AGS Laboratories Profile
Contact Details
Address: 8917 W. Sahara Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89117
Tel: 702 233 6120
Fax: 702 233 6125
Email: support@agslab.com
Website: www.agslab.com

Year Established: 1996

Management Team: Frank Dallahan, CEO and President, AGS Laboratories; Peter Yantzer, Executive Director of AGS Laboratories; John Politi, Director of Business Development; Dennis Mette, Director, Operations; Joe Van Ells, Director of Gemological Services;  Chuck Forbes, Director Support Services, Tom Kelly, CFO; Donna Jolly, Director, Marketing.

Turnaround Time: Five business days

AGS Diamond Grading Standards:
The AGS Performance-Based Cut Grading System takes advantage of revolutionary hardware and software in considering a diamond's performance

The diamonds are first measured using a computerized measuring device, which also creates a three-dimensional model.

The diamond grader imports the information into the AGS ray-tracing software and receives values for proportions and light performance.

The diamond grader then analyzes the girdle, the culet, the symmetry, and the polish characteristics of the diamond.

All form the three elements to the final Cut Grade - Light Performance, Proportion Factors, and Finish, giving you a more thoroughly analyzed diamond, which in turn helps you make a more informed buying decision.

As an indication of the level of thoroughness of the AGS Performance-Based Cut Grade, each category takes into consideration the following 11 factors – definitions for these terms and others can be found in the Glossary of Terms.

Light Performance
Brightness
Dispersion (Fire)
Leakage
Contrast

Proportion Factors
Girdle Thickness
Culet Size
Weight Ratio
Durability
Tilt

Finish
Polish
Symmetry

Fees: Available upon request

Take In Windows: Canada, Hong Kong, Israel and India

Products: The Diamond Quality™ Document (DQD) provides a complete grading analysis of Color, Clarity, Carat Weight, and most importantly, Cut. Included in the Cut Grade is information about proportions, as well as, polish and symmetry. AGS nomenclature (classification) is used for Cut, Color, and Clarity.

The Diamond Quality™ Analysis (DQA) is a pocket-size document for stones weighing .18 to .99 carats. The DQA offers a complete grading analysis without a plot, and includes one laser inscription. This is the ideal document when you need a cut grade for diamonds weighing under one carat.

The Diamond Quality™ Report (DQR) offers a complete grading analysis of cut, color, clarity, and carat weight in an easy to understand presentation. The DQR utilizes both AGS and GIA nomenclature for universal understanding and international acceptance of color and clarity standards. The highest grade that a diamond can achieve for cut on the DQR is Excellent. Further, the DQR identifies polish and symmetry in the following manner: Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, and Poor.

The Diamond Consultation™ (DC) is a product for diamonds weighing 4.99 carats or less. The DC provides shape, millimeter measurements, weight, clarity, color, and basic plot information about the diamond. The DC does not list the proportions, polish, or symmetry information. The basic plot shows as much information as necessary to conclusively identify the diamond.

Results Posted Online: AGS posts grading information for a stone on agslab.com, under “Verify a Diamond Report”

Laser Inscription: Yes

Provides Images Of Diamonds On Report: On its Diamond Quality Certificate for AGS retailers, the lab provides an asset photo of the graded stone

Grades Mounted Diamonds: No

Smallest Size Of Diamond Graded: 0.18 carats

Grading terminology: the highest possible grade is 0; 10 is the lowest. For example, a diamond with a color grade of 3 has less color than a diamond with a color grade of 5. When writing the grades of a diamond, cut is first, then color, then clarity and then carat weight. For example, a diamond that is the finest cut, colorless, free of inclusions and blemishes, and one carat in weight would be written as: 0/0/0 – 1.000 carat. In the AGS Diamond Grading Standards, this would be known as a triple Zero™.

