How are diamonds rated for performance?
“Could you please explain to me how are diamonds rated for performance? I’ve got a limited grasp on the concepts of diamond clarity, color, and carat weight. That part of the equation seems straightforward. Where I find myself confused is trying to decide which GIA Excellent and AGS Ideal diamonds are going to perform best. I’ve read all sorts of articles online that talk about light performance and sparkle factor, but I don’t understand how those factors are rated. Is an overall cut grade of GIA Excellent or AGS Ideal good enough? Or is there more to the equation that I need to consider? By the way, I’m looking for something in the range of 1.50 – 2.00 carats, probably F-G color and VS-2 or higher in clarity.”
Only the AGSL Grades Light Performance:
One of the critical differences between the AGS and GIA gemological laboratories, is that only the American Gem Society Laboratory (AGSL) grades diamonds for light performance. Both gemological laboratories take proportions, polish and symmetry into account, as part of their overall cut grade. However only the AGSL uses Angular Spectrum Evaluation Technology (ASET) to rate diamonds for light performance.
And the AGSL only does that, if the company submitting the diamond for grading, requests that the diamond be graded on the Light Performance grading platform. Which is why you’ll see a lot of diamond grading reports for AGS Ideal-0 cut diamonds, which do not feature the multi-colored ASET Scope image. You might wonder why the diamond cutter didn’t opt for the more detailed insight provided by ASET. What is it that they don’t want you to see?
Take a look at the diamond grading report issued by the AGSL for this 1.738 carat, F-color, VS-2 clarity, Black by Brian Gavin hearts and arrows round diamond. The ASET image looks amazing, because the optical precision of the diamond is cut to the highest standards.
How to Interpret ASET, Ideal, H&A Scope images:
Brian Gavin Signature diamonds offer incredible light return and sparkle factor. There is no doubt about it. We’ve sold more than a quarter million diamonds online. Imagine all those happy, satisfied clients, running around with all those sparkling Brian Gavin Signature diamonds! There must be something to it!
In addition to the incredible cut quality that is an inherent part of Brian’s production, we back up our claim to fame with the reflector scope images to prove it! We do more than simply state that our diamonds are hearts and arrows. We provide a high-resolution photograph of the actual hearts pattern exhibited by that specific diamond. We also provide an ASET Scope and Ideal Scope photograph, which serve as visual proof of the superior light performance that you can expect from every Brian Gavin Signature diamond. Because it’s not enough to simply say that a diamond performs well… We must prove it, because otherwise how else can you know for certain?
At Brian Gavin Diamonds, we believe in empowering our clients to make a truly informed decision. Which is why we send our diamonds to the AGS Laboratory to be graded on the Light Performance grading platform, and pay the little bit extra for the ASET analysis. The difference in cost is about the price of a happy meal, we think that your peace of mind is totally worth it.
And that is also why we invested in a state-of-the-art imaging system, which enables us to capture the ASET Scope, Ideal Scope, and Hearts & Arrows images necessary for you to see for yourself, how truly remarkable our diamonds are cut. This goes beyond the basics of how diamonds are rated for performance, it empowers you to buy the most spectacular diamond possible.
