The "New & Improved" AGS Ideal 0 Cut Diamond:
AGS Ideal Polish
+ AGS Ideal Symmetry
+ AGS Ideal Proportions
+ AGS Ideal Light Performance (NEW)
= AGS Ideal 0

Pictured above is the most complete diamond grading report available. The Diamond Quality Document (DQD) from the American Gem Society Laboratory (AGSL), featuring complete diamond grading information.

The format of the lab report is as follows:

1. is the lab report number, this is the reference to the diamond and the corresponding data.
2. is the shape of the diamond and the measurements of the outside diameter and depth of the diamond in millimeters.
3. is the overall Cut Grade of the diamond, see detail below*
4. is the color grade of the diamond stated as a numeric value with reference to the GIA equivelent grade.
5. is the clarity grade of the diamond stated as a numeric value with reference to the GIA equivelent grade.
6. is the carat weight of the diamond.
7. the Comments section is used declare the fluorescence grade of the diamond, as well as define any additional clarity characteristics such as minor inclusions that are not substantial enough to be noted on the plotting diagram (Area 9/10) so you might see something like "pinpoints not shown".
8. is a scale version of the profile of the diamond based upon the actual proportions of the diamond.
9. is the table diameter of the diamond stated as a percent.
10. is the crown angle of the diamond stated in degrees. Note that the crown height percent is indicated directly across the diagram from the crown angle.
11. is the pavilion angle of the diamond stated in degrees. Note that the pavilion height percent is indicated directly across the diagram from the pavilion angle.
12. is the total depth of the diamond stated as a percent.
13. is the culet size of the diamond, the AGS uses the term "pointed" where the GIA uses the term "none" to represent the smallest size of culet (bottom point).
14. is the girdle size and finish of the diamond stated in percent.
15. is a plotting diagram which represents the top portion of the diamond.
16. is a plotting diagram which represents the bottom portion of the diamond.
17. The red star that we placed between the three o'clock position of the upper plotting diagram (9) and the nine o'clock position of the lower plotting diagram (10) represents where the two halves of the diamond that are located in alignment with each other. Thus if a feather were indicated in that region of both the upper and lower halves of the plotting diagrams, it would be located in the exact same region of the actual diamond. The three o'clock position of the lower plotting diagram folds under to align with the nine o'clock region of the upper plotting diagram.
18. is the Key to Symbols which indicates the type of inclusions contained within the diamond as indicated on the upper and lower plotting diagrams. Note that earlier copies of AGS lab reports listed all of the inclusion types beneath the Key to Symbols and that newer AGS lab reports list only the specific inclusions contained within the diamond described on the lab report.

* The Light Performance portion of the overall Cut Grade was added to the AGS Diamond Quality Document in June of 2005 the AGS Laboratory took diamond grading to a new level by adding the Light Performance feature to their lab reports making it far more difficult for cutters to obtain the AGS Ideal 0 Cut rating. In addition to having to cut the diamond to the tight tolerances of the zero proportions rating, diamond cutters must now carefully craft each facet for maximum light return. The individual breakdown for the individual segments that contribute to the overall Cut Grade of the diamond, Light Performance, Proportions, Polish, and Symmetry, are provided in a fold out flap that is located to the right side of the lab report. If the overall Cut Grade is indicated as AGS Ideal 0 in the body of the lab report, then the four factors were all graded as AGS Ideal. The overall Cut Grade of the diamond will always default to the lowest parameter, thus if a diamond has an Overall Cut Grade of AGS Very Good one of more of the factors (Light Performance, Proportions, Polish, Symmetry) was only Very Good. Note that the breakdown of the factors contributing to the Overall Cut Grade has only recently been moved to the fold out flap, it originally appeared directly below the Cut Grade rating and thus you may see lab reports of similar appearance with the information located in different locations. The validity of an AGS Lab report can be verified on the AGS web site.

Pictured above is the original AGS lab report format and the new AGS lab report format. The original AGS lab report is pale blue and does not have the black column located on the left side of the new report. Buyers should be aware that not all AGS lab reports issued after the new grading standards went into effect in June 01, 2005 take the new Light Performance results into account. The AGS Laboratory provided the cutters with the option to have their diamonds graded under the new or old standards during a conversion period. Thus the diamond cutters had a choice as to which report format they could request depending on the results! The original AGS lab report format does not take visual performance into account, the overall Cut Grade only considers the polish, symmetry and proportions ratings of the diamond. Because we feel that the Light Performance results are invaluable to our clients, we only represent AGS graded diamonds that were graded using the new grading standards.