| There are lots of opinions in the jewelry industry | | | | accurately as GIA, and usually do. So if that is the |
| about which grading lab is best when choosing a | | | | case, then why would pay more for a GIA |
| diamond. The trouble with these opinions is that | | | | certified diamond that has the same grade as an |
| they're usually jaded because the person/business | | | | EGL or AGS diamond? The answer is that you |
| giving you the opinion wants to sell you their | | | | shouldn't! One of the best deals in the jewelry |
| diamond. Their opinion on which grading lab is best | | | | industry is a diamond certified by EGL; this is |
| is decided by what lab has graded their diamond, | | | | because some jewelers assume that EGL isn't |
| how convenient is that?! If they own a diamond | | | | graded as conservatively as a GIA. In the end |
| certified by EGL then they tell you that EGL is | | | | many jewelers price an EGL certified diamond at |
| best, if they have another diamond owned by | | | | less than GIA or AGS stones. This I believe is a |
| GIA then GIA is best. These are biased opinions | | | | mistake because in my experience the grading for |
| and you should be very cautious as to how much | | | | all three labs is similar. For a consumer though, |
| weight is given to them during your decision | | | | purchasing an EGL certified diamond is an excellent |
| making process. | | | | opportunity to buy a well graded diamond for |
| How are diamonds certified? | | | | much less than you have to. |
| The "Big Three" grading laboratories as I like to | | | | AGS has become very notable for their |
| call them have similar processes for certifying | | | | knowledge about cut and grading a diamond for |
| diamonds. This process involves several Graduate | | | | its potential light performance. Most of what the |
| Gemologists independently assessing and agreeing | | | | jewelry industry uses to determine if a diamond is |
| on the color, clarity, and carat weight of the | | | | optimized for brilliance is based on AGS's research. |
| diamond. This helps reduce the possibility for | | | | If a jeweler suspects that a diamond is cut very |
| human error when determining the final grade for | | | | well then he may send the diamond to AGS for |
| the diamond, although it doesn't eliminate it. You | | | | certification. If you are looking for a diamond with |
| must consider the indisputable fact that there is | | | | a very high cut grade you should consider looking |
| no exact science behind diamond grading. I know | | | | at diamonds that have been certified by AGS. |
| the grading systems sound official and science like | | | | Final recommendations |
| but they're really aren't. Ponder this statement for | | | | Get more involved in the diamond buying process |
| a moment, "No two diamonds are exactly alike." | | | | and understand how the 4C's work, not just what |
| With that being said, how could two different | | | | it stands for. Ask to use a jeweler's loupe (eye |
| diamonds which are not exactly alike be graded | | | | piece) or a microscope to see the diamond under |
| exactly alike? In reality they can't be. | | | | magnification. When looking at the diamond under |
| The other important fact is that the final quality | | | | magnification examine the inclusions for each |
| grades are decisions or opinions not scientific | | | | grade you're considering then compare them side |
| calculations. So if they are opinions and every | | | | by side to determine if one looks better than the |
| diamond is graded by different labs and different | | | | other. For example, let's say you are looking at |
| graders then how could there be any | | | | two SI1 diamonds - one is a certified by EGL and |
| consistency? Truth be known, grading labs have a | | | | the other GIA. After comparing them, you decide |
| tough time with that, regardless of which lab you | | | | that the diamonds look similar but the EGL |
| talking about. Let's say for example, that you | | | | diamond is 15% less in price. Who cares what lab |
| send a diamond to GIA for certification and it | | | | certified them! Just because some jewelers think |
| comes back carat weight - .50ct, clarity-SI2, | | | | that GIA is a better grading lab doesn't make the |
| Color-H. Then, you throw away the certification | | | | diamond certified by GIA better. The grading labs |
| and send the diamond back for a second grading | | | | don't make the diamonds, they simply grade |
| as if it were never graded before. The chance of | | | | them, a diamond isn't made better by its |
| it coming back SI2, H again is probably 80% and | | | | certification. A certification is just a piece of |
| 20% that it'll come back different. So the grading | | | | paper; you can't put a piece of paper in a ring and |
| and certification process is somewhat flawed to | | | | propose. If one diamond looks better than |
| begin with. If you can't get one grading lab to | | | | another it probably is, regardless of the grade or |
| consistently agree with its own grades, how could | | | | what lab assigned it. So in this case the logical |
| you expect other labs to agree with another? | | | | choice is to get the better looking diamond, forget |
| Again, there's no easy answer to that question | | | | about what lab is better and save your money. |
| and as an industry we still don't have it figured | | | | Don't exclude comparing the color. The best way |
| out. | | | | to do this is to ask to see loose un-set diamonds |
| From a consumer standpoint the best approach | | | | and then compare them side by side. Take a |
| to buying a diamond is to use your best | | | | white piece of paper and place the diamonds |
| judgment. Read the grading report from | | | | upside down and next to one another on the |
| whatever lab certified the diamond and examine | | | | paper. The white background adds contrast to |
| both the diamond and the certification. Use the | | | | the diamond's color and helps you distinguish the |
| certification as a rule of thumb or a starting point, | | | | color differences between them. After making a |
| don't use it as the end all be all. Learn how the | | | | decision on your own about the amount of color a |
| grading system works and then compare | | | | diamond has then refer to the certification to see |
| diamonds side by side under the microscope and | | | | what the grade is. Again, it doesn't matter who |
| decide for yourself which diamond looks better. If | | | | graded the diamond or what the grade is. In the |
| you would like more information on how a | | | | end you need to see it with your very own eyes |
| diamond is graded you can visit . | | | | and trust your instincts about which diamond is |
| GIA, EGL, AGS | | | | right for you. |
| GIA - Gemological Institute of America | | | | Diamond certification is certainly important to |
| EGL - European Gemological Laboratory | | | | have and I don't think you should purchase a |
| AGS - American Gem Society | | | | quality diamond without one. I do believe though, |
| Recently, GIA seems to have the best reputation | | | | that a healthy decision is one that involves you |
| for grading diamonds accurately. I challenge this | | | | referring to the certification, comparing diamonds |
| because I've seen and compared many diamonds | | | | side by side, and using your head. Let's not forget |
| from all three labs and witnessed inaccuracies in | | | | the value of working with a reputable jeweler as |
| GIA grades as often as EGL and AGS. I believe | | | | well. A good jeweler lends his/her expertise and |
| that GIA, EGL, and AGS are the three best | | | | provides an unbiased opinion about each diamond's |
| solutions for purchasing diamonds however, I don't | | | | characteristics. The final decision about a diamond |
| feel one is better than the other. One interesting | | | | and whether it's right for you - should be made |
| fact is that you'll pay 15% more (on average) for | | | | by you. Not a grading lab! |
| a diamond certified by GIA because their | | | | Andy Moquin |
| reputation appears better than other labs. The | | | | President |
| problem with that is that EGL and AGS are | | | | Andrews Jewelers Inc. |
| perfectly capable of grading a diamond as | | | | |