GHI vs EGL diamond ratings. What is the diffrence? How do they compare?

Howdy patrickscott-ga,

You are no doubt actually asking about the GIA (The Gemological Institute
of America" and the EGL ("The European Gemological Laboratory") and how they
compare and differ.  "GHI" is part of a color rating range by the GIA, as
pointed out on this HAGO Jewelry, Inc. web page on the GIA rating system.
http://www.hagoj.com/acatalog/E_Learn_Diamond.shtml

"GIA Color Grade Definition ... G H I ..."

This "Labs & Certificates" page on the "Jewellery Catalogue co.uk" website
compares the GIA and EGL systems with several others.
http://www.jewellerycatalogue.co.uk/diamonds/certificate_info.php

"...
G.I.A. The Gemological Institute of America

GIA is the industry standard for grading.
Certificates provide[:]

Shape Measurements,
Weight
Depth Percentage
Table Percentage
Girdle Thickness
Culet Size
Polish
Symmetry
Clarity Grade
Color Grade
Fluorescence
Comments about Diamond
Plot of Internal and External Inclusions

...

E.G.L. - The European Gemological Laboratory: 

E.G.L. provides a detail diamond report. The E.G.L. certification does
provide more proportion information than the G.I.A. diamond report by
including the important pavilion and crown angles in their diamond report.
...
E.G.L. Certified Diamond Reports provide this information:

Shape and Cut Measurements
Weight
Depth Percentage
Table Percentage
Crown Angle
Pavilion Angle
Girdle Thickness
Culet Size 
Polish
Symmetry
Clarity Grade
Color Grade
Fluorescence
Comments about Diamond
Plot of Internal and External Inclusions
..."

There are other comments on the above page that you should read for details.

A bit harsher comparison of GIA and EGL can be found on the "Five Star
Diamonds" website.
http://www.4diamond.com/Certify/

"This leaves only GIA and EGL to be considered most reputable and reliable.
But are they equal?"

You should read the above page to get their total perspective on the subject.

If indeed you are talking about GHI ("Gem House International") then here is
their page on their reporting system.
http://www.ghilab.com/reports.asp

"The GHI appraisal includes:

Shape and Cut ? The shape and style of diamond cut. (Ex. Round Brilliant Cut).
Measurement ? The measurements of the diamond in millimeters.
Weight ? The total weight of the diamond measured before it is set.
Proportions ? The depth, table, girdle thickness, and culet of the diamond.
Finish ? The grade of the polish and symmetry of the diamond.
Clarity Grade ? The clarity grade determined under 10x magnification.
Color Grade ? The color of the diamond when compared to the GHI master set of
diamonds. 
Comments ? The description of additional diamond characteristics not mentioned
in the report. 
Estimated Value ? The GHI lists the current total estimated retail replacement
value of the item appraised.
..."

If you are indeed thinking of GHI, you might consider this posting on the
Diamond Cutters International (DCI) website/=.
http://diamondcuttersintl.com/diamond_education/ask/view_item.asp?ID=8467

"Have you ever heard of GHI certification? I am looking at a diamond online
and it claims to have this certification. 
...
Nope, never heard of them."

Aslo, you might note that the "Jewellery Catalogue co.uk" list of "Grading
Laboratories" does not even list the GHI.
 
If you need any clarification, please feel free to ask.


Search strategy:

Google search on: GIA EGL certified
://www.google.com/search?q=GIA+EGL+certified

Looking Forward, denco-ga - Google Answers Researcher

---

Clarification of Answer by denco-ga on 15 Feb 2006 13:03 PST

Apologies, but "Aslo, you might note that ..." should have read "Also, you
might note that ..." in my Answer.

Looking Forward, denco-ga - Google Answers Researcher

Close, but not cigar. Thanks for trying.

Patrick,
I can recognize your confusion.  On some site, "GHI certified"
appears, apparently indicating that GHI color is documented with a
certificate (by whomever).
There is, however, a GHI certifier; Gem House International:
http://www.pricescope.com/diamonds/x6855.htm

It appears on many eBay sites.  Scroll down on this one and you can
see the certificate:
http://cgi.ebay.ie/GHI-Certified-0-51ct-Asscher-Diamond-Earrings_W0QQitemZ8903119460QQcategoryZ10986QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

There are discussions about the varying quality of different certifiers.
As I remember, EGL ranked highest in someone's opinion.

I hope this is of some help.  Myoarin

Thanks for the answer  denco-ga, but I was actually looking for the
info on GHI vs EGL. Not GIA v EGL. I had not hearad of GHI, which is
what I was looking for.

Myoarin, you are right regarding GHI.

I actually found this info about an hour after posting this question.

But thank you both!

Thanks for the 5 star rating, patrickscott-ga.

Looking Forward, denco-ga - Google Answers Researcher