Blue Diamond Rip-off?

[jastect]

I just married in January 2013. We traded in my husband's engagment ring he bought for someone else - a fairly conservative, 1 carat princess-cut diamond on a white gold setting. My jeweler exchanged the clear diamond for a 1 carat emerald-cut blue diamond and set it in our custom yellow gold setting. We were not going to get anything fair if we traded it back to the original store, so we went to a more artsy jeweler who designed my previous rings and others in my family. He isn't a gemologist and goes to a gemologist to purcahse his new gems or make trades.

I love the ring but was upset when I brought it to a local jewelry store to get an assessment for insuring it. He said it was irradiated and kept asking me what I thought it was. The original jeweler didn't give me any kind of certification but was supposed to give me the description I needed for insuring it. He forgot to give it to me and his store is difficult to get to, thus, the visit to the local place. My jeweler thought it was worth about $4,000. He made an even trade and only charged me for the design part. I also traded in other gold. We had no budget.

Should I be worried about being ripped off? I trust my jeweler - he's a great guy. He gave me two choices to replace the old diamond. They were both blue, sort of a teal blue. I have been looking online and see round irradiated 1 carat diamond rings selling for under $1600.

I apologize if the image isn't here or is here multiple times. I keep trying to load it and the preview shows no image.

 

[GemFever]

Although I don't own any true color diamonds, I believe they are very, very expensive in the nice colors (that is, any color besides brown). Your stone is almost certainly irradiated for the blue color, I'm sorry to say. Maybe your jeweler didn't know?

Do you like the stone itself, apart from the value? Maybe that is the most important thing at this point.

 

[momhappy]

Did he sell it to you under the guise that it was natural? In other words did you ask if it was natural or irradiated and/or did he supply that information voluntarily? Are you positive that the blue diamond comparisons you've made online are an apples to apples comparison? If so, I would approach the jeweler again and come prepared (with documentation) to demonstrate the pricing that you've found. Inquire why the price of his diamond was so much more that what appears to be a fair market value.

 

[momhappy]

Although I don't own any true color diamonds, I believe they are very, very expensive in the nice colors (that is, any color besides brown). Your stone is almost certainly irradiated for the blue color, I'm sorry to say. Maybe your jeweler didn't know?

Do you like the stone itself, apart from the value? Maybe that is the most important thing at this point.

If a jeweler didn't know the difference between a natural and and irradiated stone, then he shouldn't be a jeweler in the first place...

 

[jastect]

I love my ring but feel sad that it may be worth a lot less than we thought. It's unusual and one-of-a-kind which reflects my personality. The jeweler is more of an artist and admitted he doesn't know the specifics of diamonds. I guess I was just so excited that I had a ring that was worth something. My previous rings were very cool but not worth more than $800 together.

(How do I add an image?? I keep trying but it won't show up. Or is it just my work server?)

 

[jastect]

The ring we had was bought for about $4,000 originally. When I asked the original store how we could trade it in, they told us we would have to spend another $4,000. That was a 'real' jeweler. I had the same reaction from the other 'real' jewelers in my area.

The jeweler I went to told me he didn't know much about diamonds but trusted his gem guy. He is more of a designer. He brought the diamond I didn't like to his gem guy and brought me two to look at that were considered equal in value. (He didn't know what my husband paid for the original ring.) Stupid me didn't ask for any kind of certification, I was just happy to be able to get a ring I liked without buying a new diamond. I asked him what he thought the diamond was worth and he said about $4,000. I didn't pay anything extra for it and he didn't say it was real or irradiated. I don't think he knew the difference. He deals with a lot of antiques and crafty items.

 

[JulieN]

you are paying for a one of a kind jewelry piece by the artist of your choice, and the value to you is not necessarily the value it is to other people.

I would enjoy it and not worry about it.

 

[momhappy]

If you truly believe that he didn't know, and that he assumed it was natural and sold it as such, then you need to go back and explain to him that it's not. I'm not an expert by any means, but I believe there are different ways to color treat diamonds and I think that one of the treatments has to be disclosed in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission.

 

[Circe]

It is 99.9% likely to be irradiated, I'm sorry to say. What that does to the value, I have no idea - whether it's equivalent to the stone you traded for depends on *its* value too. What were the specs on the princess you traded in? So far a few jewelers agreed it was around 4K, but we don't know if they were trying to make a sale, undermine the competition, what.

