Lab Grading

[Snoop]

Is there any significant difference between EGL_USA and EGL_Europe grading? More specifically between EGL_USA and Isreal base grading.

Thanks!

 

[strmrdr]

yes up too 2 color grades and 2 clarity grades.

 

[honey22]

Apparently, some people here will not accept a stone from EGL Israel due to their poor reputation for accurate grading. EGL USA is better, but can still be off as strmrdr says. Search for threads on EGL etc and you will come up with tons of bad news.

I guess on the other hand, you can get a bargain with an EGL stone, they are often listed as lower prices (probably due to the above reason I assume). If you see the stone IRL and love it, then get an independent appraisal to see if it all checks out. If the colour and or clarity is off, chat to the vendor about negotiating a better price, based on the lower gradings.

BTW, welcome to Pricescope!

 

[strmrdr]

my opinion on a scale of 1 too 100 for color and clarity grading..

AGS - 90 hard on clarity a little softer on color.
GIA - 85 hard on color a little softer on clarity
I would rank most of the regularly posting PS independent appraisers who run small labs in the same area. 85-90 when grading a lose stone.

Below this point I want an independent appraisal done for sure...

egl_usa - 75, just a little softer most of the time than AGS/GIA
PGS - same as egl usa.
EGL_Europe - too varied but tops out around 60-70 maybe down too 20 depending on lab.
IGI 50 when graded lose, 20 when graded set
egl Israel - 20 - soft on everything
Forth string ebay labs 1 or 2 depending on how soft the paper is for use as toilet paper.

 

[surfgirl]

Date: 3/17/2008 7:41:23 PM
Author: honey22
I guess on the other hand, you can get a bargain with an EGL stone, they are often listed as lower prices

If you''re not getting what you paid for, how is it a bargain?

 

[Kaleigh]

Date: 3/17/2008 8:35:23 PM
Author: surfgirl

Date: 3/17/2008 7:41:23 PM
Author: honey22
I guess on the other hand, you can get a bargain with an EGL stone, they are often listed as lower prices

If you''re not getting what you paid for, how is it a bargain?

True that.

However some here have gotten lucky with their EGL graded stones, EGL USA, but it''s a risk I wouldn''t take. Not within my comfort zone. I prefer AGS then GIA.

 

[oldminer]

Here is a quote from Strmrdr:

"egl_usa - 75, just a little softer most of the time than AGS/GIA
PGS - same as egl usa.
EGL_Europe - too varied but tops out around 60-70 maybe down too 20 depending on lab.
IGI 50 when graded lose, 20 when graded set
egl Israel - 20 - soft on everything
fourth string ebay labs 1 or 2 depending on how soft the paper is for use as toilet paper. "

I can''t totally agree with the simple comparison table our honored member has suggested. It is an informed opinion, but not carefully constructed.

My experience is that PGS is right there with GIA, or maybe a point or two lower. To be higher would put an independent out of business. Just cutting a bit off the edge allows a legitimate smaller lab to survive. EGL-USA is striving to meet the survival level of GIA lower range grading these days. It is undoubtedly a difficult task to wean spoiled customers away from weaker grading without losing them as accounts. Big money is at stake and business stinks right now on top of this. Many retailers who use, and often abusively use, EGL_Overseas reports are making the best profits based on false grades. The sooner consumers recognize this as a problem, the sooner this problem will just go away. No governmental or jewelry industry authority seems interested in regulating this problem. The foxes are in charge of the hen house on this one.

The real heart of buying any diamond is getting a beautiful diamond that is priced fairly for its ACTUAL quality. Reliance on the accuracy of reports is logical but reliance on the actual quality of the diamond is the ultimate test. Only an expert can grade a diamond for color, cut and clarity and know how it computes to value. All consumers can do is rely on third party reports along with trusted seller information, all of which can be high, low or on target. On any individual diamond there can be a subjective or worse, accidental or intentional, error of grading. Many retailers are not expert diamond graders. Sellers often transmit the information given to them as fact when they have no way of knowing how true it is. This is normal in many businesses and not exceptionally valid only for diamonds.

Any diamond, with or without, a document, can be shopped for and bought well with the assistance of an expert. If the seller is highly qualified and honest with you, then they can be a true assistant. If you question their bias or integrity, then a third party expert is required. Having a GIA or AGS document adds to your security, but is not a total preventative of problems. Care in buying through knowledge and shopping well is more likely to make you a successful buyer.