Advice on diamond I wish to buy

[NZgirl]

Hi, I am looking to buy a diamond in NZ it is a certified Canadian diamond, E VS2, ideal cut 1.15carat. It is certified by Gem Scan and also has a independent valuation confirming the Gemscan report. The dealer has shown me other diamonds of similar weight and colour, as I said I wanted GIA certified and the ones of different colours and grades. In particular a E sI2 and a GsI2. And truthfully the Canadian diamond is prettier and appears sharper(?higher clarity) I have looked at them all with a loupe and so on. The dealer has even held diamond behind his back to see what stone I liked better and it has been the Canadian one everytime. I was thinking I could ask to get it independently certified again prior to setting by the independent lab in NZ that does a full diamond grading report, prior to it being set in ring. Does this sound as I am being pedantic to do this? As it already has two independent certificates. Thanks

 

[SimoneDi]

Can you get a copy of the report and post is here? Also, what is the asking price?

We usually recommend sticking to GIA/AGS grates diamonds only. Also, for round diamonds, here is a “safe criteria” in terms of angles and proportions:

Table: 53-58
Depth: 60-62.4
Crown angle: 34-35 (up to 35.5 with 40.6 pavilion angle)
Pavilion angle: 40.6-40.9 (up to 41 with crown angle closer to 34)

 

[NZgirl]

I will ask the dealer re the other dimensions, I have a feeling it only has the gem scan pre cert with just the 4Cs hence why I want to get a full diamond report on it with the dimensions. The other report was done when it was in a setting, it is now is loose as I am wanting a custom setting. From the dimensions I have the calculated depth is 60.9%. Sorry it is an Ideal Gemscan cut(they have an extra cut grade above excellent). I am guessing the best thing to do maybe to get another grading report from the NZ lab. I don’t want to send to US for GIA. It is 10,000 so it is under what a GIA stone would sell for with the same specs over here.

Can you get a copy of the report and post is here? Also, what is the asking price?

We usually recommend sticking to GIA/AGS grates diamonds only. Also, for round diamonds, here is a “safe criteria” in terms of angles and proportions:

Table: 53-58
Depth: 60-62.4
Crown angle: 34-35 (up to 35.5 with 40.6 pavilion angle)
Pavilion angle: 40.6-40.9 (up to 41 with crown angle closer to 34)

Can you get a copy of the report and post is here? Also, what is the asking price?

We usually recommend sticking to GIA/AGS grates diamonds only. Also, for round diamonds, here is a “safe criteria” in terms of angles and proportions:

Table: 53-58
Depth: 60-62.4
Crown angle: 34-35 (up to 35.5 with 40.6 pavilion angle)
Pavilion angle: 40.6-40.9 (up to 41 with crown angle closer to 34)

 

[NZgirl]

 

[Snowdrop13]

Is that 10000 US or NZ? If it’s NZ then that seems suspiciously cheap, looking at James Allen an E VS2 of that size is around 10000 US, with a GIA certificate etc. The Gemscan report doesn’t have enough info to tell us if the cut on that stone is good or not.

 

[SimoneDi]

Can we please find you a nice diamond from a different vendor? 10k is a lot of money to spend on a subpar diamond that you literally have very limited information for.

For example, here is an Ideal cut diamond (ideal grade given by AGS which is the only creditable lab to evaluate the light performance) that is within budget even considering taxes (assuming budget is in USD) https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3947664.htm

 

[NZgirl]

No it is NZD so unfortunately the US one would be out of my budget, as I am purchasing tax free, as traveling over seas I think retail here for diamond is around 2k more, I have looked at GIA certified loose diamonds, in my budget in NZD for similar price at E sI2, and GsI2 both excellent cuts, and and I have found the Canadian diamond to be nicer, clearer, sparkly i can’t describe other that it has lustre. I emphasise that dealer is not pushing the diamond on me and has offered me other stones, and he also generally only sells GIA, and he understands my reservations however he stands by the quality of this particular stone.

Can we please find you a nice diamond from a different vendor? 10k is a lot of money to spend on a subpar diamond that you literally have very limited information for.

For example, here is an Ideal cut diamond (ideal grade given by AGS which is the only creditable lab to evaluate the light performance) that is within budget even considering taxes (assuming budget is in USD) https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3947664.htm

 

[NZgirl]

10kNZD is around 7.2k USD and then I would need to pay 20% tax and duty on any stone I would bring into NZD.

No it is NZD so unfortunately the US one would be out of my budget, as I am purchasing tax free, as traveling over seas I think retail here for diamond is around 2k more, I have looked at GIA certified loose diamonds, in my budget in NZD for similar price at E sI2, and GsI2 both excellent cuts, and and I have found the Canadian diamond to be nicer, clearer, sparkly i can’t describe other that it has lustre. I emphasise that dealer is not pushing the diamond on me and has offered me other stones, and he also generally only sells GIA, and he understands my reservations however he stands by the quality of this particular stone.

Is that 10000 US or NZ? If it’s NZ then that seems suspiciously cheap, looking at James Allen an E VS2 of that size is around 10000 US, with a GIA certificate etc. The Gemscan report doesn’t have enough info to tell us if the cut on that stone is good or not.

