Question about GIA vs. EGL

[prinkles]

Does EGL use the same standards as GIA for determining whether a diamond is "Ideal" cut? Thanks!

 

[honey22]

Neither GIA or EGL use the category Ideal in their cut gradings. Only AGS have an ideal category. This is much stricter than GIA excellent, although some GIA ex''s can still fall into the AGS Ideal range. EGL is softer on grading than GIA or AGS. AGS is known as the top lab for grading cut.

You can scroll through the tutorial sections to find our more about these labs.

If you are looking for a really well cut, accurately graded stone, then aim for AGS Ideal or AGS 000 as they are referred to.
Good luck!

 

[Adylon]

Cut grading is not equal between any two labs.

Even EGL Labs differs on what they will call ideal. EGL-USA and EGL-Int'l use different terminology. Some EGL-USA reports have Ideal and Ideal Plus. Their light performance reports max out at Excellent, not Ideal. EGL-Int'l calls stones "Premium Cut" and "Tolkowsky Ideal Cut", etc. It varies greatly.

 

[Allison D.]

A bit of clarification: EGL does assign a cut grade called EGL Ideal.....so ideal is part of their vernacular, but it isn''t necessarily equivalent to AGS'' criteria for AGS-Ideal.

That said, some branches of EGL have been known to be soft on color and clarity. I don''t know if the same would carry true for cut grade as well, but it wouldn''t be a stretch to imagine. I''m not aware of their criteria, so I can''t say for sure.

Personally, we recommend sticking with AGS and GIA.