Why I am on PS. Helping Consumers. Fixing Diamond Grading

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

I've been part of PriceScope from months after it began, first writing and making video tutorials as Leonid knew nothing about diamonds. He saw a business opportunity to help people buy diamonds for less cost. His software skills and my diamond know how led to Holloway Cut Adviser, 24 years helping consumers dodge hundred's of millions of duds.
After 49 years I still care more than anything: that people end up with diamonds that sparkle like mad and aren’t tricked by fancy certificates or polished marketing.

PriceScope has done more to educate and help more people buy a great diamond, natural or lab, and share their passions for gems and jewelry.
It is also worth noting that many industry people lurk here, often not allowed to join and contribute or discuss topics as part of their employment contracts.
We do have influence.

• Milky/hazy diamonds being misrepresented as clarity issues rather than cut or light performance
• Internal graining not reported - because the historical grading approach is hysterical
• Overly deep cuts +63% sneaking into the GIA “Excellent” grade
• Face-up color not aligning with upside down lab grades

The GIA is still the most respected lab that grade by far the most value of all diamonds. That means they’re also the best hope for change. But unless we (consumers and retailers of integrity) push, nothing will shift.
I’d love your thoughts—and look forward to answering any questions. I want to hear from you.

 

[jjca]

I've been part of PriceScope from months after it began, first writing and making video tutorials as Leonid knew nothing about diamonds. He saw a business opportunity to help people buy diamonds for less cost. His software skills and my diamond know how led to Holloway Cut Adviser, 24 years helping consumers dodge hundred's of millions of duds.
After 49 years I still care more than anything: that people end up with diamonds that sparkle like mad and aren’t tricked by fancy certificates or polished marketing.

PriceScope has done more to educate and help more people buy a great diamond, natural or lab, and share their passions for gems and jewelry.
It is also worth noting that many industry people lurk here, often not allowed to join and contribute or discuss topics as part of their employment contracts.
We do have influence.

• Milky/hazy diamonds being misrepresented as clarity issues rather than cut or light performance
• Internal graining not reported - because the historical grading approach is hysterical
• Overly deep cuts +63% sneaking into the GIA “Excellent” grade
• Face-up color not aligning with upside down lab grades

The GIA is still the most respected lab that grade by far the most value of all diamonds. That means they’re also the best hope for change. But unless we (consumers and retailers of integrity) push, nothing will shift.
I’d love your thoughts—and look forward to answering any questions. I want to hear from you.

And we thank you

 

[0515vision]

What are the chances of GIA tightening their Excellent cut grade? If so, what do you see as the financial fallout for stones graded before such a shift? Do you think the lab presence would encourage them to change now that people are able to get higher quality cuts in that space?

Thank you so much for all you do. And I'll do another shout out for your book on Amazon. Such easy to read prose for intricate and complex topics. A true bargain for anyone with diamond curiosity!

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

What are the chances of GIA tightening their Excellent cut grade? If so, what do you see as the financial fallout for stones graded before such a shift? Do you think the lab presence would encourage them to change now that people are able to get higher quality cuts in that space?
Thank you so much for all you do. And I'll do another shout out for your book on Amazon. Such easy to read prose for intricate and complex topics. A true bargain for anyone with diamond curiosity!

They have added an upgrade for diamonds that meet AGS Ideal with an extra little add on cert. they bought the AGS IP a couple of years ago. So no chance of any GIA Ideal.
The other issues I raised are anti consumer and pro producer.

 

[oncrutchesrightnow]

Thanks to you, @Garry H (Cut Nut) — more people can spot issues and make informed decisions on what they are willing to pay for what kind of diamond.

