What Is an IGI Certificate? A Guide to Lab-Grown Diamond Certification

Buying an engagement ring is emotional.

Choosing the diamond shouldn't require blind trust.

That's why every MOISS & ICE lab-grown diamond centre stone comes with an official report from the International Gemological Institute (IGI).

An IGI Lab-Grown Diamond Report independently identifies the stone as a laboratory-grown diamond and documents the characteristics that make that particular diamond unique.

For you, that means something simple:

You don't have to take our word for what you're buying. An independent gemological laboratory has examined and graded your diamond.

What Is IGI?

The International Gemological Institute (IGI) is an independent gemological organization that grades and identifies diamonds, laboratory-grown diamonds, gemstones and finished jewelry.

Founded in 1975, IGI provides independent grading and identification services for the global jewelry industry.

IGI uses gemological testing to determine whether a diamond is natural, laboratory-grown or a diamond simulant. Its gemologists then examine and document the characteristics of the diamond under controlled conditions.

For MOISS & ICE customers, the most important part is independence.

We sell you the diamond. IGI independently grades it.

Learn More About IGI →

Are Lab-Grown Diamonds Real Diamonds?

Yes. Lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds.

They have the same carbon crystal structure and essentially the same physical and optical properties as mined diamonds. The primary difference is their origin.

A mined diamond formed naturally within the Earth.

A lab-grown diamond was created under controlled laboratory conditions.

Lab-grown diamonds are not moissanite or cubic zirconia. These are different gemstones with different chemical compositions and physical properties.

This distinction is particularly important at MOISS & ICE because we offer both moissanite jewelry and lab-grown diamond jewelry.

Both can create beautiful engagement rings, but they are different gemstones and should be represented that way.

Shop Lab-Grown Diamond Engagement Rings →

What Is an IGI Lab-Grown Diamond Certificate?

You'll often hear the document referred to as an IGI Certificate, IGI Diamond Certificate or IGI Certification.

Technically, IGI calls it a Laboratory Grown Diamond Report.

The report provides an independent assessment of the diamond and records its identifying and quality characteristics.

Rather than relying solely on specifications supplied by the jewelry retailer, you receive documentation from an independent gemological organization.

Think of it as an independent record of the diamond you're purchasing.

Why Does an IGI Certificate Matter?

Imagine two engagement rings that both claim to contain a 2-carat lab-grown diamond.

They may appear similar in photographs, but their diamonds could have different colour grades, clarity grades, measurements, proportions, symmetry or finish.

Those differences matter.

"2-carat lab-grown diamond" does not tell you everything about a diamond.

An independent IGI grading report gives you information about the specific stone you're purchasing, allowing you to understand its characteristics before making such an important purchase.

For MOISS & ICE, IGI certification is more than another specification on the product page.

It's a trust signal.

What Information Is Included on an IGI Lab-Grown Diamond Report?

An IGI Laboratory Grown Diamond Report can contain considerably more information than simply the diamond's carat weight.

Depending on the diamond and report format, you may find the following information:

1. IGI Report Number

Each report has an identifying IGI report number.

This connects the diamond with its grading information and allows the report to be checked through IGI's online verification system.

2. Laboratory-Grown Diamond Identification

The report identifies the gemstone as a laboratory-grown diamond.

This matters because diamonds, moissanite and other diamond simulants can sometimes appear similar to an untrained eye.

IGI uses gemological testing to identify the stone and document its laboratory-grown origin.

3. Diamond Shape and Cutting Style

The report identifies the diamond's shape and cutting style.

Depending on the diamond you choose, this could include shapes such as:

• Round Brilliant
• Marquise
• Oval
• Princess
• Pear
• Emerald
• Cushion
• Radiant

For example, our Amaira Lab-Grown Diamond Engagement Ring features a marquise centre diamond.

Discover the Amaira Lab-Grown Diamond Engagement Ring →

4. Diamond Measurements

The physical dimensions of the diamond are recorded in millimetres.

This information matters because carat measures weight, not physical size.

Two diamonds with the same carat weight can have different dimensions and may therefore appear different when viewed from above.

5. Carat Weight

Carat measures the weight of a diamond.

Your IGI report documents the measured carat weight of your specific diamond.

This gives you independent confirmation rather than relying solely on the carat size stated on a jewelry product page.

Understanding the Diamond 4Cs

One of the most important parts of an IGI diamond report is its documentation of the 4Cs of diamond grading: Carat, Colour, Clarity and Cut.

Carat

Carat measures the weight of the diamond.

A larger carat weight can influence the price of a diamond, but carat alone does not determine its overall quality.

Colour, clarity, cut, proportions and other characteristics also matter when evaluating a diamond.

Colour

For diamonds within the traditional colour range, diamond colour is commonly evaluated using the D-to-Z colour scale.

D represents the colourless end of the scale. As you move farther through the scale, progressively more colour can become visible.

Your IGI report documents the colour grade assigned to your individual diamond.

Clarity

Diamonds can contain internal or surface characteristics.

Clarity grading considers factors such as the visibility, size, number, nature and location of these characteristics.

