Does HQ gear give a higher Item Level?

When checking item level, HQ gear shows as the same item level as the NQ gear.

But surely if you have crafted HQ gear it should show as a slightly higher item level?

NQ and HQ have the exact same ilvl. HQ is so standard though that it doesn't really make sense to bump it up to i75.

Nope. Same ilvl.

Seems a bit weird. As I'm sure some HQ gear with decent materia attached can be better than Aetherial gear of a slightly higher ilevel.

level is just how much stat it has at base. HQ is just that, a higher quality of that item. materia helps it get stronger.