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 Afraid to buy a J color, but price is good... HELP

P:  11/29/2004 3:51:44 PM  
cryckman
cryckman

Rough Rock
Total Posts: 55
Last Post: 12/23/2004
Member Since: 11/19/2004
 
I could really use some inciteful input about a diamond I'm considering.

The diamond is:
1.01 carats
VS2
J color
Polish: very good
Symmetry: very good
Measurements: 5.51 x 5.36 x 3.89
Depth: 72.6%
Table : 68%

After discovering this forum, I've found that most the diamonds that I like (ones that are big enough and still decent color, etc.) that I can afford, end up being cut "too deep" or have a table too large, etc.  I've fnally come across a diamond that I think can be a great buy (for $2100), but I'm afraid about the J color.  Unfortunately this is from an internet vendor, so I can't see it until I buy it, but there is a no questions asked return policy, so I'm not too afraid to at least buy it and look at it.  The setting I'm going to put it on looks very similar to this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=4936237257&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT

Also, it's not GIA or EGL certified... Should I be scared away from this purchase at that price?  Please help one and all!
Posted:  11/29/2004 3:51:44 PM

 There are 20 replies to this message.  There are 20 replies on this page.

P: 11/29/2004 4:19:33 PM
cryckman
cryckman

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Last Post: 12/23/2004
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Anyone????  PLEASE!!!

Posted:  11/29/2004 4:19:33 PM
P: 11/29/2004 4:26:41 PM
fortheloveofdiamonds
fortheloveofdiamonds

Ideal Rock
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OY!! I wouldn't do it.

The general rule is: if it seems to good to be true, it generally is.

Legally, a vendor can be off by two clarity and color grades in representing the diamond that he sells.  So your VS2 J, could easily be a SI2 L.... Do you really want an SI2 L?  If you do decide to buy this ring...make sure that there is a return-policy so that you can have it appraised to make sure you are getting what are paying for.  With all the reputable internet vendors on PS why would you choose ebay??

IMO, it would be better to find a 0.5 to 0.75 carat diamond that is as close to idea as possible within your budget...I would be much happier with something smaller and eye-catching than with something over 1ct that could be "not so nice"....

Good Luck, but i'd pass on this one!

Posted:  11/29/2004 4:26:41 PM
P: 11/29/2004 4:26:59 PM
sevens one
sevens one

Ideal Rock
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What are you "afraid" of Cryckman?  Seeing yellow?
I think fancy shapes tend to show more "color" than RB's.

I don't know squat about Princess Cuts.  I think you should read on....

______________________________
"You kept making all the stops?"
"Well, people kept ringing the bell!"
**ls gift**

Posted:  11/29/2004 4:26:59 PM
P: 11/29/2004 4:30:28 PM
cryckman
cryckman

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But as long as there is a return policy, wouldn't it be worth a look???

Posted:  11/29/2004 4:30:28 PM
P: 11/29/2004 4:32:01 PM
cushioncut
cushioncut

Cut Rock
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I would think twice before buying a diamond from ebay... there have been lots of horror stories posted here.

I am all for buying online, but would suggest a reputable vendor -- like dirtcheap diamonds, good old gold, or engagement rings direct.

I would also never buy an uncertified stone -- expecially when they are calling it a J. Makes me wonder what color grade the GIA would give this stone.

I would call a few of the vendors listed above and talk with their sales people. I'm sure they will be more than happy to help you find a well cut certified diamond with good color and clarity...

Posted:  11/29/2004 4:32:01 PM
P: 11/29/2004 4:36:25 PM
sevens one
sevens one

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Cushioncut I think only the "setting" is from ebay.  (I'm not sure though)

______________________________
"You kept making all the stops?"
"Well, people kept ringing the bell!"
**ls gift**

Posted:  11/29/2004 4:36:25 PM
P: 11/29/2004 4:36:35 PM
fortheloveofdiamonds
fortheloveofdiamonds

Ideal Rock
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Date: 11/29/2004 4:30:28 PM
Author: cryckman
But as long as there is a return policy, wouldn't it be worth a look???


IMO, Nope.  It is not certified, which means that the vendor didn't think much of the stone to have it certified.  The price is WAAAAYYYY low for that carat weight, clarity and color.  I'd pass without giving it a second glance.  I mean, sure they give depth % and table % but how did they get that info if it is not certified?? And you would think that if they had a sarin or ogi that the cost would reflect this.  I don't know...just doesn't feel right...at all....

