IGI & GIA Certification: What It Means for Your Diamond (Aurumya, Australia)

IGI & GIA Certification: What It Means for Your Diamond (Aurumya, Australia)

When you purchase a diamond ring from Aurumya, you’re not just buying beauty—you’re buying verified quality. That’s why we work with the world’s most respected gem labs: GIA (Gemological Institute of America) and IGI (International Gemological Institute). Their independent reports tell you exactly what you’re getting, using consistent, global standards. This guide explains what IGI and GIA certifications are, how to read a report, the differences between the two, and how Aurumya helps you choose with confidence—whether your diamond is natural or lab-grown.

What is a Diamond Certification?

A diamond certification (also called a grading report) is a third-party document describing your stone’s key attributes—cut, colour, clarity, carat, plus proportions, measurements, fluorescence and any treatments. It is not a valuation; it’s an objective quality assessment. Think of it as the diamond’s passport.

Why it matters:

  • Verification: Confirms the diamond is exactly what the seller claims.

  • Comparison: Lets you compare stones apples-to-apples across stores.

  • Resale/Buy-Back: Supports insurance and programs like Buy-Back Guarantees.

  • Peace of mind: Confidence in a lifelong purchase.

GIA vs IGI at a Glance

Both GIA and IGI are internationally recognised and respected by jewellers and consumers worldwide.

GIA (Gemological Institute of America)

  • Founded in 1931; pioneer of the 4Cs and the D–Z colour scale.

  • Highly regarded for strict, conservative grading.

  • Reports for natural and lab-grown diamonds (clearly disclosed).

  • Strong market trust for cut grading, especially for round brilliants.

IGI (International Gemological Institute)

  • Global laboratory network; widely used for lab-grown diamonds and jewellery pieces.

  • Known for speed, broad availability, and modern report formats, including QR verification.

  • Clear disclosure of lab-grown origin and growth method (e.g., CVD/HPHT).

  • Popular among buyers seeking excellent value and quick turnaround.

Bottom line: Both labs provide reliable documentation. GIA remains the legacy benchmark for natural stones; IGI is exceptionally prevalent for lab-grown diamonds and also grades natural diamonds. At Aurumya, we offer both—and we’ll guide you to the best option for your priorities.

How to Read Your Certification (The 4Cs + More)

Every certified diamond should list the following:

1) Cut

The biggest driver of sparkle. For round diamonds, look for Excellent/Ideal. Fancy shapes (oval, emerald, cushion, pear, marquise) don’t receive a universal cut grade, so check proportions, symmetry, and polish.

2) Colour

Graded D (colourless) to Z (light).

  • On platinum/white gold, aim for D–H for an icy look.

  • On yellow/rose gold, I–J can appear beautifully balanced and value-friendly.

3) Clarity

From Flawless to Included. Many inclusions are microscopic; most customers choose VS2–SI1 for an eye-clean look with great value. Your report will map the inclusions and note their type.

4) Carat

The stone’s weight (not visual size). Face-up size also depends on shape and cut proportions. A well-cut 0.90–0.95 ct can look close to 1.00 ct and save budget.

Proportions & Polish/Symmetry

Proportions (table %, depth %, angles) influence brilliance. Excellent or Very Good polish/symmetry is ideal.

Fluorescence

Describes glow under UV light (None–Very Strong). Faint–Medium is usually fine; Strong can sometimes affect appearance—view the diamond in different lighting.

Laser Inscription

Many diamonds have their report number laser-inscribed on the girdle. It’s tiny and only visible under magnification—handy for verification and insurance.

Origin Disclosure (Natural vs Lab-Grown)

Both labs clearly label “Laboratory-Grown” when applicable. Lab-grown reports are separate from natural reports to prevent confusion.

Are GIA and IGI Grades the Same?

Each lab uses its own team and procedures. In practice, GIA is often considered the most conservative on colour/clarity and highly consistent on cut for round brilliants. IGI standards are robust and have become the default for many lab-grown diamonds due to availability and speed. Differences between labs are usually small, and Aurumya’s curation focuses on how the diamond actually looks—not just the letters on a page.

Which Certification Should I Choose?

Choose based on your priorities:

  • You want the legacy gold standard for natural diamonds:
    Consider GIA. It’s widely trusted by appraisers, insurers and traditional buyers.

  • You’re choosing a lab-grown diamond and want excellent value and fast availability:
    IGI is a strong choice—thorough, clearly disclosed, and easy to verify.

  • You want the most beautiful diamond for your budget, full stop:
    Let Aurumya shortlist a few hand-selected options (GIA or IGI) and compare them side-by-side in real photos/videos. We’ll explain trade-offs in plain English.

How Aurumya Makes Certification Easy

  • Curated inventory only: We shortlist stones that meet strict visual standards first, certification second—so every option looks stunning in real life.

  • Transparent documents: Every diamond comes with its original GIA or IGI report and laser inscription (where available).

  • Education-first approach: We’ll walk you through cut proportions, clarity plots, and fluorescence and how they affect appearance and price.

  • Australian support: Easy communication, insured shipping, and options for viewing media or private appointments.

  • Buy-Back & upgrade options: Your certificate helps when using our Buy-Back Guarantee or upgrading later.

Quick Tips for Comparing Two Certified Diamonds

  1. Prioritise Cut: Choose Excellent/Ideal for round; for fancy shapes, ask us to check light performance and bow-tie effects.

  2. Go Eye-Clean: VS2–SI1 often looks pristine and releases budget for size.

  3. Match Metal to Colour: G–H for white metals; I–J for yellow/rose.

  4. Check the Number: Verify the report number on the lab’s website and the laser inscription on the diamond (where present).

FAQs

Is a certification the same as an appraisal?
No. A certification grades the diamond. An appraisal assigns a retail replacement value for insurance.

Do you certify the ring or the diamond?
The centre diamond receives the lab certification. We can provide Aurumya documentation for the complete ring and craftsmanship.

Can I get both IGI and GIA for the same stone?
Typically a diamond carries one report. Re-submission is possible but adds cost/time and rarely changes the buying decision.

The Aurumya Promise

Whether your diamond is GIA or IGI certified, our priority is beauty you can see and documentation you can trust. We’ll help you read the report, compare options fairly, and select the ring that feels perfect on your hand—and perfect for your story.

Back to blog