EGL.....eek! Need help asap

[mandyk77]

Ok, here''s the story.

I have spent countless hours researching and learning from Pricescope, and am so thankful for all your knowledge! This knowledge is now the reason why I am really worried about the stone selection process that is underway.

My boyfriend went today to look at several stones that our jeweler brought in. He doesn''t want me involved because he wants there to be some surprise left (I got to pick out the setting) and wants to do all of the stone choosing by himself. The issue is that he hasn''t truly done hours of research about different grading labs, depth %, etc.......and I became very worried when he told me that the stone he picked was a EGL cert.

He said it was a D SI2 (1.51 ct. oval shape a little over $7,000 for price)....and I know nothing else. I know that the cert. # began with a 2 so I gather that it is a EGL-Isreal stone (eek)! I guess I am just very worried that it will come out to be a much softer grade. I can deal with a softer color grading by a private grader (up to GIA G color standards), but I am worried about the clarity coming out to be very poor.

Is EGL-Isreal usually terrible on clarity grading too?

I also understand that cutters know their margins and if they thought the stone was excellent grade they would send it to a top tier lab. Is this true?? Does the fact that the cutter sent it to EGL-Isreal mean that it is a poor stone altogether?? Please help! I am not sure how to handle this "crisis".

Any advice and help would be very appreciated!

 

[rogeshoe57]

Tell your boyfriend to return the diamond. Tell him that you would feel more comfortable that he buys anything he likes off the GOG or WF websites and to suprise you. Tell him its tax free, free shipping, and lifetime upgrade! I think everything on their website should be good quality. Let us know how it goes! Sorry, I don't know much about EGL certs.

 

[Lorelei]

An independant appraisal might be best if you could get it done during any return period that might be offered with this diamond. If it could be done quickly, then your BF could return it. If you wanted a diamond with a GIA or AGS report, you may have to consider a smaller diamond for the budget, but it depends on what you value more.

Appraisers list here https://www.pricescope.com/appr_list.aspx

 

[arjunajane]

Hi Mandy - when you say he "picked" this stone, has he already paid for it?
If not, perhaps see if he''s interested in doing some cursory research on PS so he knows how to look for the basics - just book mark a couple thread for him so its not over whelming..?
It seems like he''s intent on buying from a B&M - is there are chance he will consider buying online to stretch your budget more and potentially get a better stone?
If he has already purchased it, I would take Lorelei''s advice and have it appraised - quickly. If you think its just no good then just return it and don''t waste the money for the appraisal. I know, it might be a bit difficult to have thois converastion with ur boy- just remember both of you will be better off in the long run if you get something you''re Sincerely happy with now. perhaps you can show him this thread?

To answer your question, from what I''ve read yes EGL isral can be off a couple grades in both colour and clarity.
And yes, it seems to be the excepted truth that cutters will send their premium stones to AGS and GIA as this will attract a slightly higher premium for their stones aswell. there may be other reasons, but I''m not clear on them.
If its a SI2 as graded by that lab, I would have proper concerns about whether its eyeclean..Do you trust your guy to pick out an eyeclean stone?

I hope you can find a good resolution.

 

[mandyk77]

Thanks for the quick reply, guys!

Are there any gemologists or graders out there with advice??

He hasn''t paid for the stone yet, but I believe he gave them the ok to set it! I haven''t told him yet...but he needs to have it appraised before they set the stone! I think that he picked it mainly becuase it was D color.....the jeweler brought in several stones supposedly and that was the highest color grade, but we told the jeweler that we wanted to spend somewhere around $10,000 for the stone alone. I am wondering if my b/f thought this stone was a great deal for $7,100 since it was "graded" D in color (without understanding the difference between EGL and GIA.)

I don''t know exactly what I am going to do....but I will keep you posted.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 4/12/2008 8:36:05 AM
Author: mandyk77
Thanks for the quick reply, guys!

Are there any gemologists or graders out there with advice??

He hasn''t paid for the stone yet, but I believe he gave them the ok to set it! I haven''t told him yet...but he needs to have it appraised before they set the stone! I think that he picked it mainly becuase it was D color.....the jeweler brought in several stones supposedly and that was the highest color grade, but we told the jeweler that we wanted to spend somewhere around $10,000 for the stone alone. I am wondering if my b/f thought this stone was a great deal for $7,100 since it was ''graded'' D in color (without understanding the difference between EGL and GIA.)

I don''t know exactly what I am going to do....but I will keep you posted.

Oh dear...being the weekend, it can be a bit quieter with real expert input, but having said that, one of them might pop in and be able to advise. Keep bumping the thread!

 

[mandyk77]

Thanks Lorlei!

I forgot to mention that the store does have a 30 day return period for both the setting and the diamond.... and they also do a lifetime buy back (full cash back) on any stone that you buy from them.......they are a member of Better Business Bureau and have been in business for 24 years so I do somewhat trust them.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Very seriously, tell him you want the stone to come from WF or GOG. That way you know he will pay a decent price and they have the expertise to steer him in the right direction. Considering where he is buying, that stone may be only worth $5000. He''ll get his money''s worth buying a better stone from a reliable vendor.

Ask him if he looked at the inclusions with a loupe. If he didn''t, he is not doing his job!!!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 4/12/2008 8:46:43 AM
Author: mandyk77
Thanks Lorlei!

I forgot to mention that the store does have a 30 day return period for both the setting and the diamond.... and they also do a lifetime buy back (full cash back) on any stone that you buy from them.......they are a member of Better Business Bureau and have been in business for 24 years so I do somewhat trust them.

