Basically, the price you paid for a diamond depends greatly on the grading printed on its certificate. We all know that GIA and AGS are two of the most recognized diamond grading associations and because of this, diamonds with their certificates are able to fetch a higher price compared to a similar grade diamond with certificates from other associations. Frankly speaking, the premium doesn’t really come only from its branding but rather the consistency and strict standards that GIA and AGS deliver and maintain. Let’s discuss about this in a little bit more detail.  

Consistency of result
The act of grading a diamond is always subjective as there is no universal definition of the grades given for the 4Cs. In many cases, if you were to send a diamond to both GIA and EGL (not that you would), you will probably receive different evaluations as a result. For example, a diamond with Color G to EGL may seem like color I to GIA. This variation of grading outcome is acceptable; after all, you are talking about two different grading bodies looking at the same diamond! However, if there is varying grades within the same association itself for similar diamonds, it is something undesirable and annoying. Such organizations have the tendency to change their grading standards periodically and even make grading mistakes within their labs. Consistent quality is what made both GIA and AGS so widely accepted.  

  Strict Standards of Certificate   

The main difference between GIA and EGL is that the former is a non-profit organization while EGL is a commercial institution. Therefore, understandingly, GIA tends to be more objective than EGL when grading diamonds as the latter is more customer-focused (in this situation, their customers are the diamond merchants). This results in a disparity so well-known in the industry that it is no longer secret.  If that is the case, why would EGL gain so much popularity and edge in the market? This is partly due to the poor service, high cost of service, the long time taken to grade a diamond and the unavailability of the pre-cert option which both GIA and AGS deliver. EGL came in a fill in the gaps and provided pre-cert options that allow diamond merchants to look at the determined grading before deciding whether to get the actual certificate printed out.  

 Again, due to the difference in their organization focus, EGL tends to give higher grades than GIA and AGS when similar diamonds are inspected. It is also an open secret that EGL gives an average of 2-3 higher grades than AGS and GIA. What does this mean for the consumer like you and me?    

In reality, for example, looking at diamond A which is graded by EGL with a certain rating and diamond B with a similar rating by GIA, the diamond which is certified by EGL might seem to sell at a significant discount. However, in actual case, diamond A would probably be graded by GIA with a lower grading and hence be of lower price.   

 Therefore, our advice to you guys out there is not to buy any diamonds being graded by EGL! Would you prefer to buy the same diamond being graded by EGL with an excellent cut or graded very good cut by GIA? Of course you would buy the diamond graded by GIA because it is cheaper! It IS the same stone after all.   

 

For diamond wholesaler’s point of view, EGL and random certificate is in favor to them, as they are much faster and efficient, more loose in grading so can get better grading results and earn higher, cheaper (lower overall cost). Diamond wholesaler may choose to display EGL and discard GIA.
  

0.91c – G – SI1 – Verg Good – EGL -$3,521.55- Abazias

 

From consumer’s view, for color G and clarity SI1 for EGL and GIA, which one will you choose? If you choose GIA/ AGS, in return you get a consistent and higher standard of grading with higher price. While if you choose EGL, you will get a lower quality diamond with lower price.