IGI, SGL, and DGLA Diamond Certificates

GIA is one of the renowned agencies in the world that grades and certifies diamonds and gemstones as per the international standards. But GIA is not the only agency that works in the field of certifying these precious diamond stones. In fact, there are quite a number of international agencies that grade and certify diamonds for the global market. So, no matter where the stone is in the world, if it is exchanging hand, then these certificates play a significant role in proving the authenticity of the diamond stone.

Melorra only uses the diamond stones in its jewellery that are certified by IGI, SGL, and DGLA. All three of these are international agencies are similar to GIA that provide a diamond report with the information about the characteristics of the stone as well as its anatomy and price.

International Gemological Institute (IGI) was established in 1975 and is one of the largest, independently-run gemological laboratory in the world. IGI is located in major cities, which are known for their trade in diamond stone and jewellery, across the globe.

The idea behind introducing IGI reports for a diamond is to provide accurate, expert, and reliable information about the diamond you’re buying, either in loose or jewellery form. IGI reports are one of the best ways to prove the authenticity of the diamond jewellery and educate the buyer about their purchase.

Diamonds are scientifically analyzed by several expert gemologists, who merge their manual experience of examining a stone with the latest equipment to generate an accurate description of the stone’s characteristics, anatomy, and more.

IGI report mentions the diamond carat after carefully weighing the stone by using delicate scales that are made to measure diamonds.

Gemologists measure the diamond colour, which is based on grade ranging from D to Z, by comparing the diamond with master stones of predetermined shades. The fluorescence quantity of the stone is noted on a scale from None to Strong.

A diamond earns a higher clarity grade from gemologists after they examine the stone for inclusions and blemishes under a microscope with 10X or more magnification. The IGI report mentions the grade of the diamond stone along with a diagram to explain this characteristic better.

Naturally occurring diamonds are not used in the jewellery as they are. These stones are cut and polished for jewellery making, and then graded excellent or poor as per their final appearance. Even diamond anatomy plays an essential role in improving its aesthetic appeal for jewellery making. For instance, the cut design, table diameter along with crown height, pavilion depth, girdle thickness, and culet size determine the final product.

 Similar to GIA, the report generated by IGI contains a detailed analysis of a diamond’s characteristics (cut, clarity, colour, and carat) along with polish, proportions, and symmetry. Most of these characteristics are described by the plotted diagram.

IGI ID is the same as the IGI Diamond Report sans the plotted diagrams. The ID report is generated in the size of a passport as well as a ‘credit card.’

Not all diamonds are created equal, and similarly, all certificates are not identical as well. Different certificates and report function differently, and if you’re looking for one of the highest degrees of standards to grade a diamond, then Solitaire Gem Labs (SGL) is the solution. As an independent lab trusted by gem sellers and buyers for its reliable gem grading certificates, SGL includes several essential information about the diamond stone to help the buyer make an informed decision. Almost similar to IGI, reports generated by SGL prove the authenticity of the diamond across the world.

SGL labs offer two types of reports: Diamond Reports and Diamond Jewellery Reports. 

SGL’s Diamond Report offers a detailed outline of a diamond stone’s quality and characteristics, including the description of 4Cs of diamonds.

We hope that you already know about the 4Cs of diamonds; if not, go through our guide to understand how 4Cs determine a diamond’s desirability and value. Now, you know that 4Cs of diamonds are important factors that are recorded in the reports sold along with the diamond stone. SGL report offers an insight into these 4Cs of the diamonds for the buyer to clearly understand the characteristics of his/her purchase. 

One great thing about an SGL grading is that it does analyze not only loose diamonds but also the ones that are mounted on jewellery. The SGL Diamond Jewellery Report offers details about the diamond stone as well as the jewellery, marking the quality of the entire piece that you will buy. Each of the reports generated by SGL carries a diamond trust mark.

Besides grading diamonds, SGL offers diamond sealing and lab-grown diamond screening services. The buyer of an SGL certified diamond can verify the contents of the report by matching it with the information stored in the SGL report database. You just need to go online and check the report by of a diamond before finalizing on the purchase.

Another diamond grading agency is Diamond and Gem Laboratories of America (DGLA), which has been certifying loose diamonds, jewellery, and gemstones since 1898. Earlier known as D. Atlas & Co., DGLA is one of the famous diamond grading and certifying agency that provides certification reports for loose diamonds by determining and examining the 4Cs of diamond stones: Carat, Cut, Color, and Clarity. This report by DGLA consists of information, such as diamond shape, dimension, 4Cs, table percent, pavilion depth, crown angle, girdle thickness, total depth, and culet along with diamond’s symmetry, fluorescence, and comments on the loose stone. 

For grading diamond jewellery, DGLA provides three distinct reports mentioning information about the diamond, the jewellery, and their quality. The detailed report offers specific insights into the total diamond weight in the jewellery item, the average colour and clarity of the diamonds, and the unique characteristics of the stone that adds the value of the accessory. Grading of diamonds already studded in the jewellery is done as per the mounting permits.

Alongside, DGLA also offers to inscribe the diamond girdle with the certificate number to ensure that buyers and retailers are both on the same page about buying and selling the stone, and there is no mismatch in the stone and its report.