Find your diamond
Find your jewelry
shape
carat
color
clarity

Did I just make a mistake buying a diamond sight unseen?

Status
Not open for further replies. Please create a new topic or request for this thread to be opened.
M

M3Rock

Rough_Rock
Joined
Mar 18, 2010
Messages
18
Firstly, thank you all for the diamond education. I happened onto this site via a Bing search. So with the new knowledge, I started shopping for my engagement ring. I looked at some of the "known" sites: BGD, James Allen, WhitFlash, etc. But eventually ended up getting a stone from someone I had worked with last year for a much smaller purchase.

I committed to a 2.03ct stone (with a Knife Edge setting) that had a HCA score of 0.9 but without any images/photos other than a EGL cert. I verified it on EGL''s site, and the specs are:

GRADING RESULTS
Cristal Type: Type IaAB
Shape and Cut: Round Brilliant
Carat weight: 2.03 Ct.
Color Grade: H
Clarity Grade: SI1

ADDITIONAL GRADING INFORMATION
Measurements: 8.16 - 8.13 x 4.94
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Fluorescence: None
Total Depth: 60.6 %
Table Width: 58 %
Crown Height: 14 %
Pavillon Depth: 43 %
Girdle Thickness: Medium, Faceted

COMMENTS
- 8 HEARTS & 8 ARROWS - This Diamond was polished
utilizing superior precision & craftmanship, its
exquisite proportions generate the appearance of
8 Hearts & 8 Arrows, when viewed at the correct
angle & under the proper lighting conditions.
- ''Excellent Ideal Cut''.

I was told that it is eye-clean. There is the usual 30 money-back guarantee, lifetime upgrades and adjustments, etc.

Did I make a mistake getting a stone without a AGS or GIA cert? How do I go about checking the stone out when it arrives? I looked for a recommendation for a gem appraiser here on this site, but the closest one is three hours away. Since it''s mounted, it''s impossible to get an ideal-scope image even if I bought the $200 kit right?

I was planning to propose on our "anniversary" this coming Monday. I suppose I can put it off if I need to do more due diligence on the diamond. What do you think?
 
depending on how much you paid for the stone.
 
Yes, what did you pay?

You can still find an appraiser locally, or you can send it to an PS appraiser by mail, but it is a hassel.
 
Did you get a good deal/make a mistake?


Depends what exactly you wanted. Which EGL? Looks well enough cut, accounting for the use of percentages instead of angles (can you get a sarin?) - if it's actually H&A is anyone's guess without hearts image.


As long as you paid for a 2ct I/SI2 at best, J/SI2, I/I1, J/I1... and are prepared for a stone of that colour/clarity, then you didn't make a mistake. If you're expecting a stone that GIA would grade H/SI1 then this will probably disappoint.


Ditto for having it appraised.
 
It was $11K out the door with a platinum knife edge setting with EGL International (not USA) cert.

I'll start looking for local appraisers. When I use that "appraiser" word, the Google/Bing search always returns more real estate appraisers instead.
7.gif
Is there a site that will show "GIA certified" appraisers? How much should such an appraisal cost?
 
Date: 3/18/2010 8:08:30 PM
Author: M3Rock
It was $11K out the door with a platinum knife edge setting with EGL International (not USA) cert.

I''ll start looking for local appraisers. When I use that ''appraiser'' word, the Google/Bing search always returns more real estate appraisers instead.
7.gif
Is there a site that will show ''GIA certified'' appraisers? How much should such an appraisal cost?
Click to expand...

Use this link to find one near you.

http://www.pricescope.com/appr_list.aspx

Some appraisers can take in shipment direct from vendor, so you can choose some of the further ones, that post here often if you cannot find anyone near you. A typical appraisal is around 150-200 depending on how the appraiser charge for his time.
 
I asked for one, but they didn''t have a SARIN.
7.gif


I had learned about the color grading of EGL Int versus AGS/GIA. When I did price research, I actually compared it to GIA I/SI2 and it didn''t seem out of line. I suppose I could always send it back for a 1.5ct with better color grade.

Just wondering if there was anything too fishy about it.
 
Date: 3/18/2010 8:20:17 PM
Author: M3Rock
I asked for one, but they didn''t have a SARIN.
7.gif


I had learned about the color grading of EGL Int versus AGS/GIA. When I did price research, I actually compared it to GIA I/SI2 and it didn''t seem out of line. I suppose I could always send it back for a 1.5ct with better color grade.

Just wondering if there was anything too fishy about it.
Click to expand...
The risk with EGL is you cannot know where your diamond stands wrt GIA or AGS, you can only really estimate. So it is hard to judge value IMO.
 