 
EGL International Profile
Contact Details
Address: 23 Tuval St., Noam Bldg.
First Floor Suites Ramat Gan 52522 Israel
Tel: +972 (0)3 752 8428
Fax: +972 (0)3 751 0047
Toll-free Fax: 1 888 454 6818
email: info@eglinternational.org
website: http://www.eglinternational.org

Year Established: 1974

Staff: Guy D. Benhamou, CEO, Israel; Managing Partner & Business Development Director

Turnaround Time: Up to three working days.

Mission Statement: Our mission is to take the guesswork out of buying a diamond. EGL is a pioneer in the diamond industry. Its reputation is the result of years of continuous gemological expertise and know-how. “Our experience is your confidence.”

Fees: Available upon request

Cost of grading a 1 carat stone: Available upon request

Laboratories / Take-In Windows: With headquarters in the Ramat Gan Diamond Exchange Complex, EGL has branches in or near major diamond centers worldwide including the U.S., Belgium, France, the UK, South Africa, Korea and India. The lab will also be opening a gem laboratory in Hong Kong in the near future.

Products: EGL laser “Diascript”; EGL Certicard; Digital Card; Diamond Seals; Conflict Free Certificates (KPCS). Gemology Courses.

Posts Grading Results Online: Yes, with online verification

Laser Inscription: Yes

Provides Images Of Diamond On Report: Yes

Grades Mounted Diamonds? Yes, under EGS (European Gemological Services)

Smallest Size Of Diamond Graded: Available upon request

Grading Terminology:
Color: EGL provides color grades for D-Z colors and fancy color diamonds
Cut: Special comments are provided for Ideal, Excellent, Tolkowsky and Premium Cut, as well as Hearts and Arrows.
Clarity: Every diamond is unique – with its own internal and external characteristics. Our skilled graders take into consideration the size, nature, location, and number of these characteristics to assign each stone its proper grade on a scale from FL (Flawless) through SI3 (Slightly Included) to I3 (Included). SI3 (an additional grade between SI2 and I1) was introduced by EGL in order to bridge the gap between SI2 and I1 (for I1 stones which are still eye clean).

New Services:
1. Disclosure: For the past year, EGL has been using the most advanced technological systems and “know how”, in order to better serve the needs of the diamond industry with reference to synthetic diamonds, and the disclosure of the most sophisticated and concealed treatments such as HPHT and CVD.
2. Fancy Color: Certification of fancy color diamonds including the determination of the origin of color (natural or treated).

EGL USA Profile
Contact Details
Address: 6 West 48th Street, New York, NY 10036
Tel: 212-730-7380
Fax: 212-842-5180
Email: egl@eglusa.com
Website: www.eglusa.com

Year Established: 1974, as part of EGL’s international network in Europe. Became independently owned and based in the U.S. in 1986.

Staff: The regional office directors for EGL USA’s four North American offices are Mitchell Jakubovic (New York), Jacob Tversky (Los Angeles), Branko Deljanin (Vancouver) and David Carabott (Toronto).

Turnaround Time: Usually three days, maximum five.

Mission Statement: As a global institution, EGL USA is committed to protecting the integrity of the jewelry trade and the public's interest through applied science, innovation, education, and exceptional service. EGL USA's consistent focus over the past quarter century has been to provide unsurpassed service to the jewelry industry. Of prime importance is conducting our business in the most unbiased manner, without influence from commercial interests or sales organizations. These are the tenets upon which EGL USA was founded and still operates by today. EGL USA strives to anticipate technological changes that will impact the gem and jewelry industry. Significant resources are earmarked annually for equipment and research purposes to expand our capabilities to respond quickly to the changing needs of the industry.

EGL USA Diamond Grading Standards: First, each diamond is labeled with a unique internal identification number and barcode used to distinguish and track it throughout the process. Each stone is then weighed using calibrated electronic scales and measured, using Sarin™ measuring device to determine the diamond's proportions, measurements and facet angles.

