AGS0 Different Grades? H&A, A Cut Above?

[Ideal Diamond Search]

Hello
I am searching for an AGS0 Diamond.

I have stumbled upon
AGS0 diamonds with H&A inscriptions
and
AGS0 diamonds with "A cut Above" inscriptions
and
AGS0 diamonds with no insciptions

Which one is a better diamond based on the names?

I thought when I was looking for an AGS0 diamond that was the best Ideal Diamond I could get by AGS standards, but now it seems as there are different levels of AGS0, is this true?

 

[pqcollectibles]

That is correct. Not all AGS0 diamonds are created equal.

Take a look at this page of the Tutorial:

http://diamonds.pricescope.com/agsideal.asp

You will see that the crown and pavillion angles combinations are what produce a quality performer. A diamond can be rated AGS0 based on proportions but not have the proper angles combinations.

You also have to be careful when considering Hearts and Arrows diamonds as well. H&A patterns are the result of optimum internal optical symmetry. Sometimes diamonds exhibit a fairly good pattern, but not a true, crisp H&A pattern. The girdle will be inscribed H&A prior to submission to the grading lab. Grading labs do not grade for the H&A patterns. The grading labs do mention the inscription in the Comments section. It's a marketing ploy to lead buyers to think the diamond is an H&A when the patterns are not true, clean, and crisp. Make sure to work with a reputable Vendor that is knowledgeable about H&A to be sure you get what you pay for when buying a H&A diamond.

 

[Ideal Diamond Search]

Are their different types of Ideal Cut AGS0
such as the "AGS0 H&A" or "AGS0 A cut Above"
If yes...is there a difference?

 

[Ideal Diamond Search]

GOT MY ANSWER

Thank you.

I also contacted AFS and they told me AGS000 is the highest grading they give an Ideal Diamond.

What are branded diamonds?
I think they are when the seller puts a brand name on a diamond such as "a cut above" but it is just a brand name that is given but the quality is the same as a certified AGS000.

 

[Mara]

It's really important to note that AGS000 is the highest grade AGS may give a diamond but TECHNICALLY that means an Ideal Cut diamond with D IF color and clarity. That is true AGS000.




That is not what you are looking for. AGS0 means the cut is deemed ideal by AGS (proportions, polish & symmetry) but that DOES NOT automatically mean that the diamond is going to be great looking. The AGS system is not perfect, and it does all dog stones with AGS0 aka potentially good looking numbers slide through sometimes.




So AGS0 is NOT ENOUGH when you are shopping. Nor is an inscription on a girdle + AGS0 anything better.




You have do due diligence on all the components of the diamond to scrutinize...numbers, reports, images, scopes, etc they all add up to a sum...no one thing stands alone. Not even AGS0.




Good luck.

 

[mike04456]

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On 3/24/2004 5:39:40 PM Ideal Diamond Search wrote:





GOT MY ANSWER

Thank you.

I also contacted AFS and they told me AGS000 is the highest grading they give an Ideal Diamond.

What are branded diamonds?
I think they are when the seller puts a brand name on a diamond such as 'a cut above' but it is just a brand name that is given but the quality is the same as a certified AGS000.

----------------

Strictly speaking, an AGS000 is a D-flawless ideal cut (one 0 for clarity, one for color, one for cut). The confusion arises because some people who don't pay enough attention to AGS grading procedures take an AGS0 grade for "ideal cut" and add on two more zeros for ideal polish and ideal symmetry. This is common, but incorrect. When speaking of cut, AGS0 is the highest grade.

Some branded diamonds are just a name, some indeed have higher standards than the AGS. It depends on the vendor.

 

[Rhino]

Interestingly AGS also recognizes that people (even in the trade) call AGS "0" Ideal diamonds "000's"and has it covered in their consumer FAQ section too. http://www.agslab.com/faq_consumer.html

 

[Rhino]

Hi Ideal Diamond Searcher,




Yes ... there are definite breakdowns among AGS "0" ideal cut diamonds. Here are the seperations that can be made ....

• AGS "0" diamonds with good reflective properties vs those with not so good reflective properties. (HCA can help you make these seperations).
  
• AGS "0" diamonds that exhibit Hearts & Arrows optical symmetry vs those that do not.
  
• AGS "0" H&A diamonds that are cut to exhibit excellent reflective properties vs those that do not.
  
• Among those H&A's that do exhibit the better reflective/refractive properties we can then seperate those whose variances & minor facets have been tweaked to exhibit more intense scintillation/fire and overall brilliance in direct & diffuse light conditions.

If you would like to see a plethora of different examples and their optical exams, drop me an email and I'll link you.