HELP! dumb newbie bought M color round represented to be G/H

[TXNewbie]

Re: HELP! dumb newbie bought M color round represented to be

Wow! Got busy for several days and just checked back in to see if anyone responded. I'm overwhelmed!! Thank you all so much for all of your insight and comments. I'm taking everything everyone said in and am certainly learning from all of this.

I hesitate to give more facts because each makes me look worse or more trusting, however you view it (I vote for more trusting obviously!) ....for instance, it was not an ebay OR credit card purchase so no protection there!!! But thanks for all those remedy suggestions which I will have in my arsenal the next time I screw up.

We just can't get past the way this went down, feeling we got burned, feeling stupid, etc.
As one poster said, every time we look at the stone from here on out, how can we not relive this unpleasant event? And just for the record, we were not trying to get a great deal so we could turn around and sell this stone for a profit. It was meant to be a once-in-a-lifetime hand-down-to-your-children type of gift.

We could possibly work with the seller despite of all this if some remedy was offered, or an apology or a revised market value, but none of that has come forth. The seller still stands by this M and values it just as if it were a much higher colored stone. THAT worries us with any type of exchange scenario. We've just asked for a refund but have not received a response yet. It gets even more complicated because our setting is coming from the same seller, and it's custom.

I certainly understand everyone saying...."well you liked it before, what's wrong now?" but before there was indeed a red flag, we even noticed it.....recall the much whiter GIA G we saw....but the stone we bought was still represented to us, based on an alleged GIA trained appraiser, as being G/H quality. We were not smart enough or distrusting enough to inquire more as to the discrepancy in the color just assuming it was not as white because it was cheaper than the "very white" G we saw. Our mistake....we should have asked more, demanded more, distrusted more, done more research beforehand..... all of this is apparent now, of course. BUT in our defense.....it can be quite confusing ....even if you have five certified G stones with similar stats, they can all look quite different.... so cut me so slack, eh?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: HELP! dumb newbie bought M color round represented to be

We totally understand how you got there, we are just trying to help you get out of it! I hope when you asked for the refund you also asked them to stop any work on the setting as it is unlikely you would be able to use it with a smaller stone. Do that if you haven't already.

 

[distracts]

Re: HELP! dumb newbie bought M color round represented to be

I hesitate to give more facts because each makes me look worse or more trusting, however you view it (I vote for more trusting obviously!) ....for instance, it was not an ebay OR credit card purchase so no protection there!!! But thanks for all those remedy suggestions which I will have in my arsenal the next time I screw up.

We just can't get past the way this went down, feeling we got burned, feeling stupid, etc.

TXNewbie, don't feel bad about making this mistake! There are many, MANY people on this forum who made similar mistakes with first, sometimes second and even third diamonds.

If you would like to go up in color, I'd still demand a refund from the seller. I wouldn't just ask, I'd straight up TELL him he's giving you a full refund (and I wouldn't agree to a "restocking fee" of more than like $200). If it's a legit business, you can mention Yelp reviews and that you post on a popular online diamond-purchasing forum. I definitely think if you'll feel bad while looking at the diamond you need to get a different one from a different seller, so that your experience and hopeful heirloom aren't tainted.

 

[distracts]

Re: HELP! dumb newbie bought M color round represented to be

I suppose with the way people are buying diamonds now where rarity means nothing better, and lower color big diamonds are just as good then that is why there are less people on these boards now. I mean if diamonds are not seen as rare then what are they, just another material like topaz, garnet etc.

Many colors of garnet are far rarer than even white diamonds.

For that matter, red diamonds are far, far rarer and more expensive than even a D, IF. If rarity is what you need, rather than what pleases your eye, why not go for a ten point natural, untreated red diamond? It would be tiny, but it would be SO RARE. Almost everyone opts for the larger and less rare white diamond, mostly due to marketing.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: HELP! dumb newbie bought M color round represented to be

I suppose with the way people are buying diamonds now where rarity means nothing better, and lower color big diamonds are just as good then that is why there are less people on these boards now. I mean if diamonds are not seen as rare then what are they, just another material like topaz, garnet etc.

Many colors of garnet are far rarer than even white diamonds.

For that matter, red diamonds are far, far rarer and more expensive than even a D, IF. If rarity is what you need, rather than what pleases your eye, why not go for a ten point natural, untreated red diamond? It would be tiny, but it would be SO RARE. Almost everyone opts for the larger and less rare white diamond, mostly due to marketing.

I would FAR rather have the diamond in my avatar pic over a .05-.10 red diamond because I think it is more beautiful in a ring even though it isn't remotely as rare. There are tons of gems I would buy before I'd buy a .10 red diamond. I'd much rather have a blue sapphire e-ring than a .10 red diamond, too! Now ask Kenny, and he might have a different preference...people vary, as he says!

