European EGL - should I not even bother?

[upgrade-me]

Hi -

I was wondering if I could get some people''s opinions of European EGL certs. I''ve read a few threads on how they are not very reliable. I''m asking because I am looking at a diamond close to 1.50 carats for F-color, SI2-clarity. I ran the #s through the cut adviser and came out with 1.2, so the #s seem very good. I am just concerned that color/clarity is going to be way off. I can tolerate G color, but SI2 (hoping for relatively eye-clean) is as low as I''m willing to go. The person I''m working with from a pricescope vendor says that there is a small feather on the side that could be partially hidden by a prong. He won''t definitely know until they bring the diamond in and actually inspect it.

Anyone have a European EGL cert which was close to the actual diamond?

PS - The cert was dated March 2005.

Anyone''s experiences would be most helpful if I should still take a look or not even bother.

Thanks - upgrade-me

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

I would consider raisig the saftey margin to SI1 unless your eye sight is not real good.

I would expect to see an inclusion in an EGL Europe SI2

 

[valeria101]

The bias of the lab should be caught by the price - if this is as expensive as GIA or AGS than... it better look just as good. Once you get to see it, the meaning of the HCA score (given the actual optical symmetry of the cut that does not show on the cert anywhere) and the clarity grade should become obvious. Is there a return policy ? If so, there isn't much to loose by trying.

From the start I would compare the price with GIA G/I1 and hope for the best

How much is this ? Among Pricescope listings an "ideal" cut round by EGL came up at 5k (link to listing). There is no copy of lab report available...

 

[upgrade-me]

Thanks for those replies. I''ve decided to pass on the diamond. It bothered me enough that it was already an SI2 with an EGL Europe cert. In addition, there was a feather to the side and I''m considering bezel setting the diamond. There wouldn''t be any prongs to hide the feather in that case. Thanks so much! On with the search...

 

[valeria101]

Date: 5/10/2005 9:34:53 AM
Author: upgrade-me

I''m considering bezel setting the diamond. There wouldn''t be any prongs to hide the feather in that case.

Hmm... a bezel would do that trick even better. I am not saying "go back to that stone" but if another shows up with some imperfections near the girdle, a bezel would really help hide them.