraisals, and gemological consulting. IGI’s staff of experts is highly qualified and experienced in all aspects of the diamond industry. This makes IGI an excellent choice for those looking for a reliable and reputable diamond certification organization.
IGI is also an accredited member of the International Gemological Institute (IGI). This accreditation gives IGI’s customers peace of mind knowing that they are working with a reputable and trustworthy organization.
What info is included in the IGI diamond certification?
An IGI diamond certification includes all the information you need to know about a particular diamond. The certificate will include the carat, color, clarity, and finish of the diamond, as well as any unique characteristics that make it special.
You’ll also find out whether the diamond has been treated in any way and, if so, what type of treatment was used. This is important information to have when making a decision about which diamond to purchase. With an IGI certification, you can be confident that you’re getting what you expect.
Diamond carat
Today, diamond carat weight is still measured in the same way, with one carat being equal to 200 milligrams. However, diamonds are also graded on a scale of one to ten, with one being the lowest and ten being the highest.
The vast majority of diamonds found in nature are less than one carat in weight. Only about 2% of all diamonds mined are more than one carat in weight.
When it comes to the price of diamonds, carat weight is the most important factor. Generally speaking, the larger the diamond, the more expensive it will be. However, other factors, such as clarity, color, and cut, can affect a diamond’s price.
Diamond color
In terms of color, diamonds are graded on a scale from D (no hue) to Z (a yellow-hued diamond). The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) developed this scale, and most jewelers use it when referring to a diamond’s color.D-E-F: Colorless
These diamonds are free of any hue and are the rarest and most expensive diamonds on the market.
G-H-I: Near colorless
These diamonds have a slight hint of color, but they are not visible to the naked eye. This is the most popular color range for engagement rings.
J-K-L: Faint yellow
These diamonds have a faint yellow hue that is visible to the naked eye. Diamonds in this range are still quite popular for engagement rings, as they are more affordable than colorless diamonds.
M-N-O: Very light yellow
These diamonds have a very light yellow hue that is easily visible to the naked eye. Diamonds in this range are less popular for engagement rings but can be used for other types of jewelry.
P-Q-R: Light yellow
These diamonds have a light yellow hue that is easily visible to the naked eye. Diamonds in this range are not too popular for engagement rings but have applications in other jewelry types.
S-T-U-V: Yellow
These diamonds have a yellow hue that is clearly visible to the naked eye. Many people don’t use diamonds in this range as engagement rings, but they are popular for other types of jewelry.
W-X-Y-Z: Brownish or yellowish
These diamonds have a brownish or yellowish hue that is clearly visible to the naked eye. Diamonds in this range are not popular for wedding rings, but they have applications in other types of jewelry.
Diamond clarity
Since diamond clarity is one of the “4Cs” of diamond quality, the International Gemological Institute (IGI) includes comprehensive information about a diamond’s clarity in its certification reports. Here’s what you can expect to find:
A description of the diamond’s overall clarity grade, based on the GIA Diamond Clarity Scale. This scale goes from Flawless (no inclusions or blemishes visible under 10x magnification) to Included (significant inclusions or blemishes visible to the naked eye).
A map or “plot” of where any inclusions or blemishes are located within the diamond.
An assessment of how easy it would be to spot any inclusions or blemishes using 10x magnification.
A description of any special characteristics that may be present, such as twinning wisps, clouds, needles, or cavities.
Finish
The Finish of a diamond is a measure of how well the facets of the diamond have been polished. The IGI uses a grading system of Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, or Poor to rate the Finish of a diamond. Excellent and Very Good are the highest grades, while Poor is the lowest.
When determining the Finish of a diamond, the IGI considers several factors, including the overall symmetry of the facets, the quality of the polishing, and whether there are any surface blemishes. The IGI also takes into account the size and location of any surface blemishes when determining the grade for Finish.
- Excellent: No visible imperfections when examined under 10x magnification
- Very Good: Very few visible flaws when examined under 10x magnification
- Good: Some visible blemishes when examined under 10x magnification
- Fair: Many visible flaws when examined under 10x magnification
- Poor: Severe imperfections visible to the naked eye
Conclusion
IGI is one of the world’s oldest and most respected diamond certification laboratories. It has been in business for over 50 years and has certified millions of diamonds.
IGI provides accurate, reliable, and impartial diamond grading reports that are widely accepted by the diamond industry. Their diamond graders are highly trained and experienced professionals who use state-of-the-art equipment to evaluate diamonds. IGI employs a strict set of standards and procedures to ensure the consistency and accuracy of its diamond grading reports.
The IGI diamond certification is a great way to get comprehensive information about a diamond’s clarity. When shopping for a diamond, be sure to ask if the stone comes with an IGI certificate.
