AGS Certified Diamonds
The American Gemological Society was established in 1934 by a select group of independent jewelers and Robert M. Shipley, founder of the prestigious school of gemology, the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).
In 1996, the American Gem Society introduced the AGS Laboratories, one of the leading diamond grading laboratories in the jewelry industry. The AGS laboratory issues the Diamond Quality™ Document (DQD), which is the first report from a leading lab to issue a cut grade for fancy shapes, the Diamond Quality™ Report (DQR) and the Diamond Consultation™ (DC).
The AGS Cut Grading System is the result of years of research, testing, and retesting by gemologists, optical physicists, and mathematicians. It is an evolved system that analyzes the light performance of a faceted diamond. AGS Laboratories also offers the first-ever cut grade for princess shaped diamonds.
AGS Diamond Quality Document and Diamond Quality Report
AGS uses a unique 0 to 10 grading system to quantify diamond color, clarity, and cut. A grade of 0 indicates the rarest, most desirable quality; a 10 rating is the least desirable. Each number corresponds to the internationally accepted GIA diamond scale nomenclature.
Methodology
Every AGS diamond certificate includes grades for color, clarity, carat weight, and cut. One AGS laboratory gemologist grades the diamond and then passes it to another gemologist, who also grades the stone. The diamond is then returned to the AGS laboratory's support team, which enters the stone's specifications into a database and prepares a final report for the owner.
- Each diamond is weighed to the third decimal place by means of a digital carat balance.
- The stone is electronically measured to obtain millimeter size and proportions. A precise diagram of all proportions and angles is included in each diamond certificate.
- The diamond is tested for validity and enhancements, and shape and cut style is noted.
- Color is determined by comparing the stone to master diamonds.
- Specialized lighting and a binocular microscope are used to determine clarity, which is plotted on a diamond diagram.
View an example of the AGS Diamond Quality Document and the Diamond Quality Report.
Cut Grade
AGS considers the following factors when determining a diamond's cut grade:
" Light Performance (0-10 scale): A measure of the diamond's brightness and light dispersion as well as leakage of light and contrast.
" Proportion Factors (0-10 scale): Girdle thickness, size of culet, weight ratio, durability, and tilt are considered individually and then factored together to determine a final grade.
" Finish (0-10 scale): Finish is graded based on the diamond's polish (smoothness of facets) and symmetry (uniformity of diamond shape and facet placement).
Brilliance Fun Fact: Robert M. Shipley, who also founded the Gemological Institute of America, founded the American Gemological Society in 1934.
Choosing an AGS Certified Diamond
Due to its conservative approach to diamond grading, AGS certified diamonds are some of the world's most respected graded diamonds. This being said, an AGS certified diamond should be considered to be one of the highest in quality
Brilliance Experience - Shopping AGS Certified Diamonds
Brilliance offers expert guidance to help you select the perfect AGS certified diamond. View the exquisite AGS Certified Collection from the list below. Or click on Personal Shopper™ for one-on-one guidance from a certified Diamond expert.
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| SHAPE |
CARATS |
COLOR |
CLARITY |
DEPTH |
TABLE |
REPORT |
MAKE |
PRICE |
DETAILS |
| Princess | 0.39 | D | VS1 | 69.2% | 72.0% | AGS | Excellent | $621.56 | Details | | Round | 0.36 | E | SI2 | 62.3% | 56.0% | AGS | Ideal | $689.90 | Details | | Round | 0.31 | G | VS2 | 62.8% | 56.0% | AGS | Ideal | $698.99 | Details | | Round | 0.38 | E | SI2 | 60.3% | 57.0% | AGS | Ideal | $728.23 | Details | | Round | 0.32 | G | VVS2 | 61.7% | 54.4% | AGS | Ideal | $756.86 | Details | | Round | 0.30 | E | VS1 | 61.0% | 56.0% | AGS | Ideal | $810.00 | Details | | Round | 0.31 | F | VS2 | 60.8% | 57.0% | AGS | Ideal | $838.49 | Details | | Round | 0.56 | M | SI1 | 61.1% | 57.0% | AGS | Ideal | $856.80 | Details | | Round | 0.50 | K | SI2 | 61.3% | 57.0% | AGS | Ideal | $864.00 | Details | | Round | 0.39 | G | VS2 | 61.7% | 55.0% | AGS | Ideal | $879.37 | Details | | Round | 0.31 | F | VS1 | 61.8% | 56.0% | AGS | Ideal | $893.28 | Details | | Round | 0.35 | G | VS1 | 60.9% | 57.0% | AGS | Ideal | $930.90 | Details | | Round | 0.35 | G | VS1 | 62.3% | 55.0% | AGS | Ideal | $930.90 | Details | | Round | 0.39 | H | VVS2 | 61.6% | 55.0% | AGS | Ideal | $948.01 | Details | | Round | 0.53 | K | SI1 | 60.5% | 58.0% | AGS | Ideal | $956.86 | Details | | Round | 0.31 | D | VS2 | 62.5% | 57.0% | AGS | Ideal | $962.05 | Details | | Round | 0.31 | E | VS1 | 61.1% | 57.0% | AGS | Ideal | $962.05 | Details | | Radiant | 0.48 | G | VS2 | 65.3% | 47.0% | AGS | Excellent | $962.88 | Details | | Round | 0.38 | G | VS1 | 62.0% | 55.0% | AGS | Ideal | $989.17 | Details | | Round | 0.32 | D | VS2 | 59.8% | 57.0% | AGS | Ideal | $993.09 | Details | | Round | 0.38 | E | VS2 | 60.5% | 56.0% | AGS | Ideal | $1,000.83 | Details | | Round | 0.50 | J | SI1 | 61.5% | 57.0% | AGS | Ideal | $1,003.00 | Details | | Round | 0.38 | G | VS1 | 61.9% | 53.0% | AGS | Ideal | $1,010.69 | Details | | Round | 0.56 | K | SI1 | 61.2% | 57.0% | AGS | Ideal | $1,011.02 | Details | | Round | 0.34 | G | VVS2 | 61.4% | 56.0% | AGS | Ideal | $1,017.44 | Details | | Round | 0.34 | H | VVS1 | 61.5% | 56.0% | AGS | Ideal | $1,017.44 | Details | | Round | 0.32 | D | VVS1 | 61.0% | 57.0% | AGS | Ideal | $1,036.13 | Details | | Round | 0.35 | G | VVS2 | 61.9% | 56.0% | AGS | Ideal | $1,047.37 | Details | | Round | 0.36 | G | VVS2 | 61.9% | 54.0% | AGS | Ideal | $1,077.29 | Details | | Round | 0.36 | G | VVS2 | 60.6% | 55.0% | AGS | Ideal | $1,077.29 | Details | | Round | 0.42 | E | VS2 | 60.8% | 57.0% | AGS | Ideal | $1,077.93 | Details | | Round | 0.43 | D | SI1 | 62.6% | 55.0% | AGS | Ideal | $1,082.28 | Details | | Round | 0.37 | G | VVS2 | 61.7% | 57.0% | AGS | Ideal | $1,083.64 | Details | | Round | 0.38 | F | VS1 | 62.3% | 57.0% | AGS | Ideal | $1,094.99 | Details | | Round | 0.38 | E | VS2 | 62.1% | 54.0% | AGS | Ideal | $1,094.99 | Details |
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