What are GIA, AGS, EGL, and IGI Diamond Certification Labs!

Whether you are shopping for diamond rings or certified loose diamonds, a grading report is a crucial document that has information about the diamond’s quality. A grading report is evidence of what you are buying. It helps you to justify its worth and the price you are paying for it. Therefore, you should always buy a diamond with a grading report from a neutral/third-party institute to ensure impartial grading. Four most popular gemological labs around the world are GIA, AGS, EGL, and IGI.

What Are The Differences Between Diamond Certification Labs – GIA, AGS, EGL, And IGI? 

Let’s dig in details of all four laboratories and how they grade certified conflict free diamonds.

1 – GIA

GIA, the Gemological Institute of America, is the most popular and trusted gemological institute around the world. It has its headquarter in California. GIA has its offices across the globe with employees more than 1400, including scientists, educators, and licensed diamond graders. Not only it provides grade reports and certificates.

GIA is also active in keeping up with the fast-changing technology used for gemology. Reports from GIA are known for their strict assessment standards and consistency. GIA reports can give you a satisfaction that the information is accurate and corroborates the authenticity of loose diamonds for sale in Virginia.

2 – AGS

AGS stands for the American Gemological Society. It is also a US-based laboratory with its head office in Las Vegas. The AGS lab is famous for its scientific approach and intensive research in diamond grade cutting. Unlike other labs, AGS uses a numbered grading system. When you buy loose diamonds online, 0 grade is the best (ideal), and 10 is the worst.

Like GIA, AGS is also famous for its ethical standards and proven consistency in grading diamonds. AGS is a reliable gemological lab with the strictest standards for cuts of stone. They also have a robust ray-tracing inspection, which tests the light performance of a diamond.

3 – EGL

EGL is short for European Gemological Laboratory. It is European originated grading institute and has an extensive presence across the globe. EGL specializes in diamond grading techniques for stones whose weight is not more than a carat. They are famous for their notorious S13 clarity rating for diamonds. And they have also been in controversy for getting into consumer lawsuits for over-grading diamonds.

4 – IGL

And the last one on the list – IGI means International Gemological Institute based in Belgium. IGI is quite as popular as GIA and AGS, but not more than them. IGI mostly grades polished diamonds, and they are popular in the Asian continent. IGI also provides grading for synthetic diamonds. Although EGL and IGI are prevalent in Europe and Asia, they operate offices in New York as well.

To Finish Off 

As a consumer, you should be aware of different gemological institutes to ensure that the loose diamonds for sale in Danville VA, Chatham, Martinsville, Ringold, South Boston, Dryfork, Gretna, and Blairs, Virginia are genuine and worth it. Each lab incorporates its grading system and nomenclature. As a result, a grading report varies according to labs. Inaccurate grading report may cost you to pay extra for the jewelry of less worth. Therefore, it’s wise to choose a credible grading institute and buy only GIA, AGS, IGI and EGL Certified Loose Diamonds.