More newbie questions

[noob2010]

I don’t know how to read a diamond’s specifications to determine if it is good or not, and trying to understand it all is a little overwhelming. I’ve been looking at settings and stones from Mervis. Would I be doing myself a disservice if I selected a stone from there without comparing to other vendors? Can I rely on them giving me a fair (or good) deal?

I noticed members of this forum posting their diamond specs on this site for opinions/comparisons. Would Mervis be able to provide me with the same specs and images that I could post here for opinions? They have shown me a couple diamonds to see what it would look like on the different settings, but I''ve never seen the spec sheets.

Thank you

 

[stone-cold11]

If the stones are graded by GIA/AGS, they should have the report and be able to give you the data required.

We will only be able to get a rough feel on the cut based on numbers for a round brilliant, no way to tell for other shapes. Ask them if the are able to provide idealscope/ASET images.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 11/12/2009 9:32:55 AM
Author: Stone-cold11
If the stones are graded by GIA/AGS, they should have the report and be able to give you the data required.

We will only be able to get a rough feel on the cut based on numbers for a round brilliant, no way to tell for other shapes. Ask them if the are able to provide idealscope/ASET images.

Ditto. Welcome Noob!

 

[noob2010]

Thanks for the reply and welcome.

Since I haven''t really compared a b&m stone with an online stone, would the b&m stone of similar quality be 2x as expensive?? Some of the posts I''ve read seem to suggest that.

I was told by the b&m that after selecting a stone and setting, it would take approximately 4-6 weeks before I could have it in my hands.

I need to have the ring by the end of this year and I''m worried that buying a stone online would take a lot longer. I''m not sure how the online process works. Seems like the vendor ships one stone to an appraiser or myself (to take to an appraiser) and depending if I decide to keep it or not, I might have to ship it back. This process seems like it would take a looong time. Then after having the stone, I would have to find a b&m that could set it for me. How many more weeks would this take? Do I have the process mapped out correctly? Any insight would be great.

Thanks again!

 

[stone-cold11]

If the setting is a simple stock setting, usually it will be done and arrive in your hand within a week. If the setting requires customization, it will take however long it takes to make that setting plus a day ot 2 for the setting and delivery.

With regards to loose stone, you can get is shipped to an appraiser, usually overnight, and the appraiser usually have access to overnight parcel service to send it back to the vendor. So that will be fast, just depends on if the appraiser has the time to do the apprasier for you. If you are looking at it personally, the only parcel service available to you to send it back to the vendor is through USPS registered mail and that can take a while depending on how far apart between you and the vendor. Most jeweler will not insured stones not sold by them to damages during the setting process, rare but not impossible, so you will need to take that into account.

 

[noob2010]

Thanks Stone.

The settings I''m looking at are "stock" settings, I guess. They''re ones available at Mervis and Charleston''s.

So if I like the online stone after the independent appraisal has been done, do I take that stone from the appraiser and ask the place I bought the setting to set it for me?

About how much does an appraisal cost and how much does setting it cost?

Sorry for so many questions.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 11/12/2009 11:41:56 AM
Author: noob2010
Thanks Stone.

The settings I'm looking at are 'stock' settings, I guess. They're ones available at Mervis and Charleston's.

So if I like the online stone after the independent appraisal has been done, do I take that stone from the appraiser and ask the place I bought the setting to set it for me?

About how much does an appraisal cost and how much does setting it cost?

Sorry for so many questions.

Appraisal can cost around $100 and up depending on the type of appraisal you require. Ideally you could get the vendor you purchased the diamond from to set the diamond, usually they will assume liability should the diamond get damaged whilst setting, this is unusual but not unheard of. Setting costs vary also, best to ask the setter as to how much.

 

[stone-cold11]

Date: 11/12/2009 11:41:56 AM
Author: noob2010
Thanks Stone.

The settings I'm looking at are 'stock' settings, I guess. They're ones available at Mervis and Charleston's.

So if I like the online stone after the independent appraisal has been done, do I take that stone from the appraiser and ask the place I bought the setting to set it for me?

About how much does an appraisal cost and how much does setting it cost?

Sorry for so many questions.

Not sure how Mervis works and what settings they have. best to check with them on their timeline.

Yap, you have already paid for the online stone before they send it out to the appraiser, it is yours. Appraisal cost is usually around 100-150 USD, depends on the appraiser's fee schedule. The place you bought the setting, you can ask them to set it maybe they will charge you a fee for it, you might want to buy insurance for the setting process, Jeweler's Mutual sells this from what I understand.

EDT:
Too slow again.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 11/12/2009 11:50:43 AM
Author: Stone-cold11

Date: 11/12/2009 11:41:56 AM
Author: noob2010
Thanks Stone.