Date: 3/18/2010 8:15:35 PM
Author: Stone-cold11
Use this link to find one near you.

http://www.pricescope.com/appr_list.aspx

Some appraisers can take in shipment direct from vendor, so you can choose some of the further ones, that post here often if you cannot find anyone near you. A typical appraisal is around 150-200 depending on how the appraiser charge for his time.
Click to expand...

Thanx. I had actually used that link, and the closest one was 129 miles away.
7.gif
Maybe one of the reputable local jewelers will do it.
 
Date: 3/18/2010 8:08:30 PM
Author: M3Rock
It was $11K out the door with a platinum knife edge setting with EGL International (not USA) cert.

I''ll start looking for local appraisers. When I use that ''appraiser'' word, the Google/Bing search always returns more real estate appraisers instead.
7.gif
Is there a site that will show ''GIA certified'' appraisers? How much should such an appraisal cost?
Click to expand...
M3
$11K (just for the stone itself) would be more in line with a GIA H SI1 1.50ct H&A stone.

i can offer you my FREE internet appraisel...this stone will not grade H SI1 at GIA or AGS lab.
 
Date: 3/18/2010 8:32:31 PM
Author: Dancing Fire
Date: 3/18/2010 8:08:30 PM

Author: M3Rock

It was $11K out the door with a platinum knife edge setting with EGL International (not USA) cert.

I''ll start looking for local appraisers. When I use that ''appraiser'' word, the Google/Bing search always returns more real estate appraisers instead.
7.gif
Is there a site that will show ''GIA certified'' appraisers? How much should such an appraisal cost?
Click to expand...
M3

$11K (just for the stone itself) would be more in line with a GIA H SI1 1.50ct H&A stone.

i can offer you my FREE internet appraisel...this stone will not grade H SI1 at GIA or AGS lab.
Click to expand...

Actually, I know that neither GIA nor AGS would rate the color or inclusions the same way. But can they be more than a grade apart? It''s hard to believe that something EGL would rate a H is actually a K in GIA? They use the same reference stones, no? What about the cut, polish and symmetry? Can those be "fudged?"
 
yes, they can be more than a grade apart - it's egl-i, so i'd be shocked if they weren't. The price itself confirms this - you paid quite a bit less for both stone and setting than what you could expect to pay for a quality gia/ags I SI2 stone in that size.


numbers are numbers, like ct wt can't fudge them, though with percents there's some inherent uncertainty



send it off to an independent appraiser who can tell you much, much more about your particular stone than we can here on this forum
1.gif
 
If you know the seller, why didn''t you look at the stone? I wouldn''t rely on an EGL cert.
 
You just spent $11K on a diamond and you''re not willing to drive three hours to have it looked at by an appraiser?
33.gif
 
Date: 3/18/2010 10:06:33 PM
Author: MC
You just spent $11K on a diamond and you''re not willing to drive three hours to have it looked at by an appraiser?
33.gif
Click to expand...

I agree.
 
Date: 3/18/2010 10:15:04 PM
Author: Firestone

Date: 3/18/2010 10:06:33 PM
Author: MC
You just spent $11K on a diamond and you''re not willing to drive three hours to have it looked at by an appraiser?
33.gif
Click to expand...

I agree.
Click to expand...
Yes, I think 3 hours is not actually that far. Or you can even courier it there I think.
 
Date: 3/18/2010 9:44:36 PM
Author: Firestone
If you know the seller, why didn''t you look at the stone? I wouldn''t rely on an EGL cert.
Click to expand...

Because he''s in FL and I''m in CA.
 
Date: 3/18/2010 10:06:33 PM
Author: MC
You just spent $11K on a diamond and you're not willing to drive three hours to have it looked at by an appraiser?
33.gif
Click to expand...

Well, I would have to find a way to hide it from my GF if I did. There are a set of circumstances that is driving this including that I was planning to propose this Monday (our "Anniversary") and we have house guests for the weekend. And yes, it took me way too long to decide on the ring and get the funds together to pay for it. So it won't be here till this Saturday.

So I can either propose with whatever gets here, get it looked at on Saturday or Monday (most places are closed on Sunday), and change it out later. Or delay the proposal till I got the stone "certified."

Frankly, I would rather not delay the proposal. But I put myself in this situation, and I have some decisions to make. I ordered the ideal-scope just now for use later. And I made an appointment with a local jeweler that has an in-house GIA Gemologists for Saturday. At the very least, I'll know whether I got "taken" before I propose with the ring.

And all this is suppose to be a surprise. Maybe I should just "come clean" with my GF and forget about the surprise. Spending this much money on a piece of rock is making me batty.
 
