Anyone have opinions on LFG Laboratoire Français de Gemmologie

[MaisOuiMadame]

Hi, im living in France. I'm aware of the world's reputable labs etc. However, here I. Farbec the only chance to buy old cuts are via auction or antiques dealers (some have Etsy sites, but that's a minority).

The only lab reports I've ever seen for old cuts are issued by LFG.

Any of the experts have an opinion on this lab?

Really big. Expensive stones will come with HRD and GIA certs. But under 2 cts it's not worth the hassle for the seller. I know that insured shipping is about 150$ one way. That, plus the lab fee is just not worth it for sellers and auction houses.


Since the vast majority (90%) is on auction sites there's no way to negotiate a return policy. I am conveniently located, so can view many of the offerings I. Person and would be if really like what I see IRL. However we all know it's good to be able to "read " the lab reports fwiw if there's one.

Any thoughts?

 

[lulu_ma]

@MaisOuiMadame I don’t know the answer to this. However, I have found recently that there is difference between even GIA and HRD color grades.

I recently saw a couple of stones with dual certs and the HRD color grade was lower than GIA-usually 2 levels.

Are you more concerned from a color or clarity standpoint? If you are more concerned about color, you could always buy a GIA color kit. I bought one from EBay and it’s fun to use (I realize that GIA grades from the bottom but it’s the face ups that usually concern me.)

 

[MaisOuiMadame]

@MaisOuiMadame I don’t know the answer to this. However, I have found recently that there is difference between even GIA and HRD color grades.

I recently saw a couple of stones with dual certs and the HRD color grade was lower than GIA-usually 2 levels.

Are you more concerned from a color or clarity standpoint? If you are more concerned about color, you could always buy a GIA color kit. I bought one from EBay and it’s fun to use (I realize that GIA grades from the bottom but it’s the face ups that usually concern me.)

Wow, that colour kit is really neat! Thank you.

Since those old cut stones are on auction , I'm really only looking for a ballpark. IF I can see the stone in person and I find it pleasing to the eye ( cut, eye clean colour pleasing to ME), I'll set a limit and don't go over it . Usually it's in a piece of antique jewelry, so hard to judge... And sometimes I can't see it in person, but can get videos and those LFG certs. In those cases it's mostly about the finished piece and I find colour really hard to judge from videos. Even with white background etc.

I do realize that it's a completely difference approach to buying new modern stones from a vendor.


On a side note: I have seen a couple of certs where HRD was stricter.
If you say "lower" you mean HRD is stricter and assigned a lower in the alphabet colour grade than GIA? Or the other way around?

 

[lulu_ma]

Wow, that colour kit is really neat! Thank you.

Since those old cut stones are on auction , I'm really only looking for a ballpark. IF I can see the stone in person and I find it pleasing to the eye ( cut, eye clean colour pleasing to ME), I'll set a limit and don't go over it . Usually it's in a piece of antique jewelry, so hard to judge... And sometimes I can't see it in person, but can get videos and those LFG certs. In those cases it's mostly about the finished piece and I find colour really hard to judge from videos. Even with white background etc.

I do realize that it's a completely difference approach to buying new modern stones from a vendor.


On a side note: I have seen a couple of certs where HRD was stricter.
If you say "lower" you mean HRD is stricter and assigned a lower in the alphabet colour grade than GIA? Or the other way around?

I’ve seen stones that were graded L by HRD and N by GIA. .

I love having the kit, but when I go to auction previews I usually just wear my GIA graded ering and use it as a touchstone for color comparison

You’re lucky to have wider access to old cuts in Europe! I usually have to go hunting for them here. Where I live, it’s hard to find ones to see irl.

 

[lulu_ma]

Wow, that colour kit is really neat! Thank you.

Since those old cut stones are on auction , I'm really only looking for a ballpark. IF I can see the stone in person and I find it pleasing to the eye ( cut, eye clean colour pleasing to ME), I'll set a limit and don't go over it . Usually it's in a piece of antique jewelry, so hard to judge... And sometimes I can't see it in person, but can get videos and those LFG certs. In those cases it's mostly about the finished piece and I find colour really hard to judge from videos. Even with white background etc.

I do realize that it's a completely difference approach to buying new modern stones from a vendor.


On a side note: I have seen a couple of certs where HRD was stricter.
If you say "lower" you mean HRD is stricter and assigned a lower in the alphabet colour grade than GIA? Or the other way around?

Oh and hi Kipari! I didn’t realize you changed your screen name

 

[MaisOuiMadame]

Oh and hi Kipari! I didn’t realize you changed your screen name

Had privacy concerns, someone clearly trying to find out stuff online.

Love that you recognised me