I just bought a diamond engagement ring from Robbins Brothers, which only carries IGI certificates. Before you go bashing, I would like to just clarify the "GIA vs IGI" debate to anyone who is confused about it. This comes after hours and hours of online researching and phone calls.
#1: It depends where you shop
Yes, Robbins Brother's only sells IGI diamonds. However, they have a very selective filter; Their built in policy requires them to reject 9 out of 10 diamonds, so what you see in their store is the top 10% of the equally-graded selection. If it is indeed true that GIA diamonds are better than IGI, then the diamonds you buy from Robbins Brothers are very very very close, if not as good or maybe even better than the GIA equivalent. Very few mall stores or large chains go through this rigorous selection process. In those cases, you might end up with the "bottom of the barrel" type of selection and indeed an IGI diamond might look inferior to GIA, where an IGA grade is 1, 2, or 3 below the GIA grade. When people say that IGI is not as good as GIA/AGS, they are forgetting that it depends where you shop.
#2: There is no actual proof
Other than the reputation that GIA carries and what everyone seems to say online, including "professionals," there is no actual proof that GIA diamonds look better than IGI with the same specs. Yes, the IGI grades at a higher volume but they also have wayyy more labs around the world than GIA, so of course they're going to go through more volume. Just because something is mass produced does not make it an inferior. Just as equally, just because something is done on a smaller scale doesn't make it any better.
Finally, try to find a picture of 2 diamonds online with the same specs, one graded by IGI and the other by GIA. You really can't...
#3: It doesn't matter anyway!
Holding a GIA certificate in your hand might be more important if you're planning to sell the diamond eventually (again, only because people *think* they're worth more), but in most cases, you or your loved one never will sell it. So for that reason, debating between GIA vs IGI is of no practical value. A diamond should be shine brilliantly and look clear. If you choose a diamond that does this, then IGI or GIA just doesn't matter anyway.
More on Robbins Brothers:
Overall, my experience at Robbins Brothers was great. The store manager spent 5 hours working with me finding exactly what I wanted. They have a complete lounge and diamond laboratory in their store. Not pushy at all. The diamond was well worth it even if I didn't get a great "deal." (And let's face it, who does get a good deal on a diamond anyway? Nobody really...) I would never buy from online like Blue Nile simply because you don't know what you're getting, who you're dealing with. Paying the price for a brick and mortar store is well worth it. Please let me know if you have any questions, thanks for reading!
#1: It depends where you shop
Yes, Robbins Brother's only sells IGI diamonds. However, they have a very selective filter; Their built in policy requires them to reject 9 out of 10 diamonds, so what you see in their store is the top 10% of the equally-graded selection. If it is indeed true that GIA diamonds are better than IGI, then the diamonds you buy from Robbins Brothers are very very very close, if not as good or maybe even better than the GIA equivalent. Very few mall stores or large chains go through this rigorous selection process. In those cases, you might end up with the "bottom of the barrel" type of selection and indeed an IGI diamond might look inferior to GIA, where an IGA grade is 1, 2, or 3 below the GIA grade. When people say that IGI is not as good as GIA/AGS, they are forgetting that it depends where you shop.
#2: There is no actual proof
Other than the reputation that GIA carries and what everyone seems to say online, including "professionals," there is no actual proof that GIA diamonds look better than IGI with the same specs. Yes, the IGI grades at a higher volume but they also have wayyy more labs around the world than GIA, so of course they're going to go through more volume. Just because something is mass produced does not make it an inferior. Just as equally, just because something is done on a smaller scale doesn't make it any better.
Finally, try to find a picture of 2 diamonds online with the same specs, one graded by IGI and the other by GIA. You really can't...
#3: It doesn't matter anyway!
Holding a GIA certificate in your hand might be more important if you're planning to sell the diamond eventually (again, only because people *think* they're worth more), but in most cases, you or your loved one never will sell it. So for that reason, debating between GIA vs IGI is of no practical value. A diamond should be shine brilliantly and look clear. If you choose a diamond that does this, then IGI or GIA just doesn't matter anyway.
More on Robbins Brothers:
Overall, my experience at Robbins Brothers was great. The store manager spent 5 hours working with me finding exactly what I wanted. They have a complete lounge and diamond laboratory in their store. Not pushy at all. The diamond was well worth it even if I didn't get a great "deal." (And let's face it, who does get a good deal on a diamond anyway? Nobody really...) I would never buy from online like Blue Nile simply because you don't know what you're getting, who you're dealing with. Paying the price for a brick and mortar store is well worth it. Please let me know if you have any questions, thanks for reading!