The Advanced Instruments Division of the American Gem Society™ (AGS) has launched a new Performance Grading Software (PGS) ® Basic, at the AGS International Conclave 2008, held in Seattle. The launch took place on April 10, 2008. PGS Basic is a simpler version to the current system at the AGS Lab, and cost effective alternative to the full version of the AGS Performance Grading Software®.

Ruth Batson, Executive Director and CEO of the American Gem Society explained about the invention that, “Our goal with the software is to help our members buy and sell diamonds with greater confidence while maximising their profits and their time. Another great feature of this software is that it will generate ASET images that can be stored and used in sales presentations.”

The software allows a powerful ray-tracing engine to produce American Gem Society results for light performance, specifically for round brilliant diamonds. It analyses light performance by ray-tracing actual diamonds, provides sophisticated results via a ray-tracing engine considering the geometric reality of each diamond.

“PGS Basic will allow retailers to successfully predict the light performance and cut grades of diamonds,” said Batson. The PGS Basic is capable of processing five to 12 diamonds per minute and is available to American Gem Society members for $299.00 and non-members for $349.00.