The dealer I am working with only has EGL certs, so I am concerned that the grading may not be as strict as GIA. I read a previous post which discussed concerns around clarity (EGL said SI2, independent said I). Should I also be concerned about EGL's color grading? I figure carot weight and dimensions can't be different from EGL to others. I am curious becuase I want to go to the dealer with the appropriate market rates.

Here are the specs of the diamond I would like to pick up. I saw it online and it seemed like the best value from their selection.

1.63 F Si1
table depth: 60.9%
table width: 57%
crown: 15%
pavilion depth: 43%
girdle: medium, faceted
polish, symmetry: excellent.
price: $13529

Am I really getting an Si2 from a GIA standpoint. I don't want this diamond if inoculations are visible to the naked eye. My understanding is that Si1 is still invisible without loop.

Also, is it reasonable to make sale conditional on independent appraisal?

Thanks in advance for your advice.

Also, the setting is going to be a simple 4/6 pronged platnum diamond. Does F vs. G matter when set on platnum? Any advice on 4 vs. 6 prongs on a 1.5 carrot diamond.

Yes you should be more careful with EGL reports color-wise as well as everything up to fluorescence. There is more chance that the stone will be overgraded. However there were some cases that GIA and AGS reports were not accurate - humans make errors.

GIA SI1 and SI2 supposed to be eye-clean and it was so in the past. However now you can find GIA graded SI1-2 where you could see inclusions with unaided eye. You can check it yourself though.

Yes you better make your purchase conditional on independent appraiser. Here are two things to consider.

1. If you are going to spend over $10k it might be worth to ask your vendor sending the stone to GIA or AGS. If GIA report will confirm the previous grading you are paying for it, if not your vendor should pay. It might cost you about $200 and a few weeks though.

2. If you want to get third opinion on the stone, better to ask truly independent expert, i.e. the one who is not selling diamonds him/her-self.

As for the setting, it seems that 4 prongs should be ok. Check this thread: www.pricescope.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000050.html

Thanks for posting and kind words

I appreciate the advice on getting it recertified.

As for the color question. Does platnum generally hide or enhance the difference between a E,F,G?

I will do some homework on the pitfalls of ordering online. I am guessing these online dealers will send loose diamonds and I must go somewhere to get it set.

In the table up position diamond draws the colors from everywhere - lamps, clothes, hairs, walls, etc.

You could see some hint of yellow starting from H-I color diamonds in platinum or white gold settings.

Best of all would be to see diamonds of different colors yourself and found out what the lowest color grade you can bear.

As for buying online, this page might be helpful: www.pricescope.com/isitsafe.asp.

btw, many online dealers can make settings for you as well.

I would love to help you but I can't post anything in this forum. I have all that you need. Please email me for more info, if you would like to.
Thank you.

You are very welcome to contribute to this forum with education and expertise. Unfortunately I don’t see you doing that. On the contrary your last post doesn’t contain anything except unsolicited self-promotion, which is against the forum rules.

I regret to tell you that this is the last request to refrain from abusing the forum rules in the future. You are leaving me no choice as to be your censor.

If you have goods and services to offer, please use other forums or auction sites.

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David Atlas
Accredited Gem Appraisers