Help please! Ripped off :(

[Madison2]

I am very sorry you are not loving your diamond and feel like you were ripped off. I can certainly understand the feeling as a similar situation happened when I went to upgrade for our anniversary. I was told the stone we bought was a certain color and clarity and when I had my new setting done to accomodate the new larger stone (it was a halo setting) that is when I realized something was off with the diamond color because it looked really milky and dull around the F color diamond halo setting. So I took the ring to an independant appraiser here in NY. That is when I found out the truth about the stone the vendor sold me. The appraisal came back 2 color and 2 clarity grades off. I was so unhappy and couldn't sleep for days. I felt like we really got ripped off. My husband then contacted the jeweler who sold us the stone and the jeweler offered us a credit to buy another stone but we refused and asked for a full refund. The vendor did refund us our money thank goodness! But it took me 2 months to get our money back. We were persistent and kept telling the vendor we did not want another diamond from him. Afterall this drama, we did get our money back and now I am just taking my time and enjoying looking at different stones until I decide what I want.

Now with all the knowledge I have gained from PS I will never buy a stone without checking it out completely away from the store in different lighting, certificates, scopes, pictures, etc.

Good luck and hang in there. Hopefully there will be a happy ending to your story.

 

[motownmama]

If it can't be recut, I would seriously consider the halo idea. Years ago I bought an emerald ring when I got a big promotion. Later, I realized it was not a very nice ring and tried to sell it, but could only get very little. I stopped wearing it. A couple years ago I had it reset in a gorgeous diamond halo. Now I LOVE wearing it and get tons of compliments.

 

[Circe]

I'm really sorry to see how upset you are. But I think Dana's got a point, though it might have hurt to hear - you loved this stone initially, and the information that's made your opinion flip 180% could be secondary, no? I emphasize "could be," because it really is all about mindset.

Your stone is one color and one clarity grade off: in the US, that's well within the boundaries of legality (I believe a stone has to be two off for it to count as false advertising). If the jeweler had any sense, they'd let you exchange just to keep you sweet and maybe make sales in the future ... but, okay, let's assume they're nitwits. Given the huge financial hit that ANYBODY takes when selling a diamond bought on the retail market, though, your best bet would still be to try to remember the things that made you love the stone in the first place, and emphasize them, either in a new setting, or by using the stone in a different piece. If you don't want to wear an I1 in a ring, maybe a pendant?

Bottom line: if there's any way for you to make the stone "mindclean" - by recutting, resetting, what have you - do it. If not, I'd advice reselling in Oz, since, a) stones are priced higher there, and the local market will probably give you more return, and, b) dealing with the pain of international shipping is not going to make you any happier with the experience.

BTW ... I should probably start a new thread for this, but WHY are diamonds more expensive in Australia? There are local mines, and your proximity to India (relative to ours, anyway) ought to make a thriving trade a snap. Off to scratch head ....

 

[Dreamer_D]

I really appreciate the advice. I have tried to forget about the specs but to be honest its not the specs that bother me it's the fact that it's a reminder if being ripped off when I believed I was buying my dream ring...

My dear this is your perception and not necessarily the reality. The opinion of the vendor who sold you the stone is that the diamond is an H Si2. The opinion of the appraiser is that it is an I I1. Who is right? We don't know, and neither do you! Cut grade is the same -- neither person's opinion trumps the other. The vendor who sold you the diamond could be CORRECT and the second appraiser WRONG. You are choosing to let the second appraiser's opinion sway your feelings. YOu can unchoose that too.

Also, two opinions being within one grade of each other is acceptable variace. Especially if the appraiser was of similar calibre to the one's I have found locally

 

[GreenBling]

Sorry to hear about your situation. I don't know if this would help...

I too have had a bad experience. I did not know anything about diamonds when I got my last ring, so I relied on the SE and GIA. Frankly, the cert had little use as I did not know what to look for. Only when i started researching did i realize, that what i had purchased was not what i had wanted. I wanted a near perfect stone so when I learned about the grading scales vs my stone which was not a triple EX, not colorless, and had flor, i felt I purchased a flawed diamond. I convinced myself that the diamond was dull and yellowish. A few years later, I decided to replace it all together so I reset it into a pendant. Just last year I reset it again, this time paired into earrings. When the diamond was 'freed' from the bezel, as I had already forgotten the specs, I was literally 'meeting a new friend' with no expectation at all. Believe it or not! I fell in love with it all over again! I realized then that I had been unfair comparing it to the highest standard when in fact even a lesser diamond on paper can be very beautiful in person. Oh BTW, i overpaid too! But after all these years and diamond price adjustment, it doesn't feel as bad now.

If you don't like yours and cannot recut, sell or upgrade, try resetting it into a pendent as Circe suggested. You may think of it differently in a few years. Whatever your decision, good luck! Hope you can resolve the issue ASAP

 

[partgypsy]

I'm still unclear why the buyer doesn't have recourse. Sure the color and clarity are off by 1 grade each, which is often considered acceptable, but the cut quality went from good to poor. Taken together it seems the jeweler misrepresented the item. Is the information written anywhere on your receipt? If you didn't get this info in writing (or better yet in a grading report) I just don't understand people making huge (multi-thousand dollar) purchases and taking someone's word for something that greatly affects its value...

