Jeweler said diamond was an H, but appraisal says J

[leashfour]

Hi everyone! This is my first post here. Just wanted to get some advice on a situation I'm in.

I went to a reputable, local jewelry store and traded my 0.46 carat princess cut Leo (G, SI1) for what I was told was a 1.0 princess cut with H color, VS1-VS2 (it's not a certified diamond). We paid $2000+tax out-of-pocket, plus my trade-in described above. However, when we looked at the appraisal later that night, we were shocked to see the color listed as J and there is definitely some yellow in it that we never saw before (especially in profile, but it even faces a tad yellow). Which makes me wonder if it could actually even be a K. Although it sparkles like crazy which I love, I'm very disappointed. A J in a princess cut was not something I would have considered.

I know it's our own fault for purchasing uncertified, but we're pretty new to all of this, so any advice/thoughts would be appreciated. I'm considering just returning the diamond to get our money and original ring back. Then I could start over and maybe buy something from McGivern online. I just feel uncertain making such a big purchase on the internet. Have found a few good reviews for them, but not enough to make me feel comfortable.

 

[Regular Guy]

Welcome.

Don't know about McGivern, but where you describe the option:

I'm considering just returning the diamond to get our money and original ring back.

That certainly seems to make the most sense to me. Hopefully, you have in writing you can do that. Alternately, hopefully you can do it, regardless.

Seems like there's no other option as a preferred option. You were thinking you'd get advice here that said: "don't worry about your preferences?"

Buyer beware is the coin of the land.

Best wishes getting what you want.


Ira Z.

P.S. Non certified is not on it's face a problem. But, if confirmation is important to you, next time you'll want to have the ability to confirm written into your agreement, if you've not done this already.

 

[ame]

Return it. I am not comfortable with a non-cert'd diamond, especially one that does not appraise for even close to the same specs you were charged for.

 

[leashfour]

Thanks. I think I just wanted confirmation that I had a right to be upset. Also, wanted to see what everyone thought in terms of what we paid. The store made us feel like they were doing us a favor getting us into the diamond for that price. They've been closed since we picked up the ring on Saturday afternoon, so my husband is calling them this morning.

 

[ame]

I truly hope you CAN get your money back and your old stone back. What is their return policy?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Try to get your money and ring back. Diamonds of any larger size that are uncerted are dangerous because they offer the perfect opportunity to be optimistically represented at best and deceitfully represented at worst. You'll do better starting over with a known, reputable diamond vendor online. I'd keep your original stone to set in a pendant.

 

[denverappraiser]

Returning to the jeweler and starting over is a good plan. Soon would be a good schedule. Was this a recent deal?

Tell them you're unhappy with the new stone and see what they have to say.

By the way, was this appraisal calling it a J something that was done by the jeweler, by someone the jeweler contracted to write it or someone that you hired?

 

[leashfour]

My husband just spoke to them and they are willing to give us a full refund or offer us another diamond. (Although they insist they said the ring was an H, I or J ... which DID NOT happen ... never would have agreed to that.) We're going there as soon as my husband gets home.

I picked up the ring on Saturday afternoon and they closed shortly after. They are also closed on Sundays and Mondays, so we called as soon as they opened today.

The J appraisal was done by the jeweler himself, not someone else.

 

[denverappraiser]

It sounds to me like the jeweler is being entirely reasonable here. Take it back, tell them you're unhappy, tell them what you really want, and see if they can make a deal that works for you.

 

[leashfour]

I agree. They're being very reasonable about it. Wasn't counting on that, but happy that's the case. Hoping we can work something out.

 

[Gypsy]

Return it and start over with a certified diamond from GIA or AGS.

 

[leashfour]

We went to the store last night and he offered me a 1.0 G, SI2 for $400 more and an 1.08 H, SI2 for $200 more. The inclusions on both were glaringly obvious to the naked eye and I couldn't live with them. He also offered me an 1.0 H with either VS2 or SI1 (can't recall but it was eye clean) for $500 more. It was well cut, but the sparkle just didn't thrill me (although it was bezel set right now, so maybe that was why?) This one is EGL certified by a small place that he uses exclusively and insists is very accurate.

He still insists that he told me my diamond was a J to begin with (he didn't) ... and that a J, VS2 is the very best I could do for what I paid. Told him I'd sleep on it and get back to him. He said I could even take a month to decide and he'll still honor my refund.

My main concern is that won't find anything I'm happy with even remotely close to my price range ... or at least that's how the jeweler made me feel. I paid $2000+ tax along with a princess cut Leo 0.46 G, SI1 trade-in. I wouldn't mind paying a little more for a better stone but not a ton more. Would prefer well-cut, eye-clean H. Is that even possible for around my price range? Should I spend the $500 more to get the one he offered me?

 

[leashfour]

Also, I was shown a GIA in an I color when I was there and thought that it looked very similar to what I have now, especially in profile. In comparison to other stones of similar color my J actually looked pretty decent. The part that makes me doubt myself is that fact that my J is such a well cut stone. I love everything about it except the color in some lighting. Getting more and more confused!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

You are just going to have to pay more for an excellent cut 1 ct. stone in H color and SI1 or higher. Really well cut ones are running around $8000. I don't really like it that he told you the EGL cert was accurate because it is pretty well established that their color grading won't hold up to GIA. Stick with GIA excellent cut. And I don't blame you for not wanting the SI2's. I couldn't do that either.

 

[ame]

Can you not get your old stone back and your money back and start over elsewhere?

 

[denverappraiser]

Selling or trading the old stone is likely to be an important difficulty with this deal whether you go with this jeweler or with someone else. A .46 Leo is not likely to be an easy sale directly. Most of the Leo dealers don't buy from the public and most non-Leo dealers don't do well with them. Consequently they don't pay especially well. In shopping this, make sure to value the whole deal, not just the price quoted on the new stone.

 

[leashfour]

Thanks for all the advice. I think I'm going to get my money back and start over, as recommended. The store agreed to refund me and give me back my old diamond.

 

[Dreamer_D]

I think you are good t ostart over. And you need to be realistic with your budget. $2000 is really too low for over the 1ct mark. And so given that, there is little doubt that the diamond you were sold is not a very valuable one on the market, and most likely not very well cut either I am afraid! If you tell us your budget we can help you find the biggest best value diamond for your money online!. Or, shop around and look at many different GIA and AGS graded stones.

I also suggest you keep your LEo and make a pendant or something. Honestly, I highly doubt the vendor you dealt with was actually giving you much of anything for your diamond, he just monkeyed with the numbers to make it look like he was. A diamond that size in a Leo is likely only worth a few hundred dollars, better to keep it and enjoy in my opinon.

 

[leashfour]

I certainly realize that $2000 out-of-pocket is unrealistic now. I had that number in my head based on what I thought I was getting at the first place. I just had no knowledge/concept of pricing, but I'm learning

A local jeweler has a couple certified stones coming in for me (G/SI1 & H/SI1). These stones are around $2500 (w. $1500 for my trade). He said they should have plenty of fire based on the cut (EX/VG range), but I know that's impossible to determine on paper. He was very transparent about his pricing — he showed me a booklet w. each diamond's stats & pricing and said they add 20% to that. I'm hoping it works out with him.

I wish I could purchase a diamond online, but I really need to use my current diamond as a trade-in. Trying to find something for under $3000 out-of-pocket w. $1500 for my trade. Although it seems the whole "trade-in" concept can be a real smoke-and-mirrors sort of thing at many places.