Grade Matrix


8917 West Sahara Avenue
Las Vegas, NV 89117
702.233.6120

We proudly feature AGS Laboratories diamond grading reports, which provides a third party expert opinion that verifies the information of the diamond that you are considering.

The AGS Laboratories has provided high quality diamond grading reports since 1996 and has enhanced its reputation as an industry leader through its ground breaking work in developing an objective standard for evaluating how well a diamond is cut.

In addition to AGS Laboratories, we offer grading reports from other quality diamond grading laboratories. In the following sections we summarize the features of the major diamond grading laboratories for your convenience and information. This information has been summarized from one of the jewelry industry's leading trade magazines, National Jeweler magazine. Each year National Jeweler provides the industry with a summary report on each major laboratory.

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For a more detailed analysis of each diamond grading laboratories, please click here.

Lab Summary:
AGS Laboratories is known in the diamond industry as one of the top diamond grading laboratories in the world. It derives this reputation from its accuracy, consistency and thoroughness in its diamond grading operations. The AGS Laboratories is the first laboratory to have developed an objective science-based and vetted method of determining how well a diamond is cut. AGS Laboratories believes the most important "C" in the four "C's" is cut because how well a diamond is cut determines how well the diamond refracts and reflects light. Cut is the most important "C" because it has the greatest impact on the diamond's value.

AGS Laboratories is the only laboratory that provides a cut grade for round brilliant and fancy diamonds including princess, oval and emerald cut diamonds.

AGS Laboratories is affiliated with the American Gem Society, a group of approximately 1,300 retail jewelers in Canada and the United States. As such, it shares the American Gem Society's philosophy and principles of focusing on consumer protection, education and training of jewelers, and a strong commitment to ethical business practices.

The AGS Laboratories is the only laboratory licensed by the American Gem Society, and therefore, uses the most highly coveted cut grade for a diamond, the AGS Ideal.

*Source: AGS Laboratories
EGL USA's new 360° Diamond Report is a brilliant choice for retailers wishing to add value to their diamond sales. The report details the scientific measurement of light-behavior characteristics as reflected by the stone. Enhancing the Four C's, the report provides both the retailer and the consumer with analysis of a stone's brilliance, contrast and radiance, without the complex technical explanations that compromise the magic of a diamond purchase for the consumer.

*Source: National Jeweler
In the early 1950s, GIA invented the Four C's of diamond quality (carat weight, color, clarity and cut), thereby creating the Color and Clarity Grading Scales for assessing polished diamond quality. For 50-plus years, GIA has claimed benchmark status in diamond grading. Its reports represent an independent, third-party expert opinion of a diamond's quality. In January 2006, GIA updated its GIA Diamond Grading reports, which for standard round brilliants include expanding information on proportions, and a cut grade.

*Source: National Jeweler
The IGI Diamond Grading Report is a statement attesting to the authenticity of a diamond, and provides a reliable and accurate declaration of its identity and grade, based on the internationally accepted system for grading diamonds. IGI's primary focus is on the identification and grading of loose diamonds, colored stones and pearls, including both natural and cultured.

*Source: National Jeweler
American Gem Society Laboratories
European Gemological Laboratory
Gemological Institute of America
International Gemological Institute
Grading System Nomenclature
AGS Grading System
Gemological Institute of America
Gemological Institute of America
Gemological Institute of America
Grading Scale Comparison
yes
no
yes
yes
Diamonds
yes
yes
yes
yes
Colored Stones
no
yes
yes
yes
Date
yes
yes
yes
yes
Fancy Cut/Proprietary Cut Grade
yes
no
no
no

Cut Grade


Cut Grade Basis

yes

(AGSL:Light Performance)
yes

(European Gemological Laboratory)
yes

(GIA Computer Modeling & Observation)
yes

(International Gemological Institute)
Light Performance
yes
yes
no
no
Finish
yes
yes
yes
yes
Polish
yes
yes
yes
yes
Symmetry
yes
yes
yes
yes
Clarity Grade
yes
(AGS Grading
System & GIA)
yes
(GIA)
yes
(GIA)
yes
(GIA)
Color Grade
yes
(AGS Grading
System & GIA)
yes
(GIA)
yes
(GIA)
yes
(GIA)
Carat Weight
0.18+
Any
0.18+
Any
Measurements
yes
yes
yes
yes
Shape & Cutting Style
yes
yes
yes
yes
Proportion Diagram
yes
yes
yes
yes
Proportion Factors
• Depth
Table
Crown
Pavilion
Girdle
Culet Size
yes
yes
yes
yes
Plot Information
yes
yes
yes
yes
Key to Symbols
yes
no
yes
yes
Actual Facet Arrangement
yes
no
no
no
Report Number
yes
yes
yes
yes
Laser Inscription
yes
yes
yes
yes
Comments
yes
yes
yes
yes
Fluorescence
yes
yes
yes
yes
Security Features
yes
yes
yes
yes

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