GIA versus EGL

[DoubleB]

A jeweler told me that an EGL cert is less meaningful (reliable, trustworthy) than a GIA cert because everyone knows that a EGL F color is a GIA H color. Can anybody verify this nonsense?

 

[mrmedoes]

It is true that EGL-USA does bring less of a premium than GIA or AGS similarly graded diamonds.

This shows the difference in pricing:
http://diamonds.pricescope.com/labs.asp

This shows the difference in diamonds sent to all three labs:
http://grading.pricescope.com/

 

[Regular Guy]

Note also, EGL is known to be softer than EGL - USA, however, on the quick search here, EGL - USA is not differentiated from EGL, so the presentation from the survey (referencing EGL USA) may not match and reflect pricing associated with the quick search here, where the pricing may more reflect EGL more broadly.

 

[denverappraiser]

It's also worth noting that the study at Pricescope is looking at stones with a report that EGL-USA calls a "diamond certificate". They have their name on quite a few other varitety of documents and some are far less reliable. As mentioned above, there are others who use the EGL name who are less consistent in their grading. Watch out especially for "The Gem ID card". This is a credit card sized plastic report with EGL-USA's name on it and their grading standards appear to be considerably different from those used in their main lab. It's also worth noting that none of the EGL labs use the GIA grading scale.

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ISA NAJA
Independent Appraisals in Denver

 

[Regular Guy]

Date: 7/24/2005 7:28:19 PM
Author: denverappraiser

....It''s also worth noting that none of the EGL labs use the GIA grading scale.

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ISA NAJA
Independent Appraisals in Denver

Hi, Neil...so per the discussion here, my assumptions were wrong?...Regardless of the resulting grading, the ostensible representation from EGL (whichever) is that their definition for a color or clarity is not even designed to map directly on to what GIA purports to mean (including a different master color set, etc.)?

If this were true, not sure how shocking the info would or should be...seems like the resulting pattern of grading, and consequent market reading and interpretation of grading may be all that matters.

Surely, however, the use of a color and clarity system with the same descriptors (i.e., G, VS2, etc), but with different meanings than those intended by the market leader (GIA) is headed for no good result in any case; perhaps, in this case, however, they could be less likely to be taken to court, if this, Neil, what you say, is true.

Regards,