I think they were after a near colorless stone and were not happy when they found out the stone they bought wasn't even close. I think they ought to be able to get a diamond that pleases them, and this one needs to be returned since it is not what they were told.

 

[pyramid]

Re: HELP! dumb newbie bought M color round represented to be

Maybe down to marketing too, but if you look in the Show Me The Bling for the first 5 years from 2002 you would see that
almost everybody opted for a 1 carat D/E VVS/VS diamond. The other board I posted on prior to this one is almost non
existant now, I wonder if Pricescope will still be around in another years time.

I am not against people buying large, lower color diamonds with education, the thread about Post 2008 recession mentions the
recession as the reason why people are putting money into size now - don't know if that is true but it is very interesting.

If the original poster wants a bigger diamond in a bigger mount for the same money that is their choice but think people should think as what happens when everyone wants higher color diamonds again, used to be that dealers on these forums said they could not sell the old stones they had for nothing. Maybe it is just marketing and how everything is sold and I am only looking at it from one point of view. I need to go away and think my own position on all of the too.

I am also in the UK so not as used to seeing 5 carat rocks


I would love to have a rare red diamond of maybe half a carat if I was very very rich. I would rather have a large white diamond though than a 10 point rare red diamond. Mind you, seeing Kenny's red diamond I would love it.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: HELP! dumb newbie bought M color round represented to be

Just wanted to add one more thing. The trend here has seen some people go for low color rb's and OEC's. But I am seeing some come up for sale on Pre-loved with the statement that they have decided they want a whiter stone for an e-ring. Influence here can be strong, but out there in the real world, low color diamonds for mrb's is not going to be seen as a positive thing, for the most part (until you get to light yellow or champagne color, etc.).

 

[pyramid]

Re: HELP! dumb newbie bought M color round represented to be

If supply is due to popularity and not rarity in nature then maybe the U color will become more expensive than the F color. I believe I read that that there are no stockpiles now or not so much. Seems to be a very large following here now for low color so wonder if people in America are buying low color stones out in the real world too for the antique look.

I wonder if the rare rare garnets are not as expensive as white diamonds because of popularity then? So it really is popularity which drives price?

 

[Dancing Fire]

Re: HELP! dumb newbie bought M color round represented to be

How much did you pay for the stone?

 

[arkieb1]

Re: HELP! dumb newbie bought M color round represented to be

I still think you should take the stone back. You clearly ARE feeling ripped off so that means you will probably not be ultimately happy with it. Find out what consumer laws exist in your state - there are specific laws when a seller misrepresents something they are selling and quote or use them to the seller if they argue with you. I don't think I would be in a rush to buy another diamond from the same seller they have already demonstrated their dishonesty once. If they will ONLY give you a credit towards something else then next time make sure its a GIA certified well cut diamond.

 

[canuk-gal]

Re: HELP! dumb newbie bought M color round represented to be

If supply is due to popularity and not rarity in nature then maybe the U color will become more expensive than the F color. I believe I read that that there are no stockpiles now or not so much. Seems to be a very large following here now for low color so wonder if people in America are buying low color stones out in the real world too for the antique look.

I wonder if the rare rare garnets are not as expensive as white diamonds because of popularity then? So it really is popularity which drives price?

HI:

You have sufficient ideas to start your own thread and there is a lot of room, elsewhere, on PS to do it. The OP should be given their platform here. Fair enough?

cheers--Sharon

 

[pyramid]

Re: HELP! dumb newbie bought M color round represented to be

.

 

[TheGeckoLady]

Re: HELP! dumb newbie bought M color round represented to be

If it makes you feel any better I have a stone which was graded by an independent appraiser and 3 jewelers (one very well respected) as O-P and it came back from GIA lower than that. So you just never know! There are a lot of us who like lower color stones. You might be able to work with the seller and bargain some sort of partial refund and then sell it. Do you happen to have the measurements of the stone?

 

[nkarma]

Re: HELP! dumb newbie bought M color round represented to be

OP, I think you need to cut yourself some slack. Everyone makes mistakes even one's that were completely out of their control. Nobody is judging you. The seller is the one who should feel lousy.

I think you need to decide what you want to do. If you love this stone, then keep it and learn a lesson.
If you want to try to get a full refund, decide which of you is more aggressive and go all the way you can. Like another poster said, quote consumer rights laws. Go to any consumer rights org, BBB, etc.... Kill their reputation online in every forum you can including here. They were blatantly dishonest and will not honor their word. At least it may keep others from making the same mistake. Let's hope the seller decides this sale is not as important as future sales.

