AGS vs GIA

[Diamond916]

I understand that GIA''s parameters are a little wider and they seem to be cheaper. Can somebody explain the pros and cons of picking one over the other? I think I want to stick with an AGS stone, but not exactly sure.

 

[Diamond916]

on WF website...the stones that are ACA are all AGS stones while the Expert Selection all seem to be GIA stones. It seems that the price difference is due to AGS vs GIA rating. So...go with an AGS or GIA stone? Mark at ERD is going to call me tomorrow, but until then i''ve just been researching around.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

That''s because WF chooses to send it''s top stones to AGS. You can get a hearts and arrows stone with excellent/ideal cut in GIA or AGS. No worries. WF has great stones and Good Old Gold selects great AGS and GIA stones as well. The concern is that all GIA Excellents aren''t the same cut quality. But if you learn the numbers or go with a vendor that pre-screens the stones they have in-house, then it doesn''t matter which cert the stone has.

 

[Regular Guy]

I agree with DS...

Date: 9/30/2007 10:30:58 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006
That''s because WF chooses to send it''s top stones to AGS. You can get a hearts and arrows stone with excellent/ideal cut in GIA or AGS. No worries. WF has great stones and Good Old Gold selects great AGS and GIA stones as well. The concern is that all GIA Excellents aren''t the same cut quality. But if you learn the numbers or go with a vendor that pre-screens the stones they have in-house, then it doesn''t matter which cert the stone has.

Also, this link may be helpful for perspective.

 

[aljdewey]

Date: 9/30/2007 9:14:21 PM
Author:Diamond916
I understand that GIA''s parameters are a little wider and they seem to be cheaper. Can somebody explain the pros and cons of picking one over the other? I think I want to stick with an AGS stone, but not exactly sure.

AGS Pros: Reputation as the pioneering lab on cut grading
Better resale potential to ''mindclean'' consumers who prioritize cut

AGS Cons: Potential cost premium for AGS paper
Less well known lab to ''average joe'' consumer; this would potentially limit resale potential to ''average joe'' market

GIA Pros: More widely known than AGS, so more potential resale market to ''average joe'' consumer base

GIA Cons: Top cut grades perceived as less discriminating/stringent than AGS
Practice of rounding further fudges cut grade
Less resale potential to the ''mind clean'' consumer who prioritizes cut
Less consumer confidence in cut grade as they are the latecomer/also-ran to the cut parade

 

[Paul-Antwerp]

May I add to the AGS-pros: higher strictness on clarity grading ?

Live long,

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 10/1/2007 4:58:05 AM
Author: Paul-Antwerp
May I add to the AGS-pros: higher strictness on clarity grading ?

Live long,

Yes slighly but it also came back softer on color 19%
http://grading.pricescope.com/color-clarity.aspx
Id call it a wash...

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Date: 10/1/2007 5:25:58 AM
Author: strmrdr

Date: 10/1/2007 4:58:05 AM
Author: Paul-Antwerp
May I add to the AGS-pros: higher strictness on clarity grading ?

Live long,

Yes slighly but it also came back softer on color 19%
http://grading.pricescope.com/color-clarity.aspx
Id call it a wash...

Not quite that simple Storm.
http://grading.pricescope.com/price-differences.aspx

We found that from a large population of data the AGS (and EGL) paper would have been the cheapest ways to buy those 16 diamonds.
In the typical sizes that come with AGS paper (i.e. smaller stones) Clarity has a larger price impact than Color - So I side with Paul (besides he has better beer and chocolate).