Comments on: IGI vs GIA

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:58:09 +0000

Went back and looked at paperwork, paid $3600 not $5000 but now realize that was even too much. So, I am now going to skip the EGL diamond and looking for some specific advice. I have read through your “Truth About”, excellent information. Can you state the minimum requirements for the following diamonds. I need to find a diamond to match my .72 mentioned above but on the GIA scale (how do I compare now that I already purchased an IGI diamond?), I would like a 1 carat round to be the center stone for these 2 diamonds, and I would like a 2 carat round for my center stone on wedding band. Wedding band is plantinum and looking for platinum band for mothers ring also.

By: Mike

Mike — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:55:27 +0000

See my article on EGL for my opinion of EGL. And the price you paid for 0.72 was really really high. See here for example: http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Fair-Cut-Round-Diamond-1453609.asp

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:43:36 +0000

We purchased a IGI certified Round brilliant cut .72 G(I) VS(2) Measurements 5.88-5.9×3.47mm in July 2005 for $5000. Not sure if we got a good deal or not. Now we are looking to move this diamond to a different ring and add a 2 carat with similar specs. to the wedding band and purchasing 2 diamonds of about .6 carat per diamond to go on either side of the above mentioned diamond. We got a quote of 2.36 carats EGL certified SI-1 Clarity, H color Round Brilliant beautiful stone $13,900.00. Thoughts on quality compared to price? Wouldn’t mind opinion about price for already purchased stone and any suggestions for future purchases of 3 above mentioned diamonds. Going to loose diamond show on 2/23.

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 07:08:36 +0000

Hi Sunny. Firstly, I think you’re spending too much money for something you won’t be able to appreciate with your eye. Check out this video I made while in NY last week: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_y44frw9I0

Secondly, the cut on this stone isn’t so great. 63.2% depth is a bit too deep.

Thirdly, I don’t know if this price includes VAT or not, so I can’t really comment. But even if it does, this is a better deal:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/E-VS2-Good-Cut-Round-Diamond-1442083.asp

A GIA E VS2 is probably the equivalent to your IGI D VS1. The cut is basically the same (see the depth and table). The price is $7,590 which comes to 5829 GBP including VAT according to JA’s currency converter.

By: sunnyk

sunnyk — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 01:00:01 +0000

Hi, wondering what you think of the following price. igi certified, 1ct, d-colour, vs1, cut grade- excellent, polish- excellent, symmetry- very good, table 56%, total depth 63.2%, fluorescence- very slight?

am getting this for £6500 GPB

any good?

By: Heather

Heather — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:28:28 +0000

Ok. Thanks, Mike.

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:03:28 +0000

No “appraisal” is recognized as a legitimate appraisal of value. They’re only for showing your insurance company. There’s no use to meaning to them outside of that.

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:16:33 +0000

Sounds good. Glad you found something you’re happy with!

By: Heather

Heather — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:26:46 +0000

Hi Ira,

I have heard that IGI does appraisals, while GIA does not. How recognized are these appraisals, particularly for fancy colored stones (given the wide pricing range that fancy colored stones get)?

By: John

John — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 08:16:44 +0000

Almost forgot!
Report City + Date ANTWERP January 12 2012
Description Natural Diamond
Shape And Cut Round Brilliant
Carat Weight 0.70 Carat
Color Grade E
Clarity Grade VS 2
Cut Grade Excellent
Polish Excellent
Symmetry Excellent
Measurements 5.66 – 5.69 x 3.57 mm
Table 57%
Crown Height – Angle 16.5% – 37.5°
Pavilion Depth – Angle 43.5% – 41°
Girdle Thickness Medium (Faceted)
Culet Pointed
Fluorescence None