I know a few of our members have experience with irradiated stones - the two I'm thinking of tend to hang out more in our Colored Stone forum, though. Maybe it might be worth asking the mods to move your thread, or to post a quick question concerning the value of irradiated stones there?

To add an image, click "upload attachment" on the tabs below, then "browse," select your image, hit "upload," wait a minute for the screen to reload, and then hit "submit."

 

[GemFever]

To attach an image, click on "upload attachment" (it's a tab below the dialogue box), then select your file, then hit "add file," and you should be good.

I agree with Julie -- sounds like you do have a very unique ring which has artistic value.

 

[jastect]

Thank you. I guess that's all that counts. I got the ring I wanted. I couldn't wear someone else's ring and we were never going to get that money back.

I keep uploading the image but it won't attach. I think my work computer is blocking it.

 

[momhappy]

you are paying for a one of a kind jewelry piece by the artist of your choice, and the value to you is not necessarily the value it is to other people.

I would enjoy it and not worry about it.

I think it is something to worry about. If she paid for one thing, and received something quite different, then that's a problem that needs to be addressed. If I paid for a .75 carat and ended up with a .50 carat instead, no one would suggest not worrying about it and enjoying it. What if the ring is lost and they have to file an insurance claim for replacement? Wouldn't they only be reimbursed for the actual value of the ring, which would be quite different than what they actually paid for it? If nothing else, her "jeweler" needs to know for future reference. He can't go around selling colored diamonds under the guise that they are natural.

 

[GemFever]

Thank you. I guess that's all that counts. I got the ring I wanted. I couldn't wear someone else's ring and we were never going to get that money back.

I keep uploading the image but it won't attach. I think my work computer is blocking it.

I hope you can upload it later. I'd love to see your ring, it sounds quite nice and unique!

 

[jastect]

I appreciate your input. My husband gave the original cetification to his ex and she gave back the ring but not the certification. I don't know the details except for what my husband said he bought it for and what my jeweler told us. He thought we traded up with the blue stone. From my research, it seems the irradiation only deepens the original color and enhances what is already there. A natural stone would be hugely more expensive and rare. So the original diamond may have had some blue but probably was a yellow diamond thus the slightly greenish tone to the color. I only wanted to get a description for the insurance company and this new jeweler wanted to charge me over $75 to do that. I may just go back to the other guy and have a talk with him.

 

[jastect]

Thanks Gemfever. I'll try to get on the computer at home and load it. Now I feel insecure about it!!

And thanks, Momhappy. I will follow through and see what's going on. I only paid about $550 for the new design but I do need to know what the diamond is.

 

[JulieN]

It is definitely irradiated. he should have told you, but perhaps since you have a long relationship he thought you were trusting his vision or something like that.

this is a natural color that is similar to how most irradiated teals come out, it is 12K for .11 cts.

http://www.fancydiamonds.net/view_diamonds/11421.htm

 

[kenny]

A one carat diamond that came out of the earth a nice strong natural blue, per grading by GIA, will be over $100,000, maybe over $300,000.
If you thought you were going to get one for $4,000 all I can say is you need to do your homework before you buy.

There is nothing 'wrong' with irradiated diamonds.
There is something VERY wrong in sellers lying or implying the color is of natural origin.
The material may be of mined natural origin, but that doesn't meant the color is.
I'll often read a statement like, 'natural mined diamond' in ads selling irradiated blue diamonds.
This is not lying because they ARE mined, but may have originally been an undesirable color.
It is just leaving out a very important part of the description.

 

[jastect]

The color in this one is very similar to mine:

http://www.fancydiamonds.net/view_diamonds/2958.htm

I appreciate all the advise and criticism. I think I got a great deal. I traded an old engagement ring that I found distasteful and no one would give me anything for and paid less than $600 for a new original design.

He never said it was naturally-colored. He only said it was a blue diamond. We've known him for almost 30 years. I guess I was too busy designing the setting and ring style with him to ask the right "diamond" questions.

I will return and ask more questions.

 

[smitcompton]

Hi,

Lets start by getting our terminolgy straight. It is a natural diamond. The natural diamond which has a mineral called boron, which gives it the blue color, is irradiated to get that color. The original diamond is usually a brownish or lower colored white diamond. Only diamonds with the boron will turn blue. I own 2 myself ad enjoy having them.

