Harry Winston Untruthful with Diamond Reporting?

[formyelise]

Hi Everyone!

I''m new to this forum and have been trolling here ever since my girlfriend has been obsessed with diamonds, namely the HW diamond. The Cushion Cut Micropave Engagement Ring to be exact

So not to make this into a novel, we''ve been looking at engagment rings for about half a year now and have pretty much narrowed it down to a HW Cushion. My girlfriend has also been educating herself extremely well with diamonds and has taught me quite a bit about the 4C''s as of late and I must say, I think i''ve got it now..hehehe...so long story short.

We''re set on getting a HW Cushion Micropave and have been into several House of Harry Winston

, hahaha and have looked at rings ranging from 1.27-2.0. She''s pretty much decided on our last visit to a HW store that a 1.52 would look perfect on her size 4.5 finger, so we proceeded to ask for further information about the ring of choice. The associate emailed me a copy of the GIA report with the normal specs such as the 4C''s and what not, however, there are some glaring discrepancies with the information she is willing to disclose. Please help us answer them below if you have any insights or knowlege.

The questions are in reference to a 1.52 Cushion Micropave Modified Brilliant. NOTE: My girlfriend does NOT want a modified or ''iced'' look, but this was what the associate showed us at the time.

1. The report number on the side of the GIA report has been purposely cut off, why? The associate has said it is "policy" that HW does not disclose that number. My girlfriend want that number to check with the GIA website for further information on the particular ring (diamond).

2. Should we also be concerned as to why they won''t provide us this number as they HW may have tweeked the report from GIA?

http://www2.gia.edu/reportcheck/index.cfm

3. The associate has said before that they DO NOT laser inscribe the GIA certificate numbers on their diamonds. We''ve both read other threads here relating to this, but the answer given was "HW USED to do it, not anymore" - we''re looking for a real answer as to why they have discontinued this practice.

I''m looking to get some solid answers so as I can make an informed decision on the purchase and that my gf is completely happy and content with the ring without any reservations whatsoever. Thank you in advance for all your knowledgeable advice.

Pete

 

[neatfreak]

I don''t know why they won''t give you the number-I would ask a manager. That seems weird to me but I doubt HW is trying to lie about anything.

As to the laser thing-not a big deal. It''s kind of silly anyway as it can easily be removed or a new number inscribed by anyone with some jewelry knowledge and some tools. So it doesn''t mean much.

Modified can mean many things-it often does mean crushed ice-but not always. You are buying the diamond not the paper-so if she saw that exact stone and loved it who cares if it''s modified or not, right?

 

[tyty333]

Would it be that that stone is available to other vendors and they dont want you going somewhere else and buy
that stone (since the GIA number identifies the stone)? I dont know...I''m just taking a guess as to why they wont give
you the full number. I assume if/when you bought it you would have the full number and at that time check to make
sure the stats are all the same. You would return it at that point if they were not. I''m thinkin that HW would not
try to purposely deceive someone.

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Date: 10/2/2009 6:22:03 PM
Author:formyelise
Hi Everyone!

I''m new to this forum and have been trolling here ever since my girlfriend has been obsessed with diamonds, namely the HW diamond. The Cushion Cut Micropave Engagement Ring to be exact

So not to make this into a novel, we''ve been looking at engagment rings for about half a year now and have pretty much narrowed it down to a HW Cushion. My girlfriend has also been educating herself extremely well with diamonds and has taught me quite a bit about the 4C''s as of late and I must say, I think i''ve got it now..hehehe...so long story short.

We''re set on getting a HW Cushion Micropave and have been into several House of Harry Winston

, hahaha and have looked at rings ranging from 1.27-2.0. She''s pretty much decided on our last visit to a HW store that a 1.52 would look perfect on her size 4.5 finger, so we proceeded to ask for further information about the ring of choice. The associate emailed me a copy of the GIA report with the normal specs such as the 4C''s and what not, however, there are some glaring discrepancies with the information she is willing to disclose. Please help us answer them below if you have any insights or knowlege.

