Help! I think my SI2 diamond is a poorer quality

[Sarah33]

Hi,

I would appreciate any advice or input. I just received an engagement ring from a wonderful guy and I am worried that he was scammed. It was not appraised independently and the jeweler sold it as an SI2 diamond. I can visibly see a black carbon spot right under the front facet. This spot appears to multiple when it is viewed from the side. There is another black carbon spot that is visible to the naked eye but it is mostly hidden by a prong. I want to have the diamond independently appraised. What should I do it the Jeweler will not allow us to return it?

Thank you for your help!

 

[Dancing Fire]

Hi,

I would appreciate any advice or input. I just received an engagement ring from a wonderful guy and I am worried that he was scammed. It was not appraised independently and the jeweler sold it as an SI2 diamond. I can visibly see a black carbon spot right under the front facet. This spot appears to multiple when it is viewed from the side. There is another black carbon spot that is visible to the naked eye but it is mostly hidden by a prong. I want to have the diamond independently appraised. What should I do it the Jeweler will not allow us to return it?

Thank you for your help!

did it come with a GIA report?

 

[JulieN]

Is there a return policy?

 

[Lula]

If the jeweler will not let you return it, you could try having it independently appraised (by an appraiser that does not sell his/her own stones or jewelry, and if the diamond comes back lower than what the jeweler appraised it at, you could use that to "encourage" the jeweler to let you trade it in for a better stone. Did you pay with a credit card? You may be able to dispute the purchase with your credit card company, depending on how the appraisal compares with what the jeweler says. It's probably easier to work with the jeweler on an exchange, though.

 

[kenny]

What should I do it the Jeweler will not allow us to return it?

Just because it is not eye-clean does not necessarily mean it was a rip off.
Prices are determined by many things and this is one of them.

You could just chalk it up to experience and accept in.
Or you could sell it (most likely at a significant loss), learn more, then buy something else.
I doubt you have any legal recourse, unless there are more details we do not know yet since some SI2s DO fit your description.

Was it graded by a gem laboratory?
If so, which one? GIA? AGS? IGI? EGL? UGL? Other?

I'm not sure what good an appraiser can do at this point, plus you'll be out more money and still stuck with the same stone.
If the appraiser says it would be an I2 per GIA standards that will do you little good, since labs like EGL call those SI2s all the time.

 

[Sarah33]

Thanks for your response. He paid for the ring in cash. It did not come with a proper appraisal and he did not pay too much attention to clarity. I am not sure what to do because it bothers me that I can see the inclusion on the top of the diamond. I also do not know if its worth it to upgrade with the same jeweler because its obvious that he felt he could easily sell a poor quality diamond. I am not sure how to approach this, I would really like to return this but he does not have a return policy.

Has anyone encountered this problem in the past? Should I warn others of him, or use that as leverage for a refund/proper exchange? I would not have bought an SI2 without looking carefully at it, but I guess it is possible that he sold my boyfriend an SI2 with an inclusion on the front (black carbon). This stinks, makes me sad. I really don't want a diamond anymore.

 

[Sarah33]

Thanks Kenny - Do you have any other advise or suggestions on who sells diamonds ethically, I would only ever buy a diamond that is certified by the GIA.

 

[kenny]

I've bought from Whiteflash and Good Old Gold.
Both are very ethical.

Again some people knowingly buy non eye-clean diamonds.
They are not just thrown away or used to rip people off.
Lots of people are happy to get a diamond that large for that price.
You are just not one of those people.

I'm sorry you are so disappointed.
Maybe you should just sleep on this for a while, perhaps you will grow attached to the diamond with it's little birthmark.
Nobody's perfect, and all.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I think your boyfriend was scammed since he was forced to pay in cash. Your only hope is probably to exchange for another stone. I would use exposing him here as leverage if he is not cooperative in letting you exchange the diamond. I'd insist on GIA excellent cut and at least SI 1 for clarity, and you examine it WELL with your eyes and a loupe before accepting another stone!

Goof luck! I hate to see this happen to people, I really do.

 

[kenny]

I think your boyfriend was scammed since he was forced to pay in cash.

Sorry DS, but I think this is unfairly harsh on the seller.
We have no indications so far that the buyer was forced to pay cash or even asked to use another form of payment.
Even then, how do you force someone to pay cash . . . without a gun?
A purchase is voluntary.

Also it is entirely possible that the price paid for that particular diamond was fair.
Again, non eye-clean diamonds are not just thrown away.
It is not illegal or unethical to sell them.
People vary, and some people want them, even some people who are fully informed.
They allow a bigger rock, or a more-expensive color grade, and that is a higher priority to some folks than others.

This seems to be a case of the buyer buying before doing the homework or talking to his gal, which is not the vendor's fault.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Kenny, you could be correct. I'll clarify what I meant.

If the jeweler requested payment in cash and did not give a detailed receipt describing the stone and return policy, then I think there was the potential for a scam. A credit card charge could be disputed if he wouldn't accept a return or exchange.

It is really essential to have the opportunity to return any item that has not been damaged.

 

[kenny]

I wish all sellers had good return policies, but I do not believe having one is the law.
I think the buyer should ask about the return policy before buying.
If they don't like what they hear they can find another seller.

If I was the OP I'd go back with her fiance and ask to get a refund while other customers are present.
Even if the seller agrees to an exchange a better stone could be found, though there would be little leverage when it comes to price.

 

[lknvrb4]

I am no expert but I believe SI2 can have visible carbon spots. You may have gotten what you paid for.

 

[Lula]

I am no expert but I believe SI2 can have visible carbon spots. You may have gotten what you paid for.

Yes, I believe you are correct, lknvrb4. SI2's can have visible inclusions.

However, depending on what lab (or no lab) graded the stone, her SI2 may actually be an I1 or lower (under GIA or AGS standards).

ETA: However, all of the above may be simply an academic exercise, because even if the OP decides to have the stone independently appraised, and even if the appraiser did appraise the stone as an I1, it would be within an acceptable margin of error (I believe). Conversely, if the appraiser appraised it as an SI1, that doesn't change the fact that the OP can see the inclusion and it bothers her.

And it doesn't change the fact that the jeweler has no return policy. And the more time that has passed since purchase, the less likely the jeweler is to want to make this right.

 

[Gibson486]

I do not think it matters whether its an AGS, EGL or whatever. It's an SI2. You can see inclusions at that point.

 

[tyty333]

Have you mentioned to your fiance that you do not like the fact that you can see carbon spots in it and would like
a stone with better clarity? You might want to see what he says. Seems like you are blaming most of this on
the jeweler but your finance may have known what he was buying and may have paid a fair price for it.
I think you need to bring it up with him and see where he is coming from and if there are any alternatives to getting
you a better stone. The jeweler might do a trade in if you spend more money on the next stone but it may have
to be a fair amount more. Stick with AGS/GIA graded stones to be safe. Post the certificate number and size so
PS can take a look at them/it before you agree to a new one. I hope you can work something out.