Identification Reports

Commitment to Confidence

IGI was the first laboratory to develop reports for finished jewelry and continues to lead the field today.

More complex than the analysis of loose gemstones, IGI’s expertise in the analysis and documentation of finished jewelry items is unrivaled anywhere. Without disassembling heirlooms or complex pieces, IGI performs thorough, objective and expert analysis of finished jewelry items.

IGI screens every gemstone using state of the art technologies to determine naturally mined, laboratory grown or simulant origin. Experienced graduate gemologists conduct further assessment in controlled conditions, detailing relevant gemological characteristics according to the strictest international system. The presence of any treatments will be noted in the comments section.

How to read an IGI Identification Report

The IGI Identification Report describes a jewelry item or loose item not covered by another IGI report format.

For jewelry items with natural or lab grown diamond center stones; shape, cutting style, measurements and 4Cs assessments are provided as mounting permits.

For jewelry items with natural or lab grown colored center stones; species, variety, shape, cutting style, measurements, color, transparency, and other relevant gemological details are provided as mounting permits.

For simulants and other materials, relevant optical and physical properties will be reported. If the simulant or other material is incorporated into a jewelry item the details will be provided as mounting permits.

Grading Scale

Color

D – F
Colorless

G – J
Near Colorless

K – M
Slightly Tinted

N – P
Very Light Color

S – Z
Light Color

FANCY

Clarity

IF
Internally Flawless

VVS1-2
Very Very Slightly Included

VS 1-2
Very Slightly Included

SI1-2
Slightly Included

I1-3
Included

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Jewelry grading is more complex than loose stone grading. IGI has developed methods to decisively assess mounted gemstones, yet we treat those grades conservatively. When the gemstone was graded prior to mounting that’s noted on the report and standard 4Cs reporting applies. When the comment “graded as mounting permits” appears, color and clarity are stated as a range such as D-E or SI1-SI2, etc, along with an estimated cut grade.

Cut Grading

Diamond color is graded in a standardized viewing environment. IGI gemologists analyze color in the D to Z color range with the diamond placed upside down, viewed through the side, to facilitate a neutral view. Multiple graders submit opinions independently, with no collaboration, and the grade is determined when there are sufficient agreeing opinions. Diamond clarity is assessed at 10X magnification. Grading depends on the visibility, size, number, location and nature of internal and surface characteristics at that magnification. Diamonds with characteristics which are immediately obvious or noticeable are likely candidates for lower grades, whereas diamonds with characteristics which are minor, minute or extremely difficult to see at that magnification may qualify for the higher grades.

IGI co-created the modern laser inscription process. Using a very fine and precise laser beam, alphanumeric characters, a brand logo or even a personalized message can be inscribed on the girdle or outside circumference of a diamond. Adding the report number to a diamond’s girdle with Laserscribe permits fast identification of a gemstone under magnification, verifying of all of its gemological details. Now standardized as an efficient and easy way to identify a diamond, the majority of diamonds around the world have laser inscriptions.

Laserscribe

Verify Your Diamond

See a digital copy of your IGI grading report

Learn With Videos

A collection of two-minute videos designed to help shoppers make informed decisions when buying or selling diamonds, gems, and jewelry.

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Lab Grown Diamonds

Did you know? Only natural and lab grown diamonds score 10 on the Mohs hardness scale; nothing else comes close.

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Carat Weight

Did you know? Diamonds of the same carat weight do not necessarily appear to be the same size.

Color

Did you know? Gemologists perform D to Z color grading with the diamond upside down, viewed through the side.

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Related Reports

Regardless of location or marketplace, an authentic IGI Laboratory Report is the common language of trust and confidence in the gemological world.

All Reports

Natural Diamond Report

IGI Natural Diamond Reports give an accurate assessment of a diamond’s cut, color, clarity and carat weight according to strict international standards.