IGI Certified Lab Grown Diamonds: What the Grading Report Means for You

If you are considering a lab grown diamond for an engagement ring, a milestone gift, or something you are creating for yourself, you have probably come across IGI certification. It is one of the most common questions Milena hears when she sits down with a new client: what does that report actually tell me?

Here is what IGI certification means for your diamond, how to read a grading report, and what to look for when you are ready to choose your stone.

What IGI Certification Tells You About Your Lab Grown Diamond

The International Gemological Institute (IGI) is one of the world's most recognised diamond grading laboratories, and it has become the standard for lab grown diamond certification in particular. When your diamond comes with an IGI report, it means an independent expert has assessed the stone across every quality factor that matters: cut, colour, clarity, and carat weight.

IGI's process includes advanced spectroscopy to confirm the diamond's lab grown origin, a laser inscription on the girdle (a tiny, unique ID you can verify), and full disclosure of the growth method, whether that is HPHT or CVD. The report is detailed, clear, and designed for you to understand, not just for gemologists.

You may also see GIA and HRD certifications. GIA built its reputation on natural diamonds and has expanded into lab grown grading. HRD is well regarded in Europe. All three are credible. At IRALIS, we lead with IGI certified stones because of their consistency and transparency for lab grown diamonds specifically. If you prefer a GIA report, Milena can arrange that on request.

The key point: certification is not a formality. It is your guarantee that the diamond's qualities have been independently verified, and that what you are paying for is exactly what you are getting. 

Lab Grown Diamonds: The Basics Worth Knowing

A lab grown diamond is a real diamond. Same carbon crystal structure, same hardness, same optical properties, same fire and brilliance. The difference is origin: instead of forming underground over geological time, these diamonds are grown in controlled laboratory environments over a matter of weeks.

The two methods are HPHT (High Pressure High Temperature), which recreates the conditions deep within the earth, and CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition), which builds the diamond layer by layer from a carbon rich gas. Both produce gem quality stones. Your IGI report will specify which method was used.

This matters because lab grown diamonds are not imitations. They are not cubic zirconia or moissanite. They are diamonds, graded to the same standards, with the same physical properties. The distinction is that they are made responsibly, without the environmental disruption of mining.

At IRALIS, the commitment goes further than the stone itself. Every piece is crafted in 14k or 18k recycled gold, and our production partners use solar powered facilities. Milena can walk you through the full supply chain for any piece you are considering. It is something she genuinely cares about.

How to Read the 4Cs on Your IGI Report

Understanding the 4Cs helps you choose a stone that looks beautiful to your eye and fits your priorities. Here is what each one means in practice:

Cut is the single biggest factor in how your diamond looks on your hand. It determines brilliance, how light moves through the stone and comes back to your eye. IGI grades cut from Excellent to Poor. If you are going to prioritise one thing, make it this.

Colour is graded from D (completely colourless) to Z (noticeable warmth). For most people, stones in the G to H range offer a beautiful, clean look without paying the premium for D to F. In person, the difference between a G and a D is often invisible once the stone is set.

Clarity refers to natural inclusions, tiny characteristics within the stone. IGI grades from Flawless (FL) down to Included (I3). Most lab grown diamonds fall in the VS1 to SI1 range, where any inclusions are invisible to the naked eye. You get a clean looking stone without overpaying for perfection you cannot see.

Carat is weight, and it correlates with size, but cut matters here too. A well cut 1.2ct diamond can face up larger than a poorly cut 1.5ct stone. Because lab grown diamonds cost less at equivalent quality than mined stones, you have more flexibility to choose the size that feels right without stretching your budget.

Choosing Your IGI Certified Lab Grown Diamond: A Practical Walkthrough

Start with the moment, not the spec sheet

Before you look at any diamond, think about what this piece is for. An engagement ring? A gift for someone you love? Something you are creating for yourself to mark a milestone? The "why" shapes every decision that follows, from the stone shape to the setting to the metal.

This is where Milena's approach is different from browsing a catalogue. When you book a consultation, she will ask about the person, the occasion, and what matters to you. The diamond selection follows from there. Every piece begins with your story.

Know what you want (roughly)

You do not need to be an expert. But having a general sense of shape preference (round, oval, emerald, cushion), approximate carat range, and jewelry type (ring, earrings, pendant, bracelet) helps the conversation move faster.

Insist on certification

Every diamond Milena selects for IRALIS clients comes with full IGI certification. When you see your report, check for the IGI logo and report number, the detailed 4C grades, the laser inscription number matching your certificate, and the disclosure of lab grown origin.

You can also verify any IGI report online through their database. It takes thirty seconds.

Choose your setting and metal

Every piece is handcrafted in Europe, in Italy, Belgium, or Switzerland, in your choice of 14k or 18k recycled gold (yellow, white, or rose) or platinum for bridal pieces. Settings range from classic solitaires to modern designs, and because everything is made to order, Milena can adapt details to your preferences.

Production takes 2 to 10 weeks depending on the piece, because it is being handmade just for you, not pulled from a shelf.

Understand the investment

Lab grown diamonds cost less at equivalent quality than mined diamonds, which means more of your budget goes into the design and craftsmanship of the piece itself. IRALIS pieces start at CHF 990, with most engagement rings and statement pieces falling in the CHF 4,000 to 5,000 range.

Payment flexibility is available through Twint BNPL (up to CHF 1,000), HeyLight (up to CHF 5,000 with 25% down and 12 monthly instalments), and Klarna at checkout.

What Is Changing in 2026

The lab grown diamond market is maturing quickly. Prices have continued to stabilise as production technology improves, and the range of available shapes, sizes, and colours has expanded significantly. Fancy coloured lab grown diamonds, yellows, blues, pinks, are gaining popularity for statement pieces and non traditional engagement rings.

For you, this means more options and better value than ever. But it also means more noise. Not every brand in this space holds itself to the same standards of certification, craftsmanship, or transparency.

What has not changed: the importance of independent certification, the value of working with someone who knows diamonds, and the difference between a piece that is handmade just for you and one that is pulled from inventory.

Beyond the Certificate: What Makes a Diamond Worth Choosing

An IGI report tells you what a diamond is. It does not tell you how it will look on your hand, how it will catch light in a room, or whether it is the right stone for the piece you have in mind.

That is where working with a gemologist matters. Our gemologist hand selects every diamond before Milena presents it to you. She is looking at performance, how the stone actually behaves with light, not just what the numbers say on paper.

If you are ready to start the conversation, you can book a by appointment meeting in Zurich. Whether you know exactly what you want or you are still figuring it out, that is what the consultation is for.

Your piece starts with your story. Milena is here to help you tell it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does IGI certified mean for a lab grown diamond?

It means an independent gemological laboratory has evaluated and graded the diamond's cut, colour, clarity, carat weight, and origin. The IGI report confirms it is a genuine lab grown diamond and provides a unique laser inscription for verification.

Is IGI certification as reliable as GIA?

Both are respected institutions. IGI has become the leading certifier for lab grown diamonds specifically, with protocols designed for these stones. GIA is also available for IRALIS clients on request.

Are lab grown diamonds real diamonds?

Yes. Lab grown diamonds have the same physical, chemical, and optical properties as mined diamonds. They are real diamonds. The only difference is that they are grown in a laboratory rather than extracted from the earth.

How long does it take to get a custom piece from IRALIS?

Production takes 2 to 10 weeks depending on the piece, because every item is handcrafted in Europe to your specifications.

Can I see and verify my diamond's IGI certificate?

Absolutely. Every IRALIS diamond comes with its full IGI report, and you can verify any certificate online through IGI's database using the report number or laser inscription.