Difference in GIA vs Independent Appraiser

[anamg]

Hi everyone, I am new to this forum and new to diamond purchasing. Very urgent. Help.

Please help me with the slight difference in appraiser vs GIA cert. for an emerald cut stone. The carat, clarity, polish & symmetry are the same. i.e. D, VVS1, vg, vg. There is a one percent diff in measurement and proportions. The major issue for me are the inclusions and flourescence.

GIA rates fluorescence as NONE and the Indep Appraiser says it is Faint blue.
GIA identifies two extra facets and one pinpoint on table, and Indep Appraiser identifies three extra facets and two other pin point areas on pavillion (pavillion is the bottom part right?

Do these differences still make them the same stone? The independent appraiser says YES, since 1% variation is acceptable and when it is faint blue GIA may rate it none. How significant is this faint blue issue? The vendor is a reputable one at a fancy location.

ALso he said, GIA used to have two people identify the stone but only one certifies so consistency and accuracy has gone down compared to before?
Please advise asap. Thank you very very much.

 

[Richard Sherwood]

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There is a one percent diff in measurement and proportions.
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Not a problem.

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GIA rates fluorescence as NONE and the Indep Appraiser says it is
Faint blue.
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This happens a lot. Sometimes it's a tough call between these two grades. Sometimes the blue light of the UV lamp can be mistaken as fluorescence when it's reflecting off or in the diamond. Sometimes the GIA seems to miss faint blue fluorescence. Either way, it doesn't affect the value or integrity of the stone.

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GIA identifies two extra facets and one pinpoint on table, and Indep
Appraiser identifies three extra facets and two other pin point areas
on pavillion (pavillion is the bottom part right?
-----------

Sounds like the indepedent just did a more comprehensive plotting of the diamond. GIA will often stop after the major grade setting characteristics of the stone are identified, sometimes with the comment "additional pinpoints not shown". The one extra facet probably just slipped by them. It happens.

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Do these differences still make them the same stone? The independent
appraiser says YES, since 1% variation is acceptable and when it is
faint blue GIA may rate it none. How significant is this faint blue
issue? The vendor is a reputable one at a fancy location.
-----------

Sounds like your appraiser knows what he's doing, and I would trust his judgement. There's far too many other things saying that the stone IS a match to begin to think the stone IS NOT a match just because of these minor issues.

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ALso he said, GIA used to have two people identify the stone but only
one certifies so consistency and accuracy has gone down compared to
before?
-----------

This I'm not sure about, and would like to hear comments from the rest of the gang.

 

[anamg]

Dear Mr. Sherwood,

Many thanks for your clear and prompt reply. I feel so much better now. I have been looking for a good emerald cut for two months already have been reading and studying about diamond buying, but the more I learn the more complicated it seems to get so your professional opinion is very much appreciated and certainly is a great deal of help.

Again many thanks.
Anamg

 

[anamg]

Dear Mr. Sherwood,

Many thanks for your clear and prompt reply. I feel so much better now. I have been looking for a good emerald cut for two months already have been reading and studying about diamond buying, but the more I learn the more complicated it seems to get so your professional opinion is very much appreciated and certainly is a great deal of help.

Again many thanks.
Anamg

 

[Richard Sherwood]

Ana

You're welcome.

You're welcome.

 

[Giangi]

As Rich brilliantly pointed out, none of the differences are major. In fact, they're quite negligible. I'm surprised by the fact they missed an extra facet, though.

Rich, I knew about three gemologists per stone working each on his own with Horizon software. The exception should be represented by large stones wich are graded by a large team of GG and Senior gemologist. Has anything changed?

 

[Richard Sherwood]

Hey Giangi, where you been?

The way I've always understood it, the GIA has two junior graders grade a stone, supervised by a senior grader. I hadn't heard about the large stone exception with a "team of GG's & senior GG", or the scenario that Ana mentioned.

 

[Giangi]

Hiya Rich

Great to see ya!
I've been on vacation!!

He he!!

I think you could be right. But there's a lot of confusion about GIA methods. Maybe an ex-grader (dimonbob?

) could tell us the way it goes.

 

[Richard Sherwood]

Giangi- seeing as how everybody goes to Italy on their dream vacation, where does an Italian go?

 

[Giangi]

As a tradition, during the summer holidays I stay in Italy. During Xmas I go abroad. I really luv the States.

 

[anamg]

Dear Mr. Giangi,

Thanks again also for your comment. I am honored to be a part of this forum but I hope I have not started an unneccessary debate about GIA. It is only one person's comment and I hope I am not causing any trouble.

Thanks,
Best regards,
Ana

 

[Richard Sherwood]

Don't worry Ana, we love to debate about GIA. Keeps things lively.

 

[Giangi]

Sure Ana! We love to debate about GIA standards.
I want to thank you for your exceptional kindness! Plus, show us pics of this D/VVS 1 super gorgeous stone!