Date: 3/18/2010 10:40:34 PM
Author: M3Rock

Date: 3/18/2010 10:06:33 PM
Author: MC
You just spent $11K on a diamond and you''re not willing to drive three hours to have it looked at by an appraiser?
33.gif
Click to expand...

Well, I would have to find a way to hide it from my GF if I did. There are a set of circumstances that is driving this including that I was planning to propose this Monday (our ''Anniversary'') and we have house guests for the weekend. And yes, it took me way too long to decide on the ring and get the funds together to pay for it. So it won''t be here till this Saturday.

So I can either propose with whatever gets here, get it looked at on Saturday or Monday (most places are closed on Sunday), and change it out later. Or delay the proposal till I got the stone ''certified.''

Frankly, I would rather not delay the proposal. But I put myself in this situation, and I have some decisions to make. I ordered the ideal-scope just now for use later. And I made an appointment with a local jeweler that has an in-house GIA Gemologists for Saturday. At the very least, I''ll know whether I got ''taken'' before I propose with the ring.

And all this is suppose to be a surprise. Maybe I should just ''come clean'' with my GF and forget about the surprise. Spending this much money on a piece of rock is making me batty.
Click to expand...
I know that it is not my decision, but I would just postpose the proposal. Keep it a surprise, you have goten this far! Do your due dilligence on this diamond purchase. She will not like the idea of giving it up later to get it checked if you propose earlier, and what if you decide to send it back? She will not like that at all.

Take a breath. Relax. Do the right things to make sure your money is well spent and you can propose with a clear conscience. Trust this old married lady
2.gif
... in a few years when you are married it will not matter one whit that you proposed a week or two later than you initially planned! She will be excited no matter when it happens and no matter how it happens. And she will be glad to know afterwards that your money was well spent on the diamond.
 
Oh, and before it comes, go to a Jared''s near you and look at some Peerless diamonds, they are AGS0 I believe. Try for 2ct and try to look at H/I color. This will sort of "train your eyes" and allow you to better assess what you see when your diamond arrives!
 
Thanx dreamer_d.

I should propose with a car or a swimming pool. I know a heck of a lot more about those two things than diamonds.
2.gif
 
Date: 3/18/2010 10:54:00 PM
Author: M3Rock
Thanx dreamer_d.

I should propose with a car or a swimming pool. I know a heck of a lot more about those two things than diamonds.
2.gif
Click to expand...
They would be a little heavy for her hand I think.
25.gif
 
Date: 3/18/2010 10:54:00 PM
Author: M3Rock
Thanx dreamer_d.


I should propose with a car or a swimming pool. I know a heck of a lot more about those two things than diamonds.
2.gif
Click to expand...
And hardly anyone is ever worried about buying a fake car.
25.gif


Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver
 
Date: 3/18/2010 8:20:17 PM
Author: M3Rock
I asked for one, but they didn''t have a SARIN.
7.gif
Click to expand...
The Sarin tool is only useful on unmounted stones anyway so I wouldn’t recommend this be one of your criteria in selecting an appraiser, at least not directly. ( It may be a useful clue of an appraiser who takes their business seriously enough to invest in equipment but it won’t be used in your inspection even if they have one).

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver
 
Date: 3/19/2010 10:15:55 AM
Author: denverappraiser

Date: 3/18/2010 10:54:00 PM
Author: M3Rock
Thanx dreamer_d.


I should propose with a car or a swimming pool. I know a heck of a lot more about those two things than diamonds.
2.gif
Click to expand...
And hardly anyone is ever worried about buying a fake car.
25.gif


Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver
Click to expand...
LOL!
9.gif
 
Date: 3/19/2010 10:19:23 AM
Author: denverappraiser
The Sarin tool is only useful on unmounted stones anyway so I wouldn’t recommend this be one of your criteria in selecting an appraiser, at least not directly. ( It may be a useful clue of an appraiser who takes their business seriously enough to invest in equipment but it won’t be used in your inspection even if they have one).

Neil Beaty

GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver
Click to expand...

Thanx for the insight Neil.

I''m glad I don''t plan on having to do this more than once. I suppose in general, women stress out about buying cars, and men stress out about buying diamonds. On second thought, maybe it''s just me. But the only other time I''ve spent this much on rock is when I purchased "granite" for the house.
9.gif
 
Status
Not open for further replies. Please create a new topic or request for this thread to be opened.
GET 3 FREE HCA RESULTS JOIN THE FORUM. ASK FOR HELP
Jewelry Blog
PriceScope-Concierge-Ad
Find prime cuts.
Top