Is this a good H&A??

[atw122]

Hi all! I am still on a search for a diamond....I found a setting that I love at a local jewler and am debating whether I should buy a diamond online or in the store. So I have been looking online and found this one at GOG and was wondering what you all think!

http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/4044/

Thank you!!!

 

[strmrdr]

excellent angles.
excellent optical symmetry
As long as its eye clean id buy it.
I/si eyeclean is my favorite bling for the buck combo in rounds.

 

[swingirl]

Well, that''s one gorgeous stone!!

 

[atw122]

Thank You for the Comments! So I have just found out that my bf''s aunt has a friend who is in charge of selecting and ordering the diamonds at the local B&M that I found my setting at. Should I bring in the specs for the stone that I found at GOG and let her know that I am looking for something in this range and see the price that I can get? Their store is a locally owned family store that does not haggle their prices. The prices they give are "everyday low prices" so hopefully the prices will compare to the online vendors prices.

Also, the setting that I found it a three sided pave with 2 tapered baguettes around a RB center and diamonds on the basket. I have not been able to find any pictures of this setting on PS or online and was wondering if anyone has ran into it before, it kind of looks like the Leon Mege R224 http://www.artofplatinum.com/4images/details.php?image_id=25 but with a more delicate micro pave. I was quoted $2700-2900 for an 18k gold setting. Does this seem high? I have been looking at platinum bands for that price (Maybe its the baguettes?) but didnt think that 18k gold would be that pricey.

Thank you!!

 

[swingirl]

No one around here is ever in favor of the ole, "I have a friend of a friend in the diamond business". It makes it uncomfortable if you decide not to buy from them especially if they have done a lot of leg work for you. If you are interested in working with them ask if they get AGS or GIA stones. The GOG stone is an AGS0. It''s the best of the best. Make sure you are comparing apples to apples.

 

[lovegem]

Sadly, unless the B&M store is extremely professional, or they don't care you as a customer, they will put down your choice on the internet.

 

[atw122]

Ok, so i went to the b&m store today and I found out that their diamonds are mostly not certified but are graded by "their gia gemologist" to gia standards. Now I know why they have "everyday low prices". She showed me a stone that is "GCAL" certified. Has anyone ever heard of this?? It was quoted at $8,400 for 1.52 I SI2. It had "excellent" cut and "excellent" light performance. But I have never heard of GCAL. Should I be worried that their stones are mostly uncertified?

Thanks!!

 

[Skippy123]

Date: 8/6/2008 11:20:49 PM
Author: atw122
Ok, so i went to the b&m store today and I found out that their diamonds are mostly not certified but are graded by 'their gia gemologist' to gia standards. Now I know why they have 'everyday low prices'. She showed me a stone that is 'GCAL' certified. Has anyone ever heard of this?? It was quoted at $8,400 for 1.52 I SI2. It had 'excellent' cut and 'excellent' light performance. But I have never heard of GCAL. Should I be worried that their stones are mostly uncertified?

Thanks!!

I have not either. Off to do a search; I would be wary if they are grading their own diamonds and there are not certs.
eta: here is info on GCAL https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/jubilee-gcal-reports.16568/
Do you have the numbers of the cert?

 

[Richard Sherwood]

GCAL is a trustworthy lab. They grade to GIA-AGS standards.


Rich, Independent GG Appraiser
Sarasota Gemological Laboratory

 

[atw122]

Thank You Skippy for the link about GCAL and thank you Richard for your input, I feel a bit better about it now. No, I do not have the cert #, but i can get it from the jewler. It is not a hearts and arrows, and has a $300 price difference than the GOG H&A. So should I go with GOG? I''m new to the buying a diamond over the internet so i''m still a little skeptical (even though i''ve read awsome things about the PS online vendors) Does GOG send stones to local appraisers before purchasing? I think this is something I would want to do. Also, the setting that I want is at my local jewler...so would it be better to have the stone set here or have the setting sent to GOG? Thanks again!!!

