This year, the American Gem Society introduces improvements into the existing grading system. After years of research on a fancy shape cut grade project, using new knowledge on diamond optics, AGS created an advanced system that will make it possible to grade fancy shape diamonds. In the light of this research, AGS performed also a re-evaluation and improvement on its existing grading system for the brilliant cut.

The Accredited Gemologists Association conference that reunites specialists in gemology every year will have as main topic for 2005 the new techniques and methods in diamond grading. The Annual Tucson Conference will be held on Feb 2, 2005 and its program will be “Diamond Cut Grades — An In-Depth, Practical, and Applicable Explanation From GIA, AGS, and Others on the Cutting Edge”.