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Is going by the GIA certificate enough? And some other questions.

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MrsAbel

Rough_Rock
Joined
Oct 11, 2006
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My husband and I have begun researching buying an EC stone for an engagement ring. We both don''t have any extensive knowledge about buying diamonds. I''ve been doing A LOT of reading on these forums and have learned a lot in the past few weeks.

We are looking at purchasing a 1.25 - 1.50 ct. EC with a clarity of VVS1 - VS1 and a color of E-G.

I have a couple questions about the whole process of buying a loose diamond. The first is the GIA certificate enough? I''ve noticed that people have suggested getting an idea-scope to look at the diamond since lights in stores and buildings play tricks on the eyes. But, if the GIA certificate says that the stone is of a certain color and certain clarity then isn''t using a loupe enough???

Also, I live in New York City and I plan on visiting Good Old Gold, Marc at Engagement Rings Direct and Michael Jay on 5th to compare. Are there any other places to check out?

I''m so nervous about buying a stone and not getting cheated. I''ve read and heard SO many stories about the Diamond District and what goes on in the booths on street level.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!!
 
You have selected very fine color and clarity but they have nothing to do with cut.
You want a well cut diamond.
The GIA report does not rate how well emerald-cuts are cut.

The Idealscope can show you how much light leakage there is.
Well-cut diamonds leak less light.

Most of the light that enters the top of a well-cut diamond will return out the top and not leak out the back.
A loupe won't show this.
An Idealscope will.

idealscope info
 
The ASET scope is the best tool for fancy shaped diamonds - much better than an ideal-scope.
Costs $50, and is a little harder to use - but if you read up here http://ideal-scope.com/using_reference_chart_ASET.asp

Emerald cuts are easier to work with than princess cuts.
 
Ditto all that has been said. I just wanted to say I have purchased from Michael Jay and dealt with him several times, he was great! Above all with emerald cuts, use your eyes to decide what is beautiful.
 
I would just highly recommend Jonathan at Good Old Gold. He can find you some excellent emerald cuts to choose from. And I have 100% trust in his honesty.
 

A lab report is a pretty good place to start but it’s not the end. The NY district is notorious for pointing out that all stones claimed to be of a particular size and grade are worth about the same and that the only difference is the relationship to the Rapaport list. This is a route that almost certainly will result in a bad deal. Bad because it’s likely to be misgraded, and bad because the problems are going to be in areas that are not described on the GIA report. The best deal is not the one with the lowest price, it’s the one that gives you what you want for the lowest price.


Start by choosing the dealer, not by choosing the stone. Are they someone you are willing to do business with? Do you have some reason to believe what they are telling you? If not, move on. If, when you ask this sort of questions, they say that you should believe them because the stones are GIA ‘certified’ and that’s all you need to know, move on. Check their return policy. Even if you have no intention of ever returning anything, it’s a good place to get a feel for how they stand behind their products. Do all of this before you even CONSIDER buying from them. If what they say makes them better than their competition is the prices and they can’t think of anything else to convince you to shop there, move on.


You’ve chosen some good dealers to start with. If you want to find others to compare with them, make sure the basis is more substantive than looking for who can quote the highest grades for the lowest prices. It’s easy to find people who will be thrilled to play this game but the winner is unlikely to be you.


Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver
 
Neil,

Your observations and advice are right on!

I''ll always remember about 25 years ago, walking in the Diamond District
with my wife and getting "pulled in" to the various stores by guys who asked
me if I wanted to get engaged "today."
My most recent trip into NYC was on a weekend; every store was closed.

www.metrojewelryappraisers.com
 
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