The questions are in reference to a 1.52 Cushion Micropave Modified Brilliant. NOTE: My girlfriend does NOT want a modified or ''iced'' look, but this was what the associate showed us at the time.GIA uses dopey names that mean nothing - lots of types of cuts are called modified brilliant

1. The report number on the side of the GIA report has been purposely cut off, why? The associate has said it is ''policy'' that HW does not disclose that number. My girlfriend want that number to check with the GIA website for further information on the particular ring (diamond). it could be that HW do not want anyone to know who and where they are buying from. One of my suppliers showed me HW''s buyers specs for cushions - I am pretty sure HW would not want to let on where they buy from and via Rapnet and other B2B trading sites we would be able to work stuff like that out from the GIA report # (if you were really really interested).
If you are really concerned GIA would be able to confirm the data - and i am sure you could arrange to get the report # after purchase.

2. Should we also be concerned as to why they won''t provide us this number as they HW may have tweeked the report from GIA? highly improbable

http://www2.gia.edu/reportcheck/index.cfm

3. The associate has said before that they DO NOT laser inscribe the GIA certificate numbers on their diamonds. We''ve both read other threads here relating to this, but the answer given was ''HW USED to do it, not anymore'' - we''re looking for a real answer as to why they have discontinued this practice. laser inscription is mandatory for stones with the small reports often done for smaller less expensive diamonds - this is because they do not have a plot (to save time and money) which GIA needs to be able to identify any resubmitted stones (so they always give the same grade as last time - right or wrong). Full report''s like on your larger stone always have a plot.

I''m looking to get some solid answers so as I can make an informed decision on the purchase and that my gf is completely happy and content with the ring without any reservations whatsoever. Thank you in advance for all your knowledgeable advice.

Pete

The only other thing I would add is that having seen the buyers spec''s - I would really strongly recomend you buy an ASET scope and check the stone yourself because i very much doubt any top brands ability to be really up to date with cut quality. in my experiance they use very old approaches to cut quality - and probably most will continue to do so until their older comfortable heads of departments and gemologists retire.

 

[JulieN]

the title of this thread is pretty sensationalist.

 

[diagem]

Date: 10/2/2009 7:52:58 PM
Author: JulieN
the title of this thread is pretty sensationalist.

Agree....

 

[bgray]

Date: 10/2/2009 8:38:07 PM
Author: DiaGem

Date: 10/2/2009 7:52:58 PM

Author: JulieN

the title of this thread is pretty sensationalist.

Agree....

I agree. Further this is not uncommmon at this level. HW is not a store that is going to enable you to comparison shop their stones. I am not saying you don't have the right to but they do not have to accomodate you. HW is NOT going to tweak a cert on any stone--they have too much lose and too esteemed a reputation.

Also I think this thread title is inflammatory and irresponsible. Hiding pieces of the cert as it pertains to the diamond specs might be deceptive but the cert number--no.

 

[canuk-gal]

....................................

 

[formyelise]

First off, I would like to thank those who have provided positive feedback, it's very much appreciated For those that think I am bad mouthing HW, you should read the thread again. I was asking a question and not stating a fact, opinion, or statement. We are and have been interested in a HW for some time now and would like to have our concerns addresses. I'm sure if you were going to spend $35,000 on a ring, you would want all your questions and concerns addressed, no matter how small or insignificant the question may be. We are still very interested in purchasing a HW but need to understand all the complexities of a diamond. As I "stated" in my introduction, I am new to all of this and to the forum as well and looking for guidence, NOT criticism because of my thread title or question. Again, thank you to all the great members that have provided positive feedback. Have a good weekend.

 

[diagem]

Date: 10/2/2009 10:02:34 PM
Author: formyelise
First off, I would like to thank those who have provided positive feedback, it''s very much appreciated For those that think I am bad mouthing HW, you should read the thread again. I was asking a question and not stating a fact, opinion, or statement. We are and have been interested in a HW for some time now and would like to have our concerns addresses. I''m sure if you were going to spend $35,000 on a ring, you would want all your questions and concerns addressed, no matter how small or insignificant the question may be. We are still very interested in purchasing a HW but need to understand all the complexities of a diamond. As I ''stated'' in my introduction, I am new to all of this and to the forum as well and looking for guidence, NOT criticism because of my thread title or question. Again, thank you to all the great members that have provided positive feedback. Have a good weekend.

I am glad to hear you are happy with the feedback you received on your enquiries...

I didnt read anyone''s attempts at blaming you at "bad mouthing HW".
Your words....

But do think you could be more considerate when choosing your words to the title at subject.

Enjoy the rest of your HW journey...