It is up to you though...if the guy wants to send it to you without you paying for it to have it appraised..then sure..look at it..but odds are he won't

good luck!

Posted:  11/29/2004 4:36:35 PM
P: 11/29/2004 4:51:05 PM
cryckman
cryckman

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Total Posts: 55
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Member Since: 11/19/2004
 
Well, it is in fact from ebay, which I know people on here hate and completely steer people away from, but the guy has a 100% feedback.  He's sold over 900 pieces of jewelry and still has 100% feedback.  He must not misrepresent too many of the things he sells, or he'd get negative feedback.

Do you disagree with that?

Even if it's not certified, I just feel like maybe it is worth the effort to get it here and look at it.  If it looks good to me, then I'll get it appraised.  If it's not what he says it is, I'll send it back!

Is that stupid of me to still want to buy it after all you've said?  I just have a hard time not trusting a 100% feedback!

Posted:  11/29/2004 4:51:05 PM
P: 11/29/2004 4:53:13 PM
cryckman
cryckman

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Total Posts: 55
Last Post: 12/23/2004
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I completely forgot to mention that it is a princess cut stone?  Does that change anyone's opinions?

Posted:  11/29/2004 4:53:13 PM
P: 11/29/2004 5:04:52 PM
Todd07
Todd07

Cut Rock
Total Posts: 455
Last Post: 3/17/2005
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Couple of thoughts:
- positive ebay feedback tells you the vendor is relatively honest, ie. he doesn't steal your money.  It does not tell you you get the specification that was offered since very few people buying on ebay even know to use an independet appraiser.  However, since it is not certified, he's safe in giving you his estimate of the color and clarity.

-  Expect to get what you pay for.  When you take the stone to an independent appraiser, I bet it will spec out for a diamond you could also have bought through PS with a legitimate certification.  Why would a savy ebay seller give his profit to you?

Todd(aka Ricardo, aka Cowboy)

Posted:  11/29/2004 5:04:52 PM
P: 11/29/2004 5:17:07 PM
fortheloveofdiamonds
fortheloveofdiamonds

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Date: 11/29/2004 4:53:13 PM
Author: cryckman
I completely forgot to mention that it is a princess cut stone?  Does that change anyone's opinions?

I knew it was a princess after looking at the depth and table %'s.  If you trust the guy, by all means: buy it.  However, I don't know why you would post a doubt if you didn't have one.

You think that a J will be yellow...well if it is an L it will be even more yellow.  Not to mention that it is a fancy stone, which often shows more of its color than a RB.  But if you want to plunk down over $2000 only to "check it out" by all means again.  So many vendors will send the stone to an appraiser without any cost to you before you buy.  To me, that is a safer route.  But AGAIN, it is your purchase, your fiancee-to-be and ultimately, your decision!

Good Luck!

Posted:  11/29/2004 5:17:07 PM
P: 11/29/2004 5:23:54 PM
cryckman
cryckman

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So I take it that no one has ever heard of "GHI certificate and appraisal" which is what this ebayer is claiming will come with it?

Posted:  11/29/2004 5:23:54 PM
P: 11/29/2004 6:14:55 PM
Aurora Borealis
Aurora Borealis

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I have never heard of GHI, except, of course, in refering to a "near colorless" diamond.

Posted:  11/29/2004 6:14:55 PM
P: 11/29/2004 6:35:58 PM
fortheloveofdiamonds
fortheloveofdiamonds

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Date: 11/29/2004 5:23:54 PM
Author: cryckman
So I take it that no one has ever heard of 'GHI certificate and appraisal' which is what this ebayer is claiming will come with it?

No...but you can google it if you want...

Good Luck!

Posted:  11/29/2004 6:35:58 PM
P: 11/29/2004 6:55:37 PM
sluke
sluke

Cut Rock
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Last Post: 8/31/2009
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No, I would not buy it.  Just my opinion.

Posted:  11/29/2004 6:55:37 PM
P: 11/29/2004 7:50:31 PM
icelady
icelady

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Cryckman.

