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A diamond certificate is only worth something if you can confirm it is genuine and matches the stone in front of you. Both laboratories Ivana Jewels uses, IGI and SGL, let you check a report number online for free, and both inscribe the report number on the diamond's girdle so the paper can be tied to the stone. This guide covers how to verify an IGI report, how to verify an SGL report, how to find and read the inscription, and what to do if something does not match. At Ivana Jewels every diamond is sold with its certificate and inscription; replacement certificates cost ₹2,000 per carat for IGI and ₹1,000 per carat for SGL.
Step 1: find the report number
The report number is printed at the top of the certificate, usually nine to ten digits for IGI and an alphanumeric code for SGL. The same number appears on the invoice from Ivana Jewels and, for certified solitaires, is laser-inscribed on the girdle of the diamond. If you have the stone but not the paper, the inscription gives you the number to look up.
Step 2: verify an IGI certificate online
- Go to the IGI website (igi.org) and open the report verification page.
- Enter the report number exactly as printed.
- IGI returns the report details: shape, carat weight, colour, clarity, cut, measurements, and for lab grown stones the growth method (HPHT or CVD) and any post-growth treatment.
- Compare every field to the paper certificate and to the product page. Carat weight and measurements are the two that cannot be fudged; a 1.02 carat stone measuring 6.4 x 6.5 mm should match the report to the hundredth.
If the number returns no result, the certificate is either mis-typed, very recent (new reports can take a few days to appear), or not genuine. Ask the seller for the inscription so you can cross-check.
Step 3: verify an SGL certificate online
- Go to the SGL Labs website and open the report verification page.
- Enter the report number and, where asked, the carat weight.
- Check the returned grades against the certificate and the product page in the same way.
SGL is an Indian laboratory with grading offices in Surat and Mumbai; its reports are accepted across Indian retail and are the second laboratory Ivana Jewels uses alongside IGI. See IGI vs SGL explained for how the two compare.
Step 4: find the laser inscription
The inscription is a microscopic line of text on the girdle, the thin edge between the top and bottom of the diamond. It is invisible to the naked eye and readable under a 10x jeweller's loupe or a microscope, tilting the stone so light rakes across the girdle. It reads the laboratory name and the report number, for example "IGI LG123456789"; the "LG" prefix marks a lab grown stone. Any Ivana Jewels showroom will show you the inscription under a loupe on request. In a set ring the girdle is partly covered by claws, so you may need to rotate the stone to find the inscribed section.
Step 5: match stone, paper and page
| What to compare | Where to find it | What a match looks like |
|---|---|---|
| Report number | Certificate, inscription, invoice, online lookup | Identical in all four |
| Carat weight | Certificate vs online lookup vs product page | Identical to two decimals |
| Measurements | Certificate vs online lookup | Identical; the stone can be measured with a gauge in a showroom |
| Colour, clarity, cut | Certificate vs online lookup vs product page | Identical grades |
| Growth method and treatment | Lab grown reports only | Stated; HPHT post-growth treatment of CVD stones is normal and disclosed |
What if something does not match?
- Number not found online: ask for the inscription and look up that number instead. If neither works, do not buy.
- Grades differ between paper and lookup: the paper may be an older or altered copy. The online record is the laboratory's own.
- Inscription differs from the certificate: the stone and the paper belong to different diamonds. Walk away.
- No inscription: small stones under about 0.25 carat are often not inscribed. For a solitaire of 0.5 carat or more, an inscription should be present.
Why this matters for lab grown diamonds
A lab grown diamond cannot be told from a mined one by eye or with a standard tester; only laboratory equipment can. The certificate and inscription are therefore the proof of what you bought, and they are also what any buyback or exchange is valued against. Ivana Jewels' lifetime buyback at 80% of the prevailing diamond value and 100% of the prevailing gold value requires the certificate; a lost one can be replaced at ₹2,000 per carat (IGI) or ₹1,000 per carat (SGL). Read how to read a diamond certificate for every line on the report.
Frequently asked questions
Is online verification free?
Yes, for both IGI and SGL.
Can a certificate be faked?
A paper certificate can be copied; the online record and the inscription cannot. Always check all three.
Does Ivana Jewels show the certificate before purchase?
Yes. The product page lists the grades, and the certificate is supplied with the piece. Showrooms will show the inscription under a loupe.
Do small diamonds in a tennis bracelet have individual certificates?
No. A tennis bracelet carries one certificate for the piece, stating total carat weight and the colour and clarity range. Individual reports and inscriptions apply to solitaire stones of about 0.5 carat and above.
