IGI vs. GIA, HRD DPL???

[Autdiam]

is it true that i diamond wich is graded by IGI Antwerp as D,vvs2 is a E, vs2 by GIA or HRD?? i want to buy a diamond wich certificate would you prefer? I`m from Austria and have also seen stones with DPL certificates.


Thanks for help

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 4/26/2008 6:26:32 AM
Author:Autdiam
is it true that i diamond wich is graded by IGI Antwerp as D,vvs2 is a E, vs2 by GIA or HRD?? i want to buy a diamond wich certificate would you prefer? I`m from Austria and have also seen stones with DPL certificates.


Thanks for help

Welcome!

In the USA, it seems that GIA and AGS are the top tier labs, not only for accuracy of colour and clarity grading, but also because they offer grades for cut quality and light performance. HRD is less well known in the USA, but to the best of my knowledge has a good reputation in Europe.

As to IGI, it appears that this lab grades many of the diamonds sold in mall jewellers and such like. Some feel their grading may be less strict than GIA or AGS in some cases.

Here is some info which may help you to read up on the various lab reports and opinions, which will include IGI.

http://diamonds.pricescope.com/grading.asp

 

[mandielee]

Hi, Autdiam - good to see someone (relatively speaking) nearby! I''m in eastern Bavaria (Oberpfalz), and convinced my German fiance that we''re better off ordering the diamond from the US. Even with shipping and customs, none of the local places or national chains (like Christ) can come close. Granted, we didn''t make a thorough search in one of the bigger cities like Munich or Duesseldorf, so you might have better luck than we did if you''re looking in Vienna or (maybe) Salzburg.

All I can figure is that diamond engagement rings themselves are unusual enough, and stones larger than 1/2ct especially so, that stores just don''t sell enough of the larger stones to be able to offer prices like you see from US-based online sellers. Blue Nile has advertised that they now ship to Germany, so I''d imagine they ship to Austria. Some of the vendors the Pricescope regulars favor probably also ship over here.

Best of luck!