Buying online: buy loose versus set

[Racer811]

Any advice on whether to buy stones loose or in the setting (when buying online)? I'm planning on buying a 1.0 ct Round online, with HCA under 2. The vendor has Sarin reports and idealscope pics, but I'd like to check it out under an idealscope to confirm. Buying it loose will be kind of a hassle (plus I'll have to pay to ship back and forth for mounting). Should I just trust their pics and buy it mounted?

Thanks for any advice!
John

 

[sean13]

Which company are you dealing with? Some people definetely like to see their diamond first, but if it is a reputable company you shouldn't have anything to worry about! Plus, I assume you would be getting an independent appraisal afterwords and they can generally confirm that it is the proper diamond to accompany your certificate.

Sean

 

[sean13]

That said though, I have heard that places always keep their best stones loose. If it is a case of buying a loose stone and having them set it before you see it, that shouldn't be a problem. If the stone is already set...I don't know...somebody more knowledgeable will have to chime in.

 

[Racer811]

Oh, the vendor is Whiteflash. I guess it's just my curiousity wanting to view the diamond under a loupe and an idealscope. Maybe I'm just being paranoid, since I'll still be able to look at it under a loupe and idealscope if I buy it mounted...

 

[Blueman33]

Loose-means you can keep the stone and return the setting. Settings can look WAY different in person than in a photo. Of course a really simple setting, No big deal. You can get a blind appraisal with angles, weight, color, clarity with no bias created by providing a cert.

Mounted is convenient, and has more shipping options if you send it away to be appraised as UPS will ship jewelry, but not diamonds unless you have 3rd party insurance. you can't get a blind appraisal complete with weight, angles, color, clarity, with no bias. you can get an appraisal telling you the cert goes with the stone. Some stones in their settings can't be graded for clarity accurately due to the setting, a sarin report is ran on a loose stone as well.

My opinion only.