EGL Ireal Diamond--AMAZING!!! Here is my story!!!

[Dreamer1116]

I have had a long journey, but I made it--I found my perfect diamond!!!

Here have been the pit-stops and bumps along the way:

1. Helzberg Diamonds:
Carats: 1.40
Color: G
Clarity: I1
Shape: Cushion
Certified: IGI
Cost: $9,800

PROBLEM: Detected HUGE carbon spot COST--quality and cost did not align.

2. Online Search:
Carats: 2.03
Color: K
Clarity SI1
Shape: Cushion
Certified: GIA
Cost: $8,000-$9,000

PROBLEM: Loved the size--not to sure on the color

3. Wedding Day Diamonds
Diamond #1 Diamond #2
Carats: 1.40 Carats: 1.50
Color: G Color: H
Clarity: SI2 Clarity: SI2
Shape: RB Shape: RB
Certified: EGL Certified: EGL
Cost: $8,300 Cost: $ 9,200

PROBLEM: I wanted the 1.50--but the price and the guilt I would have felt was not worth it. Our budget was $10,000, which included the diamond. My boyfriend would have gone over budget for the diamond, but again--I would have felt guilty. The Simon G setting I probably would have purchased at the time was $1,900. However, the Simon G setting over powered--over shadowed the diamond, so in the end--I was dissatisfied.

4. Online Search - Final pit-stop!!!
Carats: 1.58
Color: G
Clarity: SI2
Shape: RB
Certified: EGL ISREAL--YES--the dreaded--the feared ISREAL!!!
Cost: $6,200 ($6,203.93) -- WHAT A DEAL!!!
HCA: 1.1 (Total depth: 60.5%, Table width: 57%, Crown Height: 15%, Pavillion Depth: 43%)

PROBLEM: The fear of the unknown. I never thought I would purchase my diamond online--NEVER!!! BUT--thanks to everyone here at Pricescope--I took the plunge!!! I read everything there was to know...I educated myself on depth, table, pavillion, crown, girdle, symmetry, polish, color, clarity, cut, shapes, finger/diamond ratios, laboratories to trust (GIA and AGS) and laboratories to stay away from or at least be weary (EGL--with the exception of USA and even then...). I did everything, and 8 months later, HERE I AM--happy as can be! I found my DIAMOND and I got an AMAZING DEAL on it!!!

My diamond arrived about an hour ago at my front door!!!--I am so pleased and realize that I am very lucky! The EGL Certificate scared me a little, but I couldn''t let this deal--a 1.58 for only $6,200 go!!!--I had to see it for myself!--the numbers were perfect--everything I was looking for! The HCA (1.1) was dead on--my gosh this thing sparkles like mad!!! It is completely EYE-CLEAN!!!--YES!!!--EYE-CLEAN!!! I have to admit--although I am no diamond expert, but I have seen a ton of diamonds within these 8 months--the diamond is more of an H and not a G, but it still faces up very white, so I am more than pleased--I am thrilled!!!

I hope my story gives hope to those women (and even men) on a budget and have a certain carat size, clarity, color, and CUT (most important) or a combination of the the four in mind to check out EGL. If you find a winner with a EGL certificate attached you could potentially save thousands of dollars compared to a GIA/AGS certified diamond. By no means am I advocating against GIA or AGS, but when you are on a budget like me, and don''t want to sacrafice much, EGL may be a good option. I think sometimes people forget that the diamond doesn''t change because of the certficate. This diamond is gorgeous GIA graded or EGL...no one can dispute that!

I chose my setting months ago, and I can''t wait to share the finished engagement ring with all of you!!!

 

[purrfectpear]

Lovely, so glad you''re pleased and found "the one".

I''m not trying to rain on your parade or anything, but if you check Pricescope you''ll see that there are dozens of EGL certed RB stones 1.55 and above in G color starting around $4300.

I''m sure you didn''t grossly overpay (great score on the HCA), but EGL in that size can be had for well under $6200.

Also, until an AGS or GIA lab, or independent appraiser says it''s a G, you never really know. Just additional info for others who might be considering an EGL Isreal diamond.

 

[Haven]

I''m glad you found a diamond you love! Please post pics when you have them.

(And, we don''t dread or fear Israel the country, just the certs coming from EGL Israel, of course! Sorry, I had to say it.)