 

[Rockdiamond]

I think Garry and I are on the same team- and we come at it from the same motivation. Just from different angles.
I’m more a “touch feely” guy.
Back in the day, this placed Garry and I at odds.
I wasn’t about to let go of my training. To select and eliminate stones based on visual elements. Plus, my training was at a place where a slightly different sort of “make” was preferred. The infamous 60/60
At first it was a real battle.
We were- and are- both extremely committed to our position.
But over time I learned so much from Garry. Not that I’ll ever give up my love of what I learned at Winston- but that ASET and the other tools really do work.
A 57% table can be just as beautiful at my 60.
Today with the prominence of Lab diamonds I’ve pretty much switched completely the “the other side” because the cutters are following the path of “Ideal Cut” meaning smaller tables.
The 60/60’s of my youth are a fond memory.
Through it all Garry and I have been great friends.
Pricescope is a wonderful place

 

[Texas Leaguer]

I've been part of PriceScope from months after it began, first writing and making video tutorials as Leonid knew nothing about diamonds. He saw a business opportunity to help people buy diamonds for less cost. His software skills and my diamond know how led to Holloway Cut Adviser, 24 years helping consumers dodge hundred's of millions of duds.
After 49 years I still care more than anything: that people end up with diamonds that sparkle like mad and aren’t tricked by fancy certificates or polished marketing.

PriceScope has done more to educate and help more people buy a great diamond, natural or lab, and share their passions for gems and jewelry.
It is also worth noting that many industry people lurk here, often not allowed to join and contribute or discuss topics as part of their employment contracts.
We do have influence.

• Milky/hazy diamonds being misrepresented as clarity issues rather than cut or light performance
• Internal graining not reported - because the historical grading approach is hysterical
• Overly deep cuts +63% sneaking into the GIA “Excellent” grade
• Face-up color not aligning with upside down lab grades

The GIA is still the most respected lab that grade by far the most value of all diamonds. That means they’re also the best hope for change. But unless we (consumers and retailers of integrity) push, nothing will shift.
I’d love your thoughts—and look forward to answering any questions. I want to hear from you.

Thank you Garry. You deserve the Academy's Lifetime Achievement Award!

I'm being facetious but you have been a consistent force in the industry, and especially here on Pricescope, for consumer education and protection. (I just realized the root word of facetious is facet!)

It's very true that nothing changes in the industry, especially as it concerns GIA, without a lot of pushing. And you are a big time pusher. Wait, that doesn't sound right

Anyway, I hope you will keep doing what you do for a long time to come. You help a lot of people. You're a Rock Star!

 

[Texas Leaguer]

What are the chances of GIA tightening their Excellent cut grade? If so, what do you see as the financial fallout for stones graded before such a shift? Do you think the lab presence would encourage them to change now that people are able to get higher quality cuts in that space?

Thank you so much for all you do. And I'll do another shout out for your book on Amazon. Such easy to read prose for intricate and complex topics. A true bargain for anyone with diamond curiosity!

GIA made a brilliant move in acquiring the AGS light performance technology. They no longer need to tighten the EX cut grade because they now have a means for shoppers to find the truly outstanding cuts in the category by offering the AGS Ideal addendum report. More than that, the AGS technology gives them a platform to further develop fancy cut grading, which cannot be accurately done by parameters alone.

I second the recommendation of Garry's book. A lot of great info for anyone with a passion for diamonds !

 

[TreasureSeeker]

Thank you Garry! I have been using your ASET Scope since last year and recently purchased your book. Thank you for all that you do. I enjoy reading your posts and learning from you!

 

[Vahid_shoaleh]

I've been part of PriceScope from months after it began, first writing and making video tutorials as Leonid knew nothing about diamonds. He saw a business opportunity to help people buy diamonds for less cost. His software skills and my diamond know how led to Holloway Cut Adviser, 24 years helping consumers dodge hundred's of millions of duds.
After 49 years I still care more than anything: that people end up with diamonds that sparkle like mad and aren’t tricked by fancy certificates or polished marketing.

PriceScope has done more to educate and help more people buy a great diamond, natural or lab, and share their passions for gems and jewelry.
It is also worth noting that many industry people lurk here, often not allowed to join and contribute or discuss topics as part of their employment contracts.
We do have influence.

