IGI vs GIA vs BIS: Which Diamond Certification Should You Trust?

If diamonds are your best friend, you should know about diamond grading and its certifications. Diamond certifications assess a diamond’s authenticity, credibility and quality. They have a crucial role to play in the jewellery industry. 

GIA, IGI, and BIS certifications represent the authenticity and quality of lab-grown and natural diamonds. However, the focus of all three certifications is different. Let’s understand what these jewellery certifications mean individually –

IGI Certification 

IGI (International Gemological Institute) is recognised as one of the most reputable diamond grading laboratories. It provides a thorough assessment of diamonds as well as other gemstones. Most jewellers use IGI certification for assessing diamond quality and creating intricate pieces for women, such as bracelets, rings, bangles, and more. 

IGI certification provides a faster grading process. It is a highly cost-effective certification which is used by diamond jewellers to provide a level of authentication to their customers. Their certification is recognised all over the world and is considered a prominent one, especially in the jewellery market. It has a detailed grading criterion for the lab-grown diamonds. However, it has less strict grading as compared to the GIA certification.

GIA Certification 

Another certification we are going to talk about is the GIA diamond certification (Gemological Institute of America). GIA diamond certification is one of the most trusted grading certificates for diamonds in the world. 

The grading standard set by the GIA diamond certification is very strict compared to the IGI certification. The testing environment in which diamonds are graded is very particular. They maintain a high level of consistency and grading accuracy, which is why they are most preferred by jewellers as compared to other diamond grading certifications. 

The GIA diamond certification is also well accepted in the global diamond market. The certification offers reliable and authentic grading for natural as well as lab-grown diamonds. The drawback of GIA certification is that it is more expensive as compared to the IGI certification. The grading process is completed with the highest authenticity and reliability, which in turn takes more time.

BIS Hallmark

The BIS Hallmark is established by the Bureau of Indian Standards, which ensures the purity and quality of diamond jewellery in India. 

The Association of BIS hallmark is with gold and other precious metals, but it is also a highly adopted certification measure of testing for lab-grown diamonds. The meaning of the BIS hallmark on the diamond jewellery means that it will come with the BIS logo. 

BIS highlights the identification mark, year of hallmarking, along with the fineness and purity of the metal. The hallmark is the representation of quality and trust for consumers, which indicates that the jeweller is abiding by the standards set by the BIS. 

To Sum Up

GIA and IGI are both known as gemological laboratories. The laboratories conduct the assessment of diamond quality, also including other gemstones. The purpose of BIS and GIA certification is different. BIS makes sure that jewellers maintain the quality and safety standards in their jewellery in India. On the other hand, GIA is concerned with the quality and diamond valuation. 
We at TopJewellers will help you distinguish between certified and non-certified jewellery right away. Head to the website now!