Our Process
Certification and Tracking
Every Aetare diamond is independently certified and fully traceable.
This page explains exactly how your diamond is verified, how your personal engraving is recorded, and how your sample is tracked from the moment it leaves your hands to the moment your finished diamond is returned.
Part 1: IGI Certification
The Independent Proof of What You Own
A diamond certificate is not paperwork. It is the only independent proof of exactly what you are buying — assessed by a laboratory with no financial interest in the outcome. Without one, three of the four factors that determine your diamond’s quality and price — clarity, cut, and colour — are completely unverifiable by the untrained eye.
Every Aetare diamond is submitted to the International Gemological Institute (IGI) for independent grading and certification.
What IGI Evaluates
IGI gemologists assess your diamond using the standard 4Cs:
| Criteria | What It Measures | How It Is Assessed |
|---|---|---|
| Colour | The whiteness or body tint of the diamond, graded from D (colourless) to Z (yellow tint). | Assessed under controlled lighting by trained graders. |
| Clarity | Internal characteristics formed during growth, determining whether the diamond looks clean. | Requires 10× magnification and specialist training. |
| Cut | The proportions and symmetry that control brilliance, fire, and sparkle. | Evaluated using precision measurement tools. |
| Carat | The weight of the diamond. | Measured with a calibrated scale. |
A certificate covers all four Cs, assessed independently and without bias.
The Girdle Inscription — Why It Matters
Every IGI-certified diamond has its unique certificate number laser-inscribed directly onto the girdle — the narrow edge around the widest part of the stone. This microscopic inscription permanently ties that exact diamond to its exact report.
For Aetare diamonds, this inscription includes your chosen 10-digit code, which is officially recorded on the IGI certificate. This creates a permanent, verifiable link between:
- The physical diamond in your hand.
- The IGI grading report documenting its characteristics.
- Your personal engraving, chosen by you.
Anyone with a 10× loupe can verify that the number on the stone matches the number on the report.
Verifying Your IGI Certificate Online
Your IGI certificate can be independently verified through IGI’s official online portal.
- Locate your IGI Report Number on your certificate (begins with “LG”).
- Visit the IGI verification website at www.igi.org.
- Enter your report number to view the full digital report.
- Confirm that the inscription(s) listed match your diamond’s girdle.
Your digital report will display:
- Your diamond’s full 4C grading.
- Your unique inscription(s), including your 10-digit code.
- Growth method: HPHT.
- Any post-growth treatment indications.
Part 2: Tracking & Chain of Custody
Your Sample Never Leaves Our Documented Handling
The memorial diamond industry remains unregulated, and consumers are left to trust the claims made by companies regarding the authenticity and composition of their diamonds. At Aetare, we believe that trust must be earned through transparency.
We maintain a strict chain of custody with unique ID numbers and digital tracking, ensuring your sample, carbon, and diamond are all accounted for at every stage of the journey.
How Our Tracking Works
Step 1: Unique Identification Code
The moment your AETARE Box arrives at our laboratory, your sample is assigned a unique identification code. That code follows your material through every subsequent step — from carbon extraction to diamond growth to final certification — allowing full traceability from hair to finished diamond.
Step 2: Individual Processing
Each Aetare diamond is grown in its own isolated environment. Your sample is never batched with any other client’s material. Your diamond is grown from your carbon alone.
Step 3: Digital Record
Every step of your diamond’s journey is digitally recorded and stored for you. This includes:
- Date and time of sample arrival.
- Carbon extraction and purification records.
- Growth chamber entry and exit dates.
- Cutting and polishing records.
- IGI submission and certification dates.
- Engraving verification.
Step 4: Progress Updates
You will receive updates at every major milestone, so you are never left wondering what is happening with your diamond.
Part 3: Your Certification Package
When your Aetare diamond is delivered, you will receive:
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Your Finished Diamond | The lab-grown diamond, polished and set in your chosen jewellery piece. |
| IGI Certificate | Official grading report, with your 10-digit engraving officially recorded. |
| Chain of Custody Document | A complete record of your diamond’s journey from sample to finished stone. |
| Aetare Certificate of Authenticity | Our internal document confirming the carbon source and individual growth. |
| Presentation Box | A secure keepsake box for storage and display. |
Security & Handling
Your sample is handled with the utmost care and respect at every stage:
| Stage | Security Measure |
|---|---|
| Shipping to us | Tracked and insured DHL express; signature required upon receipt. |
| Laboratory handling | Sample stored in a secure, access-controlled facility. |
| Processing | Individual processing — never batched or mixed with other samples. |
| Growth | Isolated growth chamber dedicated to your project only. |
| Certification | Handled by IGI under controlled conditions. |
| Return shipping | Insured, tracked, signature-required delivery. |
What Happens If Something Goes Wrong
We understand that your sample is irreplaceable. If, during processing, the extracted carbon is insufficient to produce your chosen diamond specification, we will contact you immediately to discuss options:
- Adjusting the diamond specification (e.g., smaller carat weight).
- Supplementing with a controlled carbon source to achieve the desired result.
We will never proceed with a substitution without your explicit consent.
A Final Word on Trust
The memorial diamond industry has faced criticism for unverifiable claims and misleading practices. We believe that transparency is not optional — it is essential.
Every Aetare diamond is:
- Independently certified by IGI.
- Laser-inscribed with a unique code that links the physical stone to its official report.
- Documented through a complete chain of custody.
- Grown in isolation — never batched or mixed.
- Verifiable by you, at any time, through IGI’s public verification system.
Your trust is the foundation of everything we do. We will never ask you to take our word for it. We will give you the tools to verify it yourself.
