EGL-USA

[bobsled]

What is the typical price difference for an EGL-USA certed stoned versus a GIA or AGS? There is obviously a discount -- does this mean the stone is worth any less? The stone I''m looking at is an EGL-USA cert and although it looks pretty decent, I am hesitant to buy over the internet because it''s not a GIA or AGS. Should I even be worried?

 

[Regular Guy]

Bobsled,

If you haven''t already seen this recently featured study, please do take a look.

 

[denverappraiser]

EGL-USA does not have the reputation for consistency the seems to be enjoyed by GIA and AGS.This gets translated in the marketplace into a discount on stones graded by that particular lab, even if they are otherwise comparable.There are other labs whose reports are given even less credibility and trade at even steeper discounts.The other EGL labs seem to be in this unfortunate position.The stone, and not the paper, should be the first and most important issue for your consideration.If you can buy a similar stone with a different report and a better price, this is good news, not bad.The key is to evaluate the stone on it’s own merits and use the lab reports as a guide rather than buying strictly off of the report.In general, the best stones seem to be submitted to the most prestigious labs so that they can command a premium price but there are always exceptions to this rule.EGL-USA reports are generally considered to be a comparatively bad indicator but they may turn out to be a flag of a bargain. The study pointed out by Regular Guy and located on the front page of Pricescope illustrates this nicely.

Neil Beaty, GG ISA

Independent Appraisals in Denver

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Well said Niel

But on the consistency issue - EGL USA were consistently the same as GIA, or slightly stricter on clarity. They were noticably (fairly consistently) softer on color.

But the 17 stones they graded were consistently cheaper than GIA by aout 10%!!!