Next, screening devices, such as the DiamondSure™, are used to steer those diamonds with uncertain identity or color origin toward our Gem Identification Department. Advanced testing is required using state-of-the-art technology such as FTIR Spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy in making final determinations.

At EGL USA, color and clarity grading is conducted by separate teams, each specializing in their respective areas. Clarity grading is conducted by at least two experienced gemologists. Each gemologist independently examines the diamond using a microscope with a minimum 60x magnification needed to identify the clarity/finish characteristics and evidence of any diamond treatments, such as fracture filling, new micro- laser and KM (Kiduah Mayuhad, meaning "special drill" in Hebrew) laser treatments. Clarity grade is finalized using 10x magnification under standard viewing conditions.

The diamond's color is again determined by at least two experienced gemologists using carefully selected comparison stones from calibrated master color sets. The fluorescence, if any, is also observed by exposing the diamond to long wave ultraviolet radiation.

Diamonds over a certain carat weight are sent to a third senior gemologist for an additional opinion in both the clarity and color grading, respectively. Additionally, differences in opinion between gemologists often require further grading opinions by additional senior gemologists.

The above grading process is limited to loose white diamonds. Diamond jewelry typically requires a modification in the grading process to appropriately capture all data needed for final certification. All colored diamonds require additional testing in our gem identification department to determine color and natural origin. Other gemstones follow different grading procedures.

Fees: Report prices vary according to the type, but a traditional diamond report runs from $45 per carat to $65 per carat.

Take-In Windows: New York City, Los Angeles, Vancouver and Toronto

Products: EGL USA’s diamond certificates contain all the pertinent information about colorless diamond, including the grading outcome based on the 4Cs, a plotting diagram, a UGS Consultation of Appraisal, from Universal Gemological Services, the independent appraisal affiliate of EGL USA, and security features. The Diamond Analysis report, for round stones only contains all the above information, including a final cut grade and a graphic profile view of a round brilliant cut diamond emphasizing the proportions of the stone. A Colored Diamond Analysis Report is offered for colored stones and includes information on the origin of the stone’s hue, its color grade, a color photograph, a graph with conclusive data as interpreted by a spectrophotometer, proportion information and a plotting diagram. Lastly, a Colored Diamond Origin Report focuses on the stone’s color with details of its origin, its grade and a description of the diamond.

In order to emphasize the lab’s North American association, every certificate issued by the lab states “A member of the EGL USA Group,” and certificate numbers are preceded by either “US” or “CA,” in order to indicate the country of origin.

Results from every EGL USA grading report issued after 1995 are available online, through a form on the lab’s website.

The laboratory also offers a Jewelry Webguard service, as a protection measure for consumers and gem dealers. When a certified stone is bought online, it can be shipped first to an EGL USA office, where the buyer will be provided with a third-party endorsement – a Jewelry Webguard certificate – that the stone and its certificate match, after which the stone, its original certificate and the third-party endorsement will be shipped to the buyer.

Laser Inscription: Yes

Provides Images on Report: No 

Grades Mounted Diamonds: Yes

Smallest Size of Diamond Graded: 0.20 carats; 0.05 carats and up for sorting

Grading Terminology: EGL USA follows the diamond grading standards established by GIA for color and clarity. The lab also notes that it established the SI3 grade.

GIA Lab Profile
Contact Details
Address: Robert Mouawad Campus, 5345 Armada Drive, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Tel: 800-421-7250 (From outside the U.S. and Canada): 760-603-4000
Fax: 760-603-1814
Website: www.gia.edu

Year Established: 1931

Staff: GIA’s executive board includes Ralph Destino, chairman; Donna M. Baker, president; Thoman M. Moses, senior vice president, GIA Laboratory and Research and Robert J. Buscher, vice president and CFO.

Turnaround Time: Updated weekly by the GIA and therefore subject to change, the turnaround times for a stone submitted to GIA are approximately as follows:

Mission Statement: GIA's mission is to ensure the public trust in gems and jewelry by upholding the highest standards of integrity, academics, science and professionalism through education, research, laboratory services and instrument development.

