Appraisal lab

[bishop]

Hello,

I just want to know if the following appraisal or certificate companies are trust worthy:

Universal Gemolgoical Laboratory - UGL
European Gemological Laboratory - EGL USA
Gemological Appraisal Laboratory - GAL
National Gemological Laboratories - NGL
International Gemological Laboratory - IGL

Also, would a color or clarity grafe of a diamond be different between these labs and if so by how much? Any information on these companies would be helpful.

Thank you,

Bishop

 

[PlatinumDiamond]

Welcome to PS!

You can check out my BlogSpot, I have links at the bottom of that page to labs websites.

As far as grades being different from one lab to another, they are alot of times because their grading policies and grading procedures vary. Plus, different people grading.

Some labs are more accurate and more consistant than other labs more times, but all labs do get it accurate every so often, even the less desirable or more inconsistant labs hit it right. GIA is supposely the most consistant lab followed closely by AGS, but they sometimes are not accurate with their grades either.

EGL USA and EGL European Labs are less consistant with their grading, but again, you can get an accurate grading from them also, just not as often as GIA and AGS.

IGI is probably the least consistant lab out of the more known labs and alot of chain jewelry stores use IGI for their certified diamonds.

Basically most certified grading labs can be somewhat trustworthy, just some labs are more trust worthly than others because they tend to be more consistant and more accurate more often than others. I guess have a certified diamond with a lab certificate from any lab is better than having no certificate at all. This last statement is strickly my opinion though!

 

[dimonbob]

Welcome to Pricescope

I think what Mark said is pretty close. I would stick with only GIA or AGS. They are more accurate and consistent than the others.

 

[robbe]

mark, bishop's question was not including igi but igl.


mark wrote "IGI is probably the least consistant lab"


that is not correct. (some people here have already seen me write about the unjust comments regarding igi).




i manufacture and trade diamonds that are gia, hrd and igi certified. sometimes ags too.


these 4 labs are grading on the same lign.


depending on factors like size, finish, particular qualities in demand and even h&a, some buyers will ask for one or the other cert.


many of my clients use 3 of the 4 certs.


this means the trade recognizes these labs.




there seems to be a perception-problem with igi in the usa:


the problem is twofold:


first, some don't forgive the lenient igi grading but all should know that


igi used to be slightly lenient in its grading 15 years ago. that has changed entirely.


second, in america igi certifies alot for the major chain stores;


the smaller jewelers who are having difficulties to compete with the chains are attacking igi


in order for igi to loose its credibility and consequently the consumer would avoid buying igi certified...




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


to bishop's question:




the color & clarity grades can differ 1 from lab to lab.


the color & clarity grades can differ 1 even when re-submitted to the same lab !


this occurs with borderline qualities.




i do not utilise the labs that you named so i cannot comment.


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




to all consumers:


make sure that those who answer your questions are utilising the products you are questioning.


i, for example, submit average 200 stones per week to gia (2 to 10 cts), 200 stones per week to igi(0.25 to 2.5 cts) and about 100 to 200 stones per week to hrd(0.70 to 5 cts) . average. that said, certification is perhaps 10 to 20 % of my business.




thank you,


robbe

 

[oldminer]

There are reasons to use different labs, not just GIA or AGS. Sometimes it is expedient to use one of the lesser labs. It does cost less, too. Sometimes sellers of certain diamonds want a specific lab because they believe that lab will provide certain color and clarity grades they'd prefer to have. This may be true on occasion and it may just be wishful thinking at other times.

There is room for some degree of subjectivity in grading, but keep in mind that any independent lab attempting to grade more harshly than GIA would fail in business. The best one might hope to do is to duplicate every GIA result, but the reality must be to err, or lean, on the slightly liberal side. Is this truly a problem? I suppose it depends who is looking at the issue.

From the perspective of the diamond dealer or retailer, a cert that they can tout as legitimate and accurate is what they want. If it is less costly and a little liberal, okay so be it. From the consumer's point of view, is a document as accurate as it can be? Few consumers are so savvy or well informed to even question a lab report. Those that ask such a question generally buy a different diamond with a different report. Do they save any money or get a better deal? Some few might, but most generally end up with a fair deal and something they like regardless of how accurate the diamond grading is. There is NO FREE LUNCH in the diamond business. A false, or overly liberal, grade is compensated with a lower asking price. A naive bargain hunter's delight. A conservatively graded diamond is not generally seen as a huge bargain, but the smart shopper relies on the accuracy of the grading.....

In the end, who is hurt by this? The usual suspects, naive or impulsive shoppers. Smart shoppers see around these issues and can buy any sort of diamond they want with any document provided. They know what they are doing or they are smart enough to spend a bit of money hiring someone to help them out....

A diamond is not changed by the paper that comes with it. It is more a matter of perception that a report somehow changes a diamond. It is really the diamond that is the issue and how much a stone makes you want to buy it. The grade and the report, though crucial to asking price, have little to do with a long term satisfaction level.