AGS0, polish/symm and custom jewelry

[huskeypm]

Dear all
I have a few questions I am posing that may help me decide which vendor I chose.

Firstly, one vendor does not typically carry ASET images and the like, but offers stones with AGS certificates. They mention that AGS reviews such images when providing their ratings. Based on experience, can one trust the light performance of an AGS ideal cut stone, or is it typically better to review the ASET images (though I am a novice nevertheless)?

Second, is there an appreciable difference in light return between a VG symmetry and Ex or ideal? Or is this a matter of taste?

Lastly, I''ve heard from a couple vendors that a custom setting is better proportioned to the stone versus a stock setting. Would this really make that much of a difference in appearance? I had found stock settings at Union Diamond and Blue Nile among others that fit that bill. If a custom setting won''t make much of a difference, what can I expect to pay to havethe diamond set in a setting purchased from elsewhere?

Thanks for the help!
Pete

 

[neatfreak]

AGS is certainly the most reliable of the agencies when grading cut, assuming we are talking about a round or princess stone here. If it's an AGS0 it is very likely a nice stone. I still would prefer an ASET image, but your chances are very very good that it's really nice.

A custom setting will be proportioned for your stone, but sometimes stock settings are too (the nicer brands are). I wouldn't let someone talk you into a custom if there is a stock setting that you are perfectly happy with IMO.

And it might be a few hundred dollars to set a stone...but at the same time a lot of vendors will set your stone for free even if one was purchased elsewhere, so I'd rather deal with a vendor like that personally...

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 10/30/2008 10:54:56 AM
Author:huskeypm
Dear all
I have a few questions I am posing that may help me decide which vendor I chose.

Firstly, one vendor does not typically carry ASET images and the like, but offers stones with AGS certificates. They mention that AGS reviews such images when providing their ratings. Based on experience, can one trust the light performance of an AGS ideal cut stone, or is it typically better to review the ASET images (though I am a novice nevertheless)? If we are discussing AGS0 cut grade rounds, these should be a pretty safe choice, Idealscope images and ASET are always useful if provided but if the vendor has a good return policy you should be well covered. Personally I would prefer the images if I were purchasing regardless but it is up to your comfort level.

Second, is there an appreciable difference in light return between a VG symmetry and Ex or ideal? Or is this a matter of taste? It is said with lab graded symmetry that the naked untrained eye cannot distinguish between good and above. However those who want the best they can buy usually expect at least excellent or ideal depending as part of their diamond's finish.

See this page for more info - http://diamonds.pricescope.com/symm.asp

Lastly, I've heard from a couple vendors that a custom setting is better proportioned to the stone versus a stock setting. Would this really make that much of a difference in appearance? I had found stock settings at Union Diamond and Blue Nile among others that fit that bill. If a custom setting won't make much of a difference, what can I expect to pay to havethe diamond set in a setting purchased from elsewhere? You would need to check if you buy a diamond and setting from separate vendors, that the diamond is covered against breakage or loss whilst being set. Some vendors won't cover this if they did not sell the diamond, so check carefully. As to custom versus stock setting I don't know if you would notice any difference at all- depending on what type of setting you choose, much of how good the ring and finish look is determined by the skill of the setter.

Thanks for the help!
Pete

 

[Allison D.]

Pete, you''ve gotten excellent feedback so far.

I''d feel pretty confident buying an AGS0 stone that earned the grade under the current light-performance system even if it didn''t have an ASET. As long as you negotiate a reasonable enough return period that allows you time to have the stone appraised as well, you''re at no risk.

The symmetry difference you''re asking about would likely not be discernable to all but the most trained eye, if even then.

I can''t say I agree with the contention that a custom setting is ''better proportioned'' than a stock setting. I think what he may be implying is that a custom setting is made specifically for your exact stone, whereas stock settings will handle a range of stone sizes. For example, one stock setting may hold a stone anywhere from 1.0 to 1.25 ct.

Best of luck in your search!

 

[kcoursolle]

AGS is awesome, no worries there. There isn''t much of a noticeable difference to the eye between VG/EX polish/symmetry. THere is WIDE variation in the quality of custom settings to answer this easily. A very well-made custom setting from someone like leon mege (artofplatinum.com) will be better proportioned to your diamond than a stock setting from a big vendor. However, for most customers stock settings work just fine and can be more lovely than many custom made settings. I would go with quality, appearance, and style when picking any setting.

 

[stone-cold11]

Make sure the grading report the comes with the AGS stone is a DQD instead of a DQR as DQR report do not grade cuts, only DQD report do that. Also AGS cut grade will ding the score of the cut if symm/polish is less than ideal, so while you would want a AGS0 stone, a AGS1 is still good if the score is due to a less than ideal symm/polish.

 

[huskeypm]

Hi
Thanks so much for all of your helpful advice!