Washington Diamond does not recommend EGL certified loose diamonds and we also don't sell them to our customers.
We believe GIA certified diamonds or AGS certified diamonds are higher quality and graded with stricter standards and greater accuracy. GIA certified diamonds and AGS certified diamonds offer a better total value to consumers: they get a higher quality diamond at a better price.
Q. What is the difference between EGL and GIA or AGS certified diamonds?
EGL stands for the European Gemological Laboratory. EGL is based in Europe and has four laboratories in the United States that are called the EGL USA Group.
They use the same grading system for color and clarity that was originally developed by GIA, the Gemological Institute of America. GIA is the world's foremost authority on diamond and gemstone grading.
the American Gem Society Laboratories has similar strict standards as GIA and uses much of the GIA developed grading system and nomenclature.
AGS Laboratories is also well known for very strict grading of cut for round brilliant cut diamonds, called Triple Ideals or Triple Zeros (equivalent to GIA Triple Excellent Cuts).
Q. What do these laboratories do?
Gem laboratories are independent authorities that produce grading reports for individual diamonds or gemstones. Their report helps dealers and consumers assess quality differences within a framework that is standardized, recognized, and respected.
Gem laboratories try to produce a grading report that is scientific in nature (describing weights and measurements), but some aspects of their work involve subjective assessments.
Their subjective assessment of color, clarity, and cut is where EGL certified diamonds vary the most from GIA certified diamonds and AGS certified diamonds.
Q. How do they differ?
There is a general impression in our industry that EGL certified diamonds do not compare favorably with GIA certified diamonds and AGS certified diamonds in head to head comparisons of supposedly equal quality characteristics.
GIA certified diamonds and AGS certified diamonds on average look better in quality. Our independent testing has demonstrated to our satisfaction that this general impression is valid. See the results of our experiment.
We will not offer our customers EGL certified diamonds for this reason. Sometimes, EGL certified diamonds with the same color and clarity grades as GIA certified diamonds or AGS certified diamonds are sold at a slightly lower price, giving consumers the impression that they are a superior value.
There is a reason those diamonds are cheaper and they are not as high in quality.
See and compare: EGL Certificate Report and GIA Certificate Report on the same diamond.
Learn more about GIA certified and AGS Certified loose diamonds.