Also, there is nothing wrong with an M. Like you said, it looked only slightly different than the G next to it.

 

[TC1987]

Re: HELP! dumb newbie bought M color round represented to be

Well, since it was overpriced based on an obvious misrepresentation of the color, or giving them the benefit of the doubt, an incompetent seller who just made up a set of specs: Try contacting your state's Attorney General office and filing a complaint, and see if any consumer protection laws apply. It couldn't hurt. Maybe their are other complaints about this jeweler? Just for yuks, contact the police, too. My aunt's estate got ripped off by a Florida jeweler who swapped czs for the diamonds in her earrings, and swapped a lesser diamond into her ring. It turned out that the police had other complaints and were watching that jeweler plus their relative's jewelry stores in two other states, figuring they were moving stolen merchandise between stores. See what kind of dirt you can dig up.

 

[canuk-gal]

Re: HELP! dumb newbie bought M color round represented to be

HI:

OP, where are you? Anything new??

cheers--Sharon

 

[momhappy]

Re: HELP! dumb newbie bought M color round represented to be

A stone being advertised as a G/H and then coming out to be an M is flat out sellers misrepresentation. They need to give you a refund! If they don't, then you need to start a ebay buyer's protection case. If that somehow doesn't work for you, then you need to also contact paypal and your credit card.
Btw, what type of stone is this? Is this a modern cut or an old cut?

Yes, but OP said that the stone had no report, so personally, I wouldn't have purchased a stone without seeing some paperwork first. Hopefully, OP can get her money back if she's truly overpaid.

 

[CharmyPoo]

Re: HELP! dumb newbie bought M color round represented to be

Just wanted to add one more thing. The trend here has seen some people go for low color rb's and OEC's. But I am seeing some come up for sale on Pre-loved with the statement that they have decided they want a whiter stone for an e-ring. Influence here can be strong, but out there in the real world, low color diamonds for mrb's is not going to be seen as a positive thing, for the most part (until you get to light yellow or champagne color, etc.).

I wonder if it is a desire for size (and the thinking that old cuts look better in lower colors) that have driven the popularity for lower color diamonds. I know my e-ring can never be lower than a G/H. I was very happy that my OEC turned out white (H).

 

[momhappy]

Re: HELP! dumb newbie bought M color round represented to be

I don't know, I'm no diamond expert, but I don't think that someone could show me an M color diamond and bamboozle me into thinking it was a G....

 

[SB621]

Re: HELP! dumb newbie bought M color round represented to be

Just wanted to add one more thing. The trend here has seen some people go for low color rb's and OEC's. But I am seeing some come up for sale on Pre-loved with the statement that they have decided they want a whiter stone for an e-ring. Influence here can be strong, but out there in the real world, low color diamonds for mrb's is not going to be seen as a positive thing, for the most part (until you get to light yellow or champagne color, etc.).

I wonder if it is a desire for size (and the thinking that old cuts look better in lower colors) that have driven the popularity for lower color diamonds. I know my e-ring can never be lower than a G/H. I was very happy that my OEC turned out white (H).

Yes.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: HELP! dumb newbie bought M color round represented to be

Just wanted to add one more thing. The trend here has seen some people go for low color rb's and OEC's. But I am seeing some come up for sale on Pre-loved with the statement that they have decided they want a whiter stone for an e-ring. Influence here can be strong, but out there in the real world, low color diamonds for mrb's is not going to be seen as a positive thing, for the most part (until you get to light yellow or champagne color, etc.).

I wonder if it is a desire for size (and the thinking that old cuts look better in lower colors) that have driven the popularity for lower color diamonds. I know my e-ring can never be lower than a G/H. I was very happy that my OEC turned out white (H).

I agree that it is the desire for size. I believe if all colors were equal in price, there would be more G-J antique stones sold than K-N. But I am like you in that I won't go lower than I color even though I could be wearing a 3+ ct stone in a lower color.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: HELP! dumb newbie bought M color round represented to be

I don't know, I'm no diamond expert, but I don't think that someone could show me an M color diamond and bamboozle me into thinking it was a G....

I will agree with that except for the fact a LOT of places use lighting that makes it impossible to differentiate color. And most people simply do not know to ask for the stones to be taken into natural daylight. I can't tell much about color in Tiffany's because of the lighting.

 

[momhappy]

Re: HELP! dumb newbie bought M color round represented to be

I don't know, I'm no diamond expert, but I don't think that someone could show me an M color diamond and bamboozle me into thinking it was a G....

I will agree with that except for the fact a LOT of places use lighting that makes it impossible to differentiate color. And most people simply do not know to ask for the stones to be taken into natural daylight. I can't tell much about color in Tiffany's because of the lighting.