Several people responded to your other post with alternatives to the Ebay purchase you were looking at then.  You did not respond.  It sounds as though you have your heart set on buying something on Ebay.  You seem to evade the advise given you.  Good luck with your purchase.  But do remember that you get what you pay for.  Usually nothing more.
 

icelady

Posted:  11/29/2004 7:50:31 PM
P: 11/30/2004 11:15:09 AM
cryckman
cryckman

Rough Rock
Total Posts: 55
Last Post: 12/23/2004
Member Since: 11/19/2004
 
Icelady, and everyone for that matter:

Thank you for your advice on the posting that I submitted earlier that you all replied to and gave A LOT of suggestions.  I hadn't checked back at that posting and didn't realize I had gotten so many informational replies.  So again, thank you all!  This has been and still continues to be very stressful for me because I am within a tight budget, but want to get a beautiful ring.  There are SO MANY factors to consider when choosing and it's hard to decide where I want to give and take with my money.  Obviously size is the first thing the human eye notices, and then probably color, and then the clarity or the diamond is the last thing the eye can pick up, but that doesn't mean I want to get a big rock that is dirty inside.  Like I said... it's all about deciding where to give and take and it makes me stressed and nervous.  That's why I keep going back to that ebay ring and at least thinking about it.  Everyone on here has been a great help and all of the advice has been taken to heart.  I still haven't decided where to buy or how big, etc. yet, but hopefully I'll come to a decision soon.

Another problem that I'm dealing with is that I have a family friend who supposedly "knows a lot about the diamond industry" and his feelings are that a stone over 1 carat is worth so much more than one that is .99, so now I've become a "carat snob" and feel like anything under a carat with not be befitting for my soon to be fiance.

Stress, stress, stress.... but again thank you all!!!

Posted:  11/30/2004 11:15:09 AM
P: 11/30/2004 11:36:56 AM
valeria101
valeria101

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Date: 11/30/2004 11:159 AM
Author: cryckman

[...] I've become a 'carat snob' and feel like anything under a carat with not be befitting for my soon to be fiance.

Well, so you are a snob... but is she?  What if there are more than one way to be a snob !!!!  For example, some 'snobs' would want their diamons to look big enough for the weight, and for some nothing but perfect brilliance will do

And there are more species, believe me.

Looking at that Ebay auction I'm starting to stress myself  

No idea how right is your friend to say that, but you can always look for diamonds just under and just over that carat mark, check for proportions and size and compare prices. Between a few hundred listings, you can at least see for yourself if prices support that particular type of snobbery or what...

Ana "The greatest experts are only as good as the sum total of what they have seen." [Souren Melikian]

Posted:  11/30/2004 11:36:56 AM
P: 11/30/2004 12:18:47 PM
fortheloveofdiamonds
fortheloveofdiamonds

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Date: 11/30/2004 11:159 AM
Author: cryckman
Icelady, and everyone for that matter:


Another problem that I'm dealing with is that I have a family friend who supposedly 'knows a lot about the diamond industry' and his feelings are that a stone over 1 carat is worth so much more than one that is .99, so now I've become a 'carat snob' and feel like anything under a carat with not be befitting for my soon to be fiance.

Stress, stress, stress.... but again thank you all!!!

A diamond over 1 carat "costs" more than a .90 but is it really "worth" more...debatable.  However, you can show your friend "who knows a lot about the diamond industry" a .75 or .90 diamond and tell him that it is 1 carat, and I bet you he wouldn't bat an eyelash if the cut was superb....  I would rather my ring be breathtaking than just plain ol big..and trust me i've seen both!

Get the best stone for your budget.  In order of importance, to me anyway, the diamond characteristics are 1) cut 2) color, 3) clarity, 4) carat!

Choose which one is most important to you and stick with it!

good luck

Posted:  11/30/2004 12:18:47 PM
P: 11/30/2004 12:35:44 PM
Todd07
Todd07

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Total Posts: 455
Last Post: 3/17/2005
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Couple more things for you to remember
- size to the eye is about diameter of the stone, not carat weight.  If you focus on a cheaper 1 carat, you will end up with a stone with a small diameter (spread) for it's weight and it will look like a .9-.95 carat stone. 

- your family friend may have been misunderstood.  Prices start to jump a bit at key weights such as 1 carat.  So, yes a 1 carat will cost more than say a .95 (more than the 0.05 weight increase justifies).  Thus it costs more and will have a higher resale value.

Focus on diameter over carat weight

Todd(aka Ricardo, aka Cowboy)

Posted:  11/30/2004 12:35:44 PM

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