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AGS Laboratories Diamond Reports | Important Terms and Conditions

Last updated: December 22, 2022

Note: As of December 20, 2022, AGS Laboratories will no longer be issuing reports. These Terms and Conditions apply to AGS Laboratories reports issued through December 20, 2022.

These Terms and Conditions (Terms) apply to all reports issued by American Gem Society Laboratories, LLC (AGS Laboratories).  AGS Laboratories® reports (the “Document”) are issued as of the date indicated on the Document and are subject to these Terms, which may be modified from time to time.  In the event of any conflict between these Terms and any language printed on the Document, these Terms control and supersede.  Updates to these Terms will be posted on this website (www.ags.org/terms).  Please return to the website at any time to ensure that you have the latest version of these Terms.

AGS Laboratories has no financial interest in the diamond(s), whether mounted or unmounted, described in the Document (the “Diamond”), other than the fee it receives for its services.  An AGS Laboratories Document is not an appraisal, guarantee or valuation, and AGS Laboratories makes no representations or warranties regarding the Document, the Diamond described therein or any inscription thereon.

If the Document is altered in any way, it is automatically void and may not be relied upon for any purpose whatsoever.

AGS LABORATORIES DISCLAIMS ALL EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.

The Document contains a description of the characteristics of the Diamond based upon the application of the grading techniques, testing procedures, and equipment available to and used by AGS Laboratories at the time of its examination.  The results of any other examinations performed on the Diamond may differ depending upon when, how, and by whom the Diamond is examined, and may differ in the future as a result of changes and improvements in examination techniques and equipment, as well as changes in the condition of the Diamond, including those caused by ordinary wear and tear or artificial treatments, enhancements, or processes intended to alter the characteristics of the Diamond, including the use of processes for altering the characteristics of a Diamond which use was previously undetectable by AGS Laboratories, or alterations which became reversible, even if the process remains undetectable.  The Diamond has been examined using technology and equipment available to and used by AGS Laboratories as of the date of the Document.  AGS Laboratories’ grading systems and terminology may not directly correlate to the systems and terminology used by other examiners.  For example, with regard to fancy-colored diamonds, the AGS Laboratories term “Fancy” may not directly correlate to the term and grade of “Fancy” in other grading systems.

All three quality factors of Cut, Color, and Clarity can dramatically affect the beauty and value of a diamond.  Therefore, it is advisable to consult a Certified Gemologist® or other credentialed gemologist, before purchasing the Diamond.  AGS Laboratories’ opinions regarding the Diamond’s Cut, Color, or Clarity, if any, are limited to those expressly set forth in the Document.

AGS Laboratories can provide the Document for a relatively small fee compared to the present and potential value of the Diamond only because the Document is subject to the liability limitations and disclaimers set forth here, and the limitations described in the agreements by which the Document is made, all of which extend to the client for whom the Document was prepared and to every other person to whom the Document is distributed or shown.

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, AGS LABORATORIES, ITS OWNERS, EMPLOYEES, AND AGENTS SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR: (1) ANY LOSS, DAMAGE, OR EXPENSE (INCLUDING SPECIAL AND CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES) FOR ANY ERROR IN OR OMISSION FROM THE DOCUMENT OR ANY INSCRIPTION OR FOR THE DOCUMENT/INSCRIPTION’S ISSUANCE OR USE, EVEN IF CAUSED BY OR RESULTING FROM  NEGLIGENCE OR OTHER FAULT (EXCEPT FRAUD, WILLFUL MISCONDUCT, OR GROSS NEGLIGENCE); OR (2) ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR ACTS OF ANY THIRD PARTIES; EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES BEFOREHAND. IN THE EVENT AGS LABORATORIES IS FOUND LIABLE FOR ANY SUCH CLAIMS, ITS TOTAL LIABILITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO THE FEES IT RECEIVED FOR EXAMINING THE DIAMOND AND ISSUING THE DOCUMENT.

As a protection to the public and AGS Laboratories, neither the Document nor the name, trademarks, or service marks of AGS Laboratories, AGS Lab Services, LLC, or American Gem Society®, may be used in whole or part for purposes of advertising, publicity, or promotion without prior written approval of AGS Laboratories, AGS Lab Services, LLC, or American Gem Society, as appropriate, and the Document may not be referred to as an appraisal or certificate of warranty. AGS Laboratories makes no representation or warranty of the origin of the Diamond described in the Document.

