AGS or GIA which is more reliable? EGL?

[asscherisme]

I am in the process of trying to sell an old EGL stone I have (it was an engagement ring from a boyfriend before my husband and the person let me keep it after we broke up. Amicable breakup. I had it set into a pendant and my now husband of 11 years could care less about whether I wore it or not but I never liked wearing it because its history) It was graded E color, VVS1 on the EGL certificate. The certificate was from 1991 I have had it appraised recently by a GIA graduate gemologist and it appraised at a G color, VS2!! He showed me the flaws under the 10x look and I could definately see them. I am totally shocked and disspointed over this. This means that 14 years after it was bought, its worth LESS than what was originally paid for it.

I have two nice size diamonds that my husband gave me, one is AGS certified, and the other is GIA certified. Are these labs more accurate than EGL?

Shame on that jeweler that sold my old boyfriend that EGL. I can''t imagine they did not know they were selling a diamond far below grade.

Isn''t that fraud??

 

[JohnQuixote]

Date: 4/11/2006 12:03:45 PM
Author:asscherisme
I am in the process of trying to sell an old EGL stone I have (it was an engagement ring from a boyfriend before my husband and the person let me keep it after we broke up. Amicable breakup. I had it set into a pendant and my now husband of 11 years could care less about whether I wore it or not but I never liked wearing it because its history) It was graded E color, VVS1 on the EGL certificate. The certificate was from 1991 I have had it appraised recently by a GIA graduate gemologist and it appraised at a G color, VS2!! He showed me the flaws under the 10x look and I could definately see them. I am totally shocked and disspointed over this. This means that 14 years after it was bought, its worth LESS than what was originally paid for it.

I have two nice size diamonds that my husband gave me, one is AGS certified, and the other is GIA certified. Are these labs more accurate than EGL?

Shame on that jeweler that sold my old boyfriend that EGL. I can't imagine they did not know they were selling a diamond far below grade.

Isn't that fraud??

Grading of color and clarity is subjective and different labs have different standards and records of consistency. EGL-USA is generally regarded as better than some of the EGL labs abroad, and AGS and GIA are generally regarded as more strict than the EGL labs. Grading reports are not guarantees. EGL does put the word 'certificate' on their reports where AGS and GIA do not, but in the fine print you will see "The report expresses an opinion at the time of examination. It is not a guarantee, valuation or appraisal of any kind..." or something similar.

Here is a small grading survey, performed some time ago, using the labs you're asking about.

Edited to add: Here is an insightful post from one of our PS appraisers that may interest you as well.

 

[asscherisme]

It was EGL Israel. And thanks for the reply. Very interesting.

 

[belle]

Date: 4/11/2006 12:03:45 PM
Author:asscherisme

It was graded E color, VVS1 on the EGL certificate. The certificate was from 1991 I have had it appraised recently by a GIA graduate gemologist and it appraised at a G color, VS2!! He showed me the flaws under the 10x look and I could definately see them. I am totally shocked and disspointed over this. This means that 14 years after it was bought, its worth LESS than what was originally paid for it.

grading is totally SUBJECTIVE. having differing grades is not at all unusual especially considering the color grade is only different by 2 and clarity by 1. it is no secret that egl is ''softer'' in their grading than gia or ags. even if the grades had not been different, chances are the diamond would be less than you origianally paid for it. diamonds are not an investment.

Date: 4/11/2006 12:03:45 PM
Author:asscherisme

I have two nice size diamonds that my husband gave me, one is AGS certified, and the other is GIA certified. Are these labs more accurate than EGL?

they can be. again, grading is subjective.

Date: 4/11/2006 12:03:45 PM
Author:asscherisme

Shame on that jeweler that sold my old boyfriend that EGL. I can''t imagine they did not know they were selling a diamond far below grade.

Isn''t that fraud??

egl is sold today far and wide. jewelers are not in business to question the subjective grading of diamonds, they are in business to sell diamonds. the 2 color grade 1 clarity grade difference of your particular diamond is absolutely within the accepted standards.
it is not fraud.

 

[JohnQuixote]

Date: 4/11/2006 12:14:35 PM
Author: asscherisme
It was EGL Israel. And thanks for the reply. Very interesting.

No problem. I edited my post above to link to an overview of why diamonds may be sent to one lab over another.

 

[kenny]

Don''t be too mad.

In 1991 your EGL-Israel E VVS1 may have been priced similar to a GIA G VS2.

There is no such thing as an absolute E.
There is an EGL E and a GIA E.

Different labs mean different "standards" and different prices.

It really stinks, but that''s the way it is.

 

[diagem]

Date: 4/11/2006 12:03:45 PM
Author:asscherisme
I am in the process of trying to sell an old EGL stone I have (it was an engagement ring from a boyfriend before my husband and the person let me keep it after we broke up. Amicable breakup. I had it set into a pendant and my now husband of 11 years could care less about whether I wore it or not but I never liked wearing it because its history) It was graded E color, VVS1 on the EGL certificate. The certificate was from 1991 I have had it appraised recently by a GIA graduate gemologist and it appraised at a G color, VS2!! He showed me the flaws under the 10x look and I could definately see them. I am totally shocked and disspointed over this. This means that 14 years after it was bought, its worth LESS than what was originally paid for it.

I have two nice size diamonds that my husband gave me, one is AGS certified, and the other is GIA certified. Are these labs more accurate than EGL?

Shame on that jeweler that sold my old boyfriend that EGL. I can''t imagine they did not know they were selling a diamond far below grade.

Isn''t that fraud??

Sorry to inform you..., but i know quite a few GG''s out there, that have no experience what-so-ever in accurate grading of diamonds...

Again, like it was posted above me, ALL reports are based on opinion!!!

The fact that GIA or AGS graders are stricter, doent make them more right than others...

You should get a second opinion from a more experienced person...

I didntt see to many true VS2 that were graded VVS1, but there was a stone which was graded VVS2 and turned out with an Internaly flawless grade at the GIA.

Remember, its all based on opinions...