What About EGL Certification?

Q:

Hi Liz,

I am writing to ask for your opinion. I am looking for a loose diamond from WhiteFlash. After reading almost all the articles you wrote, I finally decided to contact you. My budget is around $7000 to $9000 for a loose diamond. I’m looking for:

Carat Weight: between 0.93 to 1.10, but I prefer as large as I can get under the following criteria:

Cut: Round shape, excellent or above
Color: Anything above G will be perfect for me.
Clarity: an eye clean diamond one will be great, and better between VS2 and VS1. Higher will be even better.

I found one diamond that I like here: https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2782645.htm

I look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you,

Dan

A:

Hello Dan,

I like this 1.008ct G VS2 for $7,868.00. It shows a beautiful ASET image that is bright red with crisp blue arrows for contrast. It measures 6.42×6.45×3.98. This diamond is eye-clean as well.

Another option is this 1.015ct G VS2 for $8,802.00: https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2661539.htm

The diamond is actually part of Whiteflash’s ACA collection, their highest cut grade with hearts and arrows optical symmetry. The very best of the best and representing the top 1% of all diamonds. If you look closely the ASET image is brighter and slightly more symmetrical than the 1.008ct. It is of course eye-clean as well and measures a nice 6.45×6.47×3.98.

Please let me know what you think and if you have any questions.

Kind Regards,

Liz

Q:

Hi Liz,

Thanks for your response. What do you think about an EGL certification? I found a diamond from our local store that has an EGL lab report and it is significantly cheaper than Whiteflash.

Thanks,

Dan

EGL Certification – Diamonds Are Sent To EGL In Hopes To Get Color/Clarity Bumps In Order To Sell Better

A:

Hello Dan,

I do not recommend EGL (European Gemological Laboratory) graded diamonds. First of all they are a for-profit organization that runs their labs independently from each other. Their prices are cheaper than other labs and they are also inconsistent in their grading practices. Perhaps most important of all, EGL is known as a ‘soft’ grader; meaning that diamonds are sent to EGL in hopes to get up to two color/clarity bumps in order for the stone to sell better! These diamonds are often sold much cheaper than their GIA or AGS equivalents making them appear cheaper when in actual fact they are lower color/clarity grade stones that are being sold at a premium! Many people don’t realize this and mistakenly purchase an EGL diamond just because it is slightly cheaper than a GIA/AGS diamond. Remember, there is a reason for everything and this includes pricing for diamonds!

I still recommend either of the Whiteflash diamonds for you, with a preference for the ACA diamond.

You get peace of mind of the exact cut precision of the stone (as shown by the ASET and ideal-scope images) as well as optical symmetry (hearts and arrows patterning). Whiteflash only selects the very top 1% of super-ideal diamonds to make their ACA diamond collection. All ACA’s have symmetrical ASET images for evenly distributed light reflection and brilliance along with hearts and arrows optical symmetry. Definitely go for the ACA diamond, you won’t be disappointed!

1.015ct G VS2 ACA diamond from Whiteflash

I hope I’ve helped you in your diamond search. Let me know if you have any last minute questions.

Kind Regards,

Liz

Q:

Thanks for your detailed explanation regarding EGL certification. I feel a lot more confident in purchasing a diamond online now – thanks to you!

I really like the 1.015ct G VS2 from Whiteflash, so thanks again for your help!

Dan