GIA graded J, but gemologist said M!

[wildcat03]

I recently purchased a stone to be set into a pendant. I did not want to buy a super-ideal as it is a pendant and I won't really get to see it when I wear it. I ordered a GIA J with good proportions from Blue Nile. It came yesterday and while I certainly notice the tint when it's face down, it faces up nice and white in most lighting and throws pretty splinters of light. I took it to a local jewelry store to find a pendant setting today and managed to forget the GIA cert. The sales associate took it back to their gemologist for measurements, and I saw that she made note that it was an M VS2 and then the dimensions. She actually had the dimensions off by a full millimeter, which prompted me to point it out and mention that it was laser-inscribed. They verified the inscription and pulled the cert which matched what I had.

I'm not sure what to do. It's GIA graded and from a reputable company that I seriously doubt is scamming me. I like the stone so that hasn't changed. I'd hate to spend the money to take it to an independent appraiser unmounted, as I was hoping to complete the necklace and then have it appraised for insurance reasons. I also hate the idea of paying for a "J" stone if mine is closer to M - which is a big leap! Any thoughts on what you would do if you were in this position?

 

[Rockdiamond]

Personally I'd trust the GIA on something like this.
There's a range of color that can get properly graded J- maybe your stone is close to K.
But the bottom line is that the likelihood of GIA making a mistake is far less than the likelihood of the appraiser making an error.
If you love the stone, you're surely safe.

 

[wildcat03]

Personally I'd trust the GIA on something like this.
There's a range of color that can get properly graded J- maybe your stone is close to K.
But the bottom line is that the likelihood of GIA making a mistake is far less than the likelihood of the appraiser making an error.
If you love the stone, you're surely safe.

Thanks. It may very well be close to a K as it was lower-priced for it's color/clarity/size combination. Appreciate your input!

 

[PintoBean]

Being that the gemologist also sells jewelry there is a conflict of interest there. They may be trying to undermine your confidence in that stone in hopes that you return it to blue Nile and pirchase a diamond from them.

For peace of mind, take the diamond to an independent appraiser. Emphasis on independent... One that does not sell jewelry and only appraises.

 

[telephone89]

I'd try another gemologist...If they have the dimensions off by a full mm and the colour by that far, I probably wouldn't trust them. Get another opinion, if it still comes back with something similar, then you can bring it up with GIA/Blue Nile.

 

[wildcat03]

Thanks for the input everyone. After talking about it with my SO, turns out his administrative assistant's father is a gemologist and has a well-respected jewelry store nearby. I am going to take it to him for an unofficial 2nd opinion (3rd if you count GIA...). I think he'll be honest with me and I can move on from there.

 

[Emeraldsaremyfavorite]

I notice that jewelry stores love to do this! They want to make you think you really messed up by not going with them for the stone purchase! Do not worry and do not trust them, the GIA is almost always correct!!

 

[denverappraiser]

After you pointed out the discrepancy with the girdle inscription and various attributes, what did she have to say? What does the report say? In particular, does it mention the girdle inscription and what GIA had to say about it?

 

[LLJsmom]

I notice that jewelry stores love to do this! They want to make you think you really messed up by not going with them for the stone purchase! Do not worry and do not trust them, the GIA is almost always correct!!

^ exactly this! I wouldn't even bother taking it elsewhere. GIA on color? Yeah I would trust GIA first.

 

[wildcat03]

After you pointed out the discrepancy with the girdle inscription and various attributes, what did she have to say? What does the report say? In particular, does it mention the girdle inscription and what GIA had to say about it?

There is no report - the saleswoman just had the gemologist look at the stone for measurements (I guess to facilitate choosing a setting - but now that I think if it I can't find any reason the gemologist would have had to look at the stone). Once I pointed out the inaccuracies and that it was inscribed she brought it back to the gemologist and pulled the GIA report. I never gave her the cert number so it was from the inscription and it was the proper cert. she said the gemologist transposed the measurement numbers - I am at work and can't remember off the top of my head the measurements to know if that was the case. I didn't broach the color question because I didn't want a sales pitch on a different stone.

