Are Lab-Grown Diamonds Now Officially Premium? Here’s What GIA and IGI Decided - Future Jewelry

Are Lab-Grown Diamonds Now Officially Premium? Here’s What GIA and IGI Decided

Quick answer: Partly. Since October 1, 2025, GIA classifies lab-grown diamonds as "Premium" or "Standard" instead of giving them natural-diamond color and clarity grades, and Premium is reserved for D color, VVS-or-better stones. IGI did not follow; it still grades lab-grown diamonds on the 4Cs.

The diamond industry is changing faster than ever. Lab-grown diamonds, once considered “alternatives,” are now standing shoulder to shoulder with natural diamonds. But the two biggest grading labs have taken different paths. GIA (Gemological Institute of America) announced on June 2, 2025 that it would use descriptive terms to characterize the quality of lab-grown diamonds, and since October 2025 it classifies each laboratory-grown diamond as Premium or Standard. IGI (International Gemological Institute) still provides 4Cs assessments on its lab-grown reports.


So "Premium" is now an official GIA term for lab-grown diamonds, but only for the top tier: it requires D color and VVS clarity or better, with Excellent polish and symmetry. Stones that miss the Standard minimums will not receive a GIA assessment.


Why This Decision Matters

GIA's stated reasoning is practical: specific grades add little because most fall into a very narrow range of color and clarity.


If you want a lab-grown diamond graded on the same color and clarity scale as a mined one, look for an IGI report: an F color, VS1 clarity grade on an IGI lab-grown report uses the familiar 4Cs terms. Older GIA lab-grown reports issued before October 2025 also used that scale and remain valid.


Either way, a lab report gives buyers more confidence when choosing a lab-grown engagement ring or diamond jewelry.


What It Means for Buyers:

  1. Transparency: GIA laser-inscribes each stone it assesses with the term “Laboratory-Grown”, and IGI reports document the 4Cs.
  2. Know which system you are reading: a GIA Premium or Standard tier is not the same as an IGI color and clarity grade, so compare like with like.
  3. Better Value: You’re paying for quality, not inflated rarity. In Canada in late 2023, CBC found some lab-grown rings nearly 70 per cent cheaper than their natural counterparts, with essentially the same chemical, physical and optical properties.


What It Means for the Industry


Grading labs are adapting to a market that has shifted fast: 61% of couples married in 2025 chose a lab-grown engagement ring. Shoppers today want value and diamonds created without mining, and lab-grown diamonds offer both.


For natural diamond sellers, this means competing on rarity and storytelling. For lab-grown sellers (like us at Future Jewelry), it’s confirmation that lab-grown is not just an alternative, it’s the future of diamonds.


Final Thoughts:


Lab-grown diamonds are here to stay. GIA now gives its best lab-grown stones an official Premium tier, and IGI keeps grading them on the same 4Cs used for mined stones. Whether you’re shopping for an engagement ring or building your fine jewelry collection, this means you can choose lab-grown with confidence.

At Future Jewelry, every lab-grown diamond we sell is IGI certified, premium cut, and priced fairly because luxury should never come with compromise.

Sources

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does GIA Premium mean for a lab grown diamond?

GIA Premium is the top tier in GIA's lab grown diamond assessment. It requires D color, VVS clarity or better, and Excellent polish and symmetry. Stones that fall below that bar but still meet GIA's minimums are classified Standard, and stones below the minimums receive no assessment.

Does IGI still grade lab grown diamonds on color and clarity?

Yes. IGI did not adopt GIA's Premium and Standard system and still grades lab grown diamonds on the 4Cs. An IGI report lists familiar grades such as F color and VS1 clarity, so you can compare lab grown stones using the same terms used for mined diamonds.

Are old GIA lab grown diamond reports still valid?

Yes. GIA lab grown reports issued before October 2025 used the color and clarity scale and remain valid. Keep in mind that an older GIA color and clarity grade and a newer Premium or Standard tier are different systems, so compare like with like when shopping.

When did GIA change how it grades lab grown diamonds?

GIA announced the change on June 2, 2025, and its new system took effect on October 1, 2025. Since then GIA classifies lab grown diamonds as Premium or Standard instead of giving them natural diamond color and clarity grades, citing how narrow their quality range has become.

How much less do lab grown diamond rings cost than natural ones?

Often much less. In Canada in late 2023, CBC found some lab grown rings nearly 70 percent lower in price than their natural counterparts. You pay for quality rather than rarity, since lab grown and mined diamonds share essentially the same chemical, physical and optical properties.