Is that 10000 US or NZ? If it’s NZ then that seems suspiciously cheap, looking at James Allen an E VS2 of that size is around 10000 US, with a GIA certificate etc. The Gemscan report doesn’t have enough info to tell us if the cut on that stone is good or not.

Is that 10000 US or NZ? If it’s NZ then that seems suspiciously cheap, looking at James Allen an E VS2 of that size is around 10000 US, with a GIA certificate etc. The Gemscan report doesn’t have enough info to tell us if the cut on that stone is good or not.

It is NZD, yes it is cheap the GIA in that price range I have seen are Gs12, and a little more expensive EsI2, however it is a tax and duty free price so he would be actually be selling at 12.5k if I wasn’t travelling overseas soon.

 

[NZgirl]

I am of the feeling even if the stone is out by a grade or two it is still the same price as the G sI2 so I dont feel I would be over paying, and if I get the NZ grading report I can confirm the cut and check the parameters myself.

 

[rockysalamander]

What do you see with your eyes? You said you look under a loupe, are there inclusions? What kind? Did the dealer help you identify the type of inclusion? Can you post a photo and video?

In my limited experience with Gemscan, they are a bit soft on color and clarity (more they slide edge color/clarity up) are generally ok, but that cut is usually more generous. Ask the dealer if they will agree to send the stone to GIA or AGS. GIA if you are concerned about color, AGS about cut. I'd send to AGS myself and and request grading report with a light performance evaluation. You get a solid cert and ASET in one. If it grades higher or equal to the GemScan report, you pay for the certification (a few hundred USD). If it grades lower, he pays and you get to negotiate on price.

But, from reading your posts, I think you've already made up your mind.

 

[NZgirl]

Yes I have looked under a loupe and I can’t see any inclusions, I am less concerned about colour and clarity, as I compared it to a loose G and felt it was a higher colour than the G, and in my price range at a similar price It could drop to a SI2 G and I still wouldn’t be getting ripped off for price, it is 2 months to send from here to GIA the dealer would do that but it is too long as am going overseas meaning I am buying ring duty and tax free, saving 20%, which is why I was going to send to the NZ lab, as that will take a week to grade. Yes I think i am pretty set on the diamond due to the comparison between it and the others in my price range. I think will send to NZ lab and check the measurements against what you said indicate a good cut and then buy if all is fine. At the end of the day I am not re selling and felt like it was the sparkliest diamond I saw in my price range.

What do you see with your eyes? You said you look under a loupe, are there inclusions? What kind? Did the dealer help you identify the type of inclusion? Can you post a photo and video?

In my limited experience with Gemscan, they are a bit soft on color and clarity (more they slide edge color/clarity up) are generally ok, but that cut is usually more generous. Ask the dealer if they will agree to send the stone to GIA or AGS. GIA if you are concerned about color, AGS about cut. I'd send to AGS myself and and request grading report with a light performance evaluation. You get a solid cert and ASET in one. If it grades higher or equal to the GemScan report, you pay for the certification (a few hundred USD). If it grades lower, he pays and you get to negotiate on price.

But, from reading your posts, I think you've already made up your mind.

 

[NZgirl]

Only have a photo of it in a settingtting

 

[NZgirl]

 

[EvaEvans]

Looks nice diamond for the money and tax free option. I would trust my EYE and HEART. Seems that you found a great deal! Just remember, although GIA is one of the best lab, GIA is NOT perfect! I have seen GIA stones that, in my humble opinion, don't match the given grade. Also, regardless what's on the certificate, the supreme judge is the human eye!
BTW, I like the complete ring!

 

[NZgirl]

 

[NZgirl]

New lab report from the only place in NZ that does full independent diamond grading reports that used Sarine technology for cut grading (I couldn’t send to GIA due to time constraints) it matches the Gemscan report exactly to colour, clarity, and cut, and the Holloway cut advisor put it in GIA excellent catogory and just sneaks in to AGS ideal-0 Category. I have to say of the other GIA excellent diamonds I compared to this was the nicest maybe due to the higher clarity and colour.

 

[Dancing Fire]

New lab report from the only place in NZ that does full independent diamond grading reports that used Sarine technology for cut grading (I couldn’t send to GIA due to time constraints) it matches the Gemscan report exactly to colour, clarity, and cut, and the Holloway cut advisor put it in GIA excellent catogory and just sneaks in to AGS ideal-0 Category. I have to say of the other GIA excellent diamonds I compared to this was the nicest maybe due to the higher clarity and colour.

The problem is that Gemlab may not be on par with GIA lab. IOW their E VS2 could be a couple of grades off compared to a GIA graded stone.

 

[NZgirl]

The problem is that Gemlab may not be on par with GIA lab. IOW their E VS2 could be a couple of grades off compared to a GIA graded stone.

Yes however Gemscan in Canada also graded the same diamond as E VS2, both graded it independently, the Gemlab report I got was to confirm the Gemscan report as there isn’t time to send to GIA. I would be surprised if two independent labs would get the same grading if it wasn’t accurate.