URGENT- buying $10k+ ring TONIGHT---AGS or GIA????

[tkatuw]

so much conflicting info out there-- some say AGS is better --some say cutters only send to AGS because they wont get the ratings they want from GIA. as you can see below- both of these are IDEAl/Excellent cut stones. slight difference on HCA but no diffence on gem apparisers score. but SI2??? which one is the better diamond at SI2 level-- GIA or AGS????


DIAMOND #1 (quote: $8900)
1.53 AGS IDEAL cut, E color, SI2, IDEAL Polish, Ideal Symmetry
depth: 61.6%; table: 56.7%; crown angle: 35; pavillion angle: 40.7
inclusions: twinning wisps

gem appraisers score:
http://www.gemappraisers.com/oldcutgrade.asp

Shape: Round ags 1.53
Table % 56.7%
Grade: 1A
Crown Angle 35.0°
Grade: 1B
Crown Height % 15.2%
Grade: 1A
Pavilion Depth % 42.9%
Grade: 1A
Girdle Thickness Slightly thin to Slightly thick
Grade: 1B
Total Depth % 61.70%
Grade: 1A
Polish Excellent / Very Good
Grade: 1A * Not a primary determining factor.
Symmetry Excellent / Very Good
Grade: 1A * Not a primary determining factor.
Final Grade: 1B American Ideal cut


HCA Cut Adviser Score
https://www.pricescope.com/cutadviser.asp
Light Return Excellent
Fire Excellent
Scintillation Excellent
Spread Very Good
Total Visual Performance 1.3 - Excellent

comments on clarity from wholesaler (i have not been able to verify):
AGS DIAMOND
this diamond is perfectly eyeclean. The twinning wisps, look terrible on paper but when you loupe them you can''t see them . They can be seen with a microscope.
Twinning wisps and surface graining are very misunderstood in the trade. Twinning wisps look so scary on the cert.People will not buy them as easily. They have some advantages as I said this stone will appear very clean under a loupe not under a microscope. So it is eyeclean.


DIAMOND #2 (quote: $8300)
1.51 GIA Excellent cut, F color, SI2, VERY GOOD Polish, VERY GOOD Symmetry
depth: 61.9%; table: 57%; crown angle: 35.5; pavillion angle: 40.8
inclusions: feathers (appariser states it very eyeclean and closer to SI1)

Gem Appraisers Score:
http://www.gemappraisers.com/oldcutgrade.asp
Shape: Round gia 1.51
Table % 57.0%
Grade: 1A
Crown Angle 35.5°
Grade: 2A
Crown Height % 15.5%
Grade: 1A
Pavilion Depth % 43.0%
Grade: 1A
Girdle Thickness Thin to Slightly thick
Grade: 1B
Total Depth % 61.90%
Grade: 1A
Polish Excellent / Very Good
Grade: 1A * Not a primary determining factor.
Symmetry Excellent / Very Good
Grade: 1A * Not a primary determining factor.
Final Grade: 1B American ideal cut


HCA Cut Adviser Score
https://www.pricescope.com/cutadviser.asp
Light Return Very Good
Fire Very Good
Scintillation Very Good
Spread Very Good
Total Visual Performance 2.6 - Very Good

comments on clarity from wholesaler (i have not been able to verify):
GIA DIAMOND
this diamond is a very clean si2 clarity. It has a couple of very thin feathers that are over drawn on the cert. It is totally eyeclean. this diamond was better in clarity then several of the si1''s looked at.

 

[tkatuw]

AGS cert clarity plot

 

[Rockdiamond]

Given the importance of this purchase, why rush?

In terms of your overall question- one lab is not better than the other. Both AGSL and GIA are held in high regard by dealers and cutters.
In terms of SI2 diamonds, they must be evaluated in person. by the seller at the very least.
There''s simply no way to say which on is better with the info you have....

 

[swingirl]

The first stone scores better on the HCA. But don''t you want to take some time to see photos and ASETs before pulling the trigger?

The AGS ideal would be my choice between the two.

 

[sparxs111]

On something this big, is there a reason why you're rushing this?? I would definitely get more info before buying a diamond!!! Who are you buying from? Are they reputable? Can you trust their comments? Id be suprised since they say wholeseller, and normal consumers can't buy from one...

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Both labs are reputable. You buy the stone and not the lab. From what you have posted, I''d probably buy the first one. But I am very leery of SI2 unless I see it in person. I''d have to have a return period and a full upgrade policy to make it worth it.

One thing though...

"Slightly thin to Slightly thick" girdle

I do not think this is correct. Double check. Slightly thin is not a girdle grade. Thin or medium to slightly thick is fine. Avoid extremely or very thin.

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 1/14/2009 8:51:20 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006
Both labs are reputable. You buy the stone and not the lab. From what you have posted, I''d probably buy the first one. But I am very leery of SI2 unless I see it in person. I''d have to have a return period and a full upgrade policy to make it worth it.

Ditto.

 

[EricaR]

Date: 1/14/2009 8:53:31 PM
Author: neatfreak

Date: 1/14/2009 8:51:20 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006
Both labs are reputable. You buy the stone and not the lab. From what you have posted, I''d probably buy the first one. But I am very leery of SI2 unless I see it in person. I''d have to have a return period and a full upgrade policy to make it worth it.

Ditto.

Double ditto.

I''d also want to see Ideal Scope and/or ASET images of any stone I buy.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/14/2009 8:51:20 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006
Both labs are reputable. You buy the stone and not the lab. From what you have posted, I''d probably buy the first one. But I am very leery of SI2 unless I see it in person. I''d have to have a return period and a full upgrade policy to make it worth it.

One thing though...

''Slightly thin to Slightly thick'' girdle

I do not think this is correct. Double check. Slightly thin is not a girdle grade. Thin or medium to slightly thick is fine. Avoid extremely or very thin.

With the above, check with a trusted vendor if there is a potential durability issue, apparently in some cases very thin can be ok if the very thin part is only in the microns and or in a non vulnerable area, a trusted vendor can advise further.

 

[Imdanny]

?

What''s the rush?

 

[honey22]

Ditto, don''t rush a huge purchase like this. Relax and take your time selecting the best stone.

As far as grading goes, AGS is stricter in terms of cut than GIA, many cut nuts prefer AGS over GIA. I think you might be confusing AGS with EGL. EGL is a softer lab and many cutters send inferior stones to EGL as it will get a better grading that if it went to AGS or GIA.

Do some more research before you part with your hard earned moolah. It can be a costly mistake.

 

[Chili_Willy]

I''m no expert (check my post count) but I do know that
I just a purchased a loose stone very much in the same
With very similar 4C''s. I paid a price per-carat that
is comparable to your listed total prices. Yet I know
I got a very good deal - even more so after yesterday''s
appraisal.

The price you listed is so low that for any non-professional
it falls into the too-good-to-be-true category, and you know
what that means! Hopefully

.

Just realized we''re beyond "tonight." What did you do?