In the end, the IGI is currently the most reliable for grading lab-created diamonds, and paying for a GIA certificate will result in a higher retail price for you, the end customer.
Is IGI better than Gcal?
If you are buying a lower color grade diamond (I-J-K), IGI is a perfectly fine lab. However, if you buying a premium grade diamond, always stick with GIA or AGS. GCAL is a great lab but has a small market share. They are on par with GIA.
What does GSI stand for in diamonds?
Gemological Science International offers a number of reports to meet customer needs. GSI diamond grading reports and colored stone grading reports vary in the amount of information provided, formats, sizes, and layouts. All GSI grading reports (often called “GSI Certificates”) are available online in PDF format.
Is IGL certification reputable?
The IGL Diamond Certificate provides a reliable and accurate documentation of a diamond's identity and grade based on the internationally recognized diamond grading system. The carat, color, clarity and cut commonly known as the 4 C's of each diamond are clearly stated on each diamond certificate.
Which certification is better IGI or GIA?
GIA is often held up as the gold standard of diamond grading while other labs are purported to have looser grading standards. For two diamonds of the same carat, color, and clarity grade, an IGI certified diamond is on average 12% cheaper than a GIA certified diamond.
Is GSI the same as GIA?
The industry generally expects GSI to grade diamond color one or two grades higher than the GIA. So if GSI designates a diamond's color as G, the GIA may give it an H or I. To the naked eye, those distinctions are hard to tell apart, but sellers will charge a higher price if it's given a G color instead of an H or I.
Which diamond Report is best?
- GIA, AGS, and GCAL are the best labs.
- GIA is the most well-known, well-respected diamond grading laboratory.
Is GSI a good diamond?
Bottom Line Recommendation: We do not recommend buying a diamond with a GSI certificate. We've found that GSI grading is not only looser than the gold standards (GIA and AGS labs), but weaker than the next level down (IGI and HRD) as well.
Is AGI as good as GIA?
AGS is a trusted gemological lab with reliable grading standards and they assess cut quality on a stricter standard compared to GIA. In the industry, the truly well cut super ideal diamonds are sent to AGS instead of GIA as that is where the “wheat is separated from the chaff”.
Is GIA the same as GSI?
The GIA brings almost 100 years of experience and a strong reputation in the industry. GSI, on the other hand, is considered more loose in their grading, which can leave the buyer paying more than a diamond's worth.
Is GSI as good as GIA?
We've found that GSI grading is not only looser than the gold standards (GIA and AGS labs), but weaker than the next level down (IGI and HRD) as well. Retailers don't use inaccurate certificates like GSI in order to give the consumer a better deal; they do it to make more money off of those consumers.
What is a IGI diamond certificate?
IGI Lab Diamond Certification The International Gemological Institute (IGI) was established back in 1975, and now has headquarters all over the globe. The independent laboratory carefully studies colored stones and jewelry, along with lab grown diamonds, to determine authenticity.
What does GSI certified mean?
GSI primarily grades diamonds for large chain stores, and their service is usually speedy. With locations all over the world, GSI provides gemstone identification as well as grading and appraisal services in the fine jewelry industry.
Diamond certification is a system created by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) to evaluate the quality of a diamond based on the 4Cs—carat, color, clarity, and cut. Diamond certification is also referred to as diamond grading and it is highly recommended that couples only buy certified diamonds.
Is an IGI certificate good?
For two diamonds of the same carat, color, and clarity grade, an IGI certified diamond is on average 12% cheaper than a GIA certified diamond. Based on the results of the grading and pricing analyses, IGI certified diamonds potentially represent a good value opportunity.
Is AIG certificate reliable?
The AIG Diamond Certificate provides a reliable and accurate documentation of a diamond's identity and grade based on the internationally recognized diamond grading system. The carat, color, clarity and cut commonly known as the 4C's of each diamond are clearly stated on each diamond certificate.
Is IGI or Gcal better?
A Review of Each Diamond Certification Lab: In short, we highly recommend GIA as the top lab and consider AGS, HRD, and GCAL as reliable labs as well. The International Gemological Institute (IGI) is also improving its process for grading diamonds. Moreover, GCAL is a very reputable lab.
What is a IGL certification?
The internationally recognized IGL International Diamond Report (established in 1974) is your diamond's DNA. It independently certifies your diamond's carat weight, clarity, color grading, cut and other vital details. IGL certified diamonds are also laser-inscribed with their certificate number.