Diamond Grading Standards: Diamonds submitted to the GIA for grading services are examined by a minimum of four trained diamond graders and gemologists. At each subsequent grading step, the diamond is independently examined by a more senior staff member. The GIA also notes that it works to ensure client anonymity during the entire grading process. In addition, to try and ensure that the distribution of diamonds to graders is completely random – for impartial and independent grading, between each step of the grading process, diamonds are processed through the Inventory Control Department, dedicated to keeping the process as random as possible. Every diamond processed through the lab is tracked electronically. 

Fees: GIA fees range from $53 for a 0.15 to 0.22 carat diamond grading report to $2,474 for a 40 to 49.99 carat diamond grading report.

Fees for the Diamond Dossier service are $40 for a 0.15 to 0.22 carat stone to $100 for a 1.50 to 1.99 carat diamond.

The Diamond Laser Inscription Service runs from $12 for a 0.01 to 0.14 carat stone at the low end to $372 for a 40 to 40.99 carat stone at the high end.

For its colored diamond grading service, GIA fees range from $147 (0.15-0.22 carat) to $3,710 (40-40.99 carat)

Take-In Windows: California, New York, Bangkok (colored gemstones only)
Products (Certs): GIA issues three grading reports – the GIA Diamond Grading Report, with or without a cut grade, the GIA Diamond Dossier, with or without a cut grade, and the GIA Gem Identification Report.

The Diamond Grading Report includes laser inscription registry, the diamond’s shape and cutting style, its measurements, carat weigh, color and clarity grade, as well as its finish, polish and symmetry and comments on its fluorescence. The report also features reference diagrams, GIA color and clarity scales, a proportion diagram and security features.

The Diamond Dossier includes all of the information featured in the Diamond Grading Report and is offered only on loose, unmounted diamond that fall on the GIA D to Z color grading scale and that are between 0.15 and 1.99 carats.

The Gem Identification Report includes an identification of the stone type, the source type of the gem, its geographic origin, comments on treatments, a digital image and security features.

Laser Inscription: Yes

Grading Terminology:
Color: The GIA Color Scale extends from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow or brown). Although many people think of gem quality diamonds as colorless, most diamonds used in jewelry are nearly colorless with tints of yellow or brown. Color grades are determined by comparing each diamond to a master set. Each letter grade represents a range of color and is a measure of how noticeable the color is.

Clarity: The GIA Clarity Scale includes eleven clarity grades ranging from Flawless to I3. Given that diamonds form under tremendous heat and pressure, internal and external characteristics are common. These characteristics help gemologists separate natural diamonds from synthetics and simulants, and identify individual stones. There are two types of clarity characteristics: inclusions and blemishes – the difference is based on their locations. Inclusions are enclosed within a diamond while blemishes are confined to its surface.

Cut Grade: The GIA Cut Scale ranges from Excellent to Poor. GIA provides a cut quality grade for standard round brilliant diamonds that fall in the GIA D-to-Z color range.

A polished diamond’s beauty lies in its complex relationship with light: how light strikes the surface, how much enters the diamond, and how, and in what form light returns to your eye. The result is a display of three attributes. Brightness is the combination of all white light reflecting from the surface and interior of a diamond. Fire is the colored flashes that can be seen in a diamond. Scintillation describes the sparkle of light you see in a diamond, and the overall pattern of bright and dark areas when you look at a diamond face-up. A polished diamond’s proportions affect its light performance, which in turn affects its beauty and overall appeal. Diamonds with good proportions optimize the interaction with light, and have good brilliance, fire, and scintillation.

The Design (weight ratio, durability) and Craftsmanship (polish, symmetry) of a diamond also affect its cut quality, and are considered in determining a diamond’s GIA Cut Grade.

