Does shopping for fine jewelry and diamonds make you confused? There are many things to look for. You might come across AGS diamond certification and wonder what it is.
AGS diamond certification comes from the American Gem Society, a diamond grading laboratory. AGS certification shows the quality and value of a diamond.
A diamond is an expensive purchase. Before you buy a diamond, you should understand the certification. I have more to share about AGS.
What is the AGS?
AGS stands for American Gem Society. This is a non-profit diamond laboratory. AGS is based in the United States. The AGS has a focus on diamond cut grading. With this, consumers can learn about diamond cuts. You should do this before you buy a diamond.
The cut of a diamond is an important part of its value. When you buy an AGS-certified diamond, you can trust that it’s high-quality.
The AGS certification comes from the AGS group. This is a way for you to tell the value of your diamond.
What Does AGS Certified Mean?
AGS offers a Diamond Quality Certificate. This certificate is a legal statement. This statement guarantees the following:
- Authenticity
- Quality
- Cut grade
- Color grade
- Clarity grade
- Carat weight
This may be a registered jeweler. A gemologist or gemologist appraiser can give grades too.
Why Does an AGS Diamond Report Matter?
The AGS offers a diamond grading report. This is in addition to the Diamond Quality Certificate. The certificate is a legal guarantee, while the diamond report is not.
They have a similar purpose. They both show the diamond’s features. Those features affect the diamond’s value.
Are AGS Diamonds Worth More?
AGS diamonds are worth more because they have been graded. This is proof of their value. You can expect to pay a little bit more money for AGS diamonds. This is because you’re paying for the certification.
When you buy an AGS diamond, you have the peace of mind that you are getting a quality diamond. You can trust the certification and report process.
The diamond’s cut, color, and other details set its worth too. A larger diamond is worth more than a smaller one. A diamond with less color is worth more money too.
Is an AGS Certificate Worth It?
Each diamond gets an AGS certificate and an AGS report. The report is an opinion and not a legal statement. The certificate provides a legal statement.
You will have to pay more for the certificate. For legal reasons and insurance reasons, it can be helpful to have the certificate. This is proof of the grade. The cost difference can vary. The decision is up to you.
If you feel that having legal proof is important, it may be worth it to pay for the certificate. The report is reliable because it comes from an expert. It’s simply missing the legal piece.
You can look at your options and their costs. Think about when you may need legal proof of the diamond’s value. In many cases, a report is enough.
Is AGS as Reputable as GIA?
If you have looked at diamonds, you might have also seen the GIA. The GIA is the Gemological Institute of America. This group is like AGS.
GIA has been around longer and has an established name. Some jewelers prefer AGS though. This is because AGS gives a detailed report of the diamond’s cut.
Both groups are reputable. Their reports can be used together. This is because they measure differently.
In short, both AGS and GIA can be trusted. If you are buying a diamond, using either AGS or GIA can help you to know its value.
The two grading systems can be used together. This helps to get a more complete report of the diamond.
There may be some overlap in the results. No important details will be missing.
What is the AGS Grading Scale?
When shopping for a diamond, it can help to understand the grading scale. The highest grade is zero. The lowest grade is 10.
The grade of a diamond goes in this order:
Final thoughts…
AGS diamond certification helps you know what you are buying when you are shopping for a diamond. A diamond is an important purchase. You want to be sure you get a high-quality diamond.
An AGS diamond certification is a great option. You might also choose to look at GIA diamonds. There are other diamond grading groups as well.
If you are shopping for a graded diamond, you should:
- Find an AGS-certified jeweler or gemologist.
- Ask questions about the diamond and its grade.
- Compare different diamonds and their grades.
- Choose if you want a diamond report or a diamond certification.
