AGS vs GIA and Ideal Cut vs hearts and arrows

[pannini]

Hi there,

Just a quick question. Went into a diamond store in downtown San Francisco this afternoon, and wanted to just compare G and H color diamonds. Then we noticed their selection is mostly GIA certified or EGL certified. They didn''t provide much info, just the Color, Carat, and Clarity. Some didn''t even say if they were Cut a certain quality. Some said "Ideal," some said "Round Brilliant."

Can you guys help me understand why they don''t reveal everything? And, would an Ideal cut of a GIA certified diamond have hearts and arrows?

How can I ask if I wanted to see if they carried such a feature? Most of these people seem to not understand my preferences. I even asked if they had any AGS stones and they kept thinking I said EGL. At a certain point I just gave up trying to clarify.

So frustrated.

 

[2.5rs]

I would not feel comfortable dealing with that store from what you described. I don''t think you should have to go out of your way to make someone understand what you are looking for. Especially with something as major as a diamond purchase! I''m fairly new here and I see you are too, this forum and its wealth of knowledge and very helpful established members have blown me away! Totally opened my eyes. A real blessing! I visited six different (that I can name off immediately) store fronts in my area, and three on the other side of my state, and I only dealt with one gentleman who I felt had a true understanding of diamonds and made me feel comfortable about the idea of purchasing from him. Granted from my online comparisons his prices were high, that comes with the territory I think.

I think the reason they don''t reveal everything is to keep it simple, which a lot of "regular Joes" like, especially when being confronted with the task of buying a diamond. Also there is probably at least one undesirable feature about the stone.

In the end I think you have to have your parameters set and find the best value for your budget within those parameters. I did that and found what I feel is an awesome stone through an online vendor. The process has been surprisingly simple...

Anyways, try not to get to frustrated, always remember that you are blessed to be in the position you are in!

 

[Lorelei]

To add to 2.5rs'' excellent post, these stores are catering to their clients who probably have other priorities and aren''t interested in cut quality, they are providing enough info to sell the diamonds they have as it is. So when they get an educated consumer it throws them somewhat.

Also GIA do not have an Ideal Cut grade, their highest is excellent. No way to tell if a well cut diamond is h&a without images, it might possibly show h&a but not be up to the strict standards that experts and conoisseurs of this cutting style expect.

 

[pannini]

I am a bit worried. My boyfriend is sold on the whole GIA deal and the price tag they gave for a 1.8 carat diamond was 10K, which really impressed him. He is pretty into the bargain, and I am not convinced. I expressed my concern but he is not listening! I have a feeling he''d rather go in person to a store and contact someone who can show him the ring in person. We had a pretty heated chat about it, I am worried!