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IGI to Grade Charles & Colvard Moissanite
The partnership follows the launch of the jewelry company’s B2B moissanite platform.
A 1.18-carat marquise “Forever One” moissanite three-stone ring in 14-karat yellow gold by Charles & Colvard. The company has teamed up with the International Gemological Institute to provide grading reports for its moissanite.
Research Triangle Park, N.C.—Charles & Colvard is partnering with the International Gemological Institute to introduce grading reports for its moissanite.
The move follows the debut of its B2B portal, Charles & Colvard Direct, that allows select independent jewelers and retailers to purchase loose gems from the company directly.
"Not all moissanite is created equal," said Don O'Connell, president and CEO of Charles & Colvard.
"The new collaboration with IGI emphasizes our commitment to maintaining brand integrity in a market increasingly saturated with false information and counterfeit products."
The grading reports, which include unique identifiers for each laser-inscribed gemstone, are a way to boost consumer confidence, said the company, providing standardized measures for the quality and authenticity of its loose “Forever One” moissanite gemstones.
Forever One is the company’s higher-end brand of moissanite, though it also offers price-conscious options.
The reports will include the standard 4Cs used in diamond grading—cut, clarity, carat, and color—as well as Charles & Colvard’s moissanite-specific grading measures.
"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,” said O'Connell.
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The move follows the debut of its B2B portal, Charles & Colvard Direct, that allows select independent jewelers and retailers to purchase loose gems from the company directly.
"Not all moissanite is created equal," said Don O'Connell, president and CEO of Charles & Colvard.
"The new collaboration with IGI emphasizes our commitment to maintaining brand integrity in a market increasingly saturated with false information and counterfeit products."
The grading reports, which include unique identifiers for each laser-inscribed gemstone, are a way to boost consumer confidence, said the company, providing standardized measures for the quality and authenticity of its loose “Forever One” moissanite gemstones.
Forever One is the company’s higher-end brand of moissanite, though it also offers price-conscious options.
The reports will include the standard 4Cs used in diamond grading—cut, clarity, carat, and color—as well as Charles & Colvard’s moissanite-specific grading measures.
"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,” said O'Connell.
Its collaboration with IGI is “a significant turning point in the lab-grown industry,” he said, bringing transparency and accountability to the moissanite market.
“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," said O'Connell.
Avi Levy, president of IGI North America, said the partnership highlights IGI’s commitment to providing the industry with detailed and accurate grading reports.
"It demonstrates our dedication to reinforcing consumer trust in all of the gemstone products they purchase,” he said.
The Forever One moissanite gemstone reports are available exclusively to the trade now.
While the reports are currently available in a limited capacity, IGI will scale up to meet the demand as its experts grade Charles & Colvard's moissanite gemstone inventory.
Consumers will be able to purchase finished jewelry set with IGI-certified gemstones from Charles & Colvard later this year.
The company got its start about 30 years ago and was best known for its created moissanite but has since branched out into lab-grown diamonds and colored gemstones.
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