IGI Color Question

[EarlyBirdAsscher]

I'm trying to figure out how color sensitive I am, so I tried on this ring my local jeweler's. It's graded an I-J by IGI (the report is from 2016) and is a bit warmer than I think I'd like. I've heard that IGI is (or was) more lax in color grading than GIA, so can you tell from the picture if this would be a GIA J-K?

I'm trying to decide if I need to stick to GIA H and above or if I can go down to GIA I or J for size.

I'm not interested in this particular stone, but it was fascinating to experience firsthand what people on here say all the time: a better cut diamond compensates in other areas. They had an F-G stone that was whiter, but quite a dud and totally unappealing.

 

[ac117]

Probably more like K/L but very difficult to tell from pictures since lighting conditions okay a big part.

Since fancy shapes show color, I'd recommend sticking to GIA/AGS H or I colors.

 

[flyingpig]

Does it come with IGI grade report or appraisal? IGI does not award a diamond I-J. It is either I or J.
If it is a real report, the color grade may be reasonably accurate depending on whom you ask.
If it is an appraisal, the paper is meaningless. IGI`s bad reputation is largely due to these garbage appraisals. You cannot really test your color sensitivity with a stone with an IGI appraisal.

 

[EarlyBirdAsscher]

It was an appraisal report, stone graded as mounting permitted. I didn't realize there was a difference between a grade report and an appraisal.

 

[flyingpig]

You cannot really conclude that you need GIA H or above, by looking at an IGI appraised I/J, which, in reality, may be a K/L/M. Who knows what the true color is.
There has to be jewelers who carry GIA stones, or Cartier/Tiffany/De Beer in your area. They won't carry a J, but will carry a fancy cut I

 

[Crazie4Cuts]

Does your local jeweler carry GIA stones or at least perhaps ask if they have the GIA grading scale diamond color grading kit....so perhaps you can compare the diamond color next to a certified GIA graded stone. Then you can see how much difference the IGI color difference is next to the GIA stone.... just a thought.

 

[ChristineRose]

IGI is more sloppy than lax. IGI is the lab of choice when you want to grade dozens of unremarkable stones that will be sold at the mall. So they are not a great choice for what you are trying to do, i.e. compare combinations of cuts and colors.
Ask if they carry a superideal brand like Hearts on Fire in J and in F.

 

[Dizzie]

I am faced with plenty of IGi graded stones here in Europe. GIA and AGS are pretty much out of reach and HRD is more expensive, so a lot of people use IGI.

Long story short, I had at least 2 stones in my hand, where IGI grades were off by at least 2-3 grades compared to GIA stones. Both were Ks, but showing as much color as GIA N comp stone even to my untrained eye

 

[Karl_K]

It was an appraisal report, stone graded as mounting permitted. I didn't realize there was a difference between a grade report and an appraisal.

The US IGI valuation(with a value listed) or other graded mounted reports are totally useless.
Imho they are nothing but a scam.
The IGI international grading reports have a somewhat better reputation but they are still 2nd string.

 

[EarlyBirdAsscher]

Thanks for the helpful feedback. I'm not ready to buy yet, so I feel awkward asking to look at loose diamonds. Especially since I'll almost certainly buy online after everything I've learned here. My local place is really more estate jewelry and I'm over an hour away from anything else, so I was hoping for something more conclusive. I choose to be encouraged, though. I really didn't want to believe a GIA I would be as yellow as the ring I tried on, and it sounds like that's probably true.