Guide
Diamond Certifications
A diamond certificate is a third-party verification of exactly what you are buying. It removes subjectivity, confirms origin, and protects your investment. Here is everything you need to know.
Why Certificates Matter
Without a certificate, a diamond's quality is whatever the seller says it is. With a certificate from an independent gemological laboratory, every quality attribute is verified by trained experts with no financial stake in the sale.
Independent Verification
Graded by experts with no connection to the sale. No conflict of interest.
Permanent Record
A permanent document describing your stone. Useful for insurance and resale.
Origin Confirmation
Explicitly states lab-grown or natural. No ambiguity, ever.
The Two Certifying Labs
We work with two internationally respected grading laboratories. Both produce reliable, detailed diamond reports. Here is how they compare.
Our Primary Partner
IGI
International Gemological Institute
- Founded 1975 in Antwerp, Belgium
- One of the world's largest grading labs
- Industry leader in lab-grown diamond certification
- Specialized graders with lab-grown expertise
- Faster turnaround — 1 to 2 weeks
- More cost-efficient certification
Available on Request
GIA
Gemological Institute of America
- Founded 1931 in the United States
- Created the original 4Cs grading system
- Historically focused on natural diamonds
- Stricter, more conservative grading standards
- Longer processing — 2 to 3 weeks
- Higher certification costs
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | IGI | GIA |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1975, Antwerp, Belgium | 1931, United States |
| Specialty | Industry leader for lab-grown diamonds | Historically focused on natural diamonds |
| Turnaround | 1–2 weeks | 2–3 weeks |
| Cost | More cost-efficient | Higher certification fees |
| Grading Standards | Consistent, well-calibrated | Stricter, slightly more conservative |
| Lab-Grown Expertise | Specialized protocols and graders | Expanding, but newer to lab-grown |
| Industry Recognition | Internationally respected | Internationally respected |
| Availability at True Smith | Primary — all standard inventory | Available on special request |
What's in a Certificate
Every certified diamond comes with a detailed report. Here is what each section tells you:
Shape & Cutting Style
The diamond shape (Round Brilliant, Oval, etc.) and how it was faceted.
Measurements
Precise dimensions in millimeters to the hundredth.
Carat Weight
Exact weight to two decimal places.
Origin Confirmation
Explicitly states Natural or Laboratory-Grown.
Cut Grade
Overall cut quality assessment: Ideal, Excellent, Very Good, etc.
Color Grade
Letter grade from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow).
Clarity Grade
Clarity grade from FL (Flawless) to I (Included).
Polish & Symmetry
Evaluation of surface quality and facet alignment.
Fluorescence
How the diamond reacts to UV light (None, Faint, Medium, Strong).
Inclusion Plotting
A diagram mapping the exact location and type of all inclusions.
Security Features
Hologram, barcode, and unique report number for verification.
Our Approach
We primarily offer IGI-certified lab-grown diamonds. IGI is the industry leader for lab-grown certification — their graders have specialized expertise in lab-grown stones, their turnaround is faster, and their pricing is more efficient, which we pass on to you.
For clients who specifically want GIA certification — whether for resale purposes or personal preference — we can source GIA-certified stones on request. The stone will be real, beautiful, and graded to the same 4Cs standards. It will simply cost a bit more and take a bit longer.
Every diamond we sell comes with a certificate. No exceptions.
Common Questions
Can I look up my certificate online?
Yes. Both IGI and GIA have online verification portals. Enter your report number to view your certificate at any time.
Is an IGI certificate less credible than GIA?
No. Both are globally respected. IGI is often considered more appropriate for lab-grown diamonds due to their specialized expertise in this category.
What does "eye-clean" mean if my certificate shows inclusions?
Many diamonds have inclusions that are noted on a certificate but are completely invisible without magnification. VS2 and SI1 grades are typically eye-clean — you would need a 10x loupe to see anything.
Will GIA grade a lab-grown diamond differently than IGI?
GIA applies stricter grading standards generally, which means a diamond graded G-VS2 by IGI might receive H-SI1 by GIA. This is not a quality difference — it is a grading difference. The diamond is the same.
Every stone. Every time. Certified.
Browse our IGI-certified lab-grown diamonds with full documentation, or start building your ring and filter by certificate type.