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JA Grading GIA and AGS

S

skylarr

Rough_Rock
Joined
Sep 10, 2018
Messages
15
Hi All!
I was wondering if it is worth getting a diamond graded at both GIA and AGS. I have a diamond that on hold with James Allen that is graded by AGS but it was in 2017. Is it worth having them regrade it? If yes, should I stick with AGS or ask them to send it to GIA?

Thanks!
Sky
 
What are you hoping to find out by getting it GIA certed?
 
skylarr said:
Hi All!
I was wondering if it is worth getting a diamond graded at both GIA and AGS. I have a diamond that on hold with James Allen that is graded by AGS but it was in 2017. Is it worth having them regrade it? If yes, should I stick with AGS or ask them to send it to GIA?

Thanks!
Sky
Click to expand...

Many here on this forum will say AGS is a better grading system than GIA so you are fine with a 2017 AGS grading report nothing to worry about. Only thing I will add is you might want to get an inscription added to the diamond if it hasn't been done and is important to you.
 
skylarr said:
@missy nothing really just a piece of mind that it is matches?
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Peace of mind is priceless that is true but if it comes back different what will you do? Can you pass on the purchase? If so and if you have questions then yes it is not expensive so get the GIA grading. Normally I would not recommend both but in your case if it brings you peace of mind then go for it.

As @lovedogs writes 2017 is quite current for a cert.
 
I think @missy hit the nail on the head -- what happens if the GIA report comes back different? Will you have an option to reject the stone? And has JA offered to pay for this re-grading, or is this an expense you must eat?

Here are a few thoughts I had that may be helpful to you:
  • AGS is normally preferred over GIA, at least in the USA and for those consumers with a higher level of diamond education. In foreign countries, GIA has more name recognition. So if foreign, it may be a consideration when/if you try to trade/sell the diamond later on.
  • AGS is the only lab that utilizes advanced 3D scanning of each stone it grades to determine proportions and objectively determine a cut grade regarding light performance. On the advanced reports, a computer generated ASET image is included.
  • In keeping with the second point, GIA utilizes older 2D analytics and funky rounding & averaging so the proportion values you see on their reports will normally be less precise and accurate than those on an AGS report.
  • Color and clarity grading is subjective, so it is possible to see a report come back +/- 1 grade on either of those. If the stone was originally a H SI1 with AGS and comes back as a G VS2 with GIA that increases market value. On the flip side if the stone were to come back as I SI2 from GIA it would lower the value (and be reason to reject buying the stone).
  • Supporting the above statement about color & clarity, there was two posts recently where the buyers had a situation where the stone was originally AGS certified and then traded in and re-certified under GIA. I remember pointing out the clarity was an SI1 on AGS and increased to a VS2 under GIA.
  • I personally would prefer the AGS report as it confirms cut quality (hopefully it is an AGS0 stone, which means ideal cut :love:) and would not want to undergo the extra expense for something I know will likely come back as NOT the same because many of the tests are subjective and because the methods in which the proportions are measured are also different.
  • I would find value in having the stone independently appraised to ensure the stone had not suffered any damage (cracks, chips, etc) from when it was originally graded. Regardless of age, I think that is a good idea as any pre-loved stone is subject to wear & tear and we all treat the items we own differently.
 
sledge said:
I think @missy hit the nail on the head -- what happens if the GIA report comes back different? Will you have an option to reject the stone? And has JA offered to pay for this re-grading, or is this an expense you must eat?
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Hi Sledge,
Thanks for getting back to me! Who is harder or clarity? GIA or AGS?
And I have not put any money down yet.

Thanks
 
skylarr said:
Hi Sledge,
Thanks for getting back to me! Who is harder or clarity? GIA or AGS?
And I have not put any money down yet.

Thanks
Click to expand...
I have found no consistent difference in clarity between AGS and GIA. I have agreed and disagreed with an equal number of both, though my sample is more skewed to GIA than AGS. I have also only seen minor difference in color (at the margins "between" grades) that would come down to human differences.
 
skylarr said:
Hi Sledge,
Thanks for getting back to me! Who is harder or clarity? GIA or AGS?
And I have not put any money down yet.

Thanks
Click to expand...

AGS seems to be often slightly more lenient on color and slightly more strict on clarity. I have had two diamonds graded by both labs and both times color was one grade higher from AGS and the clarity was the same.

I see no reason that James Allen would agree to have the stone regraded. Basically you can buy it and see if an appraiser agrees with the grading and return it if for any reason you have doubts about it. I buy AGS superideals because they are top cut (and August Vintage because they are unique and only graded by AGS). But if I were buying a non-superideal, I'd have no issues in buying a GIA graded stone over a non-superideal round brilliant if I thought it was well cut.
 
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