Any client trademarks, logos, or patent information are included on a Document at client’s request and are merely for information and marketing purposes.  AGS Laboratories claims no right, title, or interest in, or liability for, the use of such marks, logos, or patent information.  The inclusion of a client trademark, logo, or patent information shall not be deemed to imply any sponsorship by, endorsement of, or affiliation between AGS Laboratories and the client, or representation by AGS Laboratories that the client has valid, enforceable rights in any such mark, logo, or listed patents or that any listed patents are applicable to the item described in the Document.  AGS Laboratories does not independently verify the validity, enforceability, scope, or applicability of any client trademarks, logos, or patents.  Any questions regarding a client trademark, logo, or patent should be directed to the client.

For additional important information relating to AGS Laboratories trademarks, please visit www.ags.org/trademarks.

 

ADDITIONAL LIMITATIONS FOR LABORATORY-GROWN DIAMOND DOCUMENTS

These additional terms and conditions apply to AGS Laboratories Laboratory-Grown Diamond Documents and the laboratory-grown diamond described in such a Document (“Laboratory-Grown Diamond”).

As indicated by the term “Laboratory-Grown Diamond,” a laboratory-grown diamond is a human-made diamond manufactured using one of various manufacturing methods.  A laboratory-grown diamond is not a naturally-occurring diamond.

AGS Laboratories’ color and clarity grades for laboratory-grown diamonds align with industry-standard diamond scales but are designated as “LG” for “laboratory-grown” to distinguish them from natural diamonds.  It is important to note that the color and clarity grades for a laboratory-grown diamond do not reflect the rarity of the laboratory-grown diamond, but rather the quality and consistency of the manufacturing process.

Pursuant to AGS Laboratories’ policy, the Laboratory-Grown Diamond has been laser-inscribed with a unique identifier that prominently indicates that the Laboratory-Grown Diamond is laboratory-grown.  If you are unable to locate or have questions about the inscription, please contact AGS Laboratories.

 

ADDITIONAL LIMITATIONS FOR MOUNTED GOODS DOCUMENTS

These additional terms and conditions apply to AGS Laboratories Mounted Goods Documents (“Mounted Goods Document,” each of which is a Document) and the item(s) examined (the “Item(s)”).

The manufacturer/AGS Laboratories client that supplied the item (and whose name and logo may appear on the Mounted Goods Document) may have also supplied certain limited information that is reflected in the Mounted Goods Document, as indicated on the Mounted Goods Document.  Other than supplying this limited information and submitting the item to AGS Laboratories for examination, the manufacturer/client performed no role in evaluating the item, assigning any grades to the item, or generating the Mounted Goods Document.  The inclusion of the manufacturer/client’s name and/or logo on the Mounted Goods Document (if applicable) is done merely for informational and marketing purposes.  AGS Laboratories and the manufacturer/client are not joint venturers, partners, or agents of one another.

Given the limitations imposed by the Item(‘s/s’) mounting, AGS Laboratories’ ability to evaluate the Item(s) is limited to the extent that the mounting permits.  Accordingly, AGS Laboratories does not independently verify or warrant the total estimated carat weight supplied by the manufacturer, nor does it test gems with an estimated individual carat weight under approx. 0.18 carats.

AGS Laboratories does not assess polish, symmetry, or other cut parameters for the Item(s). The terms “Average Color” and “Average Clarity” if used on the Mounted Goods Document, refer to the average range of grades applied to the multiple stones in the mounting(s). The terms “Minimum Color” and “Minimum Clarity” if used on the Mounted Goods Document, refer to the range of grades applied to the diamond with the lowest grade of the stones that have been examined in the mounting(s). AGS Laboratories does verify that any hallmarks or stamps included in the manufacturer’s description do, in fact, appear on the item(s), but it does not test, verify or warrant the Item(‘s/s’) actual metal content. AGS Laboratories does confirm that any diamonds receiving both color and clarity grades in the Item(s) with an estimated individual carat weight over approx. 0.18 carats are natural diamonds that have not been subjected to clarity or color enhancement treatments. The manufacturer’s description on the front of the Mounted Goods Document has not been independently verified by AGS Laboratories, except as expressly set forth above. The photo of the Item(s) on the Mounted Goods Document is a representative stock photo. The Item(s) examined may differ in appearance from the stock photo. For security purposes, each Item(s) examined by AGS Laboratories is tagged with an AGS Laboratories Mounted Goods Document number. Please verify that this number matches the number on the front of the Mounted Goods Document.

If you have any questions, please contact us by email at [email protected].