Is a AIGS brief report (credit card size) sufficient? Picts attached

[chictomato]

Hi there, is the brief report from AIGS sufficient to certify a stone if it is natural and untreated? since it provides the same information as the full report. Does the new update in this link AIGS means that report dated after 15th August 2009 will have the type of treatment indicated on the brief report? thanks

 

[chrono]

CT,
The brief is really brief (credit card sized). It has no mention of quality whatsoever, only treatment. If treatment cannot be ascertained, they will contact you to ask if you want to go for a full lab check which will cost more.

 

[morecarats]

Some labs require you to take their full report before you get treatment information, but AIGS provides that information on their brief report. Don't be misled by the size of the card. They do a full analysis.

I'm not aware of gemological labs that offer "quality" reports. What would be the scientific basis of such a report? A few months ago I had a very fine aquamarine tested at GIA and my customer wanted a clarity grade on the certificate. Even though the stone was absolutely flawless under magnification, GIA wouldn't provide a clarity grade, even on their full report. The lab director explained to me that there was no standard for clairty in colored stones (as in diamonds) and thus they didn't provide clarity grades on their colored stone reports. AIGS apparently has the same position. Maybe there are some labs that do this. But in my experience if you want an appraisal, you have to take your gem to an appraiser. Just don't expect it to be scientific.

Addendum: all the recent AIGS reports I've received have the new heat process codes. With all the diffused and fracture-filled stones in the market, it was a very good thing to systemize descriptions for these.

 

[chrono]

MC,
I believe that the labs are correct about the clarity grading. There is an agreement of sorts for clarity but no clear standard, more so since it varies by family of gemstones, hence I understand their reluctance to grade clarity in any report, full or brief.

 

[morecarats]

Date: 9/28/2009 8:33:41 AM
Author: Chrono
CT,
The brief is really brief (credit card sized). It has no mention of quality whatsoever, only treatment. If treatment cannot be ascertained, they will contact you to ask if you want to go for a full lab check which will cost more.

In my experience with AIGS, they do a full lab check for the brief report. If they can''t determine the treatment (or lack of it) they leave the comments section of the report blank. I''ve seen this happen with with gems that might have been heat treated, but where the treatment did not leave any trace that could be identified by the lab. This can happen if the stone is very clean (so no inclusions to analyze) or the heating was done at such a low temperature that it did not leave a physical trace that could be identified by the lab.

Having said that, AIGS can identify an impressively wide range of treatments. Since it''s fair to say that Thailand is the world center for gem treatments, AIGS often sees suspicious stones before anyone else.

 

[chictomato]

Thanks morecarats and Chrono!

You have actually addresses my concern (credit card size brief report=full analysis).Am I right to say that the exact same test will be carried out for the full and brief report?
I had seen some AIGS brief report, without indication if the stone has been treated. I am worried that my report does not indicate that as well. However, the sapphire has just been sent to AIGS for grading yesterday, so it should have the indication right? I am just getting the brief report. Thanks

 

[chrono]

If the AIGS brief doesn''t say it has NOT been heat treated, then it means that it could not be determined by the usual testing. This is usually listed in fine print at the back of the card.

 

[chictomato]

Tks chrono, so if I am determine to know more (if it has been treated in anyway), I will have to send it to an indep.appr?

 

[chrono]

This is something you should ask AIGS. I'm not very familiar with them; I would think further testing might be warranted but MoreCarats seems to know them well and said that it's a full test for the brief. I'm not sure if an independent appraiser will be able to come to a different conclusion.

 

[chictomato]

I had sent multiple email to AIGS but have not receive a single reply.. btw from my understanding from AIGS website, the brief report can take as fast as 2-4 hours. However the seller said that it will take about a week or so. So does anyone know the amount of time required by AIGS to generate a brief report? Is it the same full lab test for brief and full report??

 

[morecarats]

Date: 9/29/2009 3:28:52 AM
Author: chictomato
I had sent multiple email to AIGS but have not receive a single reply.. btw from my understanding from AIGS website, the brief report can take as fast as 2-4 hours. However the seller said that it will take about a week or so. So does anyone know the amount of time required by AIGS to generate a brief report? Is it the same full lab test for brief and full report??

I''m sure everyone would like to help you with your questions, but these are questions that the dealer you purchased the gem from should be answering. Dealers need to support their customers through the whole process of a transaction. It sounds like this dealer is not doing his job. The customer shouldn''t have to pursue the lab for answers, that''s the dealer''s job. Make sure he''s earning the profit he''s taking on the deal.

 

[chictomato]

Thanks for the input!

Yes the seller has told me that it will take a week, guess i am the one being impatient He explain that the brief and full report contains the same vital info, hence need not spend twice the $$ for the full report.

 

[Chrometsav]

Chictomato,

In regard a report, I have had a few done there via mail. It usually takes a day under normal circumstances and if they're busy probably two-three. The 2-4 hour testing you talk about is a premium service that costs more.

If the stone is sent within the country usual mail will take 1-2 days plus actual lab processing time logging in etc, then when complete sent back to the dealer. You could have a weekend in between too.

I'd say when jotting that up at least a week is very reasonable.

In regards the e-mail, most Thai labs are very poor in answering them. However, I have just today e-mailed them 3 times and received 3 replies within 10 minutes per e-mail! Yes, I was shocked but can only report positively with that type of efficiency!

 

[chictomato]

Tks! However I have decided to go for a full report with GIT for my Color Change SapphireI believe they are just as good??

 

[Chrometsav]

If the stone you talk about is in Thailand (I am presuming on return subject to any nasties not cropping up) personally I would request an e-report from AIGS which is now a ludicrously priced 250 baht. I don't know the $dollar exchange sorry. It will get the same testing for treatments as a full or short report and when finished can be e-mailed to you.

If nothing comes up you don't like then you can then have a full report if you wish as your choice.

But why pay more than you have to initially?

Others may have a different view of course!!

 

[chictomato]

Well, you have a point there!

Anyway, I will not be paying for full report, until the seller email it to me, stating the correct info as per his description.

 

[chrono]

Since the vendor is paying for it, be patient and push for the AIGS cert.

 

[chictomato]

Mmm.. nope I will be the one paying for the full report as they will only provide the brief report, hence I will have to top the difference to obtain a more in depth report. What I meant is I will not pay until I see the report. Should there be discrepancies between the description and report I will not get it