 

[sparxs111]

Doesn't matter what any of us think about EGL Is. They do have great stones out there. Congrats on finding the stone that you love!!! couldn't be happier for you. Sounds like everything turned out great and you love your stone!!!! Should show us some pics!!!!!

 

[neatfreak]

That''s wonderful congrats! EGL can certainly have some good deals sometimes if you are willing to put in the effort.

 

[oldminer]

The other diamonds you had some degree of interest in show you were being flexible in color and clarity anyway. Since the exactness of the grading was not one of your most key elements, it allowed you to accept the idea that a pretty diamond of a certain size, color range and eye-cleanliness was all you had in mind to keep the old budget somewhat intact. It sounds as if you have done a good job. There are many people like you who don't have scientific exactness as their goal with buying a diamond, but have their eye on budget, beauty and value. This really gives you a far greater choice of diamond and vendor although we might say there is more risk involved, it often works well for people. We hope you are one of those who will have no problem with your purchase and that you'll be happy with it for a long time to come.

 

[Dreamer1116]

That is very true, but many of them that I found did not have the specs I was looking for (I was very strict here). I wanted ultimate fire, brillance, and scintillation, and the spread was also very important to me. I wanted to pay for a 1.5 that looked like a 1.5 which means at least 7.4mm (some people are not this strict, but I was). The diamond I selected is 7.58-7.55x4.58. Many of the diamonds in the $4,000-5,000 range are either cut too deep for my liking or table too big or too small, and did not carry ex/ex (polish/symmetry). I just did a search for diamonds 1.50-1.58, and as I suspected--none of them met my strict qualifications. I was very strict because it was EGL certified, and realize that they can inflate their grading. I was essentially looking for what I thought was an overall winner. So I do realize I could have gone cheaper, but I would have been sacraficing something, which I was not willing to do. I had a very specific set of numbers I was not willing to compromise on, as I wanted optimal "blingage"! The question is, can you find a GIA/AGS 1.58, G, SI2, ex/ex/ex for $6,200??? I have come to the conclusion that you cannot. So rain may come during my parade, but I brought an umbrella

Thanks for your comment--as all are always welcomed!!!

 

[Dreamer1116]

Of course we don''t dread ISREAL the country--thats absurd!!!--ridiculous!!! Those adjectives were simply used to describe the certificates and grading of diamonds...Just for clarification if anyone was offended or thought I meant the actual country and not the gemological lab.

 

[Haven]

Date: 10/24/2008 2:16:24 PM
Author: Dreamer1116
Of course we don''t dread ISREAL the country--thats absurd!!!--ridiculous!!! Those adjectives were simply used to describe the certificates and grading of diamonds...Just for clarification if anyone was offended or thought I meant the actual country and not the gemological lab.

Oh no! I said it mostly in jest. I''m sorry if that wasn''t clear. I should have included an emotie there . . . sorry.

I still want to see this diamond! (Mine is an EGL Israel certified diamond, too, by the way. I love it. It made my heart sing the moment I saw it.)

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

You got what you wanted, congrats. Now I'd rather see photo's of the diamond than photo's of numbers---requsite photo's please!!

cheers--Sharon

 

[vespergirl]

Congrats! I also have a gorgeous EGL Israel stone - there have been several PSers who have posted their gorgeous EGL stones. I can''t wait to see pics of yours - it sounds gorgeous! Congrats on your engagement!

 

[honey22]

Date: 10/24/2008 2:13:20 PM
Author: Dreamer1116
That is very true, but many of them that I found did not have the specs I was looking for (I was very strict here). I wanted ultimate fire, brillance, and scintillation, and the spread was also very important to me. I wanted to pay for a 1.5 that looked like a 1.5 which means at least 7.4mm (some people are not this strict, but I was). The diamond I selected is 7.58-7.55x4.58. Many of the diamonds in the $4,000-5,000 range are either cut too deep for my liking or table too big or too small, and did not carry ex/ex (polish/symmetry). I just did a search for diamonds 1.50-1.58, and as I suspected--none of them met my strict qualifications. I was very strict because it was EGL certified, and realize that they can inflate their grading. I was essentially looking for what I thought was an overall winner. So I do realize I could have gone cheaper, but I would have been sacraficing something, which I was not willing to do. I had a very specific set of numbers I was not willing to compromise on, as I wanted optimal ''blingage''! The question is, can you find a GIA/AGS 1.58, G, SI2, ex/ex/ex for $6,200??? I have come to the conclusion that you cannot. So rain may come during my parade, but I brought an umbrella

Thanks for your comment--as all are always welcomed!!!

