Your diamond, independently verified. Every single time.
Every Variation diamond comes with an IGI certificate — the global standard for diamond grading. It tells you exactly what you are buying, verified by a laboratory with no stake in the sale.
The world's most trusted diamond authority.
The International Gemological Institute — IGI — is one of the world's largest and most respected independent gem grading laboratories. Founded in Antwerp in 1975, IGI operates across 20+ countries and has graded hundreds of millions of stones over five decades.
IGI has no commercial relationship with diamond sellers. Their only job is to tell you the truth about a stone. When you receive an IGI certificate with a Variation diamond, you are receiving the considered, unbiased assessment of a laboratory that has been doing this for fifty years.
"An IGI certificate is not a marketing document. It is a scientific assessment of your diamond's exact characteristics."
For lab grown diamonds specifically, IGI is the global benchmark — having graded more lab grown diamonds than any other laboratory in the world.
An uncertified diamond is a diamond you cannot verify.
IGI gemologists have no commercial relationship with Variation. Their assessment is entirely independent — which means you can trust it completely.
IGI certificates are recognised by jewellers, insurers, and buyers worldwide. Wherever you take your Variation diamond, its quality is understood.
Most insurers require a gemological certificate to insure fine jewellery. An IGI certificate also significantly supports the resale and upgrade value of your stone.
Every IGI report number can be verified at igi.org in under a minute — directly from IGI's database, independent of us, at any time.
What your IGI certificate looks like.
Each IGI certificate is a detailed document unique to your diamond. The report number on the certificate is also laser-inscribed on the girdle of the stone — permanently linking the two.
A sample IGI Laboratory Grown Diamond certificate showing all grading details — cut, colour, clarity, carat weight, and the unique report number.
A close-up of the IGI report number laser-inscribed on the diamond's girdle — the same number shown on your certificate, permanently linking the stone to its report.
Every line on your certificate explained.
An IGI certificate can look complex at first glance. Here is what each key field means:
Six things to look for on every IGI report.
An IGI certificate tells the complete story of your diamond. Here is what each key section means — and what to check when you receive yours.
Verify Your Certificate at igi.orgEvery IGI certificate carries a unique report number. This number is also laser-inscribed on the girdle of the diamond, permanently linking the certificate and stone to each other.
Your certificate lists the Cut, Colour, Clarity, and Carat weight — assigned independently by IGI graders, not by us. What the certificate says is what you receive.
IGI certificates for lab grown diamonds explicitly state the origin as "Laboratory Grown." Full transparency about how the stone was created — always.
The certificate notes whether the diamond was grown via CVD (Chemical Vapour Deposition) or HPHT (High Pressure High Temperature). Both produce diamonds of equal quality.
Beyond the 4Cs, IGI records the exact measurements, polish quality, and symmetry of facets — the details that determine how brilliantly your diamond catches and returns light.
Every IGI report can be verified at igi.org using the report number. Independent of us, verifiable by anyone, at any time — no trust required.
Check your diamond's grades yourself.
We encourage every Variation customer to verify their certificate. Transparency is not something we just say — it is something you can check, in under a minute, for free.
Four dimensions. One complete picture.
The 4Cs are the universal language of diamond quality, used by every major grading laboratory worldwide including IGI. Understanding them means understanding exactly what you are choosing.
Cut does not mean shape — it refers to how well the stone has been faceted and proportioned. A well-cut diamond reflects light back through the top of the stone, creating the brilliance that makes a diamond unmistakable. A poorly cut stone leaks light and looks dull regardless of its other grades.
Diamond colour is graded from D (completely colourless) to Z (visibly yellow). The difference between grades is subtle — often invisible to the naked eye. Colourless stones (D–F) are most desirable; near-colourless (G–J) offer exceptional value with no visible difference when set.
Clarity refers to the presence of internal characteristics (inclusions) or surface features (blemishes). IGI grades from Flawless to Included. Most customers find that VS1 to SI1 stones look completely clean in person — inclusions exist but cannot be seen without magnification.
Carat is a unit of weight — one carat equals 0.2 grams. A diamond's visual size depends on how it is cut. Lab grown diamonds allow you to choose a meaningfully larger carat weight for the same budget as a mined diamond — without compromising any other C.
Six reasons an IGI certificate protects you.
Without a certificate, you are relying entirely on the seller's word about your diamond's quality. There is no independent verification of its weight, colour, clarity, or cut. You have no way to confirm what you paid for is what you received.
An IGI certificate changes that completely. It is an independent, scientific assessment by trained gemologists who have no commercial interest in the outcome. It is not issued by us — it is issued by IGI.
IGI gemologists have no commercial relationship with Variation. Their assessment is entirely independent — which means you can trust it.
An IGI certificate significantly improves a diamond's resale and upgrade value. It provides proof of quality that any future buyer or jeweller can verify.
Most insurers require a gemological certificate to insure fine jewellery. Your IGI certificate makes the insurance process straightforward.
IGI explicitly states the growth method (CVD or HPHT) on every certificate — confirming the ethical, sustainable origin of your stone.
Every IGI report number can be verified instantly at igi.org — directly from IGI's database. No trust in the seller required.
IGI certificates are accepted by jewellers, insurers, and buyers worldwide. Wherever you take your Variation diamond, its quality is recognised.
How IGI compares to other grading labs.
You may have seen diamonds certified by other laboratories. Here is an honest comparison of the major grading bodies — and why Variation chooses IGI.
| Lab | Full Name | Founded | Lab Grown Specialist | Globally Accepted | Variation Uses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IGI | International Gemological Institute | 1975, Antwerp | Yes — market leader | Yes | Our standard |
| GIA | Gemological Institute of America | 1931, USA | Growing capability | Yes | Accepted on request |
| SGL | Solitaire Gemological Laboratories | India-based | Limited | Primarily India | Not used |
| HRD | Hoge Raad voor Diamant | 1973, Antwerp | Limited | Primarily Europe | Not used |
Questions people ask us before they buy.
We get a lot of questions about IGI certification — which is exactly as it should be. If you are spending thoughtfully, you deserve clear answers. These are the ones we hear most often.
Still have a question? Chat with us on WhatsApp — we typically respond within a few minutes.
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