Fluorescence: Many diamonds emit a visible light when exposed to ultraviolet radiation. Although fluorescence is not a factor in determining color or clarity grades, a description of its strength and color is provided on GIA Reports for identification purposes.

HRD Lab Profile
Contact Details
Address: Hoveniersstraat 22, BE-2018 Antwerp, Belgium
Tel: +32 (0)3 222 06 11
Fax: +32 (0)3 222 06 99
Email: info@hrd.be
Website: www.hrd.be

Year Established: 1973

Staff: Georges Brys, General Manager; Chris Swolfs, Chief Officer Special Projects; Katrien De Corte, Head of Education; Dirk Dullaert, Chief Officer Commercial Operations; Emile Schoeters, Senior Manager Diamond Lab; Yves Kerremans, Head of Research and Marc Thomassen, Senior Manager Equipment

Turnaround Time: Ten working days for a diamond weighing 3.99 carats or less; eight working days for diamonds weighing 4-9.99 carats and six working days for diamonds of 10 carats or larger. Diamond identification reports take 12 working days.

Mission Statement: The HRD wants to further develop Antwerp as a world diamond center, on the one hand by representing the sector in Belgium and abroad to public governments and professional organizations in the sector and, on the other hand, by supporting the image of the sector and by promoting the activities on the jewelry and gemstones markets in order to optimize the knowledge in and about the diamond sector.

HRD Diamond Grading Standards: HRD offers a broad range of grading services. A typical sequence starts with a thorough investigation of the origin of the stone and the color, followed by grading its color, clarity and cut. This process might be completed by printing a certificate and sealing of the diamond.

Fees: HRD Diamond Certificate fees range from €40.55 ($62) for any size diamond up to 0.50 carats up to €435.40 ($666) for a diamond 10 to 10.99 carats in weight. The Diamond Identification Report, exclusively for diamonds under 1.00 carat comes with a fee of €33.15 ($50) for a diamond up to 0.50 carat, €41.25 ($63) for diamonds 0.50 to 0.74 carats and €44.04 ($67) for stones 0.75 to 0.99 carats.

Preliminary examination fees range from €34.35 ($52) for a color and clarity grading of a stone up to 0.5 carats to €339.80 ($520) for the same on a stone of 10.10.99 carats.

A preliminary fancy color examination comes with a fee of €61.25 ($94) for a stone up to 0.5 carats to €187.75 ($288) for a stone 10-10.99 carats.

Take-In Windows: Antwerp, Belgium; Ramat Gan, Israel; Mumbai, India and Hong Kong

Products: HRD Diamond Certificate guarantees that the stone is a real diamond, and contains a full and detailed quality description, on the basis of the 4Cs. 

The compact Diamond Identification Report is offered for stones up to 0.99 carats, with the same information as the regular Diamond Certificate.

Optional services on these reports include sealing and laser inscription.

Gemstone Reports are identification reports, describing whether a gem is natural or synthetic, the type of stone being graded (ruby, sapphire, emerald, etc.) and whether the stone has been treated or not (heat treatment, irradiation, fracture filling and others.)

Laser Inscription: Yes

Provides Images Of Diamonds On Report: No

Grades Mounted Diamonds: No

Smallest Size Of Diamond Graded: No Limit

Although In Practice Cost Should Be In Proportion.

Grading Terminology:
Color Grade: Over 90 percent of all gem diamonds have a basically yellowish color. The intensity can vary from nearly colorless, which is preferable, to decidedly yellow. The value of a white stone is higher than that of a yellowish stone. However, diamonds can also have a distinct orange, brown, pink, green or blue color. These color diamonds can be extremely valuable. The color grade given by HRD is determined by comparison with a series of master-stones, the best grade being colorless (D, exceptional white +), with diamonds with a strong tinted color being graded at the other end of the spectrum (anywhere from M to Z).