No you couldn''t. BUT, if you took that stone to GIA or AGS, it won''t get those numbers, or those stats that you weren''t willing to compromise on.

So the real question is, do you want a stone that is really what you wanted, or a piece of paper that looks like what you wanted?

In the end you are happy and that''s all that matters.

 

[Kelli]

Good for you that you found your perfect stone! I would definitely have no problem buying an EGL Israel diamond. As long as you know what you''re doing (after finding PS, how could we not?) it seems like you can find some really great deals. Congrats! I look forward to seeing your pics!

 

[oldminer]

"No you couldn''t. BUT, if you took that stone to GIA or AGS, it won''t get those numbers, or those stats that you weren''t willing to compromise on.

So the real question is, do you want a stone that is really what you wanted, or a piece of paper that looks like what you wanted?

In the end you are happy and that''s all that matters." That''s why no GIA graded diamo

Honey22, you put what I meant to say into a much shorter version which is exactly the point of it all. As long as you love the diamond and it fits your requirements it is okay, but remember that the color and clarity of this diamond are far from likely to be graded as if the GIA graded it. This is the reason why no GIA graded diamond for this price was available to you in this weight, color, clarity and cut range. It would have been unrealistic to expect it.

 

[Dreamer1116]

Date: 10/24/2008 10:16:01 PM
Author: honey22

Date: 10/24/2008 2:13:20 PM
Author: Dreamer1116
That is very true, but many of them that I found did not have the specs I was looking for (I was very strict here). I wanted ultimate fire, brillance, and scintillation, and the spread was also very important to me. I wanted to pay for a 1.5 that looked like a 1.5 which means at least 7.4mm (some people are not this strict, but I was). The diamond I selected is 7.58-7.55x4.58. Many of the diamonds in the $4,000-5,000 range are either cut too deep for my liking or table too big or too small, and did not carry ex/ex (polish/symmetry). I just did a search for diamonds 1.50-1.58, and as I suspected--none of them met my strict qualifications. I was very strict because it was EGL certified, and realize that they can inflate their grading. I was essentially looking for what I thought was an overall winner. So I do realize I could have gone cheaper, but I would have been sacraficing something, which I was not willing to do. I had a very specific set of numbers I was not willing to compromise on, as I wanted optimal ''blingage''! The question is, can you find a GIA/AGS 1.58, G, SI2, ex/ex/ex for $6,200??? I have come to the conclusion that you cannot. So rain may come during my parade, but I brought an umbrella

Thanks for your comment--as all are always welcomed!!!

No you couldn''t. BUT, if you took that stone to GIA or AGS, it won''t get those numbers, or those stats that you weren''t willing to compromise on.

So the real question is, do you want a stone that is really what you wanted, or a piece of paper that looks like what you wanted?

In the end you are happy and that''s all that matters.

Absolutely agree--the most important thing is that I am happy with the stone, and I am VERY HAPPY. The certificate and the numbers were used simply as a guide, because of course when buying online, that is pretty much all you have. Now that I have seen the diamond, the certificate is of little importance, as I am trusting my eyes, and my eyes tell me its beautiful. I wish I could post photos, but I am having a difficult time taking clear shots with my camera.

Again, thanks for everyone''s feedback and comments

 

[honey22]

Date: 10/25/2008 8:07:31 AM
Author: Dreamer1116

Date: 10/24/2008 10:16:01 PM
Author: honey22

Date: 10/24/2008 2:13:20 PM
Author: Dreamer1116
That is very true, but many of them that I found did not have the specs I was looking for (I was very strict here). I wanted ultimate fire, brillance, and scintillation, and the spread was also very important to me. I wanted to pay for a 1.5 that looked like a 1.5 which means at least 7.4mm (some people are not this strict, but I was). The diamond I selected is 7.58-7.55x4.58. Many of the diamonds in the $4,000-5,000 range are either cut too deep for my liking or table too big or too small, and did not carry ex/ex (polish/symmetry). I just did a search for diamonds 1.50-1.58, and as I suspected--none of them met my strict qualifications. I was very strict because it was EGL certified, and realize that they can inflate their grading. I was essentially looking for what I thought was an overall winner. So I do realize I could have gone cheaper, but I would have been sacraficing something, which I was not willing to do. I had a very specific set of numbers I was not willing to compromise on, as I wanted optimal ''blingage''! The question is, can you find a GIA/AGS 1.58, G, SI2, ex/ex/ex for $6,200??? I have come to the conclusion that you cannot. So rain may come during my parade, but I brought an umbrella

Thanks for your comment--as all are always welcomed!!!