Here is what I would do. I would broach the subject with him, and tell him your concerns and why. Tell him you wanted to let him know before it was too late, and then either see if he can get your jeweller to bring in some GIA graded diamonds if he is set upon buying from them, or if he is amenable to the idea of buying online, then you can lead him to Pricescope and some of the vendors here. Did you particularly want an oval? These can be a little more challenging to buy, rather than a round which is somewhat easier to judge by the proportions.

 

[arjunajane]

Date: 4/12/2008 8:36:05 AM
Author: mandyk77
Thanks for the quick reply, guys!

Are there any gemologists or graders out there with advice??

He hasn't paid for the stone yet, but I believe he gave them the ok to set it! I haven't told him yet...but he needs to have it appraised before they set the stone! I think that he picked it mainly becuase it was D color.....the jeweler brought in several stones supposedly and that was the highest color grade, but we told the jeweler that we wanted to spend somewhere around $10,000 for the stone alone. I am wondering if my b/f thought this stone was a great deal for $7,100 since it was 'graded' D in color (without understanding the difference between EGL and GIA.)

I don't know exactly what I am going to do....but I will keep you posted.

I'm being honest here mandy - good on your boyfriend for doing his best and trying to get you the best stone he knoes how. But I have to say, if his main criteria is colour than you may have a problem. B&M stores are famous for distracting buyers with info about how colour and clarity are the most important factors, so that they can keep from discussing their crummy cuts. I am in NO way saying your diamond will be crummy, I'm just generalizing here.
Can you ask the jewellers to hold off on the setting? Just tell them you're not totally sure yet and may want to see some more of their stones (when you realy mean other vendors' stones..)

I believe Neil Beatty has just answered recently in another RT thread - perhaps you could goup there and link him to your thread to ask your question?

ETA: here's the thread https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/had-my-e-ring-appraised-from-gog-should-i-be-disappointed.82977/

Considering what you've mentiond about the return policy I would just return it if you can arrange this with your Boyf and move on, hopefully to WF or GOG.! I know you haven't seen the stone yet and you could love it, but I think your trepidations about it are going to marre the experience for both of you.
I ditto exactly what Lorelei said and urge you to ask your partner if he can consider online purchase.
Hope this helps!

 

[sna77]

I'll never understand people that are willing to spend $10k without doing research on their own first...

Tell your bf to step back, take a deep breath, and start from scratch. If I were a female, I'd be more offended that my bg would make such an importrant decision without taking the time to learn about stones first...

I mean who buys anything without researching first... I wouldn't buy a frickin vacuum w/o researching it first...

PS: You should mention that his D colored EGL Isreal is probably an AGS F...

 

[mandyk77]

Ok.....so I gently coaxed him into talking about the stone purchase issue.

Here is his story about the diamond selection process:

The jeweler shipped in 4 different oval stones for my b/f to inspect. He said that he put them all on a diamond comparison board, without revealing the color, clarity, or grading report, and asked my b/f to exam them with the loupe and after consideration pick his favorite. He said he studied them all and then selected the most brilliant and appealing stone.....then the jeweler turned over each grading report. The stone he chose turned out to be a D SI2 EGL 1.51 oval. He said that it really beat out the other stones....2 of which were GIA graded G SI2 and F SI1.

After that they tried each stone in my setting which contains 1 ctw of F color rb diamonds. He said that the D SI2 EGL oval was a bit whiter than the F color stones in the setting. He also said that after inspecting the stone with a loupe for several minutes straight (he said he knows how picky I am) that the D SI2 that he chose was as clear as the GIA SI1 next to it.

He also said that he has been doing research and has visited three different private/costum b&m type stores which were recommended by his parents and engaged friends. I felt bad for thinking he didn't care to research. According to him the stone he chose was the best out of all the stones,including GIA, that he looked at.

He also said that if the stone doesn't check out and is not up to the highest standard we will take it back for the full refund (in writing from jeweler) and I may choose any stone from anywhere! So maybe I will turn out to be a lucky novice PS'er who finds an EGL diamond in the rough....and if not WHITEFLASH here I come!

 

[arjunajane]

Thats fantastic news mandy! Like I said before good on your bf for buying the best stone he knew how, and it seems also doing some good research!

I really hope the stone turns out to be all your bf has described, and if not than thats great that you have the return policy in writing.
Sounds like a good job.

 

[Gypsy]

Mandy, I think he''s doing great. I''d just wait to see it with my own eyes now. They do after all have a return policy and so forth, so I think you''re clear!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 4/12/2008 5:45:07 PM
Author: mandyk77

He also said that if the stone doesn''t check out and is not up to the highest standard we will take it back for the full refund (in writing from jeweler) and I may choose any stone from anywhere! So maybe I will turn out to be a lucky novice PS''er who finds an EGL diamond in the rough....and if not WHITEFLASH here I come!

Excellent!!!

 

[spike13]

That''s great! For all you know he''s been posting or lurking on this site!

I often wonder if it''s every happened where a couple unbeknownst to one another have exchanged opinions here.

If there''s one thing I''ve learned from this board it''s that often us ladies don''t give our boys enough credit.

 

[mandyk77]

That would be great!

He is a wonderful guy and I am sure I will be happy with his choice.

Sometimes I feel sorry for him because I am such a perfectionist/OCD. Good thing he is really laid back....so we mesh well.