 

[Skippy123]

Date: 8/7/2008 12:52:07 AM
Author: atw122
Thank You Skippy for the link about GCAL and thank you Richard for your input, I feel a bit better about it now. No, I do not have the cert #, but i can get it from the jewler. It is not a hearts and arrows, and has a $300 price difference than the GOG H&A. So should I go with GOG? I'm new to the buying a diamond over the internet so i'm still a little skeptical (even though i've read awsome things about the PS online vendors) Does GOG send stones to local appraisers before purchasing? I think this is something I would want to do. Also, the setting that I want is at my local jewler...so would it be better to have the stone set here or have the setting sent to GOG? Thanks again!!!

I know it feels a bit nerve wracking to buy online at first, I have done it twice already. I honestly wouldn't do it any other way now. I would talk to Good Old Gold and tell them you want to send it to an appraiser. Well, I bought my stone online and had the jeweler where I bought the ring set it but ask GOG if they would do it.

 

[atw122]

Thanks again skippy!
I wouldn''t mind having the jeweler here set the diamond, i''ve just read some of the horror stories on PS about diamonds cracking and chipping during the process. Is this a very uncommon thing?? Would I be able to have the loose diamond insured just incase something did happen? I''m so confused over the whole situation with where to buy the diamond. I know that the GOG diamond probably blows the diamond that I saw today out of the water! And we are definitely looking for the best thing that we can get for the money! Just confused bc i know buying the diamond from the jeweler is a much easier route to go, i am just concerned about the quality of their diamonds compared to the AGS0 diamond from GOG.

Also, have you had a look at the diamond we are considering from GOG? Is this a good choice?? I really appreciate your help!

 

[Skippy123]

Well I insured my diamond and ring before it was set. I would ask Good Old Gold if that stone is eye clean; it looks beautiful but I would want to make sure it is eye clean.

 

[honey22]

Stone looks lovely. I would check however if it is eyeclean. Bear in mind that if you have the stone set somewhere other than GOG, then it will not be insured during the setting process, and in the rare case that it is damaged during setting, you will have to cover that loss. Can you purchase the setting and ask GOG to set the stone in your setting? They would insure the stone while setting then.

Don't forget to post pics when it's finished!!!

ETA - I just re-read this thread, and I noticed that you say you think it's likely the GOG stone will be much better. I would bet my money on it. They are handpicked by Jon and they are gorgeous. If you want the best, I would go with the GOG stone. Just check the insurance issues first. If you are in the states, I believe there may be a company that insures loose stones, however here in Oz, no-one will insure a loose stone until it's set. You could always have GOG set the stone in a cheap simple setting, have the complete ring insured and then have it reset into the setting you love at the jeweller. Once it's insured as a ring, it will be insured for the reset.

 

[GCAL]

Date: 8/6/2008 11:20:49 PM
Author: atw122
Ok, so i went to the b&m store today and I found out that their diamonds are mostly not certified but are graded by ''their gia gemologist'' to gia standards. Now I know why they have ''everyday low prices''. She showed me a stone that is ''GCAL'' certified. Has anyone ever heard of this?? It was quoted at $8,400 for 1.52 I SI2. It had ''excellent'' cut and ''excellent'' light performance. But I have never heard of GCAL. Should I be worried that their stones are mostly uncertified?

Thanks!!

I just wanted to provide a little more info on GCAL, but I would like to thank those of you who also provided links and info regarding GCAL.

GCAL is an independent grading laboratory that was founded in 2001.
GCAL is the only diamond grading lab in the world that is part of a public company, Collectors Universe, NASDAQ: CLCT.
GCAL is one of three ISO 17025 Laboratory Accredited Diamond Labs in the world, and the only one n North America.
GCAL certificates are accepted at Christie''s Auction House

For more info, you can visit GCAL''s website at www.gemfacts.com and you can also take a virtual tour of the lab by going to http://www.gemfacts.com/video/VideoTour.aspx

Thanks,

Angelo Palmieri
GCAL

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Welcome Angelo

 

[atw122]

Thank You Honey for thr input! I sent an email to GOG and Sarah replied, [Sarah] I just physically confirmed that it is. You can see it under the loop in a second but it is hard to find with your naked eye. So would it be harder for me to find the inclusion since I am not trained to see these things?

Also thank you for the clarification about GCAL Angelo!