Diamond newbie needs help with 4Cs in eternity bands!

[shanzan]

Hi All-

My husband and I just got married this past weekend. We planned it quickly because we are traveling abroad for work so we skipped the long engagement and admittedly, the research we should have done prior to purchasing a ring. I have very small hands and work in a research lab so I wanted to keep my rings delicate so I could wear gloves over them. I decided to go with 2 eternity bands, different textures. We went to a local jeweler to support those businesses and for the opportunity to see things on because I never wear jewelry.



Long story short, the rings are returnable and I need help deciding if I'm being too neurotic or if we didn't get the quality they promised. Our order was messed up, they were quick to sell rather than inspect, and we don't know what to look for so I am a little untrustworthy now :/

The round cut eternity band is about 0.5 carat TW in 14k white gold, color G, size 4. The insurance appraisal they provided says SI1, which is supposed to be VS2. They do sparkle, but another jeweler told me it's important to get at least VS2 in small diamonds so they sparkle more, because they are small. Is this true?

The main thing that bothers me about this ring is the diamonds seem to be cut differently, which makes it look wavy next to the straight channel set ring. A couple are lower than the rest, a couple are wider. Am I being too picky, do small diamonds vary in size within an eternity band? I am detail-oriented per my job so it bothers me, but I realize they are rocks so not sure if this is standard.

The channel set band looks nice, about 1 c TW, 14k white gold, color G, SI1 also. I could have sworn they sold us VS2 for both but could be wrong. It's a slightly different design so waiting for the correct one to come in.

My questions:
1. Does clarity matter in smaller diamonds? What color/clarity are nice? While we do have a budget, these are dainty rings, I'd like quality diamonds.
2. Variation in cuts of the round brilliants in that ring, normal?
3. Are these rings supposed to get a certification? I read about this but wasn't sure if that's only large diamonds. They only provided the appraisal.
4. Should I get another jeweler to look at them?
5. How do we know if the price is fair? I know a local place will be slightly more expensive than online.

I hate to not trust the jeweler now, they do have great customer service. But, these are forever and they weren't inexpensive so I need some guidance or peace of mind. Because we are waiting on the other, these rings are returnable if needed.

Any help is appreciated, thanks everyone!

 

[distracts]

My questions:
1. Does clarity matter in smaller diamonds? What color/clarity are nice? While we do have a budget, these are dainty rings, I'd like quality diamonds.
It matters to an extent. Si1 is usually still eyeclean in smaller diamonds. If you cannot see any inclusions with your naked eyes and have difficulty finding them with a loupe, I would not worry (unless you actually paid for a VS2 ring).

2. Variation in cuts of the round brilliants in that ring, normal?
I don't think so. All of my tiny diamonds look the same to me even under a loupe.

3. Are these rings supposed to get a certification? I read about this but wasn't sure if that's only large diamonds. They only provided the appraisal.
No, diamonds that small are not certified because it would be too expensive.

4. Should I get another jeweler to look at them?
If you would like someone else to look at them, do not go with another jeweler, go with an independent appraiser (someone who neither buys nor sells jewelry). Another jeweler has a reason to tell you your rings are bad - so you'll buy from him! An independent appraiser does not have that reason, so you will get a more honest assessment (it's entirely possible you'd get an honest assessment from a jeweler appraiser, but why take the risk?).

5. How do we know if the price is fair? I know a local place will be slightly more expensive than online.
Look at comparable rings online at places you know are fairly priced (such as pricescope vendors), then get the percentage difference between your ring and the comp, and determine if you think that percent is reasonable to cover the greater overhead of the store, and given any difference in quality.