my question for y'all is......i'm about to get ripped off getting a diamond ring from either tiffany or cartier and i'm wondering if there's a noticeable difference to the untrained eye between the colors G and I. i really can't tell the difference even when i stare at it for a long long time. would most/any layperson be able to differentiate between these two colors? because i sure can't.

second, is it possible that a high end retailer such as tiffany and/or cartier have tighter tolerances for color. i.e. is it possible that their I is better than other I's???? like i said, i'm a novice so take it easy on me.

I guess you have already seen that you will pay quite a premium in either Tiffany or Cartier compared with what you would pay elsewhere for stones with similar characteristics, and whether you are getting ripped off by paying this premium depends on what you value. If you value the name enough to pay the premium, you are not getting ripped off (although many would say that you are ). But, in my opinion, the premium is paid for the name and not much more. You are not inherently getting better stones by purchasing them at either of these stores.

Cartier provides GIA certs on their stones, but they keep the certs in NY until you get serious about the stone. At that point, they will fax a copy of the cert to the store you are dealing with (at least this is the procedure in Atlanta). Their GIA certs are specially formatted and are provided to the purchaser in a very nice leather portfolio. Cartier stones have laser inscriptions on the girdle (too many in my opinion): they inscribe the GIA cert number as well as the Cartier name and a Cartier number. The salesperson I spoke with had no information to offer about cut and did not know what a Sarin report is.

Tiffany provides a Tiffany certificate on all of their stones; this certificate includes the measurements of the stone, clarity, color, and carat weight. For diamonds in excess of 1 ct. or D or IF stones, they also provide a GIA cert.

So, for both stores, they don't have tighter tolerances for color because the color is graded by GIA (although who knows how Tiffany grades color for stones smaller than 1 ct.--they have a reputation to protect but it would make me uncomfortable to not have the independent cert.--especially paying that premium). They both choose to carry only color grades that are I or above. With regard to clarity, Tiffany only carries VS2 or better. I believe Cartier only carries VS2 or better, but will go to SI for larger stones (multiple carat weights).

Personally, face-up, I can't see the difference between G and I in well-cut stones. Perhaps on a white card face down, but you don't wear them that way! I purchased a very well-cut I color diamond and have been very happy with the color. Even looking through the pavilion in the setting, I do not see any yellowish color.

Sorry this is so long--I am very detail-oriented! Hope it helps a little anyway.