Eyeballing loose diamonds--does anyone else find this frustrating?

[Julize]

We spent quite a bit of time looking at loose diamonds today, and I have to say, I''m finding it difficult to see much difference between the stones I''m looking at. Does anyone else have this problem? Looking at the numbers (pavilion angles, table %, etc.) is comforting and makes sense to me, but when it comes down to just eyeballing the stones, I have a really hard time discerning much difference between them. I''m not sure if it''s because the stones are all so similar, or if it''s the deceptive jewelery store lighting, or if I just have an untrained eye. Aside from looking for inclusions, does anyone have any tips on what to do when evaluating a stone? At what point in the process is it customary to have it appraised?

Thanks so much!

 

[belle]

Date: 9/10/2007 9:09:44 PM
Author:Julize

I''m not sure if it''s because the stones are all so similar, or if it''s the deceptive jewelery store lighting, or if I just have an untrained eye.

it could be any, or all of the above.

you just need to take each of the parts (stats, lighting) and compare them for differences.

Aside from looking for inclusions, does anyone have any tips on what to do when evaluating a stone?

just take your time and look for light ''dancing'' within the stone. even in the bright jewelry store lighting, there should be colors just dancing everywhere.

At what point in the process is it customary to have it appraised?

it really depends on what you want from the appraisal. is it an uncerted diamond that you want to confirm color/clarity on? is it a graded diamond that you want to confirm that it is what it is? do you want it for insurance purposes?
it just depends on what you want from the appraisal.

 

[Julize]

Thanks, that''s helpful. All the stones we''re looking at are GIA or AGS certified, so I guess I''m mostly concerned about 1) making sure we''re getting a good deal for the money and 2) insurance. Can the appraisal be done after the stone is mounted or is this generally not recommended?

 

[Ellen]

Are you taking them away from the lights, to a window perhaps? If not, I would suggest trying that, and see which one shines best without the fancy lighting.

The stone can be appraised mounted, but not as accurately as when it''s loose (they can still give you a good idea of specs and if it''s worth the $). If you want an absolutely thorough appraisal, have it done before it''s set.

 

[Regular Guy]

An IS might help equalize things.