A diamond certificate — also called a grading report — is an independent, third-party assessment of a diamond's quality. It is issued by a gemological laboratory and documents the diamond's characteristics using standardized grading criteria. At DEEVE, every lab-grown diamond in our engagement rings, wedding rings, and diamond stud earrings comes with an IGI certificate. Here is everything you need to know about what those certificates mean and how to use them.
What Is a Diamond Certificate?
A diamond certificate is not an appraisal or a valuation — it is a scientific grading report. It tells you exactly what you are buying: the diamond's cut, colour, clarity, and carat weight (the 4Cs), along with additional measurements, proportions, and finish grades. Certificates are issued by independent laboratories with no financial interest in the sale, making them the most reliable way to verify a diamond's quality.
IGI Certification: DEEVE's Standard
DEEVE uses the International Gemological Institute (IGI) for all lab-grown diamond certification. IGI is the world's largest independent gemological laboratory and applies the same grading standards to lab-grown diamonds as to natural diamonds.
What an IGI certificate includes:
- Report number — unique identifier, verifiable online at igi.org
- Shape and cutting style — e.g., Round Brilliant, Oval, Princess
- Measurements — diameter and depth in millimetres
- Carat weight — precise to the hundredth of a carat
- Colour grade — D (colourless) through Z (light yellow)
- Clarity grade — FL (flawless) through I3 (included)
- Cut grade — Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, Poor
- Polish and symmetry — assessed separately
- Fluorescence — None, Faint, Medium, Strong, Very Strong
- Laser inscription — the report number is laser-inscribed on the diamond's girdle, allowing physical verification
- Clarity diagram — a map of inclusions and blemishes
See our field-by-field IGI certificate guide →
DEEVE's 4Cs Standards
- Cut: Excellent on all IGI-certified lab-grown diamonds (engagement rings, wedding rings, diamond studs)
- Colour & Clarity: Stated on each individual IGI certificate; tennis bracelet diamonds are IGI-graded at F–G colour, VS2–SI1 clarity but ship without an individual certificate, as IGI does not certify diamonds under 0.25 carat
- Carat: Precise weight verified and stated on the certificate
- Natural diamonds: IGI or GIA grading available on request
IGI vs. GIA: What's the Difference?
| Feature | IGI | GIA |
|---|---|---|
| Lab-grown diamond grading | ✓ Full grading | ✓ Full grading |
| Natural diamond grading | ✓ Full grading | ✓ Full grading |
| Laser inscription | ✓ Included | ✓ Included |
| Online verification | igi.org | gia.edu |
| Industry recognition | Widely accepted globally | Widely accepted globally |
How to Verify Your Diamond Certificate
- Locate the report number on your IGI certificate
- Visit igi.org and enter the report number in the verification tool
- The full grading report will appear, confirming all details match your physical certificate
- You can also verify the laser inscription on the diamond's girdle under 10× magnification
A Note on Tennis Bracelet Diamonds
Lab-grown diamond tennis bracelets at DEEVE use diamonds that are IGI-graded at F–G colour and VS2–SI1 clarity, cut to Excellent. However, they ship without an individual certificate because IGI does not issue grading reports for diamonds under 0.25 carat — the standard threshold across the industry. The grading information is verified at the batch level and reflected in the product specifications.
Every DEEVE diamond purchase is backed by our lifetime warranty and full transparency on materials and certification. Questions? Visit our Materials & Authenticity page or contact us directly.
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