AGS or GIA- E or I??

[boozoo99]

Hi, we are looking at two diamonds and want to make sure the sellers are selling the right story

The diamonds are very similar but the color and certifications are different. We would like to know how much the extra certification outweighs the less desirable color classification.

They are the following specs-
#1
1.53 carot
round brilliant
SI1
Color E
AGS Cert
Triple Excellent

#2
1.53 carot
round brilliant
SI1
Color I
GIA Cert
Triple Ideal


They are almost the same price.

Any help is MUCH appreciated. Thanks!

 

[LaraOnline]

All other things being equal, I would go AGS E.

 

[spicyitalian]

You may have gotten the reports mixed up. GIA doesn't do ideal ratings.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Something doesn't jive ... E the same price as I??...

 

[boozoo99]

I think you are right about that.

We are being told bc of the Triple Ideal cut and Certification that it makes up for the less desirable color- the I. Does anyone know about the certifications and whether this would be the case?

Both diamonds are gorgeous of course and the E color seems more desirable but just making sure we aren't putting too much weight into color vs importance of certification/cut.

THANK YOU!

 

[Dancing Fire]

I think you are right about that.

We are being told bc of the Triple Ideal cut and Certification that it makes up for the less desirable color- the I. Does anyone know about the certifications and whether this would be the case?

Both diamonds are gorgeous of course and the E color seems more desirable but just making sure we aren't putting too much weight into color vs importance of certification/cut.

THANK YOU!

Please post the lab reports.

 

[ChristineRose]

I'd be very suspicious.

The top GIA grade is excellent. The top AGS grade is zero. The top IGI grade is ideal, and the second IGI grade is excellent.

Although some labs do use the term "ideal" the word tends to get thrown around a lot. Sometimes people are talking about a grade, sometimes about Tolkowsky's original calculation, but most often about whatever they are selling.

I would start by finding out what the labs actually called these diamonds. Given the price anomaly, I wouldn't be shocked if "excellent" means 1 or 2 or 3 (on a scale of 0 to 10).

 

[boozoo99]

Hi, unfortunately I don't have the papers for them but I did verify that they are both GIA certified and the Diamond that is classified "I" in color is also AGS certified. I just don't think this could make up for the color difference but wanted to see if anyone that knows more about this had an opinion...

Thanks again!

 

[c-k]

Hi, unfortunately I don't have the papers for them but I did verify that they are both GIA certified and the Diamond that is classified "I" in color is also AGS certified. I just don't think this could make up for the color difference but wanted to see if anyone that knows more about this had an opinion...

Thanks again!

You are a bit confusing? ...... is the seller telling you that the stone graded by AGS Color I is the same color as the GIA graded E color.

I think it would help you if you could post reports, Idealscopes, pictures, or at least the lab proportions of the diamonds.

 

[boozoo99]

Correct! That is what she is trying to "sell" us. She is saying the harder certification, premier cut, etc. outweighs "I" vs "E" in the color difference. These are two different vendors that each have a diamond we are looking at. Our gut tells us that this is not correct and to go with the other diamond with the GIA cert, Triple Excellence cut and E Color. Just trying to make sure we are not incorrect...

I don't have the reports. My brother is buying this diamond but would never do all of this research so I am trying to help with the basic specs that I know.


Thanks for your help and understanding...

 

[c-k]

Correct! That is what she is trying to "sell" us. She is saying the harder certification, premier cut, etc. outweighs "I" vs "E" in the color difference. These are two different vendors that each have a diamond we are looking at. Our gut tells us that this is not correct and to go with the other diamond with the GIA cert, Triple Excellence cut and E Color. Just trying to make sure we are not incorrect...

I don't have the reports. My brother is buying this diamond but would never do all of this research so I am trying to help with the basic specs that I know.


Thanks for your help and understanding...

If the AGS diamond is an Ideal cut, that is the best cut, in a I color it will face up much whiter than a poor cut diamond, The AGS color I will look very white in a setting......however it will not be as white as the GIA color E, but the GIA diamond, even though it is graded as a Excellent cut may not be cut nearly as well as the AGS because of less strict cut grading.

Without looking at both stones in person, you will not know what they look like or which you would prefer.........if (and that is a big IF) all else being the same, the GIA E should sell for much more than the AGS I because of the color grade.

 

[ChristineRose]

Except that AGS is the harder certification. AGS has 11 cut levels and GIA only has five. Top graded AGS stones typically sell for much more than top graded GIA stones. The data are skewed some because a really, really top grade will be sent to AGS so it can get a zero and a nice but not quite so special stone will be sent to GIA so it can get an excellent.

Given that, and the fact that "Excellent" is not an AGS grade and "Ideal" is not a GIA grade, I'd wonder if you're being lied to. For example, it may be that the AGS stone is actually a pretty mediocre grade, worse than the worst GIA excellent stones. And if that's the case, why would you trust this vendor when they tell you the GIA stone is "triple ideal" when there is no such thing?

Don't proceed any further unless the vendor will give you the actual certificates or certificate numbers.

 

[Karl_K]

Are you sure its ags?
There is something else going on if they are the same price.
Are they both eyeclean?

 

[ChristineRose]

I suppose if they are two different vendors the GIA vendor could be overpriced and trying to convince you that GIA XXX are better than AGS 000. Since GIA XXX is the broader grade this is rarely true.

 

[Karl_K]

Is one of them a branded stone?

To really help you we need:
GIA report number…brand, if any…price…store/city
AGS report number….brand, if any…price…store/city
Are they eyeclean?

That will give us a much better idea of what is going on.
Until we have that information all we can do is speculate.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I am in agreement that there is some big confusion here. You have the right to ask for the report numbers. Ask if they are GIA or AGS and get the report numbers and exact weight so we can look them up. If they are truly AGS and GIA graded, an E color will cost a lot more than I color. For that matter, I would never limit myself to just two stones when really, I'd rather have G-H color and a larger stone than the E. But something doesn't add up about the E color stone because it can't cost the same as the I if they both have reliable grading. Once we can look up the reports, give us the prices, too.

If they won't provide you with the lab reports, that is a red flag and you need to look elsewhere. We can suggest reliable vendors.

 

[kindred]

If they won't provide you with the lab reports, that is a red flag and you need to look elsewhere. We can suggest reliable vendors.

I second that. If you can get the report numbers then post them here. Otherwise, move on. Folks here will be glad to help you find what you're looking for.