When you’re buying a diamond, it’s important to understand what you’re getting. One way to do that is by reading the grading report from IGI, one of the most respected labs in the industry. In this post, we’ll take a look at what each part of an IGI grading report means, so you can feel confident in your purchase.
What is IGI?
The International Gemological Institute is one of the world’s leading authorities on diamonds. IGI was founded in Antwerp, Belgium in 1975, and today has offices in over 35 countries. IGI is best known for its diamond grading reports, which are accepted and respected by jewelers around the world.
When you buy a diamond that has been graded by IGI, you’ll receive a grading report that outlines the diamond’s key characteristics. Let’s take a look at what each section of the IGI grading report means.
The 4Cs
The first thing you’ll see on an IGI grading report is the 4Cs: carat weight, color, clarity, and cut. These are the same four characteristics that are used to grade all diamonds, regardless of which lab did the grading.
Carat
Carat weight is how a diamond is measured. One carat is equal to 0.2 grams, and diamonds are typically sold by the carat. The price of a diamond increases exponentially as the carat weight increases, so two diamonds of equal quality can have very different prices depending on their carat weight.
Color
Color is graded on a scale from D, which has no hue, to Z, which is yellow-hued. Most diamonds used in engagement rings are graded between J and M, as these colors still look white when set in white gold or platinum.
Clarity
Clarity is a measure of the number of blemishes or inclusions found in a diamond. These blemishes or inclusions can be internal and visible only under a microscope, or external and visible to the naked eye. The clarity scale goes from IF (internally flawless) to I3 (included). Most diamonds used in engagement rings are graded between VS2 and SI2, as these clarity grades still have very few blemishes or inclusions that are visible to the naked eye.
Cut
Cut is a measure of how well a diamond has been cut. The cut grade goes from Excellent to Poor and takes into account factors such as the height of the crown, the depth of the pavilion, the width of the table, and the symmetry and proportions of the diamond. A well-cut diamond will have more sparkle and brilliance than a poorly cut diamond.
The IGI report will also tell you what shape the diamond is. The most popular shapes for engagement rings are round, princess, and cushion, but there are also oval, emerald, radiant, pear, Asscher, marquise, and heart shapes as well.
Additional Information on an IGI Grading Report
In addition to the 4Cs, you’ll also find some other useful information on an IGI grading report.
Natural Diamond vs. Laboratory-Grown Diamond
The IGI grading report for natural diamonds and laboratory-grown diamonds look nearly identical. They both show the same information in the same area of the report, but there’s one different detail; the name of the report.Directly underneath the IGI logo, it will either say “Diamond Report” or “Laboratory Grown Diamond Report”. This gives you a quick and easy way to tell if a diamond is natural or laboratory-grown.
IGI Report Number
Each IGI report has a unique report number. This number is used to identify the diamond that was graded, and it’s printed on both the front and back of the grading report.If you ever lose your IGI grading report, you can use this number to get a replacement from IGI. You’ll just need to provide them with some basic information about the diamond, such as the carat weight and the shape.There are times when the IGI number will be inscribed into the girdle of the diamond. This helps to prevent fraud, and it gives you a way to check that the IGI report matches the diamond.
Inscriptions
The IGI report will also tell you if there are any inscriptions on the diamond. These could be a laser inscription of the IGI report number, a logo or trademark, and sometimes a personal message.Not all diamonds are inscribed, but it’s becoming more and more common, especially for larger diamonds.
Map of the Characteristics
In the middle column of the report, you will find a line drawing of a diamond that resembles yours with red and green markings on it. The red marks on this drawing are going to show you the internal inclusions of your diamond, and the green will show you the external ones.
Photos
On the right-hand side of the IGI report, you will find a couple of pictures of your diamond. The first picture that is always included is a photo of the crown, or the top, flat part of the diamond you want to look at. There may also be a picture of any inscriptions that are on the diamond.
Final Thoughts
The IGI grading report is an important document that outlines the characteristics of a diamond. This report is used to identify a diamond, give it value, and prevent fraud. The IGI focuses heavily on the 4Cs of diamonds, but you can also see a visual map of any inclusions, photos of the diamond, and a summary of any inscriptions on the report.
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