I Need Some Advice

[talley1]

Hey y''all,
I''m a new poster here. I''m from North Carolina and I''m looking for a ring for my girlfriend. A friend of mine here gave me the name of a guy named George and I think his store is called The Diamond Outlet on 606 South Hill St. in the L.A. diamond district. I was wondering if anyone had any information about this store before I purchase something on-line without first inspecting it? I would appreciate any help or suggestions anyone has. Thanks!!!!

 

[JulieN]

I would think that it would be easier to buy from someone who specializes in online transactions.

 

[talley1]

This store doesn''t have a web site. I''m basically using the good ol'' boy network by a friend of a friend getting me in touch with this guy. The person who knows him highly recommends him, but if I were to receive the diamond and have it appraised by an independent jeweler and find out it isn''t what they say it is, this is why I ask anyone''s advice or if anyone has any first hand knowledge of this business. Thank You for your reply!

 

[JulieN]

Basics for not getting screwed:
Buy a diamond with a GIA or AGS report.
Check out prices on Pricescope database.
Use an appraiser with the proper credentials, usually a GIA graduate gemologist.
Pay with a credit card.

Even the most well-informed consumers and experieneced vendors occasionally run into problems.

 

[Independent Gal]

Hi Talley,

My advice would be not to buy anything from this guy (or anyone) without inspecting it unless it comes with a full money back guarantee and a reasonable time period to get it appraised. That way, if this fellow sells you something, you can take it to an appraiser right away, then if it''s not up to snuff, you just send it right back and get your

back. No worries! I certainly would not buy sight-unseen from ANYONE without that kind of guarantee.

Also, make sure the stone you buy from him is certified by a reputable lab (GIA and AGS have the solid reputation around here). The stone should probably be inscribed with its certificate number, and then you can look it up on the relevant website to make sure the stats are as they should be. Make sure you don''t buy anything uncertified, or from a ''dodgy'' lab.

With those two safeguards, you should be OK. Just make sure you read the tutorials on here about how to pick a gorgeous diamond. Especially keep in mind that cut (proportions) is the most important ingredient for a stone''s beauty. Read up! And you''ll be good to go.

Hope that helps!

 

[talley1]

Hey,
Thanks for all of your good advice. Do you have any good suggestions for the cut proportions you mentioned, I want my girlfriend to be the belle of the ball and I know that sparkle and shine bring all of the oohs and aahs.

 

[Independent Gal]

You bet! This website has everything you could possibly need to know. Devote an hour to reading through and take a few notes, and you''ll be sure to get your Belle the most beautiful diamond possible.

Here: http://diamonds.pricescope.com/

...or just click on the heading marked ''knowledge'' above.

Once you get the specifics on a stone you''re interested in, you can come back here and use the ''Holoway Cut advisor'' which is a formula somewhere on this site that calculates mathematically how much sparkle and fire the stone will have based on the proportions (so, how the light will bounce around and where it will come out...out the top being what you''re going for).

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/18/2008 9:57:34 PM
Author: talley1
Hey,
Thanks for all of your good advice. Do you have any good suggestions for the cut proportions you mentioned, I want my girlfriend to be the belle of the ball and I know that sparkle and shine bring all of the oohs and aahs.

Yes, read the advanced tutorial, http://diamonds.pricescope.com/ it will give you all the info you need! And welcome to Pricescope!

Very useful cut advisor - https://www.pricescope.com/cutadviser.asp