Is it okay to purchase non certified OEC diamonds?

[livewithease]

I'm about to purchase 4 additional OEC stones to complete my 5 stone ring from a local store. The stones consist of .60, .41 and 2X .25. Should I be concerned that none of the stones are certified or is this normal considering the size of the stones? Given that they aren't certified how do I know if I'm getting a good price?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I would say that it is not unusual for small OECs to not have a grading report, but unless you have a return policy and can have them appraised, I don't think you will know if you are getting a good price or not. You can look at sites like Jewels by Grace and Love Affair Diamonds as they possibly might have a .60.

 

[VRBeauty]

You can also look at Old World Diamonds for comparables.

 

[livewithease]

I've been looking around but the problem is the place isn't being clear as to what the diamonds are. When I asked they said between H/I and eye clean. They look good to me but I'm definitely no expert.

.60 - $1600
.41 - $875
.25 - $375

From what I can tell these prices seem about right but it's hard to know without specs. Would you pay to only have the most expensive diamond appraised and if that didn't meet requirements return them all?

 

[tyty333]

Do you have any diamonds with certs that you can compare the colors with? Color is graded with the table down.
I have a GIA D and a GIA J that I take with me to can compare other stones with (they are mounted so I have to use them face up).

I would/have bought a small OEC that was not certed. Granted I payed a very low price at a pawn shop. They said the color was a
G and it did fall in between my D and J. There were no visible inclusions...that said it was an SI1.

I would buy an OEC in the future without a cert (given the price is right and the stone looks pretty).

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I've been looking around but the problem is the place isn't being clear as to what the diamonds are. When I asked they said between H/I and eye clean. They look good to me but I'm definitely no expert.

.60 - $1600
.41 - $875
.25 - $375

From what I can tell these prices seem about right but it's hard to know without specs. Would you pay to only have the most expensive diamond appraised and if that didn't meet requirements return them all?

Those prices look high to me. I would absolutely contact Erica or Grace and see what they can do for you before buying these. Do you know the definite color of the stones you already have?

 

[livewithease]

Th stone I have is a G color. Grace quoted me (without seeing my stone) $1400 for something bigger than a .50 and $1200 for a matching stone plus the two smaller ones. I think this was assuming the smaller ones would be more like .15.

The only reason I was thinking I'd rather not go through Grace or someone else online is because I won't see the diamonds until they're set and I wanted to make sure whoever I went through had a good buy back in case one day I wanted to make a change. Although I'm starting to think going through Grace is the smarter decision.

By the time I purchase the diamonds, have one or more appraised, pay the shipping costs and setting costs I feel like I'm not saving much by going with older cuts. The only upside is I might get a little more for a little bit less $$.