EGL Israel Cert

[macchio123]

My boyfriend and I have been recently purchased a loose diamond and picked a platinum setting. While looking at loose diamonds, the jeweler (doing a trunk show at a major dept store) said that one should never buy EGL Isreal due to the lower grading standards, and (if buying EGL, buy EGL USA which is in LA or NYC). What he was saying was familiar to me because I''d been doing a lot of online research before we made such a big purchase. So, to understand his perspective vs. my research, I asked what he thought of GIA vs. EGL. He mentioned the standard info that GIA are more expensive, can have stricter standards, etc than EGL. That part I knew. No issue so far.

So, we bought a 1.55 carat, E color, SI1 clarity, ideal cut, no flouresence diamond and picked a solitaire platinum setting. It has a beautiful brilliance and we were thrilled!

Then, the next day, being the sleuth that I am, I got the EGL# from the receipt and looked the stone up on EGL USA. No results were returned. I searched on EGL International and the stone details (as explained in the store showed up). So, I was satisfied. Then, I wondered if this was an EGL Israel stone, because EGL International doesn''t state where "internationally" the stone was certified. I called EGL USA and they confirmed that it was an EGL Israel stone. I also called the jewelery store and they confirmed it was EGL Israel.

I''m disappointed that the stone was sold under the understanding that it was certified in EGL USA, when it is EGL Israel. I called the jeweler, whom I''ve bought at least one other piece of jewelry from and she apologized for the "miscommunication" and said that she would be happy to send the stone to EGL USA, but it would cost me about $200 or so. Also, she said that she wants to make sure I''m happy with the stone and would be happy to find one that is EGL USA, but it will likely cost $1K more or so. She''s getting the stone back in her store tomorrow so that she can set it for us. So, fortunately it is still loose and she can take a look at it again against the paperwork. I asked her to give me her opinion again (she picked out the diamond for me ahead of time in preparation for the trunk show - at that time I was not as educated about EGL Israel vs. EGL USA). Also, from a future trade-up perspective, I wouldn''t lose the value per the jeweler. We will be credited what we originally paid.

I guess, since this is such a HUGE purchase for us, I really want to make sure we get what we paid for: E color, SI1 clarity. I''m afraid if the diamond is EGL USA certified it would come in lower than what EGL Israel says. Don''t get me wrong, the diamond sparkles, and there are no visible inclusions to the naked eye. There are little whisps (non-technical term) that I can see with a loop, but that''s it. Looking at it on a setting, it looks fabulous.

I guess I''d just like to see what other experts might suggest about this situation. It''s a big purchase. My boyfriend works hard for his money, and I want to make sure we get what we paid for. Any feedback is GREATLY appreciated.

 

[denverappraiser]

If it was represented to have been graded by EGL-USA, you should get a grading by EGL-USA, and you need to get it done before it’s set. $200 is about right for their fees, especially if there’s shipping and insurance involved but I think you should negotiate who should be paying this. Do they agree with your description of the events? Have you got anything in writing that says it’s was EGL-USA graded? What happens if EGL-USA disagrees with what EGLI said about the stone? Will they agree to a refund or exchange?

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver

 

[Lorelei]

Hi Macchio

Is there any way you can cancel this purchase and start again?

 

[LadyJane83]

I''m not an expert, but I get the sense that a lot of people don''t like EGL Internat''l because its standards are lower.

If you are set on a stone that is not GIA or AGS perhaps you could get an independent appraisal? I''ve heard that EGL can be off by two grades in color and clarity.

I could be wrong, but I think it is also somewhat unclear how EGL grades the cut of the diamond?

 

[macchio123]

Hi Neil,

Re: your post: If it was represented to have been graded by EGL-USA, you should get a grading by EGL-USA, and you need to get it done before it’s set. $200 is about right for their fees, especially if there’s shipping and insurance involved but I think you should negotiate who should be paying this. Do they agree with your description of the events? Have you got anything in writing that says it’s was EGL-USA graded? What happens if EGL-USA disagrees with what EGLI said about the stone? Will they agree to a refund or exchange?

**My response: The diamond was sold by the jeweler''s representative at the trunk show. The next day, I spoke with the jeweler at the home store in FL, whom I''ve worked with. She said that I''m in "good shape" since the stone is still loose" and she should be getting it back in her store to have it set. That mades sense to me because I understand that the grading may be different once the stone is set and not fully visible.

I was thinking of asking the jeweler to pay the fee if we decide to get the EGL USA certification, but didn''t yesterday since she didn''t offer it right away (but the notion has been in the back of my mind). The jeweler said that she "really apologizes for the miscommunication". She didn''t refute what happened at all and has been helpful for us to find stone that we will be happy with. Unfortunately, I don''t have anything that says "EGL-USA". My receipt only says "EGL".

My boyfriend and I are thinking through what we''ll do if we decide to get it re-graded and the results are lower. The jeweler said repeatedly that she wants to make sure I''m happy with the stone, that it''s not "too late" and I "haven''t lost anything" since I called her the morning after we made the purchase. I''m supposed to call her tomorrow to see what she sees when she looks at the stone (she''s in FL and I''m in VA), then decide what to do then.

I believe I have an option to return the stone and start over. So, that''s no problem. It''s just a bummer to go through this for something so special.