Diamond Carat with Loupe and Gia Certificate | Lisa Robin

DIAMOND Proficiency

Diamond Grading Reports

When assessing a diamond, experts look at its color, cut, carat weight, and clarity, to issue a certification. Learn what labs issue certificates and how to understand the certification report.

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About Diamond Grading Reports

There are two popular diamond certification laboratories; International Gemological Institute or IGI and the Gemological Institute of America or GIA.

Lab diamonds often come with an IGI certificate, which is issued by the International Gemological Institute. This renowned institute has operated since 1975 and is the biggest independent gemological laboratory worldwide. They offer comprehensive reports for lab diamonds and also certify natural diamonds and colored gemstones. The IGI is known for being the first major organization to certify the color and cut of lab-grown diamonds.

The Gemological Institute of America, commonly known as GIA, is the leading organization for assessing the quality of diamonds. Established in 1931, GIA operates as a non-profit entity renowned for its research on precious stones and reports of natural diamonds. The standards set by GIA are widely regarded as the most stringent compared to other grading bodies, such as the IGI.

The Report

The serial number of the diamond starts with "LG" to indicate that it is lab-grown. Additionally, the girdle is engraved with the serial number and the words "lab-grown". Although the GIA offers certifications for lab-grown diamonds, they are not as widely recognized as those for natural diamonds. However, the lab-grown diamond report shares many similarities with its natural diamond counterpart and displays the
same information. The report's heading clearly differentiates it from natural diamond reports by using the letters "LGDR" to stand for "lab-grown diamond report".

The IGI Laboratory Grown Diamond Report clearly authenticates the man-made nature of the submitted diamond, which has been analyzed and graded to the same international standards as a natural diamond, using the same 4C parameters of: Carat, Color, Clarity, and Cut. At IGI, every laboratory grown diamond submitted for a Laboratory Grown Diamond Report is automatically Laserscribed® to indicate its man-made origin.

The Report identifies the diamond’s

Proportions
Shape and cutting style
Measurements
4C's

About the 4c's

GIA Diamond Certification Report | Lisa Robin

What to Look for on the report

To gain a complete understanding of a diamond's flaws, it's essential to examine both the inclusion plot at the bottom of the certificate and the comments to the left. The "Grading Results" section provides information about clarity, cut, color, and carat weight, while the section below includes details on polish, symmetry, fluorescence, and additional notes about inclusions.

It's worth noting that there are no objective criteria for determining a diamond's clarity, cut, and color. Expert gemologists at the IGI and GIA compare the diamond to a given standard and decide where it falls on the scale. While carat weight is objective, you should expect no difference in the carat weight regardless of which lab grades it.

The report for laboratory-grown diamonds is distinct from other reports, as even the subheadings include the phrase "laboratory-grown." In the comments section, you'll find information about the process used to create the diamond. IGI certifications for lab-grown diamonds also include similar comments.

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