No you couldn''t. BUT, if you took that stone to GIA or AGS, it won''t get those numbers, or those stats that you weren''t willing to compromise on.

So the real question is, do you want a stone that is really what you wanted, or a piece of paper that looks like what you wanted?

In the end you are happy and that''s all that matters.

Absolutely agree--the most important thing is that I am happy with the stone, and I am VERY HAPPY. The certificate and the numbers were used simply as a guide, because of course when buying online, that is pretty much all you have. Now that I have seen the diamond, the certificate is of little importance, as I am trusting my eyes, and my eyes tell me its beautiful. I wish I could post photos, but I am having a difficult time taking clear shots with my camera.

Again, thanks for everyone''s feedback and comments

That''s fantastic! As long as you are happy that''s all that counts!

Hope you can get that camera working and post pics asap! Try using the macro mode (should have a little flower symbol), in bright light using no flash. That seems to work for me.

 

[Dreamer1116]

Here are a few photos of my diamond. I think I might have went a little overboard

I did the best I could--I never thought it''d be so hard trying to get decent shots of a diamond. I have to give credit to all of you who take all those beautiful pictures I drool over

--LOL!

The ring on my left ring finger is my promise ring I received from my boyfriend/fiance 5 years when I was in high school (we''ve been together 7 years). It has essentially been my "place holder" until the engagement ring. It''s pretty tiny, but I love it and plan on just switching it to the right hand once the engagement ring is finished.

Again--THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR THE DIAMOND ADVICE AND EDUCATION! If I hadn''t stumbbled across this site when I did...lets just say everyone here saved me from making a HUGE MISTAKE!

 

[Dreamer1116]

Hanging out in the box!

 

[Dreamer1116]

Still hanging...

 

[Dreamer1116]

OUT OF THE BOX!!!--YAY!

 

[Dreamer1116]

 

[Dreamer1116]

 

[Dreamer1116]

 

[Dreamer1116]

 

[Dreamer1116]

 

[Dreamer1116]

Back in the box--BYE BYE!!!

 

[lesco]

I am very glad to hear that you are happy with your purchase. It sounds like an awesome find. I agree, it's very hard to take pics of a loose diamond. I tried it with mine and could not do it!!!

Are you planning to take the diamond to an independent appraiser? Regardless of certification, I think it's a good idea to have a set of expert eyes look at the stone, just to be on the safe side. I did it with my diamond, which is GIA certified.

I look forward to seeing pics of the completed ring!!!

 

[coatimundi_org]

Looks great! Glad you are happy!

 

[vespergirl]

Beautiful, huge diamond! Can''t wait to see it on your hand! Do you know how you''re going to set it yet?

 

[Dreamer1116]

style="WIDTH: 100.38%; HEIGHT: 125px">Date: 10/25/2008 11:14:07 AM
Author: lesco
I am very glad to hear that you are happy with your purchase. It sounds like an awesome find. I agree, it''s very hard to take pics of a loose diamond. I tried it with mine and could not do it!!!

Are you planning to take the diamond to an independent appraiser? Regardless of certification, I think it''s a good idea to have a set of expert eyes look at the stone, just to be on the safe side. I did it with my diamond, which is GIA certified.

I look forward to seeing pics of the completed ring!!!

In the beginning I thought for sure I was going to have the loose stone appraised, but then I thought--well if the appraiser tells me something different (good or bad) from what is on the certificate will it really change how I feel about the diamond??? I think it is a beautful diamond, and after 8 months of searching--I can honestly say that I am completely satisfied with the diamond. I am taking it to the jewelers where I am having my setting made, just to compare my center stones to the pave/side stones, which are going to be G-H in color (just to be sure the colors match/don''t conflict with each other). However, out of curiosity sake, I might have it independently appraised before setting it--but I haven''t 100% decided...