All Island Gold products are grade stamped #1 TP (Timber Products Inspection) which is governed by ALSC (American Lumber Standard Committee). Some producers of 3" timbers choose to produce material without a grade stamp using an in house grading code. There are two major grading agencies, Timber Products Inspection (TP) and Southern Pine Inspection Bureau (SPIB). Both of these grading agencies will provide their approved mills with stamps to indicate that their mills have met the stringent grading policies mandated by the ALSC. In addition to the #1 TP stamp, Island Gold timbers also have an additional stamp reading "Island Gold". This grade was developed after traveling to the Caribbean Islands and meeting with the end users. The "Island Gold" grading standard was developed specifically for the needs of the Caribbean market. The additional stringent grading requirements used to grade "Island Gold" were developed in house by the manufacturer after rigorous research determined that there was NO grade approved by ALSC that would meet the demands of the Caribbean markets. This is how the manufacturer came up with the grade "Island Gold".
Even though "Island Gold" is not a regulated grade, "Island Gold" is a trademarked grade by the manufacturer that exceeds the requirements of a #1 grade marked product. This is a no wane product with smaller knot requirements than #1 grade marked lumber.