About the International Gemological Institute
The International Gemological Institute (affectionately referred to as the IGI) is an organization and laboratory dedicated towards certifying loose diamonds, gemstones, and pieces of jewelry. It was founded in 1975, making it one of the oldest and largest independent gem certification laboratories in the world. Currently, the IGI makes its home in Antwerp, Belgium, though it also facilities in Mumbai, New York City, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Tokyo, Los Angeles, Dubai, Toronto, Cavalese, and Tel Aviv. IGI started out with three cofounders, and the number of its staff has grown considerably since.
Over four hundred and fifty dedicated persons now man stations at various IGI laboratories, laboriously filling out reports and examining gems with the eyes of professionals. Along with GIA appraisals, the institute’s IGI appraisals are one of the most valued among diamond sellers, collectors, and crafters. They give a comprehensive report on every detail of the diamond, and while they are somewhat difficult to understand to the average purchaser of the diamond, they are extremely useful to the people working with them.
These igi appraisals also look very professional on display. The average consumer is making a considerable effort to understand the reports and demand high quality diamonds. Instead of being duped by jewelers, they can ask for a copy of the IGI appraisal, which they can examine and decide if the diamond is truly worth its price. Now, many people who buy jewelry on a regular basis are extremely familiar with the basics of diamond evaluation.
Most diamonds of good quality are sold with some sort of certification, especially if the jewelry retailer claims that they are the best value diamonds available. Because the diamond industry is an international business, there is no globally accepted method of diamond appraisal. The International Gem Institute is one of the only large companies ruled by one small group of people that follows one appraisal method throughout.
The method is officially certified in four countries; the United States, Canada, India, and the United Arab Emirates. They also worked with the Tanzanite Foundation to produce the first globally accepted grading scale for a newly discovered (1960s) mineral called Tanzanite. It is important to understand that an IGI appraisal does not necessarily mean that the diamond you are purchasing is a non conflict diamond.
The IGI focuses on the quality of the diamond. A non conflict diamond is certified through an entirely different method called the Kimberly process, a procedure that puts stringent requirements on miners, cutters, polishers, shippers, and retailers of diamonds to ensure that human rights are preserved. The diamond is tracked throughout its entire lifetime, and though shipments of conflict diamonds occasionally slip through, the Kimberly process is ones of the safest non-conflict diamond certifications in the world.
Tags: best value diamonds | best value diamonds | diamond industry | diamond industry | gia appraisals | gia appraisals | igi appraisals | diamonds | jewelry | jewelry | diamond