Diamond Grading for US Owners: Compare GIA Formats and an IGI Report

Choose a natural-diamond grading service by the report you need, the stone’s eligibility and the complete submission arrangements. GIA publishes several named formats; an IGI-issued natural-diamond report illustrates fields to compare with a current IGI quote. A grading document describes the diamond and is not a quoted sale price or a monetary appraisal.[1][2]

Compare the actual report before choosing a laboratory

GIA: choose a named natural-diamond format

• Diamond Grading Report: GIA describes a full 4Cs assessment with a plotted clarity diagram for loose, natural D-to-Z diamonds weighing at least 0.15 carats.[1]
• Diamond Dossier: for eligible loose natural D-to-Z diamonds from 0.15 to 1.99 carats, it includes a 4Cs assessment and report-number laser inscription. It is a different format from the plotted Grading Report.[1]
• eReport: GIA lists a digital-only report with a face-up image for eligible loose natural D-to-Z diamonds from 0.15 to 2.99 carats.[1]

Ask for the current sample of the exact format and confirm the grading fields applicable to your diamond’s shape. Do not order from a laboratory name alone. A geographic-origin report is another service: GIA requires the diamond to have gone through its rough-analysis process before polishing.[1]

IGI: compare the proposed service with an actual report

An IGI electronic natural-diamond report issued on July 3, 2024 provides a concrete example. It records natural-diamond identity, shape, measurements, carat weight, color, clarity, cut, polish, symmetry, fluorescence and an inscription entry. It also contains proportion and clarity diagrams.[2]

This is one issued report, not a current service catalogue, eligibility table or promise that every format includes those fields. Request a current Natural Diamond Report sample for the proposed service and stone shape. Have IGI confirm the diagrams, treatment comments and requested inscription, and identify any separately charged options. Compare that written offer with the named GIA format.[1][2]

Choose the useful difference for your stone

If you need a plotted GIA clarity record, request the Diamond Grading Report rather than substituting another format on price. If inscription and the Dossier’s format suit an eligible stone, compare that named service with an IGI Natural Diamond Report carrying the options you require.[1][2]

Prepare one specification for both laboratories: natural-diamond status if known, weight, shape, existing report number, mounting status, requested report fields and inscription. If identity or treatment is uncertain, disclose that and ask which examination comes first. Arrange any unsetting or resetting through a qualified jeweler, with its own authorization and charges.

Do not assume the same grade, turnaround or market response from two laboratory names. Select the documented service that answers the intended question; neither provider’s marketing establishes an independent superiority ranking.

GIA’s US submission route

GIA requires a laboratory service account before submission. Its published route uses the Client Portal and Memo Creator to select services, create the submission memo and include a printed copy with the stones.[3][4]

GIA lists D-to-Z diamond services at Carlsbad and New York. Confirm the receiving laboratory, appointment or shipping arrangements and current instructions before dispatch. GIA warns that services vary by location and that transport to another laboratory can add shipping charges.[4]

When a jeweler submits for you, identify who owns the account, who can approve additional work, who receives results and who handles return delivery. An intermediary’s fee is separate from the laboratory charge.

Confirm IGI’s current US submission route

The example report establishes what was reported for that stone; it does not establish today’s US intake requirements, accepting office or turnaround.[2] Before traveling or shipping, obtain the laboratory’s current instructions for the exact natural-diamond service. Do not use a sample report as a shipping document.

Request written answers on direct consumer or intermediary access, any account, current submission form and agreement, receiving office, appointment, packaging, coverage and return arrangements. Confirm that the office accepts this service and stone before dispatch.

Ask both laboratories who receives the parcel, what intake record is issued, who may collect it and how changes to return instructions are authenticated. Keep stone identification, memo, package tracking and handoff receipts together.

Compare laboratory fees separately from the whole job

GIA’s natural-diamond service page provides a Fee Schedule route, and its location guidance says fees are tied to the submission location. Select the current USD schedule for the chosen report and weight band, check the document’s effective date and have the US laboratory confirm the applicable fee. Resolve any discrepancy before budgeting from a band.[1][4]

For IGI, request a US-dollar quote naming the proposed natural-diamond report, the stone and every selected option. The example report does not establish the fee for a new submission. Do not substitute a course fee, appraisal, duplicate-report or screening price.[2]

Use the same quote lines for each:

• Laboratory work: report name, weight band, grading fee, inscription, supplements, any expedited work and applicable taxes.
• Jeweler work: unsetting, resetting and intermediary handling, separately authorized.
• Transport: outward and return carriage, coverage, declared-value basis and handling fees.
• Additional decisions: separate appraisal, extra testing, rejected-submission charges and approval required before further spending.

Request one complete total and an approval limit. A published laboratory fee is not the amount for an insured door-to-door job with jeweler work included. Confirm cancellation, refund and resubmission terms before the stone leaves your custody.

Check the report and the returned stone separately

Use the issuing laboratory’s own Report Check or Verify Your Report service to retrieve the record. Compare the report number, measurements, weight, grades, comments and inscription information with the document delivered.[1][2]

Then have the physical diamond checked against that record by the receiving jeweler or another qualified professional. A matching online number checks the record; measurements, characteristics and any inscription help establish whether the returned stone corresponds to it. Ask for a written explanation of any discrepancy before authorizing setting or another transaction.

What to settle before authorizing

For GIA, confirm the named report, US intake location, account and memo, effective USD fee schedule and return estimate. For IGI, confirm Natural Diamond Report eligibility, included diagrams and inscription, current US submission forms and the written grading quote.[1][2][3][4]

For either route, agree custody and coverage, who approves extras, who receives results, and how the diamond will be matched on return. Choose once the report, total, responsibilities and return plan are explicit.

References

1. Natural Diamond Reports & Services — GIA (gia.edu)
2. IGI Natural Diamond Report — issued July 3, 2024 (example, not current service terms) (igi.org)
3. How to Submit a Gem — GIA (gia.edu)
4. Service, Payment and Shipping Instructions by Laboratory Location — GIA (gia.edu)