Since both grading reports state the same ratings, it’s easy to be duped into going with the “cheaper” option.īut do you really think you have gotten the deal of the century with the EGL diamond? Compared to a similar stone from GIA, it would cost you around $7300 instead. To illustrate this, an F color VS2 EGL ideal cut round with no fluorescence will retail around $5000. In fact, if you foolishly buy the EGL diamond, you are going to be overpaying for inferior quality! Why You End Up Paying More With An Obscure Grading Lab Report? You just appear to pay less because the diamond is of significantly lower quality than it is described to be. When you shop around for diamonds and compare prices with similar specifications, you will see find that EGL diamonds are less expensive than those graded by GIA or AGS. The point here is that you are NOT getting a better deal with EGL. A stone that is graded as S11 might end up being an I1 grade when it is certified by GIA. For example, a diamond graded to be G color by EGL/IGI might probably be graded as an I color by GIA/AGS. The same goes for diamond clarity grading. Typically, clarity and color grades of EGL/IGI diamonds are off by at least 2-4 ratings if the same diamond was to be graded by GIA or AGS instead. I singled both of them out because it’s very likely you would come across diamonds with these grading reports in jewelry stores. EGL and IGI Stones? You Better be Wary…ĮGL’s grading report is unreliable and you cannot trust the grades.ĮGL and IGI are 2 of the international labs that have relatively lax grading standards. In the trade, every jeweler worth his salt understands this problem. The same level of understanding couldn’t be said for the general consumer who probably has a hard time learning about the 4Cs, let alone the differences between labs like GIA or XXXXX gemological labs. It’s no coincidence reputable retailers NEVER use labs which deliberately over-grade diamonds. But the truth is, you are buying a diamond with far lesser quality at higher prices!Īnd that’s why unethical jewelers want to sell diamonds with questionable EGL or in-house reports. On the surface, you are seemingly getting a better deal for a diamond that’s rated highly by EGL. The real reason why a jeweler is pushing you towards a non-GIA diamond is to bank on your stupidity and to rip you off. The fact is, it is not expensive to certify a diamond at a reliable lab GIA or AGS (fyi, it’s only about $100 for a 1ct diamond). The sales pitch by the jeweler will usually go like this: “Since both GIA and EGL diamonds are rated with the same grades, why would you pay more for a GIA diamond just for a piece of paper? You will get a bigger discount if you bought a non-GIA diamond instead.”Īs an insider to the industry, let me be absolutely clear that the choice of lab reports used is based on careful decisions to manipulate profits. When trying to sell low quality diamonds, unethical jewelers will feed bullsh*t reasons to unsuspecting customers by claiming it costs more to send the diamond to GIA or that you are “buying a diamond and not a piece of paper”. This gives consumers a false impression that all labs are the same! To add to the confusion, some gemological labs even use the same terminology inside their report. Unresolved Problems With the Industry Most People Are Unaware OfĪs mentioned on the earlier page, each lab applies different criteria and standards when performing an assessment. Yet, the dependence on grading reports works like a double-edged sword and leaves room for abuse. If you are a novice shopper, your best form of assurance comes via grading reports issued by gemological labs. What about the diamond marketplace? In contrast, the industry isn’t subjected to the same level of scrutiny even though jewelry purchases often involve large sums of money! After all, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) exists to enforce regulations and performs regular checks on everyday stuff we use. Is the diamond grading report (certificate) reliable?įor most American consumers, you probably trust that the food you eat every day poses no threats to your health.