IGI v. GIA

[platinumvol]

Is the color grade on an IGI stone generally the same as a GIA stone?

In other words...would an IGI "H" color stone be equivalent to an "I" or "J" GIA stone?

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 7/10/2008 9:37:19 PM
Author:platinumvol
Is the color grade on an IGI stone generally the same as a GIA stone?


In other words...would an IGI 'H' color stone be equivalent to an 'I' or 'J' GIA stone?

It depends. But IGI is generally a lot less strict than GIA...but you'd need an independent appraisal to be specific about a specific stone. I would think they'd be within a few color/clarity grades, but that can mean a huge price difference!

 

[oldminer]

IGI has huge resources and enjoys a tremendous business volume. Their grading is IGI grading and not GIA grading. The IGI systems is similar in appearance to the GIA, but the results don''t generally match perfectly. I''d say there is a degree of subjectivity to color grading and no entity is adequately in charge of standardization. An expert can tell most H colors from most I colors, but for the consumer I''d say few can tell themselves. There is an effect on value between color grades and the free market generally discounts IGI graded diamonds sufficiently that you get the diamond you are paying for even if the letter of the alphabet indicates too high a color grade. Little harm is being done although it is highly confusing to consumers and casts a shadow on the credibility of the entire trade which generally closes its collective eyes to questionable practices.

No governmental agency cares about this "problem". Any lab that comlains appears to have an axe to grind with a large competitor. Users of reports tend to like the overgrading and naive consumers really love a bargain, even a false one. Since no one seems to have any authority and few people seem to be actually hurt by the situation, we are left with only the free market value process to protect us. The free market does a very good job and so no harm, no foul. We don''t live in a perfect world.