Do I Need a GIA cert?

[tfc_diamondlvr]

Hello folks,

I've renewed my hunt for a 5 stone ring.
I'm in talks with ID jewelry.

They asked me if I needed GIA certed diamonds. I said I didn't know.
What do the folks on here think? What's the prudent thing to do?

I'd like to get .35 pt for a 5 stone ring. My budget is around $4k USD.
I'd LOVE to find pre-loved, but that's difficult.
Any suggestions?

Thanks!!

 

[ChristineRose]

You should only look at stones which have been certified by GIA or AGS, unless it's a very odd case like buying an antique.

 

[PintoBean]

Mine are uncerted 27 pointers IIRC. If cccerted ones are within budget go for it.

Bliss converted her 5 stone with certed stones to an eternity and had Yekutiel mix in his uncerted and she was pleased with the result.

I think the diamonds are SUPER sparkly. I have a mondo eternity band with GIA certified F VS quality stones and Yekutiel mixed in uncerted stones - his version of ACAs and I cannot tell the difference. They are all super sparkly and fiery. Gorgeous.

 

[daneshpastry]

I would personally want certificates, but it's a personal preference. I'm just not savvy enough to know if I'm getting what I paid for.

 

[SimoneDi]

I would say it depends on the price difference. Generally, I would prefer GIA/AGS certified stones always because they have been independently appraised for color/clarity/cut. A certificate provides a peace of mind and generally certified stones do better on the secondary market. But in some cases where the price difference is significant, you know that you won’t be selling the ring and you are dealing with a trusted vendor who can provide pictures/ASET images, then it might be possible to consider non-certified diamonds. So what is the price difference and what are the specs between the two (GIA/non-GIA) with IDJ?

 

[tfc_diamondlvr]

I would say it depends on the price difference. Generally, I would prefer GIA/AGS certified stones always because they have been independently appraised for color/clarity/cut. A certificate provides a peace of mind and generally certified stones do better on the secondary market. But in some cases where the price difference is significant, you know that you won’t be selling the ring and you are dealing with a trusted vendor who can provide pictures/ASET images, then it might be possible to consider non-certified diamonds. So what is the price difference and what are the specs between the two (GIA/non-GIA) with IDJ?

I'm learning
I've asked IDJ to give me quotes for both cert and non cert diamonds. I've requested SI1 (PS) quality to help bring down the price.
I'm still interested in blue nile too. I just wanted to see if IDJ could do any better for me.

 

[SimoneDi]

I'm learning
I've asked IDJ to give me quotes for both cert and non cert diamonds. I've requested SI1 (PS) quality to help bring down the price.
I'm still interested in blue nile too. I just wanted to see if IDJ could do any better for me.

I would go for the best price possible for a ring that satisfies your wants.

 

[sledge]

Have you worked with ID before? Only asking because I could see that question two ways. As a trusted jeweler -- maybe someone knowing your standards and trying to save you as much as possible. As a nobody -- maybe someone that doesn't deal in higher quality stones and might be out to get you. I've not worked with ID and not passing judgment either way. Just being honest how I read it.

In either scenario I think you have to consider the long term scenario. It would be easier to sell or trade on a properly certified stone than a non-certified stone. Rather this be you because of changing your mind or upgrading (you are doing this now afterall), or maybe when you pass the jewelry on and your heirs want or need to trade/sell/upgrade.

At the end of the day, it comes down to money. I'd personally be willing to pay a few hundred more for a certified stone. Seems like cheap insurance, and establishes a quality basis that is less subjective than other means.

 

[HappyNewLife]

yep, I'd compare prices and then decide

 

[tfc_diamondlvr]

Thanks everyone for your opinions!
I'll get IDJ's quotes and post them on here.
I think folks are right - it's better to get those certs!

 

[twang07]

I think I would feel more mind-easy with certs since the certs do help decide the value of the diamonds. Personally, I can't tell the difference between VS1 to SI1 without the help of certs, but these differences do significantly influence the price. Perhaps when you see the price difference of these stones, you can evaluate if having the certs.

Slight tangent: Probably not at the same scale, but when I was buying my 1ct OEC, it didn't have a cert at first, and I held firm at asking for one and it came back 1 color and 1 clarity grade lower, which reduced the price of the stone. This experience makes me somewhat biased towards having certs, but that's for 1ct, even 0.35ct I think I would want to see it because these grades do change the cost of the diamond as well.

 

[denverappraiser]

Lab fees on 35 pointers are $59 each, plus shipping. A 1-grade differential in either clarity or color is likely to be worth about $100/ct to you. Do you trust them to be accurate to within a grade or two, on average? This is the reason that smaller stones often don't have lab papers and it boils down to your trust in the vendor.

 

[motownmama]

They KNOW your ring is going to get posted on PS and that you'll want everyone blown away!
If your budget doesn't allow GIA, I know I'D be fine with IDJ opinion.

 

[doberman]

You're going with a reputable vendor. Often it hardly pays for the vendor to have GIA papers for small stones. I think you would be safe going with uncerted stones, particularly if you're ok with near colorless/SI1 diamonds. If you really want D/VS, I would get GIA stones.

 

[tfc_diamondlvr]

Thanks very much folks for all of your help thus far!!!

The pricing is as follows for 5 35 pointers.
F-G VS will be $4,500
F-G:SI (pricescope quality) will be $3,950
GIA certified F-G: VS1 all low score HCA hearts and arrows will be $4,795.

I wanted SI1 quality.
I assume when we're talking about PS quality, that means a great cut.
Should I ask for idealscope images? Is that even possible?

Bear in mind, I have to convert these prices to CAD.
I'll probably take a very quick trip to NY to grab the ring.

What does everyone think? If I can do the SI quality, that most affordable to me.
Thanks for the help and insights folks!

 

[JDDN]

Can they do the F-G SI1 with certs? Instead of the F-G VS1 with certs? Should bring the price down going from VS1 to SI1....

 

[Dizzie]

WIth that little of price difference I would definitely go for certed stones. In my mind, it would take appr 20-30% price difference to make me go with uncerted once. You can always choose to go SI and certed.

 

[Dancing Fire]

F/G SI - VS sounds good to me as long as they are well cut.

 

[tfc_diamondlvr]

Can they do the F-G SI1 with certs? Instead of the F-G VS1 with certs? Should bring the price down going from VS1 to SI1....

I'll ask them about that today! Thanks for the feedback.

WIth that little of price difference I would definitely go for certed stones. In my mind, it would take appr 20-30% price difference to make me go with uncerted once. You can always choose to go SI and certed.

Hmm....maybe I should talk to them about bringing down the prices a bit more for me.
Thanks for your opinion on the matter.

F/G SI - VS sounds good to me as long as they are well cut.

That's just it. I'm assuming, as other posters have aptly suggested, that IDJ jewelers will give me decently cut stones considering that it's another advertisement for their company

I don't know if there's anything I can do to ensure it's well cut other than trust them.