My experience at a Diamond Store. (Journey to finding an Engagement ring)

[Gadabout44]

Greetings to all!

Apologies in advance as this post may come out a bit disheveled. I just got back from a Diamond store in hopes to get my eyes accustom to comparing various colored and clarity graded diamonds. I've made a couple post here asking for help in searching for a Diamond that I can purchase to have sent over to DKJ. Many have suggested that I should make a trip to a few diamond stores just so I know exactly what I want. To make a long story short I needed to compare I color diamonds from a near colorless Diamond. Initially I was sure I do not want anything lower than a G color. But a member on here suggested I check on I color Diamonds.

For reference here was my budget and what I am looking for:
Color: G and above.
Carats: 1.30 amd above
Cut: Excellent
Clarity: VSI1 and above
Budget: $8,500

However, after the trip to the Diamond shop, and countless youtube videos, I am now comfortable with an I color diamond and an SI1 and above.

Anyways, I went to a store called The Diamond Ring Co. over at Southland Mall in Hayward, CA. Other than them being really pushy and eager to make a sell, I also got the vibe after half an hour of them being unsuccessful on convincing me to make a purchase that they no longer wanted to show me any more samples. It is unfortunate because I live in a town between Oakland and Hayward and I did not see too many options in my area worthy of a visit. I thought of Shane Co. but a trip there would require a drive across the Bay which I would have to wait over the weekend to do.

So back to the topic. I told this shop the above details and asked them to check their inventory for a GIA certified diamond with those specs. They listed a Diamond with the following specs bellow for $8,700. However, they said that they can sell it to me for $7,900 if I were to make the purchase right there and then. The spec of the Diamond was:
Color: H
Carats: 1.31
Cut: Excellent
Clarity: SI1

So what caught me by surprise is the priced they offered to me at $7,900. Many have said based on my budget that I should lower my expectations. Granted, I did not get to see the Diamond because it was at a warehouse, and I did asked for a copy of the GIA certificate. However, they refused to give me a GIA certificate unless I deposit a refundable $100. It seemed shady to me so I did not do that. I am not sure if that was standard policy. I figured they are probably doing that because I would prpobably grab the GIA number and search for it online myself. Now back to the Diamond, I must admit this is a nice price, and I understand an Si1 diamond can be very bad to eye clean depending on the inclusions. So I guess my question here is, does all this sound normal, and also does the price sound too good to pass on? Should I go back and just pay the refundable deposit to see the Diamond and obtain a GIA certificate of the actual diamond?


**Edited by moderator for privacy**

 

[HappyNewLife]

Um, no. You can get a nicer diamond if you let us help you. Any of the vetted PS vendors here offer a refund policy, so you really have nothing to lose getting an ideal cut stone within your budget. Not being able to see an SI1 diamond and all that pushiness would turn me off.

 

[the_mother_thing]

Any business that is going to insist that I pay to know/see the facts of something they are pushing on me is probably on the fastest path to ensuring that I’ll NOT buy that item (or anything else) from them - EVER! Just my $0.02.

There are far too many reputable, respected diamond sellers who make this information and FAR more readily available (or at least have it available via request) without paying anything up front to allow yourself to be bullied and pushed to pay for it so they can make a sale.

 

[KingKuda]

I had a similar experience and the funny thing is, that's effectively what helped me find this site.

i went to the same Jeweller that all my friends went to that is plastered all over social media. I spoke to a young girl who seemed to have limited knowledge and she recommended an F/SI2 diamond for me at a price just above my budget. Apparently it was an amazing diamond, very rare and ticked all my boxes. I was suspicious at the fact that they had come in at a price $1k above my budget, it's sales trick 101 to make sure they are pushing every last cent. What made me realise it was a scam though was the fact that they wanted a $1k deposit on the spot to hold this 'super rare' diamond and they didn't want me taking any photos or measurements of the diamond or its GIA certificate. I was new to the game at that stage so decided to leave it and do my own research, which is how I ended up here.

The jeweller knows that once they have a deposit, refundable or not, they are in total control of the situation. They can make it very hard to refund the money and most people will just fold or stay with them to make the process easier.

Hold your ground and do not put your money down. I've now ended up with an E/SI1 diamond as opposed to an F/SI2 that is bigger, eye clean and will cost me $1k less.

 

[Bron357]

With the experienced PSers and the wonders of on line purchasing, you can find the best diamond for your money without even leaving your armchair.
Diamonds, from reputable vendors, come with all sorts of reports and details so you can pretty much be 100% confident that it will be a fabulous diamond.
Unless you live in a major centre and your jeweller has contacts, you aren’t going to be able to see in person a whole heap of diamonds for comparison. And because those stores have big overheads (rent, staff salaries, insurance etc etc) it’s hard to find a proper good deal. Even getting a 50% reduction on a diamond that may have been overpriced by 120% isn’t really a “deal”. You need to have done lots and lots of research (or use the PSers here who already have all that knowledge) to sort out great from good and good price from “fake” reduction.
And More important than colour and clarity is cut. Cut is what makes diamonds special. It’s what makes them sparkle.
A GIA report doesn’t tell you that, you need to analysis the dimensions of the diamond to determine whether it will be a gorgeous sparkly gem or look more like cracked dull glass.
So, don’t bother with your local jeweller, go online with help from here and get a fabulous diamond for a good price.

 

[Snowdrop13]

Well, here’s one you could get for the same money, ideal hearts and arrows cut, plus including (for free and right there) all the certs and imaging you need.

https://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond...t_arrows-I-AGS--SI1-diamond-stock-16279-cert-

DON’T buy that other stone.

 

[Matthews1127]

I agree with everyone: pass on the diamond.
If you can, seek AGS certed Diamonds; GIA is strict on color, and AGS is strict on cut. If you search for AGS000 1.30ct G/H color SI1+, you’ll have an amazing stone, and you shouldn't have to compromise your budget.
Another option for a fantastic performer would be to contact @Wink or @Winks_Elf at HPD. They have amazing diamonds.
There is a fountain of FREE knowledge, and there are plenty of FREE certs/ASETS/IS images, here; don’t waste your time with “Maul” store clerks.

 

[gm89uk]

As an exercise, If you go on James Allen, put your stone stats, H, SI1 GIA X, without adjusting table and depth, how many of those stones do you dismiss before finding one you like?

Without the certificate, you're just playing diamond lottery, and the odds definitely against you. For similarr pricing you can select a diamond that you know will perform well up front without spending a penny.