Brand inscription and ID listed on grading report...how?

[DiehardSearcher]

How would an AGS grading report be able to list an inscription containing both a brand and their own grading report ID?

While perusing through many diamonds and certificates I see something similar to the following:
AGS 0001234567
"YourFavoriteBrandCut 0001234567" has been inscribed on the girdle of this diamond.

Does this mean that the organization is:
1. Cutting the stone
2. Certified as an AGS grading lab, and grading their own stones
3. Doing the inscribing, grading, and certificate creation themselves all at the same time?

It seems inherantly untrustworthy to both grade and sell stones. Doesn't AGS become immediately irrelevant if this is the case? I foolishly trust everyone until they prove otherwise, but how is this acceptable?

 

[DiamondOptics]

Hi Diehardsearcher,


When a company hands in a diamond to be graded by the GIA
or AGS, its quite possible that the diamond already had
an inscription on it placed prior to submission. In which case, the lab must appropriately acknowledge it, and place it on the report.


Buy Informed!

 

[pricescope]

DiehardSearcher, here is how it works. A company submits the stones to say AGS and gets grading reports.

Then the company inscribes the diamonds with report numbers and brand name.

Next, the company sends the stones to AGS again to add corresponding comments into the grading reports: "BrandABC" and "123456789" inscribed on the girdle.

This of course costs extra $$ for the company but consumers get better assurance/identification/etc.

 

[DiamondOptics]

Leonids, explanation is accurate and common practice.

The explanation I gave above is for a diamond
that has been pre-inscribed by the company,
and then sent to a lab.

 

[StevL]

The AGS will inscribe the diamond while it is there in their lab. They will also note it on their report (DQD). No need to send the diamond back and forth as the AGS will hold onto your logo to inscribe your diamonds as they come through. They simply add their report number.

Sometimes diamonds are sent back to have a minor polishing errors corrected (for those that sell the 000 standard), then they must be resubmitted and after the final grade and everyone is happy the inscription is done.

 

[LesleyH]

Yes, Steve, this is what happens with ACA too. The diamonds are sent to the AGS to be graded, they are laser inscribed there with the ACA logo and the AGS#, and this is recorded on the AGS DQD under comments.

LesleyH
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