AGA Grading

[Sphere]

I've been looking at diamonds in person recently, and most I've seen are GIA certified but some are AGA. I can't find much information online with AGA, so maybe you can help me out?

How would a diamond AGA certified compare to GIA? For instance, one diamond I saw was Very Good Symmetry/Polish for AGA. Would this correspond to very good as well in GIA, or maybe just Good? Is there anything to worry about how they handle inclusions on diamonds? I've been looking at fancy cuts, particularly Marquise and Oval. Thanks!

 

[bmfang]

The AGA cut grade tool is one that is used here on PS. That should in itself tell you that AGA does command respect here from the PS community.

 

[tkyasx78]

IMHO
Do not buy a stone that is not GIA or AGS graded. Just NO. it will save time and money to get a stone that is what you are told it is. if the stone is cut well and clear, they can send it to one of those 2 labs without getting a bad report.

there is no standard for fancy cut stones and they can say what ever they want on those. when it comes to fancy cut stones I MUST see them in person before buying ( often mounted ) as sadly they look different mounted. I wouldnt trust any lab other than the 2 mentioned and if a jeweler told me any other lab was just as good I would walk out and never look back.

 

[bmfang]

BTW, what I said above is premised on the AGA being referenced to as being Accredited Gem Appraisers with Christian DiCamillo now as the principal (formerly an employee of David Atlas who was AGA's founder). If it isn't referring to them, then what I said above does not stand.

More info on AGA can be found here:
http://www.diamondsourceva.com/education/cut/diamonds-aga-cut-grade.asp
http://www.gemappraisers.com/
https://datlas.com/wp-content/uploads/Resume05-2016.pdf

If you are looking at fancy cuts (like the ovals and marquises you have been looking at) you should be requesting ASET images wherever possible to help you gauge light performance.

 

[oldminer]

I owned AGA until early in 2008 and sold the business to a long time employee at that time. We made good documents, but likely not every bit as strict on occasion as GIA, especially at the SI2-I1 borderline region. We never subscribed to the SI3 use which made things even worse most of the time. The current owner is a good gemologist and diamond grader, but would never tell you he is equal to the GIA. If you want assurance as a consumer, at the highest level of certainty, then take the advice you have received and use GIA as your support system.

If the stone you love has a secondary level lab report and you feel you must have a GIA assurance, then get the stone GIA documented or pass on buying it. If you feel the added cost is something you feel it is worth spending don't deny yourself that peace of mind. The stone costs that much less without that document and only that much more with it. If it matters that much to you, then definitely make the expenditure. Asking the retailer to pay for the added report may not always be welcomed because diamonds with GIA reports include those reports in their asking price. Include it in your cost and you can always have a GIA report on any diamond.

 

[Sphere]

I owned AGA until early in 2008 and sold the business to a long time employee at that time. We made good documents, but likely not every bit as strict on occasion as GIA, especially at the SI2-I1 borderline region. We never subscribed to the SI3 use which made things even worse most of the time. The current owner is a good gemologist and diamond grader, but would never tell you he is equal to the GIA. If you want assurance as a consumer, at the highest level of certainty, then take the advice you have received and use GIA as your support system.

If the stone you love has a secondary level lab report and you feel you must have a GIA assurance, then get the stone GIA documented or pass on buying it. If you feel the added cost is something you feel it is worth spending don't deny yourself that peace of mind. The stone costs that much less without that document and only that much more with it. If it matters that much to you, then definitely make the expenditure. Asking the retailer to pay for the added report may not always be welcomed because diamonds with GIA reports include those reports in their asking price. Include it in your cost and you can always have a GIA report on any diamond.

Thank you for your reply. Appreciate the advice you and others have given in this thread. The main reason I look for advice is to avoid paying too much for something I can find cheaper elsewhere. At this point in my life I'm not necessarily looking for the best quality diamond. Here I am just making sure AGA are at least reputable and I think they are now which is good enough for me. The AGA diamond is cheaper than others compared to it, and I think I'll get it.

It looked nice to me in person. Only reason I'm afraid of buying online is fear of getting a bowtie with a fancy cut that is too distinct, and unnoticeable until I see it in person. The one problem I had with the saleslady is that I asked why it was cheaper than the others, is it because of the grader and she said she had no idea. Stupid response to give in my opinion, makes me scared to buy it.