Charles & Colvard Ltd., the fine jewelry company specializing in moissanite and lab-grown diamonds, has formed an “exclusive strategic alliance” with the International Gemological Institute to provide grading reports for moissanite gemstones and jewelry.
The company said Thursday that gemologists from the institute, known as IGI, “will rigorously evaluate and authenticate each moissanite gemstone and provide comprehensive certification reports detailing its quality characteristics. Consumers will recognize the standard ‘4Cs’ used in diamond grading — cut, clarity, carat and color — in the reports, along with Charles & Colvard moissanite-specific grading measures.”
According to Don O’Connell, president and chief executive officer of Charles & Colvard, “Not all moissanite is created equal. The new collaboration with IGI emphasizes our commitment to maintaining brand integrity in a market increasingly saturated with false information and counterfeit products.
“Moissanite has long been celebrated for its brilliance and durability, but until now, consumers have not had access to moissanite gemstones with grading reports backed by an industry leader in the space,” O’Connell said. The alliance with IGI will bring “transparency and accountability” regarding the quality of moissanite gemstones, so consumers know they are getting what they expect to get. “We believe our new certifications will allow consumers, retailers and distributors to further validate the quality and value of our gems while helping to safeguard customers against misinformation and false claims made by other moissanite providers.”
The grading reports, with unique identifiers tying back to each individual laser-inscribed gemstone, are designed to boost consumer confidence by providing standardized measures for loose Forever One and Forever Bright moissanite gems, ensuring a standard of quality and authenticity for purchasers.
“This development underscores IGI’s commitment to supporting our industry with detailed, accurate assessments,” added Avi Levy, president of IGI North America. “It demonstrates our dedication to reinforcing consumer trust in all of the gemstone products they purchase.”
Forever One moissanite gemstone reports will be available to the trade beginning next week. Later this year, consumers will also be able to purchase finished jewelry mounted with IGI-certified gemstones from Charles & Colvard.
Charles & Colvard and IGI will exhibit at the JCK Show jewelry trade show in Las Vegas, May 31 to June 3.
IGI, owned by Blackstone, has 30 laboratories and 19 education facilities in diamond and jewelry centers around the world. IGI provides natural and lab-grown diamond reports, colored stone grading and origin reports, and jewelry identification and appraisals.