• Milky/hazy diamonds being misrepresented as clarity issues rather than cut or light performance
• Internal graining not reported - because the historical grading approach is hysterical
• Overly deep cuts +63% sneaking into the GIA “Excellent” grade
• Face-up color not aligning with upside down lab grades

The GIA is still the most respected lab that grade by far the most value of all diamonds. That means they’re also the best hope for change. But unless we (consumers and retailers of integrity) push, nothing will shift.
I’d love your thoughts—and look forward to answering any questions. I want to hear from you.

Thanks Garry, you are among the few leaders of the market who are not passive, and you assist me a lot by answering my questions, which is so precious, I DO appreciate that.

Could you please let me know your opinion on this
Where do you suppose the GIA to be in ten years?

"The most respected lab" and "the best hope for change" have made me ask this

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Thanks Garry, you are among the few leaders of the market who are not passive, and you assist me a lot by answering my questions, which is so precious, I DO appreciate that.

Could you please let me know your opinion on this
Where do you suppose the GIA to be in ten years?

"The most respected lab" and "the best hope for change" have made me ask this

The GIA does not need to change.
But neither did Kodak.
Big organizations chose to remain the same or adjust to outside changes and demands of their users.
The GIA is a not for profit education organization that makes enormous hundreds of millions of dollars a year grading diamonds FOR THE INDUSTRY when it should be grading diamonds for CONSUMERS.
The huge lab profits go to subsidizing education and research activities.

 

[Vahid_shoaleh]

The GIA does not need to change.
But neither did Kodak.
Big organizations chose to remain the same or adjust to outside changes and demands of their users.
The GIA is a not for profit education organization that makes enormous hundreds of millions of dollars a year grading diamonds FOR THE INDUSTRY when it should be grading diamonds for CONSUMERS.
The huge lab profits go to subsidizing education and research activities.

Thanks for sharing your opinion

Yeah I surely agree with the Kodak example

Earning millions from harming consumers and turn it to subsidy for educating and research to benefit consumers??

It's too weird for me

IGI reacts better than GIA to LGDs
but I want to know your opinion wether you see the future of certificates like what Cutwise is providing or like the traditional sheet certificates as GIA's?

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Thanks for sharing your opinion

Yeah I surely agree with the Kodak example

Earning millions from harming consumers and turn it to subsidy for educating and research to benefit consumers??

It's too weird for me

IGI reacts better than GIA to LGDs
but I want to know your opinion wether you see the future of certificates like what Cutwise is providing or like the traditional sheet certificates as GIA's?

Sir you follow me on LinkedIn and know the article that was written in 2014 that I have been quoting in posts.
That paper spells out the direction that CutWise is taking.

 

[Vahid_shoaleh]

Sir you follow me on LinkedIn and know the article that was written in 2014 that I have been quoting in posts.
That paper spells out the direction that CutWise is taking.

You are totally right

But as Cutwise seems a seperate system from your brand I just wanted to know your opinion on their direction (as you know, I like to know different perspectives)

anyway I highly appreciate your scientific approach and your patience

 

[Rfisher]

After 49 years I still care more than anything: that people end up with diamonds that sparkle like mad and aren’t tricked by fancy certificates or polished marketing.

Not tricked by fancy certificates (xxx not all are equal if this is what you mean?)
Or polished marketing (brighter! more facets to cover lower color /lower clarity like the Leo cut, wasn’t it? )

But imo to see someone running with and marketing the other more shallow ideal for pendant/earring you’ve discussed?
Yeah- that’d be interesting.
Make an ideal 60/60 line.

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Thanks for sharing your opinion

Yeah I surely agree with the Kodak example

Earning millions from harming consumers and turn it to subsidy for educating and research to benefit consumers??

It's too weird for me

IGI reacts better than GIA to LGDs
but I want to know your opinion wether you see the future of certificates like what Cutwise is providing or like the traditional sheet certificates as GIA's?

How diamond performance attributes: Brilliance, Scintillation and Fire depend on human vision features
Sergey Sivovolenko, Yuri Shelementiev, Garry Holloway, Janak Mistry, Roman Serov, Stepan Zhulin, Kristina Zipa
The bold folk are part of OctoNus and Lexus = CutWise

Anyone who wishes to read the 37 page article can google it, it is free on Researchgate.