Advice on E-ring bought at Kay''s

[HPLouis]

Hello,
I happened upon this forum about a week ago and I have to say that this is an outstanding forum. I have been reading, searching and absorbing all of the knowledge on this forum. it''s a great place. Now let me get to my story. I just bought an engagement ring at Kay''s (I know this is a no-no but hear me out......I have a plan). My girlfriend has short fingers and because of this, a ring looks very small on her hand. I need a ring that has a wide band with a high head. I also need a larger diamond. After looking at her searches on Blue Nile, I figured that she liked Princess Cut diamonds and sidestone settings. She didn''t like any of the rings on Blue Nile because none of them were wide enough.

While checking out Kay''s, I found this and I think it''s exactly what she would like.

The setting is 14k white gold with a platinum head. The sidestones total up to 1CT.

The diamond is IGI certified (I know that this is also a no-no but remember, I have a plan) and here are the specs:
6.34x6.32x4.64
1.57CT
I Color
VS1 Clarity
Very Good Polish
Good Symmetry
No treatments, laser inscribed with IG cert, natural Princess cut diamond.

Here is my plan. I''m going to the Diamond District tmorrow for two reason. The first one is to get an appraisal from the Universal Gemological Laboratory ( www.uglinc.com ). I want to verify that the diamond is what it supposed to be (cut, color, clarity, matches cert, etc.) and that it apprises for more than what I paid for it. The other reason is to check out some of the other stores there and see if I can find a place with a comparable or better ring for less money (or get more ring for the same amount that I paid at Kay''s). If I don''t like the appraisal or if i can find a better ring, I''ll use Kay''s 90 day return policy and get my money back.

So tell me what you think? Can you also give me a guesstimate on the price of the ring? I''ll tell everyone what I paid for it later and also the appraised amount.

Thanks,
Henry

 

[neatfreak]

Lets put it this way. You overpayed if you bought it at Kays. And unless you REALLY REALLY overpaid, it probably isn't well cut either, which can really affect the sparkle of the stone.

And both of those "certificates" from IGI and UGL? Not worth the paper they are written on. So don't bother getting it "recertified". If you REALLY want to know, then send it to an independent appraiser (i.e., one that does NOT work for a jeweler or sell diamonds) and see if the stats match. And be aware that appraisal values are often 2x what a fair retail price is...

There is a REASON we tell people to stay far far away from Kays and it is because everything is overpriced and most of it is poor quality. I am sure you can find a setting like what you have seen in the diamond district. And while you are in the diamond district (if it is in NY) go visit Mark at Engagement Rings Direct. He is one of the best known DD vendors and one of PS's best vendors too. Very fair prices and a really great guy to work with. You will need to make an appointment.

 

[jj970]

Well, perhaps I am wrong here, but UGL is just another independent appraiser. It think it would be an ok thing to have them look at your stone and give you a report on it...if anyone even thinks something bought at Kay''s would be worth the time. I think most here would agree that the mall store''s (Kay being the epitome of a mall store) generally charge huge amounts for crappy stones. The IGI certs are not highly regarded, at least not on PS or other forums I''ve been to. In general, from what I''ve gathered, the faith people put into certs goes AGS>GIA>EGL>EGL Israel/Europe>IGI. Or something like that. GIA is the biggest.

I think most here would say return it to Kay''s ASAP and use your hard earned money on something from one of the vendors here. You''re more likely (nothing is ever 100% in life) get better service, a better stone and be happier in the long run.

Ignorance is bliss though...I think most consumers never find out about pricescope and therefore never know the difference. If YOU and your girl are happy with the diamond, that''s the most important thing. Truly.

As well, there are other diamond info forums out there...you can read what they have to say too...I don''t want to sound biased to PS. There is definately a certain slant towards certs, labs, tests and vendors here.

Hope this helped. I''m new here as well and just learning about things myself.

 

[milton333]

Ah, Kay''s. I''d return the ring and look elsewhere, sorry. My own Kay''s story: my husband bought my engagement ring at Kay''s, when we were 19 (and stupid). He at least bought a "branded" diamond. These days, Kay''s sells the "Leo diamond." Back then, about 13 years ago, they sold the "centillion cut," a 100-faceted diamond. We dug out the paperwork on it when we became more knowledgeable about such things, but have no lab cert on it. I''ve not had it appraised, so I can''t say for sure what its stats are, but it has great brilliance and scintillation, not so much on the fire.

