Editor’s Note
This report details the discovery by the International Gemological Institute (IGI) of what it calls the largest known attempt to misrepresent a lab-grown diamond as a natural stone. The incident underscores the critical importance of independent verification and advanced gemological testing in maintaining trust within the diamond industry.
The International Gemological Institute (IGI) has identified a lab-grown diamond which, it claims, is the largest to have ever been passed off “as a lab-grown stone as natural”.
In its Thailand facility, IGI recently analysed and graded a 6.18ct round brilliant-cut, loose stone and established it was a lab-grown diamond, despite the fact that the stone’s GIA report claimed it was a natural diamond, D color, flawless clarity and triple excellent-cut.
It was cut and polished specifically to match the data on the GIA report with unprecedented precision, IGI said. It was also inscribed with a fake laser number, one of the latest methods of verification for diamonds.
IGI Thailand and Hong Kong managing director, Bob Van Es, said: “At IGI, we have seen a huge increase in double verification demand, which means before going for a major purchase, consumers like to receive confirmation that the stone matches the original report.”
Meanwhile, IGI CEO, Roland Lorie, added: “As fraud becomes more apparent, IGI continues to demonstrate its expertise in identifying this malpractice and serving as the end authority for consumers to trust that Institute-certified jewelry is accurately graded and analysed.”