Lab Grown Diamond Certification: IGI, GIA, and Why It Matters

Have you decided to purchase lab-grown diamonds? That is an excellent decision! These gemstones are transforming the jewelry market because they possess the same beauty as mined diamonds.  Moreover, they do not evoke ethical or environmental issues.

Before proceeding with the purchase process, remember this important point. The diamond in question should be certified. For ethical reasons, re-sale purposes, or even your peace of mind, the diamond you buy needs to be graded by a reputable source, and the worst reality is that it has to be done.

International Gemological Institute or IGI and Gemological Institute of America GIA are the two biggest names in the game. However, both of them are good on their terms but differ simultaneously.

Let's look further into everything you have to know about certified lab created diamonds and the differences between IGI and GIA certifications.

What Is a Lab Grown Diamond?

A lab diamond is as simple as it sounds: made in a laboratory instead of mined from the ground. These diamonds are as much “fake” or “synthetic” as cubic zoomia or moissanite, and that is surely different from what one would expect of them. But it is one of those that has some level of intrigue.

It is the origin of the diamond that determines its classification. This is because lab diamonds are the same in every aspect – chemical, physical, or optical.

How Are Lab Diamonds Made?

There are two primary processes:

● HPHT (High Pressure, High Temperature): This method attempts to replicate how diamonds are created organically at the earth's center. A small diamond seed is subjected to extreme heating and high-pressure environments, resulting in crystallized carbon forming a diamond.

● CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition): A new method for placing a diamond seed in a carbon gas chamber. The gas is then heated, causing the carbon atoms to fuse and crystallize into a diamond layer by layer.

Both methods produce genuine diamonds and not substitutes.

Environmental and Ethical Advantages

Lab-grown diamonds significantly reduce environmental damage by eliminating large-scale mining, often leading to habitat destruction and water pollution.

They use less water and energy during production and ensure no human rights violations occur. Choosing cultured diamonds supports sustainable practices and promotes ethical consumerism.

Why Choose a Lab-Grown Diamond?

◆Zero Carbon Footprint: Minerals are not extracted, lands are not cleared, and no individuals are exploited. All the ethical concerns surrounding diamonds are entirely removed.

◆Cost Efficient: Get a high-quality diamond for the same price as a smaller one that would have typically been sold for less.

◆Enhanced: While most natural diamonds have inclusions, many lab created diamonds do not. Hence, lab-grown diamonds are guaranteed to be purer.

How do you know your lab diamond is not fake? This is where the lab certificate offers value.

Why Certification Matters for Lab-Grown Diamonds

Would you buy a luxury watch or car without an authenticity certificate? Probably not. The same applies to diamonds.

A certified lab-grown diamond has a grading report from a trusted gemological laboratory. This report verifies key details about the diamond, ensuring you get what you pay for. Key Benefits of Certification:

▶1. Verifies Authenticity

There is no guarantee that every diamond labeled “lab-grown” is authentic. There are faux diamond types that pose as lab created diamonds. Certification is one way of telling if a diamond is real or not.

▶2. Assesses the 4Cs (Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat)

These four key factors determine every diamond’s value. A certification report provides an unbiased evaluation of:

● Cut: How well the diamond reflects light

● Color: How colorless or tinted the diamond is

● Clarity: Presence of internal inclusions or external blemishes

● Carat: The weight and size of the diamond

▶3. Ensures Transparency & Fair Pricing

Certification ensures you pay the correct price based on the diamond’s quality. Without certification, sellers could misrepresent a diamond’s attributes.

▶4. Helps with Insurance & Resale Value

Some insurance companies would require certification in case of a loss to reimburse you. A diamond not accompanied by a certificate won’t help you if an opportunity to upgrade or sell arises.

We now assess the two most well-known certification companies, IGI and GIA, for whom we have learned the important criteria for certification accuracy.

IGI vs. GIA: How Do They Compare?

Now, we will focus on the two major authoritative bodies for grading lab diamonds. IGI and GIA are the most well-known names.

● IGI (International Gemological Institute)

What's IGI's competitive edge over GIA, and why do jewelers love it? The reason is basic: They are fast, cheaper, and accepted almost everywhere.

● Instead, they were among the first key players to adopt lab diamond certification.

● Issues in-depth reports on the 4Cs, fluorescence, and even growth method HPHT vs. CVD.

● They were the first firm to acquire the GIA certificate, and comprehensive gemstone grading became more common among retailers and consumers, so grade-by-cut value became less.

● We're one of the first jewelry brands to use IGI seals worldwide.

While other rating agencies have not issued more reports about grade cut diamonds, these certificates became branded as IGI certified diamonds and were preferred by customers demanding detailed grading.

● GIA (Gemological Institute of America)

While GIA natural diamonds are regarded as the gold standard, GIA has always been late in joining the competition for lab created diamonds.

● GIA has always been renowned for mined diamonds.

● Started issuing GIA synthetic diamonds certification and added their grammar while taking away FPS and other means of legendary-cut marks.

● In trade, these reports are associated with ill low issuers as they usually don’t bother completing FP grade cuts, and the growth methods are not fully outlined.

● Less efficient and pricier than IGI.

If you decide to prioritize prestige, GIA lab diamonds are more reputable. However, IGI tends to offer wider coverage for lab-grown diamonds.

Which Certification Is Better?

If you’re buying a lab-grown diamond, IGI is often the better choice because:

● It provides a more detailed grading report (cut, clarity, color, fluorescence, growth method, etc.).

● It’s faster and more cost-effective than GIA.

● Most major retailers and jewelers trust IGI-certified lab diamonds.

However, GIA lab diamonds are the way to go if you want maximum prestige and industry recognition.

Either way, always choose certified lab-grown diamonds to ensure quality and authenticity.

Messi Jewelry: Certified Lab-Grown Diamonds & Custom Creations

Now that you know why certification matters, let’s talk about where to buy the best lab created diamonds.

At Messi Jewelry, we specialize in high-quality IGI-certified lab-grown diamonds in every shape:

● Round, oval, emerald, princess, cushion, and more

● Fancy color lab diamonds (blue, pink,  green, yellow lab diamonds)

● Custom engagement rings & wedding bands

Why Choose Messi Jewelry?

● Crafted for you: Share your design files, and we will manufacture CAD drawings for your review and decision before we start working on the piece.

● We give our discerning customers complete understanding: All diamonds come with certificates and detailed pictures in HD and videos.

● International Presence: Our diamonds are displayed at major shows in JCK Las Vegas, Hong Kong Jewelry & Gem Fair, and Inhorgenta Munich.

Messi Jewelry guarantees quality and trust with each purchase of a dazzling diamond that is certified and expertly crafted.

Conclusion

Purchasing a diamond of guaranteed quality is comforting, especially when you know that both GIA lab diamonds and IGI certified diamonds will always make your purchase a wise investment. Having either one of those certificates gives Assurancofon your investment.

If you intend to purchase ethical lab diamond jewelry, remember that every piece of jewelry must have a certification. From engagement rings to wedding bands or any personalized ring, we guarantee the highest quality with honesty and clarity.

Explore our collection at Messi Jewelry today!