Diamond Certification Guide

When you buy a piece of fine jewelry, documentation is how you know — independently — that what you bought is what you were told.

At Amber Arc, every qualifying piece above $1,000 ships with independent third-party documentation from IGI (International Gemological Institute) or GIA (Gemological Institute of America). This guide explains what that documentation is, what it tells you, and why it matters.

What is IGI?

IGI — the International Gemological Institute — is one of the world's largest independent diamond grading laboratories. IGI assesses diamonds and finished jewelry using standardised grading criteria, and their documentation is accepted by insurers, appraisers, and jewelers worldwide.

At Amber Arc, IGI is our primary documentation partner. Lab grown diamond pieces above $1,000 receive an IGI diamond certificate. Natural diamond pieces above $1,000 receive an IGI appraisal report.

What is GIA?

GIA — the Gemological Institute of America — is the world's most widely recognised and respected diamond grading authority. GIA created the 4Cs grading system that the entire industry uses.

For natural diamond pieces where an individual stone is 0.50ct or above per stone, Amber Arc sources GIA-certified diamonds. Every GIA-certified stone carries a laser-inscribed report number linking the physical diamond to its grading certificate.

IGI Certificate vs. IGI Appraisal Report — what's the difference?

An IGI Diamond Certificate grades an individual diamond on the 4Cs — cut, color, clarity, and carat weight. It is issued for the stone itself, not the finished piece. Amber Arc includes this with all lab grown diamond jewelry above $1,000.

An IGI Appraisal Report values a finished piece of jewelry as a whole — the gold, the diamonds, and the craftsmanship together — and assigns a fair market value. Amber Arc includes this with all natural diamond jewelry above $1,000. This document can be used to insure your piece.

Both are issued by IGI. Both are independent of Amber Arc. Both are included at no extra charge within our standard production timeframe.

Laser inscription

GIA-certified natural diamonds are laser inscribed by GIA with the report number — a unique identifier invisible to the naked eye but visible under magnification. This links the physical stone to its certificate permanently.

IGI-certified lab grown diamonds are also laser inscribed with their matching IGI report number.

Smaller accent diamonds — pavé stones, side stones, and halos — are not individually inscribed.

Frequently asked questions