Advice please: diamond eternity band

[calcallie]

I''m brand new to this forum. It''s so nice that there are forums like this - so informative.

Here''s my situation. My current wedding band is from Blue Nile:
Channel-Set Diamond Eternity Ring in Platinum (1 ct. tw.)
H, SI2.
My wedding band no longer fits comfortably b/c my fingers have gotten thicker.
And I''ve been told not to try to adjust the ring size on an eternity band.
I''m on a budget ($550 max), which means that platinum w/ diamonds isn''t really an option.
I went online (ebay...I know what ppl are thinking: not such a hot idea...) and I purchased a .75 Diamond Eternity Band.

Metal: 14K White Gold
Shape and Cut: Round Cut Diamonds
Color Grade: F-G-Colorless
Clarity Grade: VS-SI-Natural Clarity
Total Diamond Weight: 0.75 Carats
Polish: EXCELLENT
Symmetry: EXCELLENT
Retail Value: $1,671.00
Our Price: $561.00

Here''s a link to the ring:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEBTOX:IT&item=170205378085&_trksid=p3984.cTODAY.m238.lVI

I paid a total of about $550 including the shipping and ring sizing costs.
It''s supposed to arrive on Thur or Fri.

I should''ve asked for advice before I actually purchased, but I was compulsive and now I feel like I made a mistake. I mean, who has heard of Global International Gemologists, Inc.? I''ve searched online and no one''s heard of it. OMG. The "up" side is that I can return it for refund minus shipping w/in 7 days from when I receive it.

Sorry this is taking forever.
I want to find a reliable jewelry appraisal. Does anyone know of one in the Pittsburgh area?

Need to one, confirm that these are real diamonds and somewhat close to the appraisal. I don''t really care about the retail value.
I just want to know that it''s a decent ring for $550.

Thanks for reading this, if anyone does.

 

[Diamond*Dana]

You might be able to find an independent appraiser in your area by clicking on the "resources" tab at the top right of the page.

 

[neatfreak]

Hi there. Callie is my name too.

Anyway, Dave Atlas is in Philly and you could send your item to him. He is fantastic. But it might be easier to just bring it somewhere local if you can.

But really, what is important is if YOU love it and enjoy it. Make sure you are getting what you pay for, but if YOU love it that is all that matters. Make sure it is real diamonds, that they don't look cloudy or have black inclusions, and that the ring sparkles. If those things are met, then you probably got what you paid for and just sit back and enjoy it.

 

[calcallie]

Thanks for taking the time to read my post!

Well, I searched in the resource section, but there seems to be none in my area. The closest one is almost 100 miles away.
I did email David Atlas for a referral though. (Chose him b/c Mr. Atlas was the first one on the list.)

Does everyone think that it was a pretty bad idea to buy the ring on ebay?

Also, has anyone heard about Global International Gemologists, Inc? Wondering it the appraisal is totally bogus. Hm...

 

[calcallie]

Hehe. Thanks Neat Freak. You beat me to it (about D. Atlas).
But yes, I''d prefer to find a local person.

That made me feel better - as long as the diamonds are real!

Can I take it to any jeweler to confirm the authenticity of the diamonds?

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 4/9/2008 12:09:10 AM
Author: calcallie
Thanks for taking the time to read my post!


Well, I searched in the resource section, but there seems to be none in my area. The closest one is almost 100 miles away.

I did email David Atlas for a referral though. (Chose him b/c Mr. Atlas was the first one on the list.)


Does everyone think that it was a pretty bad idea to buy the ring on ebay?


Also, has anyone heard about Global International Gemologists, Inc? Wondering it the appraisal is totally bogus. Hm...

The appraisal is pretty useless, yes. But was it a bad idea? That depends. You couldn't have gotten anywhere close to a .75 carat eternity band for $500 bucks if the stones were ideal cut, nice clarity, etc. and GIA/AGS certified.

So in that regard, as long as the diamonds are real and look nice, you might as well enjoy it.

If you expected to get truly ideal cut stones, high clarity and color according to AGS or GIA, well then you probably are NOT getting that. But like I said, an eternity band like THAT would cost a pretty penny more than $500.

Like here:
http://www.signedpieces.com/item.cfm?item_id=2121

Facet's eternity bands are about as cheap as you get. Even in WG this ring would cost quite a bit more than $500.

And yes, almost any jeweler will have a diamond tester.

 

[calcallie]

Of course, I get what I pay for.

Btw, does anyone know if an eternity band can be re-sized/made bigger?
I don''t know very much about jewelry...I''m guessing no, but perhaps?

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 4/9/2008 12:21:05 AM
Author: calcallie
Of course, I get what I pay for.

Btw, does anyone know if an eternity band can be re-sized/made bigger?

I don''t know very much about jewelry...I''m guessing no, but perhaps?

Most of the time not, and if so, not without a LOT of finagling. You could have the diamonds reset into a new ring...

 

[coda72]

Date: 4/9/2008 12:22:16 AM
Author: neatfreak

Date: 4/9/2008 12:21:05 AM
Author: calcallie
Of course, I get what I pay for.

Btw, does anyone know if an eternity band can be re-sized/made bigger?

I don''t know very much about jewelry...I''m guessing no, but perhaps?

Most of the time not, and if so, not without a LOT of finagling. You could have the diamonds reset into a new ring...

I had some metal shaved from inside of my eternity band to make it a quarter size larger. So it is possible to make it a bit larger, but my guess is no more than a half size. So, if your fingers aren''t that much larger, you might be able to make it fit again.