GIA vs. AGS certs & cut % question & JA setting

[Cherokee1979]

Hi. I just have two quick questions. Thank you SO very much in advance for your time in reading this; I really appreciate it. First, I am going to be obtaining a RB from a jeweler relative, and I am trying to decide between getting an AGS0 or a GIA triple Ex. I know the GIA cert will display cut angles and %, but does anyone know whether the AGS cert do the same, so that I can run the specs through the HCA (although, I imagine that the HCA score for an AGS0 will have to be pretty good, correct)? Second, does anyone know whether someone on PS might have pics of the JA 6-prong Tiffany-style handmade setting (at the following link: http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/diamond-solitaire-rings.html). I saw a SMTB post which had pics of a very similar JA setting ([URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/let-me-show-you-my-new-ring-by-james-allen.163844/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/let-me-show-you-my-new-ring-by-james-allen.163844/[/URL]), and I was wondering whether anyone else has other pics or comments regarding this JA setting, as I will not be able to see it in person until JA sets my stone in it (for $100) and ships the completed piece to me. Thanks again!

 

[evergreen]

Hi, Cherokee! GIA's "Excellent" is considerably less stringent than an AGS000. Generally, I've seen people on here advise that if AGS has graded the cut 000, don't even bother with the HCA (I think I read a thread a while back where an AGS000 scored a 2.3 on HCA or something like that - the consensus was, don't worry about it, AGS knows what they're doing!). AGS certs will give you crown and pavillion angles, so you can check the HCA - but I, personally, might not do it; I think if I was that person with the 2.3, I might always look at my stone with a suspicious eye. (Quite unjust of me!)

Within GIA's "excellent" cuts there are better- and worse-performing diamonds, and the HCA can be useful in narrowing those down. If your relative sources an AGS000, I think you're able to trust the performance more readily than a GIA Ex/Ex/Ex.

 

[Cherokee1979]

Thanks so much for your quick reply, Evergreen! I really appreciate your input. I was certainly leaning toward going with an AGS000, but now, with your comments in mind, I think I will definitely be going that route. It just seems to give one more peace of mind. Also, my cousin will be obtaining the stones from his wholesaler in NYC, at cost, and because we are going this unorthodox route, my cousin will only be able to get, on loan from the wholesaler, two stones. Would you think that, therefore, with so very few stones that I'll be able to choose from, it would be more prudent to have them BOTH be AGS000, so as to be ensured that both will be an excellent cut (and I'll thus not have to weed one of the two out only because the cut is not up to par)? Oh, and as to the other specs of the stone, I will be getting a RB between .95 - 1.15 carats, VS2, G color. Thanks again for your advice!

 

[slg47]

Thanks so much for your quick reply, Evergreen! I really appreciate your input. I was certainly leaning toward going with an AGS000, but now, with your comments in mind, I think I will definitely be going that route. It just seems to give one more peace of mind. Also, my cousin will be obtaining the stones from his wholesaler in NYC, at cost, and because we are going this unorthodox route, my cousin will only be able to get, on loan from the wholesaler, two stones. Would you think that, therefore, with so very few stones that I'll be able to choose from, it would be more prudent to have them BOTH be AGS000, so as to be ensured that both will be an excellent cut (and I'll thus not have to weed one of the two out only because the cut is not up to par)? Oh, and as to the other specs of the stone, I will be getting a RB between .95 - 1.15 carats, VS2, G color. Thanks again for your advice!

Cherokee-I think you are safer with AGS0 unless your supplier is willing to run these through the HCA.

 

[evergreen]

Cherokee, yup, that's exactly what I'd do! First, though, familiarize yourself with stones that are available online within your color/clarity range, just so you have an idea of how much you should be paying and how big stones like that face up (I'm always surprised at how much of a diameter range there is, because of depth %, within what seems to be a narrow carat weight range!). That way, when you see those two stones - and I do agree with going for AGS000 only - you can choose based on their personalities, how sparkly they are, where their inclusions are, and which one just looks more impressive on the hand. Limiting to AGS000/G/VS2 is going to leave you with some beautiful stones to choose from!

 

[kdn2684]

Hi, Cherokee! GIA's "Excellent" is considerably less stringent than an AGS000. Generally, I've seen people on here advise that if AGS has graded the cut 000, don't even bother with the HCA (I think I read a thread a while back where an AGS000 scored a 2.3 on HCA or something like that - the consensus was, don't worry about it, AGS knows what they're doing!). AGS certs will give you crown and pavillion angles, so you can check the HCA - but I, personally, might not do it; I think if I was that person with the 2.3, I might always look at my stone with a suspicious eye. (Quite unjust of me!)

Within GIA's "excellent" cuts there are better- and worse-performing diamonds, and the HCA can be useful in narrowing those down. If your relative sources an AGS000, I think you're able to trust the performance more readily than a GIA Ex/Ex/Ex.

When i was buying an engagement ring, I narrowed my search to only look for AGS000 for this reason. Also, the new AGS Certificate(Plantinum Document) has an light performance image (similar to ASET) which i found was very useful in analyzing the diamond along with the HCA. The only downside is that there are alot more diamonds that are graded GIA.