I suppose, but that's why you ask for the paperwork - in an effort to confirm/validate specs (like color).

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: HELP! dumb newbie bought M color round represented to be

I don't know, I'm no diamond expert, but I don't think that someone could show me an M color diamond and bamboozle me into thinking it was a G....

I will agree with that except for the fact a LOT of places use lighting that makes it impossible to differentiate color. And most people simply do not know to ask for the stones to be taken into natural daylight. I can't tell much about color in Tiffany's because of the lighting.

I suppose, but that's why you ask for the paperwork - in an effort to confirm/validate specs (like color).

Well, I think they admitted up front that it wasn't smart to buy an ungraded stone and just rely on someone's word that a GIA trained person estimated the color as G or whatever. I think it was an ebay purchase, too, so there were a lot of mistakes made that hopefully others reading here can learn from. It's always better when people find PS before buying as opposed to after!

 

[madelise]

Re: HELP! dumb newbie bought M color round represented to be

5-6 color grade difference? I've bought jewelery with cash at local places many times. You're not 'dumb'-- the jeweler is a swindler. If it's a high ticket item, I'd take it to small claims court. You showing him the GIA cert and him "not agreeing" is BS.

 

[TXNewbie]

Re: HELP! dumb newbie bought M color round represented to be

I'm the OP and it was not an ebay purchase. We bought from a local jewelry store that was highly recommended by trustworthy individuals which is why we so stupidly trusted everything we were told without the GIA certification in hand before the purchase. We did not take the stone out into daylight and did not know we should have done that, so if there is a next time, we will make sure to look at the stone in all lighting situations. We only saw it at the jewelers' table inside. Again, too trusting. Lesson learned. NEVER again!!!

We've tried for weeks to get a refund but have not been successful. Tomorrow, it's going to get ugly as we have no other choice than to file a lawsuit, call the BBB, etc. Fun way to spend the holidays!

 

[ariel144]

Re: HELP! dumb newbie bought M color round represented to be

I wouldn't say color is a characteristic, color costs a lot of money, as much as carat weight, clarity and is therefore a quality gradient in my opinion. If all colors cost the same and they said do you want a yellow M or a white G take your pick, that would be a characteristic to me, like do you want a red comb or a blue or yellow comb.

The poster needs to find out if what he paid is fair for what he got. You will not get a large high color diamond for the same as a large M color diamond, the M may be equivalent in price to a high color diamond of quarter to half the size.

It is a characteristic. One that OTHERS place more value on which would then influence price. But that does not make the stone defective. You may not value it. The diamond industry as a whole may not value it. But ]its still just a characteristic. What's popular in diamonds does not change the diamond itself. If low color diamonds were popular, then it would cost more. Did anything about the diamond itself change in that scenario ? No. So its a characteristic.


And as much as posters here can say oh they wouldn't want it or an M is to low. Its not theres its the OPS. And he like it when he bought it. So there's no reason to tell him its a negative when you're the one that thinks it is. Not necessarily him. As sounds like his eyes liked the color.


Is misrepresentation of characteristics a negative? Yes. But the characteristic itself along with the apparent appreciation for it isn't.

Agreed…color is a characteristic….and he NOW has a GIA diamond. It would be nice of the OP to tell us the price he paid. If they liked the stone before the report then i say keep it and have it recut into an OEC if the angles permit. It will most likely boost the performance as well. I like large over smaller and they liked it before they got the new stats so they must not have been color sensitive. Since it was uncerted didn't they compare it in the store to the smaller GIA G color that he had? Side by side would tell you the color was different than G/h. Seems strange that one would not do their homework before spending thousands on a diamond. Anyway…don't think we have enough info. yet. Great suggestions though from all the PSr's.

Dear OP…hope you get your money back…now it is simply the principle of the thing and I don't blame you for not knowing what you don't know about diamonds or the jewelry biz and just how unscrupulous some jewelers can be. I looked high and low for a large squarish stone 7 years ago and ended up with a 2.10c "F" SI2 radiant that faced up really large…and OMG it was graded by EGL International…the armpit of the grading community…lol! but it was a great "make"/cut and was lovely. Took it to a GIA gemologist and was told it was most likely a G/H…compared it to my daughter's GIA stone and it was much brighter and lively and more white. Never saw her GIA certification but she thinks it was an H. anyway…my stone was large and beautiful and i really didn't care what color it was. Got so many compliments on it…so if you REALLY like the stone then I say keep it.

It might help you to watch the color video's on GoodOldGold.com so that you can actually see what you have in your possession compared to the higher colors and you just may not feel so bad about the stone anymore.

I second a recut if you feel the performance is lacking.

Good luck with your decision.