Common diamond clarity grades include:

• IF - Internally Flawless
• VVS1-VVS2 - Very Very Slightly Included
• VS1-VS2 - Very Slightly Included
• SI1-SI2 - Slightly Included
• I1-I3 - Included

Your IGI report identifies the clarity grade assigned to your diamond.

Cut

Cut is different from diamond shape.

Shape describes whether your diamond is round, marquise, oval, princess, pear or another form.

Cut relates to how a diamond has been fashioned, including factors that can influence how it interacts with light.

A well-cut diamond can make better use of light to produce the brightness, fire and sparkle people expect from a diamond.

What Else Can an IGI Diamond Report Tell You?

Depending on the diamond and report type, additional information may include:

• Polish - the quality of the diamond's finished surfaces.
• Symmetry - the alignment and precision of its facets.
• Fluorescence - how the diamond reacts under ultraviolet light.
• Proportions - information relating to the dimensions and geometry of the diamond.
• Clarity characteristics - identifying internal or external features.
• Laboratory-growth information - information relating to the diamond's laboratory-grown origin where applicable.
• Treatment information - applicable treatments may be disclosed where relevant.

What Is an IGI Laser Inscription?

Another important identification feature is the IGI laser inscription.

IGI laboratory-grown diamonds receiving grading reports can have an identifying report number microscopically laser-inscribed onto the diamond's girdle, the narrow outer edge of the stone.

The inscription helps connect the physical diamond with its grading report.

Because the inscription is microscopic, it does not interfere with the beauty of the diamond when worn.

Can You Verify an IGI Certificate Online?

Yes.

This is one of the reasons IGI certification provides another layer of confidence when purchasing a MOISS & ICE Lab-Grown Diamond Engagement Ring.

You can use your IGI report number to access IGI's online report verification service.

You aren't limited to documentation provided by the jewelry retailer. You can verify the report directly with IGI.

 

Is an IGI Certificate the Same as a Diamond Appraisal?

No.

An IGI grading report and a jewelry appraisal serve different purposes.

An IGI report documents the gemological characteristics of the diamond.

An appraisal generally focuses on the estimated monetary or replacement value of the jewelry and may be used for insurance purposes.

Your IGI report tells you about the diamond itself. It is not a statement of retail or replacement value.

Why MOISS & ICE Lab-Grown Diamonds Include IGI Certification

An engagement ring is too important for vague specifications.

When you purchase a MOISS & ICE Lab-Grown Diamond Engagement Ring, we want you to know what sits at the centre of it.

That's why our lab-grown diamond centre stones include an official IGI Diamond Report.

The report independently documents the characteristics of your diamond rather than asking you to rely only on what we tell you.

For us, that's what premium diamond jewelry should provide.

Beautiful enough to fall in love with. Independently graded so you can buy with confidence.

Explore MOISS & ICE Lab-Grown Diamond Engagement Rings →

Does Every MOISS & ICE Lab-Grown Diamond Come With an IGI Certificate?

Every MOISS & ICE lab-grown diamond centre stone offered through our Lab-Grown Diamond Engagement Ring collection comes with its official IGI Diamond Report.

When your engagement ring arrives, you're receiving more than a beautiful diamond.

You're receiving independent documentation identifying and grading the stone at the centre of one of the most meaningful pieces of jewelry you'll ever buy.

IGI Certificate FAQs

What Does IGI Stand For?

IGI stands for the International Gemological Institute, an independent gemological organization that provides diamond, laboratory-grown diamond, gemstone and jewelry grading and identification services.

Is an IGI-Certified Lab-Grown Diamond a Real Diamond?

Yes. A lab-grown diamond is a real diamond with the same carbon crystal structure and essentially the same physical and optical properties as a mined diamond. IGI independently identifies its laboratory-grown origin and grades its characteristics.

What Does an IGI Certificate Show?

An IGI Laboratory Grown Diamond Report can document information including the diamond's laboratory-grown origin, shape, cutting style, measurements, carat weight, colour, clarity and cut information, along with other grading characteristics depending on the report.

Does IGI Grade Lab-Grown Diamonds Using the 4Cs?

Yes. IGI evaluates laboratory-grown diamonds using the core 4Cs: carat, colour, clarity and cut.

Can I Check My IGI Certificate Online?

Yes. Your report number can be entered through IGI's online report verification service to access the corresponding report information.

Is the IGI Report Number Laser-Inscribed on a Lab-Grown Diamond?

IGI laboratory-grown diamonds receiving its grading reports can carry an identifying report number laser-inscribed on the girdle. The corresponding inscription information can be documented on the grading report.

Is an IGI Certificate the Same as an Appraisal?

No. An IGI grading report documents the characteristics and identification of the diamond. It does not assign a retail or replacement value and should not be confused with a jewelry appraisal.

Why Should I Buy an IGI-Certified Lab-Grown Diamond?

An independent grading report gives you documented information about the diamond you're purchasing. Rather than relying only on a retailer's description, you can review the diamond's grading information and verify the report directly through IGI.

Buy Your Lab-Grown Diamond With Confidence

The diamond may be the first thing you notice.

The documentation helps you know what you're buying.

Every MOISS & ICE lab-grown diamond centre stone includes its official IGI Diamond Report, giving you independent documentation of the diamond chosen for your engagement ring.

Real diamond. Independent grading. Confidence from the moment you open the box.