Local vendor - Gemscan Cert

[dazedmedical]

Hey everyone,

I was going to a local vendor that mostly had EGL-USA and Gemscan (I'm in Toronto). This person is a family friend and one stone caught my interest that came with a gemscan cert.

The specs were:
.68 Ct
SI1
I colour
Very good cut

The price was $1700+tax and included resizing and replacing the mount on the antique setting I have for a diamond that size. I've gone to a few places that quoted me the work on the setting from between 100-200 dollars since it has a "bark finish". I was looking at James Allen or Whiteflash as an online vendor and to get the diamond set by one of them alone was $100.

Do you guys think it is worthwhile getting the diamond sent to an independent appraiser? I've been reading a lot about gemscan and it has mixed to good reviews.

I'm not sure if will save that much money by buying from a PriceScope Vendor, paying the taxes at the border and then finding someone local to do the work on the setting.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Gypsy]

Stick to GIA Ex/Ex of AGS 0 only. EGL is no good and is a false economy.


Run through this tool: https://www.pricescope.com/tools/hca Anything under 2 is a pass. Anything from 2-3 is a maybe. Anything over 3 is a no. You need all the numbers from the certificate for this.


Also make sure anything you get that has SI1 rating is eyeclean, the vendor should be able to get the stone in and tell that, or if you are in person, make sure the vendor shows you where the inclusions are under the loupe and then has you look at the stone without one to see if you can spot the inclusion. IF you can it is not 'eyeclean'.

An EGL I color stone could easily be a GIA K color. You aren't comparing oranges and apples if you get a diamond from EGL, and there is a reason why they are traded at a discount.

 

[dazedmedical]

Hi Gypsy,

Thanks for you reply! The particular diamond I'm looking at has a Gemscan report which is a pretty common report in Toronto since they have labs located here. I could ask for a more detailed report to run through HCA and see if it comes back okay.

I've viewed the stone in person and have had the inclusions pointed out to me and it is definitely eye clean. I guess the question is if gemscan is accurate with the colour.

Thanks,

dazedmedical

Stick to GIA Ex/Ex of AGS 0 only. EGL is no good and is a false economy.


Run through this tool: https://www.pricescope.com/tools/hca Anything under 2 is a pass. Anything from 2-3 is a maybe. Anything over 3 is a no. You need all the numbers from the certificate for this.


Also make sure anything you get that has SI1 rating is eyeclean, the vendor should be able to get the stone in and tell that, or if you are in person, make sure the vendor shows you where the inclusions are under the loupe and then has you look at the stone without one to see if you can spot the inclusion. IF you can it is not 'eyeclean'.

An EGL I color stone could easily be a GIA K color. You aren't comparing oranges and apples if you get a diamond from EGL, and there is a reason why they are traded at a discount.

 

[Gypsy]

I realize the Gem scan is common. I'm telling you it's not a good idea. You should stick to AGS or GIA.

 

[distracts]

"Common" is not the same as "Reliable for your purposes." EGL is very common too. But EGL and Gemscan don't grade reliably/accurately, and as prices are based on grading (to GIA standards, since it is the standard in the field), you the consumer have no way of telling whether or not you are paying a fair price. And usually labs like that are used so that you WON'T pay a fair price. If the stone you're buying is really a K I1, is the price you were quoted fair or a rip-off? Unless you personally can grade gems to GIA standards or hire an INDEPENDENT appraiser who can (and not just says they can... actually can), you have no way of knowing. And no, you can't trust the family friend whose business it is... because it is their business, and they are trying to make money, not give expensive stuff away at cost to random people they sort of know.