Clarity Grade: The clarity or purity of a diamond is determined by the number, size, brightness and location of the internal and external characteristics, important structure phenomena and transparency. Generally speaking, mainly the inclusions in the stone affect the clarity. Obviously, the fewer inclusions or structure phenomena the stone displays, the higher the quality of the diamond. Clarity ratings by the HRD range from LC (Loupe Clean – the very best and rarest clarity rating) to VVS1 and 2, VS1 and 2, SI1 and 2 and P1 through P3, a clarity rating given to a diamond with a high number of inclusions and blemishes.

HRD also issues gemstone reports detailing the type of stone, its weight, dimensions and cut, a description of its color and transparency, whether the stone is natural or synthetic, what kind of treatments, if any, the stone has undergone (heat treatments, irradiation, fracture filling and the like), and the origin of the stone for rubies, sapphires and emeralds, if the information is available.

Cut Grade: The proportions and finish grade of a diamond establish the quality of the cut. A good finish grade testifies to the workmanship of the diamond polisher. It refers to the symmetry of the facets and their overall finish. The best cut diamonds also have the right proportions between the different parts of the diamond. If these proportions are not optimal, the fire and brilliancy of the diamond are affected, and undesirable visual effects might occur. Apart from the most popular ‘round brilliant’ cut, there are a range of other frequently used cuts, and one might also come across magnificent ‘fancy cut’ diamonds. Cut grades are determined by the proportions and finish of the different sections of a diamond.

International Gemological Institute (IGI) Profile
Contact Details
IGI Belgium - World Head Office
Address: Schupstraat 1, 2018 Antwerp, Belgium
Tel: +32-3-231.68.45
Fax: +32-3-232.07.58
Email: info@igiworldwide.com
Website: www.igiworldwide.com

Year Established: 1975

Staff: IGI’s executive staff consists of Herman Brauner, Roland Lorie, Marc Brauner and Jerry Ehrenwald.

Turnaround Time: Turnaround time varies from location to location. Average turnaround time for a stone submitted to IGI is four to eight working days.

Mission Statement: IGI is the world’s largest independent laboratory for testing and grading gemstones and fine jewelry. It is our goal to service the professionals as well as the consumers with accurate expertise in all major diamond and jewelry markets, at the manufacturing level, as well as at the consumer level. That is the reason why we have fully equipped laboratories in all major centers.

Fees: the IGI fee structure varies depending on the size and type.

Cost Of Grading a 1 Carat Stone: $62

Laboratories / Take-In Windows: Antwerp, New York, Hong Kong, Mumbai, Bangkok, Tokyo, Dubai, Toronto, Los Angeles, Tel Aviv, Surat, Kolkata and New Delhi.

Products: the Institute’s variety of services includes:

Reports:
Diamond Report
Hearts and Arrows Diamond Report
Colored Diamond Report
Colored Stone Report
Gem and Jewelry Appraisal Reports

Courses:
Polished Diamond Grading Course
Rough Diamond Evaluation Course
Colored Stone Identification Course
Pearls Grading Course
Jewelry Design Course
Gem and Jewelry trainings and Seminars for Salespeople

Other Services: mobile Laboratory Grading Services
Diamond & Gemstone Secure-Seal
Laserscribetm Service
Online Data Retrieval
Registration and Recovery
Gemstone & Jewelry Photography
Cutting Advisory Services
Diamond Repair
Jewelry Engraving

Results Posted Online: Yes

Provides Images Of Diamond On Report: Yes; when jewelry is submitted to IGI for grading, its certificate is always returned with a photograph of the item being graded. The lab also provides photos of Hearts and Arrows when grading, and photos of individually graded diamonds are available upon request.

Grades Mounted Diamonds: Yes

Smallest Size Of Diamond Graded: 0.03 carats

Laser Inscription: Yes

Grading Terminology: IGI uses the international standards recognized by ISO 17025 and CIBJO – namely D-Z grades for color grading, cut grades from Excellent to Poor and clarity grades from Flawless to I3. IGI is also ISo 9001 accredited.