GIA Vs. AGS

[FalleN]

I know GIA does not include the crown and pavilion angles which I have found to be important...But I have also heard that GIA is typically spot on with their assessment of a stone...
I''ll be purchasing my stone from Blue Nile and I have narrowed the search pretty well, now it''s basically between one grading agency and another.....


Any advice? I know to get it appraised once I recieve it, but I would love for it to be exactly as I expect the second I see it.....may be wishful thinking, but I''m hoping through careful selection I should do ok...






Thanks


Seth

 

[belle]

both labs are highly reputable. ags offers a performance based grading system whereas gia does not.

 

[Regular Guy]

I think Belle points to the difference we regard here as important. Though I''ve heard some noise third hand about accuracy differences on color and clarity, I understand that''s mostly trivial and noise, that those other factors are comparable between the two, and so, not only does AGS provide additional info on proportion and now also specifically resultant performance, but...because the diamond was presented to AGS at the outset provides you additional info concerning the goodness of the cut, since it was sent there vs. GIA, let alonge lesser graders, because of it''s presumed good qualities.

Playing arbitrage is what I did, drawing on Pricescope (and getting a GIA), but it''s tricky, AGS will involve some modest premium, which is an investment, frequently well spent.

Regards,

 

[WinkHPD]

Both labs are indeed highly respected. I have actually seen more "lucky and unlucky" certs from GIA than I have from AGS, but I am sure that both labs have their share of "mistakes".

You do yourself no favor by obsessing too much about which of the two top labs makes the report. If you carefully check the parameters of the stone that you want before ordering you should have no problem selecting an incredibly beautiful stone. You will find that you can see small differences in cutting MUCH easier than you can see one, two or even three color grades and you will not be able to see any difference to the unaided eye between an Internally Flawless and in most cases an SI1 and sometimes even an SI2. That is why so many of us prefere the AGS Report since it gives us the information we need to make an informed decision about the cutting, which in my opinion is WAY more important than color or clarity.

Wink

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

In the survey we conducted last year AGS was slightly stricter overall.
It can be found on the lower left of the home page

 

[Iceberg]

Hi.

Purchased from Blue Nile, I just got my diamond yesterday.

Along with the diamond, I received an a GIA report, a GCAL report and the new AGS report.

At this moment, I''m waiting for the schematics that will be used to make my setting. Once done, the jeweller will give me en appraisal of the ring/diamond (it comes with the price paid to get the ring done). I''m not worried ''cause, even if I pass the 30 day money-back guarentee, the diamond has a laser inscription so.....should there be a difference in what the jeweller''s appraisal quotes compared to the AGS and GIA reports (which gave the same grades)...I''ll return the diamond and ask for explanations.

All in all, the laser inscription that comes with the Blue Nile diamond gives me peace of mind...

Paul