4 replies to this topic

[udc]

GIA (Gemological Institute of America) are far superior to IGI (international Gemological Institute).The only real equal to GIA in terms of accurately assesing diamond quality are the AGS (American Gem Sciety). There are many labs and many names that sound very similar, the reports look almost identical but if you stick to GIA or AGS you wont have a problem.

[diamondele]

GIA and AGS grade very harsh. If a stone is a borderline inbetween 2 grades they go to the lower grade. Both companies grade for the consumer while all the other labs ( EGL included) Grade looser and more to the dealer. When a dealer gets a borderline stone they will send it to EGL or one of the other labs so they grade to the higher grade and they can charge more for them. Also GIA and AGS does not have a SI3 grade and EGL and the sound alike labs do so a decent I1 stone will grade as a SI3 with the EGL and other labs. If you don't have an AGS or GIA certification with your stone and you want to trade it in someday, GOOD LUCK! They are the only stones you will get your money back on and be able to use as a trade up from most dealers unless you bought the stone from them.

[denverappraiser]

diamondele, on Wednesday, Apr 4 2007, 11:24 PM, said:

GIA and AGS grade very harsh. If a stone is a borderline inbetween 2 grades they go to the lower grade. Both companies grade for the consumer while all the other labs ( EGL included) Grade looser and more to the dealer. When a dealer gets a borderline stone they will send it to EGL or one of the other labs so they grade to the higher grade and they can charge more for them. Also GIA and AGS does not have a SI3 grade and EGL and the sound alike labs do so a decent I1 stone will grade as a SI3 with the EGL and other labs. If you don't have an AGS or GIA certification with your stone and you want to trade it in someday, GOOD LUCK! They are the only stones you will get your money back on and be able to use as a trade up from most dealers unless you bought the stone from them.

True, but the 'border line' can be quite large. Like the border between SI1 and I1 or between G and J. If you seriously want to know the grade of the subject stone, go with GIA or AGS. No one else comes close.

Don't bet on getting your money back anyway. Buy diamonds because they're cool, because they make your beloved feel loved, because they impress your friends or just because they're neat little objects but they are NOT a bank account. Don't go into a diamond deal ever expecting to see your money again.

Neil

[iceforever.diamonds]

GIA is the standard measures for quality of a diamond....