If you made an even trade, I think you may have over paid a bit. You should educate yours3lf before you go in, but I expect you didn't know about blue diamond or think you were going to buy one.

I would bring cpies of the internet stones or rings and show them to your jeweler. He may be relying on the gemologist for knowledge. In my case that is exactly what happened. My guy called his suppliers to get a current price as he told me the price fluxuates. Nicely, see if you can get some discount or refund from him.(Let him go back to the gemologist).

Now, is your stone clear? Does it sparkle? If you like it just try to get money back. I can't tell you the going rate for it, but I don't think it is 4,000 per carat. Good Luck. I very much like mine as they are different.


Annette

 

[momhappy]

Thanks Gemfever. I'll try to get on the computer at home and load it. Now I feel insecure about it!!

And thanks, Momhappy. I will follow through and see what's going on. I only paid about $550 for the new design but I do need to know what the diamond is.

Yes, my concern would be whether or not you got your money's worth (in setting, design, materials, craftsmanship, etc.). If you're feeling "ripped off" then you should address it. I'm sorry that you're dealing with that. I'm sure that your ring is lovely - I used to have an irradiated blue diamond (but I purchased it knowing that). The color was such a pretty, vivid, teal blue. Sadly, I lost it I wish you lots of luck should you choose to speak with your jeweler.

 

[SMC]

I think even if you were "ripped off" (not saying you were as I know nothing about blue diamonds, irradiated or otherwise), I don't think that you'll be able to get any money back from the jeweler since you agreed to the trade. If you know that you can't get your money back, then ignorance is bliss and you should stop researching. More importantly, I think that your diamond is probably lovely, unique, and it sounds like you love it! I would just enjoy it. The ring is such a small part of a marriage, I wouldn't get caught up with it once it's done. Besides, you have many years ahead of you to purchase more jewelry.

Congratulations on your marriage!

 

[NonieMarie]

That is such a pretty color. I sometimes have a problem attaching photos. The file just disappears and it's blank. I have found if I logout then in again it works. I don't know why.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Any time you do a trade like that, the jeweler has the advantage and the buyer has a disadvantage unless they are well educated before going in. Very few of of us here could afford a natural blue 1 ct diamond. And a natural light blue would never, ever have been treated because it would be worth far more as a natural light blue. I would have known that low priced colored diamonds were irradiated, but not everyone does. Your jeweler probably assumed you knew that since natural blues would cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. He knew approximately what the other stone was worth, but you were selling to him at wholesale or below and buying the new one at retail. The only way you could have any idea of the value of your blue diamond is to compare it to others like it or send it to an independent appraiser. It is pretty common to overpay at local jewelers in that trade in situation no matter what you traded for, unless you know diamond pricing before you go in. And that is something we help people do here.

But since you love your ring, I think you should let it go. I'd really love to see a picture of it!

 

[heididdl]

Just enjoy it......and don't look back.

 

[JulieN]

try renaming the picture file to something unique?

 

[CharmyPoo]

You are not going to get a 1ct white diamond (unknown color) for a 1ct natural untreated blue diamond. That's just not going to happen. Untreated blue diaonds (or any color diamonds) are worth more.

ETA: I wrote this in the morning and just noticed it wasn't submitted.

 

[VRBeauty]

Just enjoy it......and don't look back.

This.

And post pictures for us - we'd love to see it!

 

[BriBee]

Just enjoy it......and don't look back.

This.

And post pictures for us - we'd love to see it!

Ditto/Thritto

 

[KaeKae]

Just enjoy it......and don't look back.

This.

And post pictures for us - we'd love to see it!

Ditto/Thritto

Fourto! (quarto?)

Anyway: Forgive my less than professional response, but, unless you are able to trade in, and thus, pay the double the original price, it's unlikely you will get full trade in value on any diamond. It sounds like you got a beautiful ring, that reflects your taste and personality. I say celebrate and enjoy it! And, of course, if you can figure out how to post a picture (something I've had trouble with, myself) I'd love to see your beauty

 

[kenny]

... unless you are able to trade in, and thus, pay the double the original price, it's unlikely you will get full trade in value on any diamond.

Do you mean pay half the price?