If you are looking for the most important certification when buying a diamond, GIA or IGI certification is the gold standard. However, there is a difference between the two. Although both labs produce diamonds with the same clarity, color and cut, IGI diamonds are far better. These differences make the GIA certification the gold standard in diamond certification. Read on to find out more about these differences and decide which one you should purchase.
IGI
The GIA and IGI both certify lab grown diamonds, but which is better? While both labs offer independent grading reports, gia vs igi certified diamonds are more expensive than IGI certified diamonds. However, when it comes to diamonds, IGI’s certification is more transparent and is often preferred by consumers. In addition, IGI’s certificates are less expensive than GIA’s.
IGI Lab Grown Diamonds, also known as manmade diamonds, are made in advanced labs. The process of manufacturing man-made diamonds is delicate and carefully monitored to replicate the growth of natural diamonds. While regulation helps consumers protect themselves, IGI is less stringent when it comes to grading natural diamonds. However, you should still look for an IGI-certified lab-grown diamond when you buy it, as some retailers try to hide the source of the diamonds.
GIA
If you’re buying a diamond for the first time, you should know that IGI and GIA lab grown diamonds have different grading processes. The GIA, which was once an industry powerhouse and a leading influencer, uses a different grading system to devalue lab grown diamonds. Some say this is because De Beers has long used its influence to curb the production of man-made diamonds.
The IGI lab has a similar manufacturing process to a factory, so the stone is very similar. However, the diamond’s grade is higher, and jewelry stores can usually get a better deal on the stone. If you want a high-quality stone, you should get a GIA certificate. Although GIA is the gold standard for diamond certification, IGI is the cheaper option for most consumers.
European Gemological Laboratory (EGL)
When it comes to buying diamonds, it is imperative to understand what the difference between European Gemological Laboratory (EGL) and International Gemological Institute (IGI) lab grown diamonds is. There are several differences in the grading process of these two gemological institutes. EGL diamonds are a popular choice among consumers, while IGI lab grown diamonds are not. For those who have no idea about diamond grading, here are the main differences:
The GIA is the most widely recognized gemological laboratory in the world, with headquarters in Antwerp, Belgium. The IGI also grades diamonds for the global market, including loose polished diamonds. IGI has offices throughout Asia, as well as in major U.S. cities. IGI has more than a dozen independent labs worldwide, but it is the largest and best known of them.
Prospective head-to-head comparisons
Among the differences between IGI Vs GIA Lab Grown Diamonds is the way the grading process is performed. IGI uses a new, more modern lab, while GIA uses the world’s oldest and most advanced testing facility. IGI prioritizes color bias and cutting in its taking index, whereas GIA does not. The difference between the two labs lies in how each differentiates each parameter.
While the GIA is regarded as the gold standard in diamond grading, other labs have more relaxed standards. To make an accurate comparison, sending your diamond to different labs is not practical. It is expensive and time-consuming, and sample sizes are generally too small to make any conclusive conclusions. Regardless of the differences in grading criteria, both GIA and IGI lab grown diamonds are highly regarded for their superior services and reputations.
GIA grading system
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) doesn’t grade lab grown diamonds the same way it grades mined stones, and neither does HRD Antwerp. But the latter has resisted the temptation to downgrade lab grown diamonds and recently decided to implement a grading system similar to the ones used for natural diamonds. In an interview with National Jeweler in October 2016, GIA director Tom Moses cited three reasons for not grading lab grown diamonds. Firstly, they argued that lab grown diamonds were not rare enough to require GIA certification, and therefore there was no need for consumers to know what their diamonds were really like.
Conclusion
GIA’s decision to regarded lab-grown diamonds is good news for the industry, because it will help consumers compare mined and lab-grown diamonds. Since GIA is an educational organization, it’s likely to encourage other companies to enter the market. Regardless, lab grown diamonds are not going anywhere, so GIA should embrace this industry. In the meantime, however, the company’s new policy is still a ways off.