 

[WinkHPD]

I notice that jewelry stores love to do this! They want to make you think you really messed up by not going with them for the stone purchase! Do not worry and do not trust them, the GIA is almost always correct!!

Sometimes this actually works for them, sometimes it backfires!

I recently had a client who wanted to work with his local jeweler on the mounting. I supported his desire as I think it is always good to have someone local to assist with routine cleaning and checking of prongs.

Jeweler went into a full court press about how he disagreed with the color and clarity and that everyone knew that AGS reports were horrible. (They actually sell at a small premium in the top cut grade over GIA reports)

Jeweler ended up losing the mounting sale. It was not a cheap mounting either. Karma is, and usually you get what you have coming to you in the long run.

I hope that you end up happy with your diamond, it is highly unlikely that GIA would be off by three grades, and I suspect the jeweler just took a quick look and made a decision about the possible color without the benefit of comparison diamonds or even good color grading lighting. It was unprofessional of him/her to do and I am sorry that they have you second guessing your diamond.

Wink

 

[wildcat03]

Thanks, Wink. I think this jeweler may lose the sale too.

FWIW - I regularly visit your website and drool over your diamonds. They are so gorgeous!

 

[acebruin]

I highly doubt that person who took a look at your stone is a "gemologist". Maybe by his / her own standard. I can call myself a gemologist as well to a regular Joe.

 

[denverappraiser]

There are 4 basic options when a gemologist's grade disagrees with GIA.

1) It's the wrong stone.
2) It's been modified or damaged since GIA looked at it.
3) GIA was 'wrong' (meaning a resubmit or a recheck would have different results).
4) The appraiser is wrong.
5) Any combination of the above 3.

Obviously #1 is a big deal and it sounds like that's been ruled out. In the case of color discrepancies, it's not about damage or recuts so that's mostly out. GIA does change their opinions from time to time and past results doesn't guarantee future grades but 3 grades is a LOT. That's not a borderline call. It' s a similar story with the measurements. GIA uses pretty good equipment and I can see an 'error' in that 3rd decimal place but a full millimeter? No way.

That leaves #4. The fact that it wasn't even a full appraisal but just an offhand comment supports this. Errors happen and most in-store gemologists aren't working under optimum conditions but a methodical inspection helps a lot. It sounds like they've basically agreed to this but, personally, I wouldn't rely on that gemologist again. As mentioned above, this calls into question other members of the staff as well.

By the way, did they charge you for this or was this evaluation 'free'?

 

[Modified Brilliant]

It's true that some local jewelry stores still use a Leveridge gauge (not digital) that may have been used for decades in the store and never calibrated. Some gemological equipment that I see in older jewelry stores looks like it has been used for three generations of the family....and who knows what master stones are being used for color grading? Or maybe none are used? It sounds like the gemologist was just "eye-balling" your stone and not being very thorough or diligent. Go with the GIA grading.

 

[wildcat03]

Thanks for the input everyone. Took it to my friend's father today and he used his comparison stones (?) and said that it is a solid J. He helped me pick out a setting and will have it back to me by Monday set. His price was better than the other jeweler as well. I'm happy with the setting. He totally understood what I wanted when I said I wanted something subtle enough for everyday wear but that would also look good on dressy occasions. Excited for the finished product!

 

[pfunk]

Glad to hear you are back on track for an enjoyable process! Hope it turns out great!

 

[msop04]

Thanks for the input everyone. Took it to my friend's father today and he used his comparison stones (?) and said that it is a solid J. He helped me pick out a setting and will have it back to me by Monday set. His price was better than the other jeweler as well. I'm happy with the setting. He totally understood what I wanted when I said I wanted something subtle enough for everyday wear but that would also look good on dressy occasions. Excited for the finished product!

Good to hear! Make sure to post lots of pics once it's finished!!

 

[WinkHPD]

AWESOME!

It is always good to have a competent local jeweler to work with!

Wink

 

[wildcat03]

I'll make a thread another day, but here's the finished product. I don't think this picture does the setting justice. I'm really happy with it!

 

[Modified Brilliant]

Looks really nice! Enjoy!