AGS vs EGL-USA. Please help!

[diamondseeker2008]

Hi Everyone!

I need your help! I am looking for the nice engagement ring for my girlfriend. I visited most of the stores around me and different websites and found 2 nice loose diamonds. However, I am stuck now, since I do not know which one is better to buy.…

First diamond is AGS-0, princess, 1.02 carat, color I, VS2, 5.61 x 5.50 x 4.12 mm, table 59.5%, thin to thick, polish/symmetry: ideal /ideal, no fluorescence, $3,550

Second: EGL-USA, princess, 1.12 carat, color I, SI1 ( eye clean), 5.91 x 5.76 x 4.14 mm, table – 69%, thin to medium polished, polish/symmetry: very good/very good, fluorescence: faint blue, $3,750
I heard a lot that AGS is by far better than EGL-USA, but there are some other differences… Please help! Thank you!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 7/28/2008 2:16:16 PM
Author:diamondseeker2008

Hi Everyone!

I need your help! I am looking for the nice engagement ring for my girlfriend. I visited most of the stores around me and different websites and found 2 nice loose diamonds. However, I am stuck now, since I do not know which one is better to buy.…

First diamond is AGS-0, princess, 1.02 carat, color I, VS2, 5.61 x 5.50 x 4.12 mm, table 59.5%, thin to thick, polish/symmetry: ideal /ideal, no fluorescence, $3,550

Second: EGL-USA, princess, 1.12 carat, color I, SI1 ( eye clean), 5.91 x 5.76 x 4.14 mm, table – 69%, thin to medium polished, polish/symmetry: very good/very good, fluorescence: faint blue, $3,750
I heard a lot that AGS is by far better than EGL-USA, but there are some other differences… Please help! Thank you!

Welcome to Pricescope,

Does the first diamond have the AGS0 cut grade? If so, then that is likely to be a pretty diamond and the one I would be most interested in. I take it you have seen both diamonds, do you have a preference?

 

[diamondseeker2008]

Thank you. Yes, first diamond has AGS-0 cert. Second one has only EGL-USA but larger... Unfortunately, both diamonds are available on internet only from well known reputable websites with return poliicy. I have not seen the diamonds yet. Everything is based on what they say...

 

[Regular Guy]

Especially with Princesses, especially when no reflector images are employed, the AGS 0 helps to insure an attractively performing diamond.

BTW, you two should meet each other!

 

[dockman3]

If the first one has an AGS cut grade of 0 like you say, then it is probably the better of the two diamonds. Another thing to keep in mind is that and EGL I may not be the same as an AGS I color. An EGL I may be closer to AGS J/K, and the same goes for the clarities. That''s why AGS is preferred. The slight difference in ct weight shouldn''t be noticeable to the naked eye without something next to it for comparison. Also, the L/W ratio of the first is 1.02 while the second one is 1.03, so the first is actually closer to square as well. My vote is definitely for the first one.

 

[Regular Guy]

Just to add Dockman adds good points!

 

[diamondseeker2008]

Thank you very much for the inputs! In regards to the prices for those diamonds. Are the prices good or too high?

Another question is for setting: those companies have very expensive ring settings. Is it worth getting just the stone from them, buy setting separately (Jared offers tiffany-style platinum settings for just $700) and make the ring either at Jared or at another jeweler? Is there a big risk that stone can get damaged by another jeweler and I will stuck with it?

 

[Regular Guy]

Date: 7/28/2008 4:53:39 PM
Author: diamondseeker2008
Thank you very much for the inputs! In regards to the prices for those diamonds. Are the prices good or too high?

Though you don''t get an exact match on this board for 1 - 1.1, I & VS2, if you''re more inclusive...H - J, and VS1 - SI1, you''ll see prices ranging from $3100 - $5100...I think your pricing is competitive with what you''d find here.

 

[diamondseeker2008]

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE INFO!!!! Can you also help me with the second part of the question:

"Another question is for setting: those companies have very expensive ring settings. Is it worth getting just the stone from them, buy setting separately (Jared offers tiffany-style platinum settings for just $700) and make the ring either at Jared or at another jeweler? Is there a big risk that stone can get damaged by another jeweler and I will stuck with it?"

