August 2023 | Lab Grown Magazine

August 2023 | The Lab Grown Diamond Resource Book 12 Mailed to 24,000 Jewelers Monthly - To advertise call (888) 832-1109 | August 2023 13 36 WEST 44th STREET, SUITE #1103, NEW YORK, NY 10036 Tel.: 212 768 3200 Ext 108. Toll Free: 800-622-WAVE(9283) Ext 108 Fax: 212 768 3322 Email: info@gemwave.com / harshil@gemwave.com Celebrating 28 Years In Business DISCLAIMER: Lab Grown Magazine assumes no responsibility for content, articles, or advertisement in publication. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form without prior written permission of the publisher is prohibited. The publisher reserves the right to edit all articles for clarity space and editorial sensitivities. Publisher Zev Oster Manager David Oster Features Writer Dan Scott Graphics / Production Kim Kennelly LabGrownAds@gmail.com Advertising & Sales LabGrownMagazine@gmail.com Circulation 24,000 Magazines Printed &Mailed Monthly Distributed at Show Bins PO Box 683 Pomona, NY 10970 T: 888-832-1109 F: 212-257-7056 www.LabGrownMagazine.com Find us on A division of Zev Don’t Call it a “Cert.” And, please don’t call it a certificate. When comparing today’s labgrown and natural stones with diamond and gemstone laboratory documentations, based on their technical specifications, the term is “grading report.” Of such reports, two global grading labs have remained the most expected, but not necessary the most respected, with certain aspects of their findings. To cut to the chase, IGI is not as strict or consistent natural diamonds and seems to have focused their efforts to LGDS (again when compared to GIA.) When considering an IGI-graded LGD, here are a few tips to avoid mistakes and cross checking work.  IGI has been grading LGDs in higher abundance over  GIA, and has been forced to adopt a more aaccurate means of final conclusions, but the lab hasn’t been around as long as GIA, so let’s review history. The Gemological Institution of America, founded in 1931 as a non-profit institution. Dedicated to researching, educating, and grading natural gemstones and diamonds, it  developed a standard for the industry using unified and standard methodology for grading all stones. GIA introduced the International Diamond Grading System, known as the 4Cs - cut, clarity, color, and carat weight in 1953. Today, this system is used by most labs, including IGI. Comparatively, the International Gemological Institute is the largest independent gem lab in the world. It is headquartered in Antwerp, the core of the diamond trade, where major mining brands also house also house operations.  IGI also has offices in diamond centers worldwide in New York, New Delhi, Surat, Hong Kong, Dubai, Shanghai, and Tel Aviv with over 650 gemologists and jewelry professionals employed. In Europe andAsia, IGI’s grading reports are widespread. However, GIA has gained more market share in recent years. In the United States, GIA is go-to lab for LGDs. IGI is not as strict as GIA when grading diamonds, but it does not mean you  Here’s  the main differences between IGI and GIA in grading the 4Cs: Because IGI is loosely structured globally, inconsistencies among its labs may exist, depending on their location. It’s safe to assume a 1 grade color inconsistency in D-I color diamonds between GIA and IGI graded diamonds.  This inconsistency is much more minor for J and lower color range diamonds. One can also expect a 1-grade clarity inconsistency in IGI and GIA graded diamonds, especially in high investment-grade diamonds with D-F color and Flawless to VVS clarity. About  10-20% of IGI graded diamonds might be consistent with how GIA would grade them. How? Humans grade diamonds; individual gemologists grade and then cross-examine them. Therefore, some IGI gemologists may be as strict as those in GIA. The problem is that they do not consistently grade diamonds across the organization as GIA does. Types of reports to look for while buying IGI and GIA graded diamonds: GIA has diamond dossiers (generally for small diamonds) and full grading reports for any size diamond. IGI has two diamond grading reports: mini-reports and full GIA dossiers with sufficient information and IGI’s mini grading reports, often issued to vendors in shopping malls, are limited in their facts, especially about the cut of a diamond. When buying IGI graded diamonds, buy ones with a full IGI report, not the mini-reports. Purchase an IGI diamond with lab reports from their more established U.S. and European labs. It is also important to note that IGI is more consistent with low-grade than highgrade diamonds. Perhaps the best advice would be to go for a GIA graded diamond and avoid moat risks if if you are a first- time buyer. And ,as a final tip, invest in a high quality tabletop or hand scanner for proper diamond detection of man-made and mined diamonds. Respectfully,