The settings I''m looking at are ''stock'' settings, I guess. They''re ones available at Mervis and Charleston''s.

So if I like the online stone after the independent appraisal has been done, do I take that stone from the appraiser and ask the place I bought the setting to set it for me?

About how much does an appraisal cost and how much does setting it cost?

Sorry for so many questions.

Not sure how Mervis works and what settings they have. best to check with them on their timeline.

Yap, you have already paid for the online stone before they send it out to the appraiser, it is yours. Appraisal cost is usually around 100-150 USD, depends on the appraiser''s fee schedule. The place you bought the setting, you can ask them to set it maybe they will charge you a fee for it, you might want to buy insurance for the setting process, Jeweler''s Mutual sells this from what I understand.

EDT:
Too slow again.

LOL!

 

[DChokie]

 

[noob2010]

Thank you stone, lorelei, and dchokie!

The more and more I read here, the more I''m becoming comfortable with trying the online vendors. One thing for sure, without this helpful site, I doubt I would consider a online purchase of a diamond.

Does this sound like a good strategy?

I''ll buy the setting in store because online prices are similar and I want the sales person to get commission for helping me choose a setting. I''ll look at some stones they have and write down the specs... and compare them with diamonds online. I''ll post the specs for everyone''s comment (thank you!!!).

If I decide to go with the one online. I''ll buy it (with a good return/exchange policy) and find an independent appraiser. I''m not sure how to find a good one.

If the appraiser gives me the nod, I''ll have the stone set on the setting. Again, I''m not sure where I could get this done. Also, I read that I should get insurance for the setting process. Wouldn''t the person/store setting the stone cover any damages they do to it???

Then I need to get another appraisal for property insurance purposes?

I know, sorrrryyyyy for so many basic questions. I''m a little nervous and need details

Thanks so much

 

[noob2010]

Also, I understand that the B&M may not have an IS (ideal scope?) image. Is it normal to ask them to see it under a microscope? If so, what magnification?

 

[stone-cold11]

Microscope is not the same as an Idealscope. Microscope is used to see the inclusions, Idealscope is to let you see the light return performance of the stone.

The plan sounds good. As you noted, most jeweler will only insured setting stones they sold to you so you will have to buy insurance for the stones you bought elsewhere. Jeweler''s Mutual offers that I think. Call to ask.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 11/14/2009 1:12:42 AM
Author: noob2010
Also, I understand that the B&M may not have an IS (ideal scope?) image. Is it normal to ask them to see it under a microscope? If so, what magnification?

10X power is used for grading diamonds.

 

[DChokie]

Date: 11/14/2009 1:08:22 AM
Author: noob2010
I''ll buy the setting in store because online prices are similar and I want the sales person to get commission for helping me choose a setting. I''ll look at some stones they have and write down the specs... and compare them with diamonds online. I''ll post the specs for everyone''s comment (thank you!!!).


If I decide to go with the one online. I''ll buy it (with a good return/exchange policy) and find an independent appraiser. I''m not sure how to find a good one.


If the appraiser gives me the nod, I''ll have the stone set on the setting. Again, I''m not sure where I could get this done. Also, I read that I should get insurance for the setting process. Wouldn''t the person/store setting the stone cover any damages they do to it???


Then I need to get another appraisal for property insurance purposes?


I know, sorrrryyyyy for so many basic questions. I''m a little nervous and need details

Thanks so much

Sounds like a plan to me. It doesn''t really matter where you ultimately buy the stone - what matters is that you use the abundant resources online (and that includes this forum) to help you make an educated decision (ensuring you''re getting a quality stone, AND a fair price for it). So yes, good idea to get your potential stone''s specs and then hit the web to get opinions and price comparisons. And I believe the big retailers endorsed by users here (JA, WF, GOG, etc.) all have good return policies.

Do you need another appraisal for insurance purposes? Depends. I can''t speak for all retailers, but JA gave me an appraisal that came with the ring, which I then scanned and forwarded to Jeweler''s Mutual. JA''s appraiser valued the stone at a price much higher than the purchase price. At first I was excited, but then I realized, "well now I have to pay more in premiums to cover the higher ''value''." An independent appraisal can bring the valuation down closer to the price you paid for the stone, which in turn gives you a more fair insurance premium, and saves you money in the long run.

Can''t answer your question about stone setting and insuring that process - my stone was set in the ring when I bought it online.

So get the specs of a few stones that you like, hit the web, do some comparison shopping, plug the dimensions into the HCA (if they are round stones), and solicit opinions. Get an idealscope if you can, too. Happy hunting!

