GIA vs. AGS Princess

[jaebond]

I searched through the forum and didn't really see much in this topic relating to princesses, so I thought I would ask. Would it be more prudent to look more at GIA stones and use an ASET scope on them or would I be better served in both time and quality by paying the extra money and sticking with AGS0 stones?

 

[jaebond]

I think I may have found the posts I was looking for. I just had to add princess to the search parameters.

 

[jstarfireb]

I think it depends on your budget. If you can comfortably afford the size, color, and clarity that you want, I wouldn't hesitate to pay the extra money for an AGS cert and/or a branded superideal. That's exactly what we did.

 

[jaebond]

I think it depends on your budget. If you can comfortably afford the size, color, and clarity that you want, I wouldn't hesitate to pay the extra money for an AGS cert and/or a branded superideal. That's exactly what we did.

If I can't, what are the chances that I could find a GIA stone with the same kind of light performance as an AGS?

 

[Stone-cold11]

Case by case. Since you are also shopping in store, use the ASET scope and learn with your eyes to see what kind you like?

 

[jaebond]

Case by case. Since you are also shopping in store, use the ASET scope and learn with your eyes to see what kind you like?

What do you mean?

 

[Stone-cold11]

Look at AGS 0 graded stones through the ASET scope and compare that with GIA graded stones, since these do not have cut grades, ask the vendor to select what he think is the best, you will have to learn how to read them, their patterning, which type look best in the lighting you will most often see them in, what is your preference and also from there judge the trustworthiness of the vendor you are working with.

 

[jaebond]

But there are GIA stones out there that have AGS0 light performance?

 

[Stone-cold11]

There can be, just that you do not know if they are AGS0 or not, unless they are also graded by AGS or the vendor has a sarin scanner with AGS performance based grading software loaded.

 

[jaebond]

I think for now I am going to stick with the AGS0. Perhaps if she is interested in an upgrade in the future, when I know more about diamonds and have the ability to really take my time selecting the stone, then I will comb through the GIA stones.

 

[jstarfireb]

I think it depends on your budget. If you can comfortably afford the size, color, and clarity that you want, I wouldn't hesitate to pay the extra money for an AGS cert and/or a branded superideal. That's exactly what we did.

If I can't, what are the chances that I could find a GIA stone with the same kind of light performance as an AGS?

You can definitely find them, but you have to search a little harder since you're doing your own legwork. Princesses with really nice cuts are more likely to be sent to AGS for grading because they'll get that coveted ideal cut grade, whereas the GIA stones tend to be a lot more hit-or-miss. You may have to compromise on color, clarity or size. Let's say you're shooting for a 1.5ct G/VS2 (just for example). You look through 20 or so stones and find one that has a killer ASET, but it's a 1.4 H/SI1. That may be the one for you even though it didn't fit your original parameters. You just might have to stretch them a little.

If you're open to buying online, definitely check out James Allen's inventory. They have mostly GIA stones but they offer ASETs on up to 3 stones. When I pick out princess cuts for people from JA, I first narrow it down by color/clarity/size/budget, then I look at the photos until I find one I like, then I suggest for the person to ask for ASETs of those stones and post them here.

 

[jaebond]

You can definitely find them, but you have to search a little harder since you're doing your own legwork. Princesses with really nice cuts are more likely to be sent to AGS for grading because they'll get that coveted ideal cut grade, whereas the GIA stones tend to be a lot more hit-or-miss. You may have to compromise on color, clarity or size. Let's say you're shooting for a 1.5ct G/VS2 (just for example). You look through 20 or so stones and find one that has a killer ASET, but it's a 1.4 H/SI1. That may be the one for you even though it didn't fit your original parameters. You just might have to stretch them a little.

If you're open to buying online, definitely check out James Allen's inventory. They have mostly GIA stones but they offer ASETs on up to 3 stones. When I pick out princess cuts for people from JA, I first narrow it down by color/clarity/size/budget, then I look at the photos until I find one I like, then I suggest for the person to ask for ASETs of those stones and post them here.

Thanks for the tip on the ASETs from James Allen. That helps a ton! Unless my jeweler can find a good one for me in the next week or so, I will indeed be buying online.

 

[jstarfireb]

No problem. I took a super-quick look through JA's inventory and didn't see much that stands out, except maybe this one:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1384796.asp

I think the options from WF and BGD in your other thread are probably better cut, but this one would be worth looking into if you wanted to save some cash.