IGI vs GIA grading for lab diamonds?

[TwoPointSixFourCt]

I am narrowing down my short list for a diamond my husband will buy for me for our 15th wedding anniversary for a new wedding ring set.

For my earth mined diamonds, I would only go with GIA graded stones, but for lab, is IGI comparable? Many of the IGI videos are better quality that GIA videos and I like that the IGI grading report maps the stone and shows imperfections, while the GIA reports do not.

What are your thoughts?

 

[Kim N]

I have no problem with IGI for lab diamonds. Many GIA reports for lab stones no longer state the growth method which makes those reports much less useful IMO.

While not a large sample size, Ada Diamonds dual-graded a number of stones with GIA and IGI/GCAL.

GIA Graded Lab Diamonds: First Results!

Last week I shared the results of AGS’s return to grading lab diamonds, as part of our involvement with the AGS lab diamond pilot program. We are also one of the first to receive full-fidelity GIA grading reports, with 17 diamonds sent to GIA for secondary grading. The results? Unsurprising...

www.pricescope.com

 

[DejaWiz]

Nothing wrong with IGI for LGD as long as you know what to look for and give each diamond a proper assessment (as you would need to do, regardless of the grading lab).

Any ideas on what 4Cs and budget you'll be targeting? We'd be happy to make some amazing recommendations with great cut quality and amazing optics for you to look at.