IGI has been at the forefront in pioneering many of the most significant innovations in the diamond evaluation process and remains the largest organization of its kind. IGI stands for the International Gemological Institute and refers to another of the most prestigious labs for diamond evaluation. A GCAL certification provides peace of mind with a guarantee that your diamond is accurately evaluated and graded in terms of cut, color, clarity, and weight. Both IGI and GCAL diamonds come readily associated with both meticulousness and prestige.Ī GCAL diamond is a diamond that has been certified by the Gem Certification & Assurance Lab (GCAL). Click here for a behind-the-scenes look at GCAL’s diamond grading process.Įvery diamond certification and grading process is different, and it is difficult to say that one system is definitively the “best.” That is why we use both IGI and GCAL diamond grading in conjunction with one another, as well as many others. This means they provide some of the best diamond certifications available today, ensuring the assigned cut, color, and clarity grades, as well as carat weights of the diamonds they evaluate. GCAL diamond grading was founded in 2001 in New York City and has built a reputation for their Guaranteed Diamond Certifications. Click here to learn more about IGI’s contributions to the science behind diamond certification and grading.
The lab pioneered several innovations in the diamond evaluation process, and trains some of the world’s top gemologists. IGI was founded in 1975 in Antwerp, Belgium, a long-standing hub for diamond craftsmanship and trading. Both employ some of the world’s leading diamond graders, and are internationally recognized for their expertise in evaluating both mined and lab-grown diamonds. While we partner with several independent diamond certification laboratories, the two most prominent are IGI (International Gemological Institute) and GCAL (Gem Certification and Assurance Lab).
Because it never wears off, it functions like a VIN for your Clean Origin lab-created diamond - a guarantee that the stone you buy today is the same one illuminating your (or your loved one’s) finger for years to come. This laser inscription can only be seen under magnification and in no way impacts the beauty of the certified diamond. This report includes a unique identification number and accompanies your diamond.įor added peace of mind, our center diamonds also feature a microscopic inscription of the unique identification number on the girdle of the stone. A visual “map” of the loose diamond further illustrates any inclusions or "birthmarks" that were formed during the creation of the diamond. The laboratory then issues a formal report, grading each attribute in detail. Evaluators use high precision microscopes and standardized scientific techniques designed for accuracy and consistency. These include cut, color, clarity, carat weight, polish, symmetry, and other key characteristics. Here's how it works: The Clean Origin Diamond Certification ProcessĪ fully certified, independent diamond grading laboratory evaluates quality by using the stone's unique attributes.
This gives us (and you!) confidence that the evaluation process is uniform and objective. We only partner with independent, internationally recognized laboratories, including GCAL and IGI, which we’ll talk about more in depth later on. That is why each Clean Origin lab-created diamond center stone that you buy is independently verified and graded for quality using the same scientific standards applied to mined diamonds. We understand that buying a diamond is a significant milestone, as well as potentially one of the most important purchases you’ll ever make.