EGL Platinum Says Supports 'Sanctions For Over-Grading'

EGL Platinum says it supports RapNet's and Polygon's "intentions to sanction any laboratory that issues over-graded certification, undermining consumer confidence in the diamond industry and its certification system".

The lab said it "has been unintentionally associated with the laboratories suspected of over-grading practices and we are committed to working with RapNet, Polygon and similar organizations to ensure the integrity of all listed diamond grading reports".

Lab owners Menahem Sevdermish and Avi Meirom said that EGL founder Guy Margel provided all associated laboratories with color master sets and guidelines for diamond grading that meet the European standards when he established the group. "It is important to note that the EGL Platinum laboratory has always complied strictly with the prescribed guidelines," Sevdermish and Meirom said in a statement.

"While it can be legitimately stated that there are nominal differences between the various dominant grading standards currently in use, and that any grading report, which ultimately requires human judgment, may include a minor degree of subjective variance, these factors can in no way explain the difference of three to four grades that reportedly have been recorded on certificates.

"In 2011, after becoming concerned about the possibility of over-grading practices by certain of the labs issuing standard EGL certificates, we acted to disassociate ourselves from those organizations, and we began issuing certificates under the EGL Platinum brand, for which we maintained a strict and independent operating protocol and quality assurance system. We would point out that, in establishing EGL Platinum, we did not replace the existing color master set, nor did we adjust our clarity benchmarks.

"We shall appeal to both RapNet and Polygon to re-list the EGL Platinum grading reports. As we will demonstrate, EGL Platinum grading reports have always been associated with the principles of professionalism, accuracy and integrity, and we firmly stand behind each one of them."

Earlier this week, EGL International, based in Israel, issued a “clarification” in response to the decision to delist all EGL-certified diamonds as of October 1. That followed complaints about the decision by EGL USA, and EGL South Africa. All the EGL labs operate separately and independently.

The controversy over EGL certification began earlier this year when a TV station in Nashville broadcast a program claiming that local company Genesis Diamonds was selling jewelry with diamonds whose grading reports, provided by EGL International, were too generous.

Three lawsuits have been filed against the company in the US concerning the certification accompanying its diamonds.