Beginners Guide: How to check diamond quality online
“I’m interested in purchasing an engagement ring online, because it seems like I can get a better-quality diamond for less money. However, I’m nervous about buying sight unseen off the internet. An interesting conundrum, I know. I’m certain that I’m not the first customer you’ve had who has expressed this concern. Sure, your Brian Gavin Signature round diamonds look amazing in the video, but how do I know what they’re going to look like in-person? I guess what I’m wondering is how to check diamond quality. How to be sure that my expectations match-up with reality. Is there some sort of way to judge diamond quality online?”
How to know a good diamond:
Another way to look at what you’re asking me, is how to know a good diamond from one which is not going to perform well. The diamond grading report issued by the American Gemological Society Laboratory (AGSL) that evaluates all Brian Gavin Signature diamonds, is the first step towards peace of mind.
Let’s use the AGSL Diamond Quality Document (DQD) issued for this 1.082 carat, G-color, VS-1 clarity, Black by Brian Gavin diamond as an example. The AGSL is an independent, impartial third-party, gemological laboratory that is widely recognized as a leading authority in diamond grading. We rely upon their services to provide our clients with a neutral, third-party assessment of diamond quality.
Using standard gemological grading techniques and proprietary light performance grading technology, the AGSL determined the characteristics of this diamond. Such as, the carat weight, color, clarity, and degree of fluorescence. The AGSL also determines the overall cut quality of the diamond, taking into account the factors of polish, proportions, and meet-point symmetry.
In this particular instance, the AGSL determined that the overall cut grade of this diamond is AGS Ideal-0 on the Light Performance grading platform. This means that in addition to the basics, such as polish, symmetry and proportions, the diamond was also subjected to Angular Spectrum Evaluation Technology (ASET) which measures diamonds for brightness. We can use the multi-colored ASET image provided on the DQD, to verify that light is reflecting evenly throughout the diamond.
How to judge diamond sparkle online:
The only way to be certain that a diamond is going to exhibit the highest volume of light return and the best sparkle factor, is to buy your diamond from an established brand like Brian Gavin. The reason is because our diamonds are produced within a very strict range of standards for overall cut quality, proportions, and optical precision.
We’ve sold more than 250,000 Brian Gavin Signature diamonds online. That’s a quarter of a million satisfied customers. A quarter of a million diamonds, all produced to the highest standard of diamond cut quality. Perhaps the best way to be assured of quality when buying a diamond online, is therefore to purchase from a vendor like Brian Gavin, who has established a widely recognized reputation of excellence.
But you should also check diamond quality by verifying the details of the diamond grading report. You can use the AGS Report Check feature on their web site, to verify the quality of every Brian Gavin Signature diamond.
You can also use the images provided of the diamond, as seen through an ASET Scope, Ideal Scope, and Hearts & Arrows Scope, to verify the degree of optical precision. An example of those images appears at the top of this page.
