experts dont agree on clarity: VS or SI and on carat weight?

[marierca]

I bought a diamond ring over the internet (from a site that seams to have good reputation based on client reviews) and I made it valuated by an independant expert (gemmologist that did the valuation in accordance with the GIA system of classification).

The appraisal document shows that the ring did not meet the specification expected (information about the item on the web site).

The ring is platinum with 7 brillant diamonds.

Total carat weight: 0.84ct as per the independant valuation and 0.90ct as per the item specification from the seller
Clarity: SI as per the independant valuation and VS2 as per the item specification from the seller.

My I ask for explanation from the seller, he explained me that when an appraisal evaluates a mounted ring you can only estimate the weight based off the measurements. The independant valuation estimated them at .12ct each which is .01ct off from the average of the stones. In addition it is possible for an appraiser to be off by one grade either way for color/clarity which it appears happened here.

The seller ensure me that he has strict grading precedes and these diamonds were indeed VS2. He assures me that there is nothing different between my actual ring and what I purchased off our site. The seller sent me an appraisal document showing that : "the ring was approximatly 0.90 carats, with VS2 in clarity".

I am not an expect and I am very confused...???

 

[AllieLuv83]

Re: experts dont agree on clarity: VS or SI and on carat wei

First of all, when you are talking about appraisals you need to tell us who appraised the ring in both cases. Was the ring appraised by the jeweler first and then by GIA after by you, where both appraisals done by jewelers?

 

[AllieLuv83]

Re: experts dont agree on clarity: VS or SI and on carat wei

If yours was by GIA and theirs was just them appraising it I would put my trust in the GIA appraiser telling you the true clarity of the diamonds even if they can't agree on the weight since it is mounted.

 

[marierca]

Re: experts dont agree on clarity: VS or SI and on carat wei

Would you have an idea of the price differences between VS2 and SI dimonds of 13 points ?

 

[marierca]

Re: experts dont agree on clarity: VS or SI and on carat wei

The seller offers to reimburse me the ring if I wanted. But, since it was a very good price ($2,000) I will not send the ring back.

The color of the diamonds is GH with a good cut (confirmed by the appraisal from the GIA). The rings looks very good and sparkles a lot !!

The diamonds are small and I will not be able really to notice the difference between SI or SV diamonds...

I am just a bit desapointed that I did not get what I was expected !!

 

[Christina...]

Re: experts dont agree on clarity: VS or SI and on carat wei

I'm assuming that the stones were not removed for the evaluation? It's possible that the appraiser if off by .01 per stone, it's more difficult to determine diamond weight when the diamond is in it's setting and therefore they can only offer you an approximate diamond weight. I'm also assuming that it was appraised by a GIA graduate gemologist and not by the GIA??

 

[marierca]

Re: experts dont agree on clarity: VS or SI and on carat wei

the independent appraisers is a member of the Canadian jewelers association and he has done the valuation using the GIA grading system.

In your view, is it also possible to confuse SI clarity and VS2 clarity ?

 

[marierca]

Re: experts dont agree on clarity: VS or SI and on carat wei

and...the stones where not removed form the setting !

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: experts dont agree on clarity: VS or SI and on carat wei

Yes, you could get varying estimates on weight of mounted stones, and even GIA and AGS can grade color or clarity one grade lower or higher of you sent the same diamond back to be regraded. I check stones with a loupe and decide if inclusions bother me. If they do, I don't keep the ring. If it is eyeclean and the diamonds are well cut and brilliant, then I keep them.

Did your appraiser value the ring more than you paid for it? That is the real key...you don't want to overpay.

I always assume when buying used jewelry that the diamonds are optimistically graded even by honest sellers. So I decide if I could live with the item if it was a grade lower and whether the price would still be good.

 

[marierca]

Re: experts dont agree on clarity: VS or SI and on carat wei

The independant appraisal values the ring at 3110$ and I paid 1900$ for it....

 

[marierca]

Re: experts dont agree on clarity: VS or SI and on carat wei

thanks for the advice....I am keeping the ring !

 

[kindred]

Re: experts dont agree on clarity: VS or SI and on carat wei

The seller offers to reimburse me the ring if I wanted. But, since it was a very good price ($2,000) I will not send the ring back.

The color of the diamonds is GH with a good cut (confirmed by the appraisal from the GIA). The rings looks very good and sparkles a lot !!

The diamonds are small and I will not be able really to notice the difference between SI or SV diamonds...

I am just a bit desapointed that I did not get what I was expected !!

I would probably be most concerned by the good cut grading. I would want an excellent cut or at least very good.

 

[Amys Bling]

Re: experts dont agree on clarity: VS or SI and on carat wei

I'm assuming that the stones were not removed for the evaluation? It's possible that the appraiser if off by .01 per stone, it's more difficult to determine diamond weight when the diamond is in it's setting and therefore they can only offer you an approximate diamond weight. I'm also assuming that it was appraised by a GIA graduate gemologist and not by the GIA??

Ditto this post.

 

[milton333]

Re: experts dont agree on clarity: VS or SI and on carat wei

the independent appraisers is a member of the Canadian jewelers association and he has done the valuation using the GIA grading system.

In your view, is it also possible to confuse SI clarity and VS2 clarity ?

In response to this, I have an AGS-graded diamond (it was graded loose) from about 4 years ago. I recently had the ring in which it is set appraised for insurance purposes, and the appraiser (who is an AGS gemologist, too), stated that he'd probably grade it SI2 instead of SI1 per the AGS report. I thanked him for his "concern," but I'd like to stick with the AGS cert of SI1. Yes, it is possible to differ by a clarity grade, even with people who are presumably identically trained (both AGS).