But my husband got completely hosed. He paid $2500 for a .5 ct round in a plain 14k YG solitaire setting, 13 years ago. When thinking about upgrading the diamond, no one would give us a $2500 credit today, more than a decade after purchase. It has not "appreciated" in value, to say the least. You can get an E, ideal cut, ideal polish/symmetry, H&A, AGS certified .5 ct for $1600 today, couple hundred more for a plain setting.

Anyway, based on experience, I''m 100% certain you paid too much at Kay''s. Again, I''m sorry to say it, but if you''re within the return period, and better educated about diamonds, please return it.

Also, if your gf is very concerned about spread/diameter, is she completely opposed to doing a round brilliant? A .5 ct round has the same diameter as a 1 ct princess. You can get more "spread" on a round for the same carat weight as a princess. If she''s not dead-set on princess (ask her), it can be a way to maximize your buck. Round stones are more forgiving re: color, as well. Just a thought. Princesses seem to be trendy, but they''re more prone to damage at the corners and rounds are very classic/timeless. Ovals can give the look of greater size for the same carat weight, too.

 

[HPLouis]

Here is one pic

 

[HPLouis]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I''m going to head out to the Diamond District (I live in NYC) and see what Mark at ERD can do for me.

 

[HPLouis]

Another pic

 

[HPLouis]

Another pic

 

[HPLouis]

Her fingers are short and stubby. That is why I need a wide ring. Her ring can fit on my hand.

 

[HPLouis]

Another pic

 

[HPLouis]

Sorry for the blurry pic

 

[HPLouis]

Sorry for another blurry pic. I am trying to show the height off of my finger

 

[HPLouis]

Another pic

 

[HPLouis]

Another pic

 

[HPLouis]

Another pic

 

[HPLouis]

Last pic

 

[wen104]

You now have the knowledge from researching on this site. I will tell you that you did probably pay too much just like everyone else says. That being said, I once purchased a ring from JB Robinson''s (same as Kays) and ended up taking it back within the 90 days with no questions asked. I do have to give them that they have a good return policy.

Second I have also purchased a IGI Certed diamond once and will say this. I bought a diamond expecting it to be everything it was on the paper. This was supposed to be an Ideal diamond but with everything you hear I wanted to make sure. I took the ring to a very elaborate jewerly store(with a very well known appraiser) here where I live who sells mostly HOF diamonds and it appraised exactly as the cert stated except she said that she would probably have graded it an SI1 instead of VS2. Now those 2 grades are very close so to me not a big deal. She told me she could not have come close to matching the price I paid for that diamond. So being careful is important but you can often find a great deal when you are knowledgeable and know what you are looking for. Most people aren''t going to sell there diamond and alot wouldn''t trade in there original diamond, atleast I would not. I have several newer ones much better then the older ones but all beautiful in there own! So good luck and definitely check out ERD and see what they can do for you. They will probably be able to get you the same style for less money! Good luck.

 

[HPLouis]

Thanks again everyone for the advice and especially for sharing the knowledge. I''m going to give ERD a call and probably search around 47th Street this weekend for another ring.

I paid $11,000.00 for the ring, out the door. The NYC tax, mounting, and warranty came up to about $1,000.00 on it''s own so the ring was really $10K. If I can find something for significantly cheaper, or even if I can find one for the same price but in a platinum setting, I''ll take it.

 

[HPLouis]

Hello again,
To answer some of the earlier posts. UGL is a lab and appraiser. I was planning on using them to verify and appraise the ring I bought. I just wanted to make sure I got a good deal. My girlfriend is really set on Princess Cuts. I bought her a 1 CT Lucida several months ago from Signed Pieces but she didn''t like it so I had to return it. She said the ring was too small on her finger (remember, she has short, stubby fingers).

The weather is pretty crappy in NYC today. Maybe the bad weather will give me the chance to see MArk today since most people don''t like to venture out in poor weather.

Henry

 

[~*Snow*~]

Date: 11/15/2007 9:00:16 AM
Author: HPLouis
Thanks again everyone for the advice and especially for sharing the knowledge. I''m going to give ERD a call and probably search around 47th Street this weekend for another ring.

I paid $11,000.00 for the ring, out the door. The NYC tax, mounting, and warranty came up to about $1,000.00 on it''s own so the ring was really $10K. If I can find something for significantly cheaper, or even if I can find one for the same price but in a platinum setting, I''ll take it.