 

[outatouch0]

Welcome Noob2010

I''ve read the thread but I would like to go back to your first statement re: not knowing how to read a diamond spec sheet. I believe it is important to understand what you are purchasing. I recommend going through the PS Knowledge Section ASAP. I found it to be exceptionally helpful and far superior to many other resources for laypersons. Spend some time there and you will be talking diamonds before you know it

4-6 weeks for the B&M to get your ring to you !?!?!?! Where is this?? Are they THAT backed up? Are we talking about settings and stones already in the store? That just seems outrageous to me. It doesn''t take much time at all to set a center stone. My ring was made to order (from stock selection) due to its small finger size and I had it in about 10 days.

In any case I think you will find it better all the way around to get the setting and stone from the same vendor. Also, the intermediate step of having the unset stone looked at by an appraiser is not essential but, with planning, shouldn''t slow you down too much if you prefer to do it that way.

 

[noob2010]

Thank you for the tips. I''m starting to get a better feel for reading and understanding diamonds, but it is still somewhat overwhelming, especially for such an expensive purchase

The time estimate was given to me by mervis diamond importers. They have an online diamond search and I''m just starting to compare those with the ones found in the pricescope diamond finder. Has anyone looked at their pricing? Any thoughts?

 

[stone-cold11]

Date: 11/15/2009 4:41:39 PM
Author: noob2010
Thank you for the tips. I''m starting to get a better feel for reading and understanding diamonds, but it is still somewhat overwhelming, especially for such an expensive purchase

The time estimate was given to me by mervis diamond importers. They have an online diamond search and I''m just starting to compare those with the ones found in the pricescope diamond finder. Has anyone looked at their pricing? Any thoughts?

High. Most of them are ungraded. Found one GIA 1.03c H SI1 priced at 6.7k, mervis ideal, cut to slightly steep/deep proportion, T59 C34.5 P41.2. So totally not impress. A WF ACA of the same specs is only at 5.6k.

 

[tyty333]

noob2010,
If the setting your GF has chosen is a somewhat standard setting you might find something like it at
one of the online vendors. That way you could probably buy your diamond and setting from the
same vendor (and not have to worry about insurance while having it set).

If you could describe the setting or have a name/link to it we may be able to track something down
very similiar to it.

tyty

 

[MissGotRocks]

Date: 11/15/2009 4:58:51 PM
Author: Stone-cold11

Date: 11/15/2009 4:41:39 PM
Author: noob2010
Thank you for the tips. I''m starting to get a better feel for reading and understanding diamonds, but it is still somewhat overwhelming, especially for such an expensive purchase

The time estimate was given to me by mervis diamond importers. They have an online diamond search and I''m just starting to compare those with the ones found in the pricescope diamond finder. Has anyone looked at their pricing? Any thoughts?

High. Most of them are ungraded. Found one GIA 1.03c H SI1 priced at 6.7k, mervis ideal, cut to slightly steep/deep proportion, T59 C34.5 P41.2. So totally not impress. A WF ACA of the same specs is only at 5.6k.

Yes, you will not find the cream of the crop in stones on Mervis online inventory. They can get you any stone you want; however, their prices will not be as competitive as the online vendors.

Please post any stone you would like others to critique for you; there is always someone here to help you. Most of the sales associates at these vendor sites are very helpful as well. They won''t mind answering a ton of questions - that''s what we and they are here for!

 

[noob2010]

On mervis'' site, the diamonds that come up on the search list don''t show the certs, but when you click on the specific diamond, most say the grading lab is GIA. That means it GIA certified right? It looks like if the item number starts with a "n," then it''s GIA.

The setting that she likes is made by verragio.

http://www.rainerijewelers.com/engagement-rings/bridal-sets/item-54123.html

Since the setting is a designer brand, do you know if they could add another diamond or two on the side of the ring? I''m guessing probably not...

How much more does platinum cost over white gold? This setting was $3200 for white gold; not sure how much platinum cost.

Anyone heard of Raineri Jewelers?

Usually when I buy from a b&m, they require you to bring in the jewelry for annual inspections/cleanings for the warranty. If If I buy online, how does this process work?

 

[DChokie]

Date: 11/16/2009 1:10:03 PM
Author: noob2010


Usually when I buy from a b&m, they require you to bring in the jewelry for annual inspections/cleanings for the warranty. If If I buy online, how does this process work?

I put dish soap on a toothbrush and scrub it clean. It works quite well. Just bring the ring by your local jeweler once a year for a setting inspection.

 

[noob2010]

Lol, cleaning sounds simple enough!

Oh, and I found out why they say it takes 4-6 weeks. I''m looking at verragio settings and supposedly, they are made to order.