A lab-grown diamond certificate is an independent grading report that records a stone's shape, carat weight, colour, clarity and cut, and states that it is laboratory-grown. Sheladiya Diamond supplies stones with IGI, GIA or GCAL reports. Which one you choose depends on your customer and the stone's size.

*By the Sheladiya Diamond team, Surat. Last updated 4 November 2026.*

We have polished diamonds in Surat since before lab-grown existed. Our founder, Hardik Kumar Sheladiya, brings more than 30 years of experience in hand-crafted natural diamond polishing. This guide comes from the questions trade buyers ask us most about reports.

Which stones need a certificate?

Certificates make sense for centre stones. For small stones the report often costs more than it adds.

  • Solitaires and centre stones: certify them. Your customer will ask for the report.
  • Matched pairs for earrings: certify if the stones are large. See our guide to matched pairs.
  • Melee: usually sold uncertified in parcels, graded by sieve size, colour and clarity range. Our price list shows round sizes by sieve.

IGI, GIA and GCAL: how do they differ?

All three are established gemmological laboratories that grade lab-grown diamonds and mark them as laboratory-grown. The differences are mainly in market recognition and buyer preference.

| Laboratory | Where buyers commonly ask for it | Practical note |
|---|---|---|
| IGI | Very common for lab-grown in India, the US, UK and Canada | Widely used on lab-grown, reports are quick to verify online |
| GIA | Buyers who want the best-known name | Often requested for larger, higher-value stones |
| GCAL | US retail, where its reports are known | Less common in other markets |

[NEED: current turnaround times and report fees per laboratory, not verified]

Ask your own customers. If they search the report number before buying, choose the lab they recognise.

What to check on a certificate

1. Report number: look it up on the laboratory's website and confirm it matches the document.
2. Lab-grown statement: the report must say laboratory-grown and name the growth method, such as CVD.
3. Carat weight and measurements: compare with the stone on your scale and calliper.
4. Colour and clarity grades: check against the memo or invoice.
5. Laser inscription: many reports note an inscription on the girdle. Check it under a loupe against the report number.

If any of these do not match, do not set the stone. Contact the supplier the same day.

Does a certificate change the price?

Yes. Certified stones carry a premium over uncertified stones of the same grade because of the grading cost and the proof they carry. Our public per-carat price list covers quality A and B by size and carat band. For a certified stone, send us the exact specification and we will quote it.

How to order certified lab-grown diamonds from us

1. Send shape, carat range, colour, clarity and your preferred laboratory through the contact page.
2. We check what is in stock and share certificate numbers, photos and 360 video.
3. You verify the report online before confirming.
4. We ship with the original reports.

Minimum order quantities and lead times for cut-to-order stones: [NEED: confirm with the Sheladiya team].

Frequently asked questions

Is an IGI lab-grown certificate as good as a GIA one?
Both are respected laboratories. Buyer preference differs by market, so the better choice is the one your customers recognise.

Can I get uncertified stones?
Yes. We supply certified and non-certified CVD diamonds. Melee is normally uncertified.

Does a report say a diamond is lab-grown?
Yes. Reports for lab-grown stones state that the diamond is laboratory-grown.

Can you supply certified stones for private-label ranges?
Yes. See our services and collections.

Talk to us

Tell us the stone, the laboratory and the quantity. We reply with availability and a written quote. Contact Sheladiya Diamond.