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Found a diamond online (1.1 HCA), but wary of the low price compared to other similar diamonds

S

shawers

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jun 13, 2018
Messages
6
Been doing a lot of research the past few days on diamonds, since I’m trying to get a good value for my girlfriends engagement ring. Learned about HCA, crown/pav angles, fluorescence, and all that good stuff beyond the four C’s. I’ve been able to narrow down my choices to a small list of diamonds. I found a particular diamond that looked good to me (on paper and on picture/video) and particularly good value but the fact that it is very discounted compared to similar diamonds is making me wary.

GIA number 1288988579
Table: 55%
Depth: 62%
Crown: 33.5
Pavillion: 41
HCA is 1.1

This diamond was listed on a few sites, and it was always a lot cheaper than the others on those sites, even cheaper than some lower color/clarity diamonds.

From the picture and videos, I dont see anything wrong with it, just that it has a strong fluorescence (and from my understanding, that’s not really a bad thing most of the time, but can make the diamond look hazy, but from the video, it doesn’t really look like there’s any haziness or milkiness).

Here is a pic and video of the diamond:
3110A1DF-3AF1-40F5-8309-1805686B89C6.jpeg
https://diamanti.s3.amazonaws.com/video/Vision360.html?d=180124-227

To me, from the video, it actually looks less yellow than other H color diamonds.

So just wanted to get some input from someone more experienced than me, have I found a great deal, or is there something I should be wary of?
 
As a member of the trade, I will not speak about a specific diamond that is not mine. I can say that there is more to picking out a diamond and that some of the factors that can make a huge difference do not show up on a report from either GIA or AGS.

Is the body color a tint other than yellow? Brown, Green and Gray would not be noted on the report and will lower pricing. Is the diamond milky? Not noted on the report and will lower pricing. Is the diamond an overblue? It will not show on the report or on a video taken inside, but if it is, the diamond will have a hideous oily looking appearance in the sun. It definitely will affect pricing. Does your retailer take adequate precautions to be sure the diamond is conflict free?

Regardless of whether the diamond is an incredible deal or a disaster, you must insist on being able to return it if you do not like it. No return privileges, look elsewhere.

Of course, if you are able to see it in real life and love it, then you are not buying blind. If you are buying blind, BE VERY CAREFUL.

Wink
 
Thanks for the advice, Wink. I will make sure that I buy from a reputable site that has a good return policy, but I’m hoping to get it right on the first try to avoid the hassle of returning. The reason I want to buy online is because I’m able to find a much better deal that way, as opposed to buying from the jeweler where I am getting the ring made. Also, since I’m new at all this and have nothing to compare the diamond to once I get it in person, I think I would probably have to take it to an appraiser.

Haziness or milkiness is something that I wouldn’t be able to tell from a video? Is that only an issue with fluorescent diamonds, or can any diamond have that issue?
 
Any diamond can have haziness or be milky, it is not only related to fluorescence, and will not be noted on the report. Of course it may only appear in certain lighting as well. Ask the seller, the good ones will tell you all about your diamond, and of course the good ones will have already weeded out those with such problems.

When you get your diamond, walk around your house with it and observe it in different lightings. Be sure to see it in fluorescent lighting and incandescent lighting. Then walk outside and look at it in the shade of a building and under a broad leafed tree. You might even put on dark glasses and briefly, very briefly look at it in direct sunlight. That can often be a very disappointing look as the bright sun can make many diamonds look dark. It can also burn your eyes if you not careful.

In short, SEE IT THOROUGHLY!

If you love it, keep it. If not, back it goes.

Wink
 
shawers said:
So just wanted to get some input from someone more experienced than me, have I found a great deal, or is there something I should be wary of?
Click to expand...
Can you post the GIA report? how much is the stone?
 
If you are considering buying it to look at it in person, make sure the return policies are in writing and enable you to return it with no financial penalty.
 
Hey @shawers did you end up buying the wrong? I actually came across this thread because I was looking at the same diamond at such a decent price. Would you also mind telling me how you got to price match it for so cheap??
 
Flawless stones get seriously dinged on price for strong blue fluoro. On the other hand if it is not milky - it will be a keeper - the fluoro can make it face up much whiter.
If you are in doubt or do not have other stones to compare it too, have it sent directly to an appraiser. You can find good ones under Resources on top tool bar.
I recomend Dave Atlas and Neil Beaty.
 
Garry H (Cut Nut) said:
Flawless stones get seriously dinged on price for strong blue fluoro. On the other hand if it is not milky - it will be a keeper - the fluoro can make it face up much whiter.
If you are in doubt or do not have other stones to compare it too, have it sent directly to an appraiser. You can find good ones under Resources on top tool bar.
I recomend Dave Atlas and Neil Beaty.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply. So is there no way to know if the fluoro makes this ring milky or hazy by just the specs online? I find it so tough to diamond shop online. Everything sounds great on paper until its not
 
Steve88 said:
Thanks for the reply. So is there no way to know if the fluoro makes this ring milky or hazy by just the specs online? I find it so tough to diamond shop online. Everything sounds great on paper until its not
Click to expand...
My understanding is that only Strong Blue and Very Strong Blue fluorescence stones are at risk of negative effects from fluor, and of those two grades, only 2-3% are at risk, so the number of stones that might exhibit issues is very small.

