• The G.I.A. is the oldest gem testing laboratory in the world, established in 1931 by Robert Shipley, it is this institute that has brought forth to the world, the legendary 4C’s!
• The G.I.A. headquarters and main campus is located in the city of Carlsbad, in California, with a satellite campus located in New York and some other major cities in the World.
• The GIA is actively engaged in research to advance the science of gemology, and hence offers many services such as Diamond and Gemstone grading reports, diploma courses, etc.
• The G.I.A is the one of the world’s biggest, most sophisticated, and extraordinarily consistent Diamond Grading Laboratory!
• Being one of the oldest and most respected gemmological laboratories in the world, a Diamond that has a G.I.A Grading Report usually does not need any more certification!

Questions asked by our shoppers:

Q: “Where is the G.I.A. laboratory, or research centres located?”

Ans: The main G.I.A. laboratory is located in the city of Carlsbad, California (U.S.A), with lab centres and Research Centres located in major Diamond hubs of the world like New York, Johannesburg, Bangkok, Gaborone, Antwerp, etc.

Q: “What makes G.I.A the world’s most reputed and preferred Diamond certifying laboratory?”

Ans: The G.I.A is arguably the best Diamond and Gemstone grading laboratory because:

• It is the G.I.A that has introduced the 4C’s of the Diamond Grading System!
• Exceptional consistency in Diamond Grading.
• 100% non-profit organisation, working to preserve the consumer’s interest.
• Extremely strict grading standards.
• They have state-of-the-art equipment, highly trained work-force, and amazing infrastructure, compared to any other laboratory.

Q: “Is their Diamond grading really that consistent?”

Ans: We will simply say…
…a Diamond with a G.I.A Grading Report can be purchased with both eyes closed!

Q: “What is the difference between G.I.A and G.I.I? Does it matter which certificate I get?”

Ans: Good question, the first simple difference is that they are 2 different labs;
G.I.A is the ‘Gemological’ Institute Of America while,
G.I.I is the ‘Gemmological’ Institute of India.

We try to give you the best available, G.I.A. Diamond Grading Reports, but…

G.I.A does not certify Diamonds under 0.15cts.
Therefore, it is for these smaller Diamonds that we provide a G.I.I Certificate.

For bigger Diamonds, there is nothing better than a G.I.A Diamond Grading Report!

Q: “Why doesn’t any other brand provide a G.I.A Diamond Grading Report in their Solitaire Rings?”

Ans: A G.I.A Report means compliance with the highest quality grading standards in the World for Diamonds.

When the Diamonds in Solitaire Rings sold by others do not carry a G.I.A or some other equivalent certificate, it might simply mean that they do not satisfy those standards!

Q: “How can I view a G.I.A. Diamond Report of one of your Diamond?”

Ans: You can select any Solitaire or Engagement ring and in the options where we ask you to ‘Select your Diamond’, you will see that there is a list of Diamond’s with their accompanying certificates.

To view any of the certificate, simple click on ‘view certificate’ If you wish to view a sample certificate of one of our Diamond, click here.

• International Gemological Institute or I.G.I. is a Diamond, colored stone and jewelry certification organization.
• I.G.I. is headquartered in Antwerp and has offices in many cities around the world like New York City, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Toronto, Los Angeles, etc.
• Established in 1975, I.G.I. is one of the largest independent gemological laboratories in the world.
• I.G.I. has the only international certification lab controlled by one central governing body that adheres to one internationally accepted system for Diamond grading.
• It is one of the few Institutes to be ISO (International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001: 2000) certified in four countries.

Questions asked by our shoppers:

Q: “What is the difference between a G.I.A. Diamond Report and an I.G.I. report?”

Ans: Regarding the certificate itself, the differences are minimal, with both offering more or less same information. But regarding the authenticity of the tests conducted on the Diamonds, most believe a G.I.A. report to be more accurate, but it is more of a personal choice than experience.

Q: “So can I be sure of an I.G.I. report?”

Ans: Yes! You can be totally assured with an I.G.I. Diamond Certificate; it is one of the biggest and highly consistent laboratories in the world.

Q: “Can I view the I.G.I. certificate of one of your Diamonds before buying it?”

Ans: Yes! You can certainly view the I.G.I. certificate of our Diamonds before you buy your ring. Simply click on ‘view certificate’ to view the actual certificate of that Diamond.

• The Gemmological Institute of India is the first non-profit, independent research and educational organisation in the field of Gemmology in India.
• It is a public institution founded by the Gem and Jewelry Exporters' Association, and co-sponsored by the Ministry of Commerce, Government of India.
• The Institute was established in the year 1971 for the promotion, propagation and development of the science of gemstones and research studies in India.

• 1971 - Established the first Gem Testing Laboratory in India.
• 1974 - Started the ‘Gemmology Diploma Course’ for the first time in India
• 1976 - Established the first Research and Development Laboratory (R&D Lab) in the field of Gem Stones and Gemmology in India.
• 1978 - Started the first ‘Diamond Assorting and Grading Course’ in India.
• 1979 - Department of Science & Technology, Government of India Recognition as R & D Laboratory.
• The G.I.I. Gem testing laboratory is officially recognised by the International Jewelry Confederation, CIBJO. (www.cibjo.org)

The Diamond certification process at the G.I.I. goes through the following stages:

1) Diamonds or Diamond Jewelry is sent to the G.I.I. for examination.

2) The G.I.I’s personnel accept the Diamonds and send them to their laboratory for examination.

3) The Diamonds are then checked on highly precise, state-of-the-art instruments to avoid human error.

4) Finally the Diamonds are certified of a certain grade, a specimen photo is taken, and a certificate is     prepared with the details.