Three Major Diamond Grading Labs

Many people call or email their jeweler with questions about diamond grading laboratories. So, this article will give you some more information about the three main diamond grading labs and how to make your best choice for a stone. These three labs are; GIA, EGL and AGS.
Let's begin with AGS, which is the smallest of the three labs. AGS stands for American Gem Society and they are based in Las Vegas, Nevada. They are primarily known for their grading of round diamonds. In fact, they have created the AGS000 designation that indicates an Ideal cut, Ideal polish and Ideal symmetry. AGS has very high diamond grading standards, very similar to GIA.

GIA is one of the largest diamond grading labs and they are based in Carlsbad, California. Their initials stand for Gemological Institute of America. GIA is considered the "standard" of the diamond grading industry because of their large size and their strict and consistent grading. They have recently made some important changes to their certificates that now include a cut grade for round diamonds as well as a Sarin report with all of the important angles and dimensions.

The third most common diamond grading labs are EGL International and EGL USA. While the two laboratories appear to have the same name, they are in fact not related. EGL International has laboratories through out the world including Israel, Belgium and Hong Kong. The initials, EGL, stand for the European Gemological Laboratory. However, EGL USA only has laboratories in NY and LA. While both labs use similar nomenclature to the GIA scale they have notably different meaning. This difference is reflecting in the proportionate discounting from a GIA diamond to both EGL and EGL USA graded diamonds. EGL International is estimated by a 2-3 color grade and 1-2 clarity grade discrepancy, so an EGL International H SI1 is more comparable to a J-K SI2 or I1 diamond depending on the price. EGL USA is slightly more accurate in that it is 1-2 color grades and typically 1 clarity grade. This is always accounted for in the pricing, as you will see if you compare a similarly graded GIA stone to either laboratory there will be a significant difference in price.

Now that you have know more about the three main diamond grading labs you will know what to expect when you are looking for a certified diamond.

Contributing Abazias Diamonds Staff Writer

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