If the owner did give you that info in writing, you should have a good case, either through court or via credit card charge back. At the very least I would see if the store would give you 100% credit for your purchase AND the next stone you purchase through that store, make sure it has a grading report (GIA, AGS) with cut grade information.

I would definitely pursue all these avenues before selling on the open market. Though SI2 and I1 are 1 grade apart, it makes a big differences for selling purposes.


AND for people reading in, please, make sure you get a) this information in writing before purchase, and b) understand perfectly what the return policies of the store are BEFORE buying.

 

[Chloegal]

If this makes you feel better I would like to explain that all consumers loose money when they go to trade up a garden variety diamond. Had you bought a more expensive diamond that was correctly priced and certified, chances are that you would be actually loosing more in the trade up than you are now.

In addition, 4 years ago diamonds cost Australians at least 20 to 30% more due to our low dollar then compared to now.

If you look at approximate US prices for your worst specs on your diamond you might get a price of $3000. Then if you add insurance, GST, duty and postage to get it here the price might go up to $3800. Then you have to allow for the exchange rate in Aust dollars which 4 years ago got to around 70cents. So four years ago your $3000 diamond would have cost about $5400 to land here. And thats buying it sight unseen. You had the benefit of buying in the comfort of someones shop and seeing it before you handed over any money.

My point is that you still got a one carat diamond that looks eye clean and beautiful for the money. I dont think you were charged that much more that you need to not let this go. I`m not saying you got a complete bargain, but getting to the size of 1 carat usually involves a lot more than you paid. So you sort of got the feel of having a grand sized ring for a small price, even if you did over pay a little.

The thing is, today the Aust dollar is much higher and you now have so much more knowledge.

Re. upgrading any stone.....you will take a big hit. The stones where you hear of consumers getting upgrade policies, well they have paid for this extra service in the initial price of the stone.

Most people sort of keep their old purchases as they are just not worth selling or trading in for the reasons that you are seeing now.

Finally, I think that even if your diamond got a lower than you thought grade (which is subjective) you would still find it hard to buy your stone for much less if you had to go and buy it again. It just seems to work like that!!!!

Good luck

 

[MyDiamondSparkles]

I really appreciate the advice. I have tried to forget about the specs but to be honest its not the specs that bother me it's the fact that it's a reminder if being ripped off when I believed I was buying my dream ring...

My dear this is your perception and not necessarily the reality. The opinion of the vendor who sold you the stone is that the diamond is an H Si2. The opinion of the appraiser is that it is an I I1. Who is right? We don't know, and neither do you! Cut grade is the same -- neither person's opinion trumps the other. The vendor who sold you the diamond could be CORRECT and the second appraiser WRONG. You are choosing to let the second appraiser's opinion sway your feelings. YOu can unchoose that too.

Also, two opinions being within one grade of each other is acceptable variace. Especially if the appraiser was of similar calibre to the one's I have found locally

This is exactly what I was thinking when I read your post. You could take it to another appraiser who might say its a G SI1. All that being said, I am so sorry about how you are feeling. Engagement rings symbolize so much and to have any negativity associated with one is just heart breaking.

I bought my diamond prior to being a member of Pricescope. After I did a bit of diamond research here I decided *NOT* to look at my paperwork for this diamond--I have a sneaking suspicion it may be a deep diamond and it's more than likely not GIA. In my mind my diamond is beautifully white, bright and sparkly and honestly it is one of the prettiest diamonds I have ever seen. I don't need a piece of paper to tell me if it's pretty or not. On my next purchase I will know exactly what to look for and I will make absolutely certain I am purchasing a top quality diamond. But on this diamond, why poke the bear? What I am saying is that most times when people realize they've purchased a diamond that isn't of great quality they are well outside their return window. Live and learn, educate yourself move forward in a positive direction and I am sure the next diamond you purchase will be more beautiful that you would have ever imagined.

 

[mrsdiamond]

Hi Everyone, I have been away from my computer for a few days so sorry for the delay..

I just have to say after reading everything that everyone has written it has really helped me and made me feel better and also changed my feelings a bit. I have to totally agree with what Dreamer said because that is so true! This report is just this persons opinion so it could be that the seller was right etc.. I am very happy with everyones responses it has been fantastic, I am so greatful...

I have also learnt alot and with my next purchase I will be asking for help so that I can make the best decision but overall I am feeling so much better with thanks to everyones advice/opinions on here..

Thank you all so much you really are fabulous!!!

 

[mrsdiamond]

Hi Gypsy,

Yes what you are saying is exacetly what I was thinking when I filed for the court hearing.. I thought I would win it hands down.. Sadly not the case aparently.

Although the seller descirbed the item to us it was then our responsibility to have the item graded before the purchase or very soon after.. Me being very silly I did not do this and the court ruled that I had the option to get the item checked and I did not take it, therefore the risk was my own. I also paid for the diamond with Cash.

yes I absolutely agree, it is crazy spending thousands of dollars and not even getting it checked.. I will never make that mistake again, and hopefully others might see this and learn from it.

Thanks

 

[mrsdiamond]

Chloe that information you laid out was great.. it certainly helps change my mind set. Thank you for that, it is much appriciated.