Why AGS Laboratories

Why Use AGS Laboratories?

Before there was an AGS Laboratories, there were other diamond grading laboratories. However, their focus was on providing a service limited to the jewelry trade. The members of the American Gem Society, an elite group of jewelers bound by a mission of consumer protection, felt that the industry, as well as the consumer, would benefit from a laboratory held to a stricter standard of diamond grading — with a founding tenet of consumer protection first and foremost. That mission in mind, they created the AGS Laboratories.

Since our founding in 1996, the AGS Laboratories has achieved many industry firsts and accomplishments. Among our highlights, we:

Pioneered the Ideal Cut Grade for the Round Brilliant diamond. You may also hear it called the AGS Ideal or the Triple Zero Cut.
Created the first scientifically reviewed, objective, and repeatable Cut Grade method in the industry — still the only of its kind.
Became the first major lab to offer diamond grading reports with a Cut Grade for fancy shapes, including Princess, Emerald, and Oval, as well as patented proprietary cuts.
Offer diamond grading reports that have a simple, straightforward, and intuitive scale and provide all the information you need to be comfortable in your diamond-buying decision.
Provide a variety of diamond grading reports, both with and without a diamond Cut Grade, to suit the specific needs of diamond manufacturers, retail jewelers, and of course, you, the consumer.

When you are shopping for a diamond, the AGS Laboratories Diamond Grading Report is your friend when you need an honest opinion. The AGS Laboratories provides the expert, third-party evaluation of a diamond’s quality characteristics you can count on. Some people will tell you we are tough when it comes to diamond grading. We are OK with that because it means we are doing our job — protecting you.

Don’t buy a diamond without it!