Two AGSL ideal diamonds with two very different looking reports

[ZildjianKX]

I''ve been diamond shopping for about a year and recently decided on a AGSL ideal cut 1.75 carat VS2 I color diamond from BlueNile for slightly under $13K with a coupon.

My major concern with the stone is still mainly the I color, but I hope it''s not too noticeable and the cut makes up for it (planning on a platinum setting).

Since I''m still in my 30 day return window, I''m still shopping around. I saw the following diamond online for $11K (AGSL,VS2,I) and wasn''t sure if it is a better deal. Report available here.

I''m a bit confused by the AGSL report for the second diamond since it does not list the cut grade, and I didn''t think the AGSL used "Excellent" for Polish and Symmetry. The seller''s site does list it as Ideal though...

Which diamond would you buy? Do you think the first stone is an okay deal? Thanks!

 

[JulieN]

You want the one that's like the BN stone: Diamond Quality Document, Performance Based.

AGS does use Excellent grade...on a DQD, it is less than Ideal. On a Diamond Quality Report, the Excellent grade includes both sets of Ideal (DQD) and Excellent (DQD.)

 

[ZildjianKX]

Thanks for the response.

From what I''ve seen online, Diamond Quality Documents have been around for awhile and this particular Diamond Quality Report is from 2007. Do sellers decide whether they want a report or a document, depending on the quality of the diamond?

Thanks.

 

[Lorelei]

The first diamond looks very promising, I cannot read the info on the second one however...

 

[JulieN]

Generally, you want the document if it''s an AGS 0 or 1. Maybe AGS 2 for some who try to shoot for AGS 0/1 every time, and just basically never use DQRs. Whiteflash Expert Selection stones, which are not part of the A Cut Above brand, will always get DQRs, even if they are AGS 0, to preserve the exclusivity of the ACA brand.

 

[John P]

Date: 9/11/2008 3:43:55 PM
Author: ZildjianKX
Thanks for the response.

From what I've seen online, Diamond Quality Documents have been around for awhile and this particular Diamond Quality Report is from 2007. Do sellers decide whether they want a report or a document, depending on the quality of the diamond?

Thanks.

Right Zildjian,

The DQD is the top shelf report. Those diamonds go through the light performance measure and must earn "ideal" finish to earn the AGS0 grade. The DQR lists proportions and finish grades, but doesn't assign a cut grade... That's the primary diff. No cut grade.

Why would someone use a DQR? Prior to 2006 GIA reports also had no cut grades, so the DQR was like a souped up GIA report with proportions info. In fancy shapes this is still the case.

AGS has continued to offer the DQR option to manufacturers who want to keep the color/clarity strictness and proportions info intact without 'penalizing' a diamond that didn't earn an ideal grade in finish (finish VG+ makes a non-visible difference). While an AGS1 diamond that received 0 in light performance but 1 in polish (example) can be a great bargain with no visible compromise, to some people a DQR with EX/EX finish and top proportions is more 'mind clean' than the 'thought' of an AGS1 or AGS2 DQD.

Love the username. My mainstay on the right is a 22" Pre-Aged Dry Light Ride (discontinued)

 

[ZildjianKX]

Thanks for all the great replies (and always cool to see a fellow drummer).

Just FYI, the second diamond was from Adiamor: http://www.adiamor.com/D-7857815.htm

I wasn't too pleased with the quality of their scan, I'm guessing they got it faxed over...

Thanks again. Now to go through the headache of getting it set