Certs: AGS vs GemScan

[Boloh]

Hi all,

I know that AGS specializes in round cuts and that stores typically send their diamonds to AGS only if they''re pretty confident that they can get AGS 0 - 2 rating. So for that reason I tend to favor AGS certified stones.

Now the thing is that I live in Canada, and the few stores I''ve been to so far carry GemScan (Canadian based) certificates for their diamonds. When I asked them why they don''t certify using AGS, their explanation is that it takes about 2 - 3 weeks longer for AGS to certify diamonds that are sent from Canada.

So I guess what I''d really like to know is whether a round-cut diamond certified by GemScan is just as good as that of AGS.

Thanks,
Paul

 

[Lorelei]

Welcome Boloh

I have read that Gemscan is popular in Canada, if you read this link, it should be helpful answering your query.
http://diamonds.pricescope.com/grading.asp

 

[Boloh]

Thanks Lorelei, I did in fact read that page. And it is exactly because I didn''t see GemScan in there that I posted this question. I like the university analogy they used on that page:

University analogy
IGI and EGL are like large statewide universities.

GIA is Ivy League, and AGS is like the MIT rocket-science program.

A polisher or manufacturer sends each diamond (student) to the place it will get the best grade (earn more $).

The good to average go to the large universities (IGI/EGL).

The better ones are sent to the Ivy League (GIA / HRD) and a few nerds go to MIT (AGS).
Drop outs end up in a ‘program’ at a chain store or Joe''s Bar & Grading Lab.
This fun analogy underplays complex factors such as a cutters specialty and client base and a dealers target market.

So I guess the question is, where does GemScan fit into this picture? Is it comparable to AGS for round cuts?

 

[Lorelei]

Ok I wasn''t sure if you had seen that page. As I am not too sure about how Gemscan fits in the way you need to know, maybe someone else might know, or perhaps one of the experts can chime in to advise you!

 

[oldminer]

The quality of a diamond is thankfully independent of the lab which graded it. The "VALUE" is far more dependent on its actual value factors, basically the four C''s. Every smart diamond dealer knows what his/her diamond is worth, but uses the lab report as a sales tool to help convince the end users of third party, supposedly independent, proper grading, of the stone. Many sales people may really not know much about diamonds or grading. However, they may know a whole lot about closing a sale. Reliable lab documentation is very useful to consumers facing a super sales person.


Some of the most hidden best values are found by consumers who buy off brand stones where the labs just seem less generally accurate and discounting of the stones is, in general, more than specific. You won''t find a lot of potentially AGS 000 E-VVS1 stones in such a group, but when you look for H/I SI2 you may get a sleeper of a deal on occasion. It isn''t common to find a diamond with a large discount and a better quality than expected, but it happens. You just won''t find that happening with an AGS 000 stone although you will surely find the AGS 000 a superb looking gem with no problems.

 

[CdnBlingGal]

Date: 1/2/2008 12:10:56 PM
Author:Boloh
Hi all,

I know that AGS specializes in round cuts and that stores typically send their diamonds to AGS only if they''re pretty confident that they can get AGS 0 - 2 rating. So for that reason I tend to favor AGS certified stones.

Now the thing is that I live in Canada, and the few stores I''ve been to so far carry GemScan (Canadian based) certificates for their diamonds. When I asked them why they don''t certify using AGS, their explanation is that it takes about 2 - 3 weeks longer for AGS to certify diamonds that are sent from Canada.

So I guess what I''d really like to know is whether a round-cut diamond certified by GemScan is just as good as that of AGS.

Thanks,
Paul

Hello!

I''m on the West Coast - BC to be exact.

During my diamond searches, I''ve found majority of mall retailers carry the GemScan certificates. They are the retailers ''higher end'' diamonds. I have looked at these diamonds before and I can tell you that they don''t even compare to any AGS or GIA certified diamonds.

GemScan = IGI or EGL

I would personally stick to AGS or GIA certs.

Good Luck!

 

[dageman]

Hey Boloh

I am also in Canada (Toronto) where GemScan is located and I''m having a similar dillemma. I have a deposit down on an emerald cut and the cert is from GemScan. I''m still debating as to whether or not I should send it in to GIA.

I dont know about rounds, but jeweller I am dealing with said he uses GemScan to get a 2nd cert even if he already has a GIA/AGS cert. He said GemScan matches up on colour, cut grade and clarity the majority of the time, which is something good I suppose...

Anyways does the GemScan cert for round have any of the info like table, girdle, pavilion, crown angles etc? The one for emerald cuts only had dimensions, cut grade, colour and clarity. Since the numbers seems to matter much more for rounds than fancy cuts I would suggest you get any stones youre interested in sent to AGS to verify them.

Just my 2cents

 

[denverappraiser]

Canadians are in a bit of a bind over finding quality lab services. AGS penetration there is pathetic and is limited to AGS member stores and a few specialty dealers who want to sell it as a premium brand to Internet educated shoppers. There is something of a paperwork headache to send it into GIA without paying the VAT tax when it comes back although this is possible. Talk to the customs people first about it before shipping and they can give you the forms. For consumers the internationalness makes the shipping insurance difficult although a standard commercial policy covers it for the jewelers and they should be able to help you out for a reasonable fee and still make a profit on the deal. EGL-USA has 2 Canadian labs in Vancouver and Toronto that seem to be trying to do a good job and are well regarded by people who pay attention to such things but they are tarnished by the reputation of the EGL name. GemScan really does dominate the place in the same way that HRD dominates Belgium. #2 is probably IGI, #3 is EGL or HRD and a distant 5th is GIA. AGS doesn't even make the list. Given this selection, I would use GemScan or EGL-USA although I thinkg GIA is moving upwards as more and more customers demand it.

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Jewelry Appraisals in Denver

 

[dageman]

Very well put Neil, sums up just about everything I''ve been having trouble with.

To Boloh: If getting AGS is terribly difficult you could always get GIA easier. My jeweller wanted to charge me $250 to have the stone sent for the shipping, charges, insurance etc but after some reasoning he agreed to split it with me. I suppose as long as you had the numbers from the GIA report you could get more information about the stone and plug those numbers in to get the HCA score or AGS score? I don''t know I''m not very familiar with rounds since I''ve been looking for ECs

Good luck with whatever you choose to do!