What is IGI Certification?
IGI certification is a diamond grading report issued by the International Gemological Institute (IGI), one of the world's largest and most respected independent gemological laboratories. Founded in 1975 in Antwerp, Belgium, IGI grades both natural and lab-grown diamonds using identical, rigorous standards.
An IGI certificate provides a complete, objective assessment of a diamond's quality based on the 4Cs: Cut, Colour, Clarity, and Carat Weight. Every RareCut diamond comes with an individual IGI certificate.
Why Does IGI Certification Matter?
Independent Verification
An IGI certificate is issued by an independent third party — not the brand selling the diamond. The quality grades are objective, unbiased, and verifiable.
Proof of Origin
The IGI certificate explicitly states that the diamond is "Laboratory Grown," providing legal proof of authenticity.
Standardised Grading
IGI uses the same grading scales for lab-grown diamonds as for mined diamonds.
What Does an IGI Certificate Include?
- Report Number — Unique identification
- Shape and Cut — Round, Cushion, Oval, etc.
- Weight (Carat) — Exact carat weight
- Colour Grade — D (colourless) to Z scale
- Clarity Grade — FL (Flawless) to I3 scale
- Cut Grade — Excellent to Poor
- Origin — Explicitly stated as "Laboratory Grown"
- Growth Method — CVD or HPHT
How to Verify Your IGI Certificate Online
- Find the Report Number on your physical IGI certificate
- Visit www.igi.org/verify
- Enter the Report Number
- Compare the displayed information with your certificate
IGI vs GIA vs SGL
IGI — World's largest independent lab. Most widely used for lab-grown diamonds. Has labs in India.
GIA — Gold standard for natural diamonds. Also certifies lab-grown.
SGL — India-based lab, popular with Indian brands.
For Indian consumers, IGI is the most commonly used and widely recognised certification for lab-grown diamonds.
What is BIS Hallmarking?
While IGI certifies the diamond, BIS hallmarking certifies the gold. BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) hallmarking is the Indian government's guarantee of gold purity. When buying a gold diamond ring, you need both: IGI Certificate for the diamond and BIS Hallmark for the gold.
RareCut is a BIS-certified firm — every gold piece carries an official hallmark stamp.
Red Flags to Watch For
- No IGI certificate provided for each diamond
- Certificate from an unknown laboratory
- Refusal to share the IGI report number before purchase
- Gold without a BIS hallmark
RareCut is an Indian lab-grown diamond jewellery brand operated by Izara Gems LLP, Delhi, India. Every RareCut diamond is individually IGI certified. Shop at rarecut.in