Which one - AGS or GIA diamond??

[xabby]

Guys,

After reading about GIA/AGS, it seems that in some cases, AGS is more favored than GIA. Assuming that the prices are the same, both exhibit a H&A cut should i settle for a

1)GIA 1.02c 3xEX/F/VS1 HCA 0.9

or
2)AGS 1.07c 3xIdeal/F/VS2 HCA 1.0

 

[stone-cold11]

What are the numbers that you use to input the HCA? Also, what are the report type, girdle variation, lower half and star numbers?

Are there IS images available? If so, can you post it?

 

[BobR]

Hi
I''m no expert but given the HCA readings it''s likely both these stones would have got Ideal/Ex cut grade from both AGS/GIA.
People here will likely ask for further info (such as cert details or number and IS image) before being able to offer an opinion, but if all other things turn out equal I''d go for the VS1.

 

[xabby]

Hi all, these are the details. I do not have any IS images though.

Option 1
GIA Round Brilliant EX/EX/EX 1.02c
Color: F
Clarity: VS1
Cut: Excellent H&A
Depth: 60.5%
Table: 58%
Crown Angle: 34.5°
Crown Height: 14.5%
Pavilion Angle: 40.6°
Pavilion Depth: 43.0%
Star length: 50%
Lower Half: 80%
Girdle: Medium, Faceted (3.0%)
Culet: None



Option 2
AGS Round Brilliant 0/0/0 1.07c
Color: F
Clarity: VS2
Depth: 60.4%
Table: 56.7%
Crown Angle: 34.6°
Crown Height: 14.8%
Pavilion Angle: 40.7°
Pavilion Depth: 42.9%
Star length: 57%
Lower Half: 76%
Girdle: Thin to Medium
Culet: pointed

 

[stone-cold11]

From the numbers, I would prefer the AGS stone but both numbers are promising. If you are buying the GIA stone because of the H&A, you will need to see the Hearts image to confirm it is a H&A.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 12/6/2009 10:09:34 AM
Author: xabby
Hi all, these are the details. I do not have any IS images though.

Option 1
GIA Round Brilliant EX/EX/EX 1.02c
Color: F
Clarity: VS1
Cut: Excellent H&A
Depth: 60.5%
Table: 58%
Crown Angle: 34.5°
Crown Height: 14.5%
Pavilion Angle: 40.6°
Pavilion Depth: 43.0%
Star length: 50%
Lower Half: 80%
Girdle: Medium, Faceted (3.0%)
Culet: None



Option 2
AGS Round Brilliant 0/0/0 1.07c
Color: F
Clarity: VS2
Depth: 60.4%
Table: 56.7%
Crown Angle: 34.6°
Crown Height: 14.8%
Pavilion Angle: 40.7°
Pavilion Depth: 42.9%
Star length: 57%
Lower Half: 76%
Girdle: Thin to Medium
Culet: pointed

Hi xabby

If having a h&a diamond matters to you then images are essential in order to judge the h&a patterning, many diamonds are sold as or referred to as being h&a but don't meet the standards as set by conoisseurs or experts with this cutting style. Either could be excellent diamonds, have you seen these in person at a store?

This link goes into greater detail concerning the grading of hearts and arrows,

http://journal.pricescope.com/Articles/65/1/Hearts-and-Arrows-Diamonds-and-The-Basics-of-Diamond-Cutting.aspx

 

[xabby]

Date: 12/6/2009 10:41:14 AM
Author: Lorelei

Hi xabby


If having a h&a diamond matters to you then images are essential in order to judge the h&a patterning, many diamonds are sold as or referred to as being h&a but don''t meet the standards as set by conoisseurs or experts with this cutting style. Either could be excellent diamonds, have you seen these in person at a store?

Hi Lorelei, i''ve seen the diamonds in person and both do exhibit a very good (if not excellent) H&A pattern. The AGS cert gives me a sound mind that the cut is really ideal because i know that GIA tend to round measurements down/up (but do they really matter THAT much)?? Store is not able to provide a sarin report for the GIA though. Tough thinking for me

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 12/6/2009 10:58:05 AM
Author: xabby

Date: 12/6/2009 10:41:14 AM
Author: Lorelei

Hi xabby


If having a h&a diamond matters to you then images are essential in order to judge the h&a patterning, many diamonds are sold as or referred to as being h&a but don't meet the standards as set by conoisseurs or experts with this cutting style. Either could be excellent diamonds, have you seen these in person at a store?

Hi Lorelei, i've seen the diamonds in person and both do exhibit a very good (if not excellent) H&A pattern. The AGS cert gives me a sound mind that the cut is really ideal because i know that GIA tend to round measurements down/up (but do they really matter THAT much)?? Store is not able to provide a sarin report for the GIA though. Tough thinking for me

The rounding is more of a concern with borderline angle combos and if the diamond isn't tightly cut, an Idealscope image would be very helpful for the first diamond in order to check out the pavilion angle and any possible rounding issues but that won't be a possibility by the sound of it, there is a slight chance of obstruction if the pavilion angle is actually shallower than 40.6 but the diamond could be perfectly fine. AGS do round but to a lesser extent than GIA, in this case I would tend to lean toward the AGS stone. As you can see both in person that is great, does one appeal to you more than the other?

 

[xabby]

Date: 12/6/2009 11:33:49 AM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 12/6/2009 10:58:05 AM

The rounding is more of a concern with borderline angle combos and if the diamond isn''t tightly cut, an Idealscope image would be very helpful for the first diamond in order to check out the pavilion angle and any possible rounding issues but that won''t be a possibility by the sound of it, there is a slight chance of obstruction if the pavilion angle is actually shallower than 40.6 but the diamond could be perfectly fine. AGS do round but to a lesser extent than GIA, in this case I would tend to lean toward the AGS stone. As you can see both in person that is great, does one appeal to you more than the other?

Unfortunately, these stones were from 2 different shops with different lightings, so it was really hard to compare.

This is the cert for the AGS. Judging by the inclusions sizes, does it make it a low VS2??

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 12/6/2009 12:20:19 PM
Author: xabby

Date: 12/6/2009 11:33:49 AM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 12/6/2009 10:58:05 AM

The rounding is more of a concern with borderline angle combos and if the diamond isn''t tightly cut, an Idealscope image would be very helpful for the first diamond in order to check out the pavilion angle and any possible rounding issues but that won''t be a possibility by the sound of it, there is a slight chance of obstruction if the pavilion angle is actually shallower than 40.6 but the diamond could be perfectly fine. AGS do round but to a lesser extent than GIA, in this case I would tend to lean toward the AGS stone. As you can see both in person that is great, does one appeal to you more than the other?

Unfortunately, these stones were from 2 different shops with different lightings, so it was really hard to compare.

This is the cert for the AGS. Judging by the inclusions sizes, does it make it a low VS2??

No way to tell by the clarity plot, you could get an independant appraisal which would tell you more if you decided to buy the diamond.