Help me assess the sparkle factor!

[ras2883]

Hi Pricescopers!

I found this estate ring online and am in love. Trouble is, I'm trying to figure out if it will give the level of sparkle I like. Notes from the description:

- Features 7 diamonds.
- Center stone is a round brilliant weighing approximately 0.08 carats.
- Surrounding 6 "fiery" single cuts weigh approximately 0.015 carats each.
- Total weight is approximately 0.17 carats.
- It's already sized down to a 2.5 = my size!

The seller says it is substantial enough to create a ball of fire effect and luxurious diamond glow.

What do you guys think? The other pieces listed by the seller all look to be very high color/clarity. I've seen nothing less than an G/H or an SI1, so I'm pretty confident the stones are quality, but they seem so very small.

Thanks!

PS. I believe they have every piece inspected by a GIA-certified jeweler.

 

[starryeyed]

Hi ras.

I'm not an expert and that's a tough one. Of course, no seller is going to say the diamonds look like frozen spit! I'm not saying that's what the ring looks like by any means, just you have no way of knowing - you have to be your own judge. What is the return policy? You could always have the ring sent to you "on approval" and you can see if you like it?

 

[ras2883]

Hi starryeyed,

The return policy is that you have 3 days to notify them that you'll be returning the item and 7 days to mail it back. Not bad, but I was going to try and nudge my boyfriend into maybe buying the piece as an anniversary or Christmas gift, so I wasn't planning on buying it myself (otherwise the return policy would be fine). It LOOKS like it would be really pretty -- like a mini disco ball! -- but I just can't seem to picture the size of the diamonds.

RAS.

 

[antelope1]

If you want to assess sparkle, ask the seller to shoot a video and tilt the ring around a bit under an LED spotlight. If he can't make it look good in the video, then I would pass...unless you think the price does not reflect the use of diamonds in the setting. If you just like the setting and you think it's a fair price (just for the setting), go for it!

 

[starryeyed]

Hi starryeyed,

The return policy is that you have 3 days to notify them that you'll be returning the item and 7 days to mail it back. Not bad, but I was going to try and nudge my boyfriend into maybe buying the piece as an anniversary or Christmas gift, so I wasn't planning on buying it myself (otherwise the return policy would be fine). It LOOKS like it would be really pretty -- like a mini disco ball! -- but I just can't seem to picture the size of the diamonds.

RAS.

Oh, that's a tough one! Antelope has a great suggestion, but if they don't do videos, you may have to judge according to the quality of the other things on their site.

Maybe the vendor could take a picture of the ring next to a quarter or a nickel - that may give you an idea of size.

Ack! I am feeling the awkwardness - if you drop the suggestion, BF gets you the ring, and then it's not what you expected, you risk seeming ungrateful or something. Has he seen it yet? Could you ask for it with a caveat that it be super sparkly?

 

[stone-cold11]

PS. I believe they have every piece inspected by a GIA-certified jeweler.

There is no such person as GIA does not certify a jeweler. The jeweler just attend coursework by GIA.

 

[ras2883]

Antelope: Great idea about the video! I'll ask.

Starryeyed: We think alike. I was going to tell him that I know he understands how much I love sparkle, so I trust his judgement. The good thing is that the ring is less than $300.

Stone-cold: Sorry, I should have been more clear. All pieces come with an appraisal by an "independent GIA Graduate Gemologist."

 

[Rockdiamond]

HI ras2883

I can't speak of the ring in question- but I can make some general comments.
Any seller claiming that "every piece inspected by a GIA-certified jeweler" is showing deceit in that very statement.
GIA does NOT certify jewelers- and using that term is very deceptive as it makes people think GIA is somehow condoning the piece.
They are not.
It follows that a seller using this terminology calls everything else they are saying into question.

Even small diamonds, when well cut, do have a lot of sparkle- so it's not the size I'd be concerned about.



If you do purchase it, please make sure you get a money back guarantee in any event ( not an exchange guarantee, rather a full money back if you're not happy)

eta- sorry posted at the same time

 

[Dreamer_D]

I think you can only assess the sparkle in person to determine if it is the look you want. As long as their is an iron clad refund policy in place in writing, then proceed with caution and see it in person.

Ditto RD regarding the "GIA certified jeweler" stuff.