Controlled studio lighting, such as in vendor videos, will not permit accurate assessment of fluor impacts (if any).

You have three options:

1) Don't buy it.
2) Buy it and inspect it at home with your own eyes in a wide range of lighting conditions, returning it if it has issues.
3) Buy it and send it straight to a PS-recommended appraiser for review, returning it if it has issues or having it sent on to you if all is fine.

One of the main reasons the PS-recommended vendors are recommended is because they have strong Returns policies, meaning you should be able to return a stone at either no cost to yourself or minimal cost when compared to the price of the stone (e.g. FedEx + insurance).

If you are considering a stone that you think may have potential issues, or you just aren't really sure if the cut/colour/clarity/size is what you really want, check the vendor website for Returns processes and any costs involved, and if you can't find those details, call or email to request them in writing
 
OoohShiny said:
My understanding is that only Strong Blue and Very Strong Blue fluorescence stones are at risk of negative effects from fluor, and of those two grades, only 2-3% are at risk, so the number of stones that might exhibit issues is very small.

Controlled studio lighting, such as in vendor videos, will not permit accurate assessment of fluor impacts (if any).

You have three options:

1) Don't buy it.
2) Buy it and inspect it at home with your own eyes in a wide range of lighting conditions, returning it if it has issues.
3) Buy it and send it straight to a PS-recommended appraiser for review, returning it if it has issues or having it sent on to you if all is fine.

One of the main reasons the PS-recommended vendors are recommended is because they have strong Returns policies, meaning you should be able to return a stone at either no cost to yourself or minimal cost when compared to the price of the stone (e.g. FedEx + insurance).

If you are considering a stone that you think may have potential issues, or you just aren't really sure if the cut/colour/clarity/size is what you really want, check the vendor website for Returns processes and any costs involved, and if you can't find those details, call or email to request them in writing
Click to expand...

Thank you for the advice! Everyones been so much help here. The diamond is :

https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD10661812

and it seems that Blue Nile has a great return policy. I'm a total noob when it comes to eyeing a diamond
 
OoohShiny said:
My understanding is that only Strong Blue and Very Strong Blue fluorescence stones are at risk of negative effects from fluor, and of those two grades, only 2-3% are at risk I would say 15% Strong and +30% very strong OSS, so the number of stones that might exhibit issues is very small.

Controlled studio lighting, such as in vendor videos, will not permit accurate assessment of fluor impacts (if any).

You have three options:

1) Don't buy it. Price seems good, risk is vendors - so first off ask them to eyeball it - not sure BN have approriate expertise - but try.
2) Buy it and inspect it at home with your own eyes in a wide range of lighting conditions, returning it if it has issues. No, not for newbies
3) Buy it and send it straight to a PS-recommended appraiser for review, returning it if it has issues or having it sent on to you if all is fine. After #1

One of the main reasons the PS-recommended vendors are recommended is because they have strong Returns policies, meaning you should be able to return a stone at either no cost to yourself or minimal cost when compared to the price of the stone (e.g. FedEx + insurance).

If you are considering a stone that you think may have potential issues, or you just aren't really sure if the cut/colour/clarity/size is what you really want, check the vendor website for Returns processes and any costs involved, and if you can't find those details, call or email to request them in writing
Click to expand...
BN are PS vendors and meet our minimum requirement
 
Steve88 said:
Blue Nile rep told me that his pref would to have no fluoro in the diamond
Click to expand...
As I said - BN may not have appropriate expertise. Ask them to have their cheif gemologist inspect it for hazy milky in daylight (not sunlight).
 
@whitewave yup same exact one! I asked how he price matched for 8.6k which would be an absolute steal but no response from @shawers yet
 
I would buy unless I can be sure the fluoro won’t affect performance.
And I don’t like the BN upgrade program which is quite tough... so no.

The BGD blue is a better choice imo since I think cut should be pretty good.
 
OoohShiny said:
One of the main reasons the PS-recommended vendors are recommended is because they have strong Returns policies, meaning you should be able to return a stone at either no cost to yourself or minimal cost when compared to the price of the stone (e.g. FedEx + insurance).
Click to expand...

When I was looking to buy mine I click on "Find your diamomd" and took me to one vendor that have good price.
I bought the diamond to see it in person but ended up returning it.
But because I choose to return the vendor changers me every single fees. Total around $365.
This is considered normal when we do a refund?
 
-Asscher- said:
When I was looking to buy mine I click on "Find your diamomd" and took me to one vendor that have good price.
I bought the diamond to see it in person but ended up returning it.
But because I choose to return the vendor changers me every single fees. Total around $365.
This is considered normal when we do a refund?
Click to expand...

I have to admit that I am not sure of each vendor's Returns policies - I think they vary!

I know it doesn't help you personally now :( but for anyone else reading, I think my recommendation would be to ask the vendor to clearly set out any potential costs before making a purchase!

I guess that $365 is small when compared to the cost of some of the stones we see on here, but it is not a small amount of money!


I think it would be good if there was a thread detailing each vendor's Returns policies - that could then be referenced by those looking to purchase :)
 
Yesterday, I started to reply as OoohShiny just did that you need to ask up front. Then the phone rang and I never did get a chance to come back and finish my reply.

Each retailer will have its own policies and should be willing to state them up front. These will range from $0, to however much based on the business needs of the retailer.

Wink
 
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