Research and Technology Illuminate the Cut Grade

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2 Research and Technology Illuminate the Cut Grade The American Gem Society TM (AGS) Performance-Based Cut Grading System is the result of five years of research, testing, and retesting by a team of gemologists, optical physicists, and mathematicians.with this release, the Society has further enriched their founding tenet of consumer protection by offering an evolved system that analyzes the light performance of a faceted diamond. Manufacturers, dealers, and retailers now can better serve their clients with diamond grading reports that offer a complete and scientifically proven analysis of cut for not only round brilliants, but for fancy shapes. Consumers benefit because they can make an even more informed buying decision on a vast array of diamonds. The catalyst for this breakthrough in Cut Grading is leading-edge technology that traces light as it travels through a diamond. The AGS research team held firm to the basic principle of scientific reasoning and empirical evidence with the prior proportion-based system. They verified each crucial and seemingly noncrucial point with third-party experts, including leading optical physicists and mathematicians.the research team utilized optical physics software to model and evaluate a diamond s performance.

3 The Making of a Great Performance When the AGS Cut Grading System evolved from a proportion-based system to one anchored by light performance, it changed the way the AGS Laboratories grades both fancy shapes and round brilliants. The AGS Performance-Based Cut Grading System takes advantage of revolutionary hardware and software in considering a diamond s performance:... The diamonds are first measured using a non-contact measuring device, which also creates a three-dimensional model. The diamond grader imports the information into the AGS ray-tracing software and receives values for proportions and light performance. The diamond grader then analyzes the girdle, the culet, the symmetry, and the polish characteristics of the diamond. All form the three elements to the final Cut Grade Light Performance, Proportion Factors, and Finish, giving consumers a more thoroughly analyzed diamond, which in turn helps them make a more informed buying decision. As an indication of the level of thoroughness of the AGS Performance-Based Cut Grading System, each of these categories takes into consideration the following factors: Light Performance Brightness Dispersion (Fire) Leakage Contrast Proportion Factors Girdle Thickness Culet Size Weight Ratio Durability Tilt Finish Polish Symmetry

4 The World s Leading Diamond Document for Cut Still Reigns The Diamond Quality Document (DQD) incorporates the AGS Performance-Based Cut Grading System and features a elegant design, reflective of the documents stature as the leading diamond document for Cut. The DQD provides a complete grading analysis of Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat Weight. We examine the performance of a diamond how the diamond handles and refracts light.

5 Understanding an AGS Laboratories Diamond Quality Document AGS Laboratories Diamond Quality Document (DQD) provides you with an easy to read format. The following defines the components of the DQD, and provides a tool for the consumer to make an informed buying decision. AGS Number: Unique identification number that allows AGS Laboratories to respond quickly to questions regarding the diamond. Proportions: The drawing on the right side of the report details all of the critical angles and percentages. *See Proportion Diagram below. Date: This is the date the document was produced. Shape and Style: Describes the diamond's shape (round, etc.) and style (brilliant, etc.). Measurements: Round shaped diamond measurements are expressed (minimum diameter) (maximum diameter) x (depth), in millimeters. All other shapes are always expressed (length) x (width) x (depth), in millimeters. Length is the top to bottom measurement and width is the left to right measurement. Plot: The diamond's clarity characteristics are mapped using symbols to indicate the inclusions and/or blemishes. A Key to Symbols (not shown here) will be located below the plot if any inclusions and/or blemishes are mapped on the plot. Flap: This shows the factors that make up the Cut Grade. Hologram: Offers protection against fraudulent reproduction. Cut Grade: The American Gem Society set the standard for documenting a Cut Grade. The Cut Grade is expressed in a unique -1 scale, with being an AGS Ideal TM Cut. AGS utilizes a performance-based system. Color Grade: The less color (usually yellow) in a diamond the better the grade. The Color Grade is also expressed in a -1 scale with being Colorless. Clarity Grade: Clarity refers to a diamond's inclusions and blemishes. The Clarity Grade is expressed on a scale of -1 with being Flawless/IF. Carat Weight: The diamond's weight is noted to the nearest thousandth of a carat. Comments: Additional notes about the diamond. SAMPLE When a diamond receives a Cut Grade of 1 1 the flap will show the 11 factors that make up the Cut Grade. Cumulative Brightness Contrast Dispersion Leakage Weight Ratio Tilt Durability Sum Cumulative: The values given for the cumulative factors are totaled together, which can affect the Cut Grade. Net Lowering: The values given for the net lowering factors can affect the Cut Grade only if greater than the Cumulative sum. Unifraction Embossing(Not Shown): This is an additional security mark on the reverse side of the document. *Proportion Diagram Scale: Provides Cut, Color, and Clarity comparison scales. Important Notice: Along with important disclosures, this paragraph alerts the consumer to seek a Certified Gemologist to explain how the 4Cs stated in the document can affect the value of the diamond. Net Lowering Girdle Culet Polish Symmetry Largest

6 TM A Value-Added ASET : A Tool That Enhances the Consumer Experience and Helps Increase Sales As an extension of the research, the AGS realized the need to provide a tool to retailers that they could use to demonstrate to customers the effect of light on the cut of a diamond. This led to the development of the Angular Spectrum Evaluation Tool (ASET TM ). The ASET TM is a device that, along with showing optical symmetry characteristics, maps the light handling ability of the diamond. Using blue, red, and green spectrum, the ASET TM offers the viewer an instant impression of the light handling capabilities of the diamond: In minutes anyone can see and evaluate a diamond s light performance with an ASET TM tool. Retailers can demonstrate the difference between a lower quality make and a fine make, which can translate into more sales, and consumers can make a purchase with more confidence after viewing the performance of their diamond in action. Desktop and Handheld versions of the ASET TM both reveal r details about where e the diamond is receiving r light from. Red areas indicate the best use of light. Blue areas show positive contrast. Green indicates less efficient use of light.

7 The AGS Performance-Based Cut Grading System has added new terms to the industry s lexicon. Angular Spectrum Evaluation Tool (ASET TM ) A device that color-codes the angular ranges from which a diamond draws or gathers light. Brightness The amount of white light returned to the observer. Brilliance Brightness with positive contrast effects. Contrast - The light and dark patterns seen when observing a faceted diamond. It can be positive or negative in its optical effect. Dispersion The separation of white light into spectral colors. Durability Resistance to chipping or breaking. Leakage Areas that do not return light. Light Performance An analysis of brightness, dispersion, leakage, and contrast. Weight Ratio The millimeter footprint of a diamond versus its weight. Tilt The point at which the girdle reflects under the table facet.

8 Setting the Highest Standard for Diamond Grading AMERICAN GEM SOCIETY LABORATORIES, LLC 8917 West Sahara Avenue Las Vegas, NV phone: fax: