EGL/EGL US

[TheBlu]

I''ve been looking at radiant cuts. Two jewelers I went to showed my stones with EGL or EGL US certs. Both looked great. One was 2.26 H SI1 the other was 2.24 G SI1. I then went to the dealer locally who carries the original cut radiant. I saw a very nice 3.0 carat G VS2 stone. I looked very closely at all three stones in all light available in the store, including away from the spot lights in semi-shadow. I could not see a significant difference with the brilliance or fire of any of the stones.

My question is, if this is the case, what is the downside to accepting a EGL or EGL US cert? I''ve read several times that with radiants, numbers & cut/polish don''t mean anything, you have to see the stone. If that is the case what does it matter what the cert is. Just curious.

P.S. The price was significantly less for similar EGL stones.

 

[denverappraiser]

With most diamonds the pricing has a whole lot to do with the grading. This is as it should be but not every lab uses the same grading scales and they don’t apply them all equally. One lab’s idea of VS2 can be another’s idea of SI2. H can mean J. Ideal cut can mean mediocre. That’s why it matters. You’re putting a fair amount of faith in the person providing you with the grading and if they are pointing to the lab, you’re putting your confidence in the lab. They are not interchangeable and they are not all the same. Some labs are far more deserving of this confidence than others.

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

 

[TheBlu]

Neil thanks for the reply.

GIA and AGS don''t grade the quality of the cut of a radiant and the AGA site says cut/polish are not factors in their standards. The EGL US stone had dimensions that according to AGA "old standards" would make it a 1B or 2A stone. I''m not trying to argue because I don''t have anyway near your knowledge. I''ve gained a little knowledge over the last few weeks and I know a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing.

I understand that if I''m paying for an H color and its really I, then I might be paying too much. Same thing if it is SI2 not SI1.

I guess my point is that if I see similar brilliance and fire in all three, as does my fiancee, if I get an independent appraisal, is there a downside?

 

[neatfreak]

If you get an independent appraisal that confirms that the cert is correct with color and clarity, there isn''t really a downside. BUT make SURE that you have looked at many many radiants, in many lighting conditions, before you make the assessment that one looks nicer than another. Otherwise you don''t have a large enough knowledge base to know whether it''s "equally brilliant".

 

[denverappraiser]

There’s nothing fundamentally wrong with EGL & EGL-USA graded stones. It’s not the lab that makes a beautiful stone beautiful. Even in stones where a cut grade is provided there is a huge component of matching it to what you and your fiancée like and it’s a mistake to let the measurement mumbo-jumbo trump what you can see with your eyes and interfere with choosing the stone that sings to you. There is no ‘ideal’ standard for radiants and no, there’s no downside to buying based on what you like the best. To the contrary. That’s the recommended approach.

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

 

[JohnQuixote]

The eyes have it - inspect the candidates in several lighting conditions and be sure to see a few different 'looks' while shopping. If you'd like separate technical data and/or validation for your own peace of mind (and insurance purposes) contact an independent like Neil or one of our top PS appraisers.