Also, is platinum the best option for the diamond solitaire ring? How about 18k white gold or palladium? I would like to get tiffany-style or knife-edge setting....

Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 7/28/2008 6:31:03 PM
Author: diamondseeker2008
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE INFO!!!! Can you also help me with the second part of the question:

''Another question is for setting: those companies have very expensive ring settings. Is it worth getting just the stone from them, buy setting separately (Jared offers tiffany-style platinum settings for just $700) and make the ring either at Jared or at another jeweler? Is there a big risk that stone can get damaged by another jeweler and I will stuck with it?''

Also, is platinum the best option for the diamond solitaire ring? How about 18k white gold or palladium? I would like to get tiffany-style or knife-edge setting....

Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You would need to check carefully if the vendor setting the diamond will take responsibility for it when setting if something happened. Some vendors won''t if they didn''t sell the diamond, although mishaps are rare, you want to make sure you are covered. Often it is simpler to have the vendor who sold the diamond provide the setting and complete the ring.

 

[dbsdiamonds]

Hey there,

There are much better options out there. First off the EGL grade you talk about will be a JK color diamond on it''s best day. I''d be curious to know if you''ve seen the diamond or if the "source" called the diamond "eyeclean". It is possible that EGL SI1 is eyeclean, but definitely at best a GIA SI2.

I prefer GIA over AGS. I think it is great that AGS helped push GIA to cut grading standards but 1 to 1 I still view GIA as grading stricter overall on color/clarity. It might be a half letter but facts are facts.

On another note with the budgeting that you''ve set forth I''d recommend H color minimum. That will get you true "white" diamond. I color is "white" for many people but for those with better color recognition an I color diamond will have a slight casting of darkness to the crystal. Not necessarily yellow or brown, but the transition from white to "near white" is apparent in H vs. I color.

If you go I color there are many options at $3200 or less. At mid $3500 you can really get a nice bump on a GIA cert. If you dig a little more you''ll get the right help.

Marty
www.dbsdiamonds.com

 

[dbsdiamonds]

Retailers play the pricing game of stuffing one part of the sale and making it look like they give you some sort of break on the other side. Now this explains the EGL question...

Marty
www.dbsdiamonds.com

 

[Regular Guy]

Date: 7/29/2008 5:49:03 AM
Author: dbsdiamonds

I prefer GIA over AGS. I think it is great that AGS helped push GIA to cut grading standards but 1 to 1 I still view GIA as grading stricter overall on color/clarity. It might be a half letter but facts are facts.

This is a minority opinion.

Lorelei has a new avatar! And she''s right. Study threads to see how Jeweler''s Mutual can help protect you if going to two jewelers...one for the diamond and one for the setting. Not sure about the likelihood of damage, but if you don''t want to have to care about the problem, JM is there. But...because of some level of hassle, many do stick with just one jeweler.

DBS makes a good point though for where profits are put. Seems too bad you''d have to move the piece around to seek a savings, but I see the issue. It would be too bad to have the benefit of going to a local shop for a relationship, for the diamond...and then possibly even put that benefit in threat for having to shop for the ring elsewhere. I''m betting an internet vendor like Excel also makes some of their margin in the settings.

If you move it...do look into JM for piece of mind.

 

[denverappraiser]

Date: 7/29/2008 5:49:03 AM
Author: dbsdiamonds

I prefer GIA over AGS. I think it is great that AGS helped push GIA to cut grading standards but 1 to 1 I still view GIA as grading stricter overall on color/clarity. It might be a half letter but facts are facts.

Marty

www.dbsdiamonds.com

Hi Marty.

Welcome to the forum.

As Ira points out, this is a hotly debatable ‘fact’ and you are in the minority with our opinion but, in the present instance, we’re talking about princess cuts. GIA does not offer any sort of cut grading standards or even guidance.

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver

 

[diamondseeker2008]

Thank you very much!

Also, is platinum the best option for the diamond solitaire ring? How about 18k white gold or palladium?

I would like to get tiffany-style or knife-edge setting.... Is it worth paing extra $200-$300 for V-shape platinum prongs for princess cut or regular prongs will be just fine?