For 10K you could have gotten a 2 carat G VS1 center stone and the same band... use the took bar at the top of this page to do a quick search.
You need to return that ring now.

 

[DivaDiamond007]

Okay, so I''m going to be the voice of dissent here. Who really cares where the ring/diamond is from? Does SHE love it? If yes then get it! In "real life" nobody will care if the stone is the most perfect of perfect stones or if the head honcho of GIA or AGS graded it

. If she doesn''t like it then return it within the 90 day period and look elsewhere. Can you get a better deal online - yes, I''m not going to deny that but if the store has something that she''s thrilled with then don''t worry about it.

I realize that my opinion on this matter is not the most popular around here but I''m just saying how I personally feel

. FWIW my Leo came from Osterman Jewelers in a mall (ahhhh!

) and I''m very happy and 100% satisfied with it. No problems, ever, and I''ve always gotten great service at the store.

Good luck in your search and post hand pics soon!

~Jess~

 

[ang3199]

IMHO I would say that if she loves it, keep it. I would personally rather have a well cut smaller stone than a bigger kucky one. But honestly, if it sparkles and you both love it, I say keep it.

My moms ering is from Kay''s and she still thinks it is the most beautiful thing in the world. It makes her happy. As far as if you over paid or whatever, I have no clue. The gurus here will be great at answer this Q.

Good luck! And show us some pic of it on HER hand!

 

[HPLouis]

I just emailed this thread to Mark at ERD. He''s not too far from me so hopefully he can work something out for me. It would be nice to be able to get a larger diamond or a platinum setting.

Thanks again everyone. I am very grateful for all of your help,
Henry

 

[HPLouis]

She hasn''t seen the ring yet. I''m hoping to suprise her for Christmas with it. I would like to get the best bang for my buck (within reason of course, I don''t want to go too cheap) and that is why if I can get a better deal, then I''ll go for that. If no-one can beat Kay''s, then I''ll stick with them.

Henry

 

[HPLouis]

Here''s the breakdown according to the receipt.

Diamond - $7,224.99

Setting - $2,474.96

Appraisals - $300.00

Service Plan/Warranty - $149.99

Sales Tax (NYC) - $850.06

Total - $11,000.00


So the ring was really $9,700.00. The rest of it was taxes, warranty and appraisals.

Henry

 

[HPLouis]

Here is some more information I received from IGI about the diamond.

Depth: 73.2%

Fluorescense: None

Girdle: med to slightly thick.

Henry

 

[~*Snow*~]

Date: 11/15/2007 11:08:29 AM
Author: HPLouis
Here''s the breakdown according to the receipt.

Diamond - $7,224.99

Setting - $2,474.96

Appraisals - $300.00

Service Plan/Warranty - $149.99

Sales Tax (NYC) - $850.06

Total - $11,000.00


So the ring was really $9,700.00. The rest of it was taxes, warranty and appraisals.

Henry

If you TRULY love the diamond fine. However it really doesn''t sounds like you do since you are on here trying to figure out if it was a "good deal" or not.
For 7K that is high for a 1.5ct princess cut in an I colour. Again use the Tool Bar at the top of this page, you''ll see you can get much more "bang for your buck" a better cut, a better clarity, high carat weight, an over all nicer diamond.

 

[kellyfish]

I''m no expert, but as a "size girl" I can tell you that 73% is reaaly deep which will make the stone look smaller than it is supposed to look.......

 

[HPLouis]

Thanks for the advice Snow. I''m currently on the toolbar right now checking the diamonds out. It seems like I got a "good" price but that is really depending on the certification. From what I''ve read on this forum, IGI is very soft on grading so this might be less than a VS1 and I. All of the diamonds from the toolbar are GIA certified so that''s good. If the stone was GIA certified, then I would have goten it at a good price.

I like the diamond but I''m not the one wearing it. I think she would like it. She''s not into certs, etc. She just wants a nice ring. Me on the other hand, I want the largest and most beautiful ring....for the least amount of money (yes I am cheap).

 

[HPLouis]

Date: 11/15/2007 12:00:12 PM
Author: kellyfish
I''m no expert, but as a ''size girl'' I can tell you that 73% is reaaly deep which will make the stone look smaller than it is supposed to look.......

Oh, I didn''t know this. Thanks! I''m going to meet Mark at ERD this Monday so I''ll definitely remember this for our appointment.

Henry