Stone Verification

Q: Why IGI for lab diamond and GRA for moissanite?

Heritage & Co. accepts IGI (International Gemological Institute) reports for every lab-grown diamond and GRA (Gemological Research Association) reports for every moissanite. IGI grades cut on all fancy shapes and is the industry standard for lab-grown diamond grading. GRA is the internationally recognised grading standard for moissanite and includes colour, clarity, and cut grade on every report. We do not accept stones without these original lab reports.

Q: What grade does every Heritage & Co. centre stone meet?

Every centre stone we set is D colour, VVS1 clarity, and Excellent cut. This is the Heritage & Co. standard — no exceptions, no downgrades, no substitutions. D/VVS1/Excellent applies equally to our lab-grown diamonds (IGI graded) and our moissanite (GRA graded).

Q: Can I verify my stone independently?

Yes. The IGI report for a lab diamond can be verified against IGI's public verification portal using the report number on the stone's girdle. The GRA report for a moissanite can be cross-checked against the serial number on the report. If at any point you want an independent third-party verification, we will support that process.

Every Heritage & Co. engagement ring is set with a centre stone that meets a single, uncompromising standard — D colour, VVS1 clarity, Excellent cut — verified by the two grading laboratories we accept: IGI for lab-grown diamond, GRA for moissanite.

The Heritage & Co. Standard

Every centre stone — whether lab-grown diamond or moissanite — is graded to the same spec.

Colour: D (the highest colourless grade)
Clarity: VVS1 (very, very slightly included)
Cut: Excellent

No stone is set in a Heritage & Co. ring unless its report confirms all three.

The laboratories we use

International Gemological Institute (IGI) — lab-grown diamond

Every Heritage & Co. lab-grown diamond is graded by IGI. We accept IGI reports only.

IGI grades cut on every fancy shape — oval, cushion, elongated cushion, marquise, emerald, pear, radiant, and asscher — not only round brilliant. Its report includes the full 4Cs (carat, colour, clarity, cut) along with symmetry, polish, fluorescence, and a unique report number laser-engraved on the diamond girdle. That engraving is how a ring you buy from us can be independently matched back to its original lab report at any point in the future.

Gemological Research Association (GRA) — moissanite

Every Heritage & Co. moissanite is graded by GRA. We accept GRA reports only.

GRA is the internationally recognised grading standard for moissanite. The report issued with every Heritage & Co. moissanite confirms the stone is moissanite (not cubic zirconia or another simulant), states its carat weight and dimensions, and grades it against the same D/VVS1/Excellent scale we apply to lab diamond. Each report carries a unique serial number that matches the stone.

Why not GIA for lab diamond?

On 1 October 2025, GIA stopped issuing individual 4Cs grades for lab-grown diamonds and moved all lab-grown reporting to a simplified Premium / Standard classification. That change removed the per-stone colour, clarity, and cut grade that Heritage & Co. requires for verification.

IGI continues to issue full 4Cs reports — including cut grade on every fancy shape — which is why IGI is the lab we accept for every lab-grown diamond we set.

How to verify your stone

Read the report. Every ring ships with the original lab report for its centre stone — IGI for lab diamond, GRA for moissanite.
Match the serial. The report number is engraved on the diamond girdle (lab diamond) or printed on the report and matched to the stone (moissanite).
Check the public portal. IGI reports can be verified against IGI's public verification portal using the report number. GRA reports can be cross-checked against the serial on the report.
Request independent verification. If you want a third-party lab to re-verify the stone, we will support that process at any point after purchase.

Frequently asked

Why IGI for lab diamond and GRA for moissanite?

Because these are the two labs that still issue full, per-stone 4Cs grading reports for their respective stone types. IGI grades cut on every fancy shape — a critical detail for oval, cushion, marquise, emerald, and pear lab diamonds — and GRA is the internationally recognised grading standard for moissanite. Together they give us a single, unambiguous D/VVS1/Excellent verification across our entire engagement ring catalogue.

What grade does every Heritage & Co. centre stone meet?

D colour, VVS1 clarity, Excellent cut. No exceptions.

Does my stone come with its original report?

Yes. Every engagement ring ships with the original lab report for its centre stone — IGI for lab diamond, GRA for moissanite — paired to the stone by its unique report number.

Can I verify my stone independently?

Yes. IGI and GRA both offer public verification portals. If you want a third-party lab to re-verify the stone, we will support that process at any point after purchase.

Why not GIA for lab diamond?

As of 1 October 2025, GIA stopped issuing individual 4Cs grades for lab-grown diamonds and moved to a simplified Premium / Standard classification. That removed the per-stone colour, clarity, and cut detail Heritage & Co. requires. IGI continues to issue full 4Cs reports on every stone, so IGI is the lab we accept.

Read more about our stone grading standard or explore our engagement ring collection.