Diamond Certification Company - Gem Scan

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d-girl1011

d-girl1011

super stylin' nerd
O.G.
Mar 2, 2009
1,096
5
#1
Hi All:

I am new to learning about diamonds and have been reading many threads in this subforum. I have learned a heck of alot, but there is so much left to still learn. I'm having a little bit of trouble wrapping my head around some of the diamond certification issues. I know that GIA and AGS (I think those are their names) are the most reputable. In some of my internet research and ground truthing (by actually visiting stores in Toronto) I have come across some jewelers that are using the Gem Scan certification. It's a Canadian company located here in Toronto. Seemingly their diamonds are way cheaper than any I have seen before. My research tells me that this is because they are not a known/worldwide certification company. Does anyone have any knowledge on this company?

In general, should I be weary about buying a diamond that is not AGS or GIA certified?
 
#2
not sure about gem scan specifically but generally any other than gia/ags might have gradings that are off.. for example egl usa is about 1 grade off, while egl israel can be 3-4 gradings off.. my guess would be that they are cheaper because the grading is off rather than the reputation..
 
#3
d-girl - you would be right to be cautious of lesser known diamond grading labs.

I would tell you that if a deal looks too good to be true - it probably is. The main cost of a diamond is made up by the actual diamond, the cost of having a diamond graded is an insignificant amount of the total purchase price.

Now this is pure speculation, but Its possible that the reason that the jeweler uses GemScan as opposed to a world recognized authority on diamonds (GIA), is because their grading standards are more lax, and they represent diamonds of a lesser quality as better than they really are. Or maybe its less expensive than having the gems graded by GIA, who knows.

My advice to you would be simply go to the jeweler and request that the stone be sent away for a GIA grading report. The cost is minimal, I believe under 100 dollars for most diamonds. If you look at the potential money you have to lose by depending on a lesser known grading report, it only makes sense.
 
#4
VeryChic said:
d-girl - you would be right to be cautious of lesser known diamond grading labs.

I would tell you that if a deal looks too good to be true - it probably is. The main cost of a diamond is made up by the actual diamond, the cost of having a diamond graded is an insignificant amount of the total purchase price.

Now this is pure speculation, but Its possible that the reason that the jeweler uses GemScan as opposed to a world recognized authority on diamonds (GIA), is because their grading standards are more lax, and they represent diamonds of a lesser quality as better than they really are. Or maybe its less expensive than having the gems graded by GIA, who knows.

My advice to you would be simply go to the jeweler and request that the stone be sent away for a GIA grading report. The cost is minimal, I believe under 100 dollars for most diamonds. If you look at the potential money you have to lose by depending on a lesser known grading report, it only makes sense.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice. After more research, i don't think I feel comfortable buying a diamond that is not GIA or AGS certified.
 
#6
They are not considered a "reputable" cert, many of the chain maul stores use them to "certify" their diamonds. Stick with GIA/AGS/EGL-USA. Egl I have found is VERY strict on clarity, and about a grade looser on color.
 
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