Though this is my first post (likely my last), i wished to share my experience in my recent diamond purchase. I feel compelled to post, as this forum has provided me such a wealth of information which ultimately lead to my enormous satisfaction post purchase.
I initially began speaking with friends and associates locally in search of a great deal on my engagement stone. Within a few days I had spoken with several local jewelers, jewelers in nearby cities, a few "wholesalers" etc. Obviously prices were starting to get competitive and I''d a large variety to choose from.
I happened across BlueNile (as I''m sure anyone reading this forum has as well). I was pleasantly surprised at the selection and prices. They had a Canadian site with Canadian prices which made the purchase easier. After much searching and several phone calls I selected the stone of choice.
Gia report - 1.30ct, F, Ideal, EX/EX, SI1.
Here''s where it gets interesting. It was confirmed by my sales rep that the stone was eye clean. Even though the GIA report was a bit "busy". Upon receiving the stone I made the mistake of rushing it to my jeweler to have it set in the setting I''d chosen. I''d a deadline to meet if I was to have to ring in Hawaii to propose. 3 hours later my jeweler called with alarming news. They disagreed with the GIA report, and said the stone was closer to an I2 or I3
. I had it set regardless, and figured I''d deal with this when I got back.
My now fiance had the ring on her finger for all of 45 seconds before she noticed the carbon inclusion near the edge of the crown.
Upon my return, I had 3 other jewelers look at the stone (without giving any details prior) sure enough.... not one gave better than I1 report.
Some phone calls later, the stone was unset and returned to BlueNile. BlueNile contacted me shortly after receipt of the stone, and verified they considered the stone SI1 & EYE CLEAN.
Immediately, I''ve lost consumer confidence, regardless of the rarity of such an incident. I understand there can be human error at GIA and they are normally top tier. But.... this was NOT an eye clean stone.
To BlueNile''s credit, their customer service is top notch. My refund came expeditiously & they are refunding my return shipping and insurance costs.
Now...
I started looking for another diamond source, and found UnionDiamond. A quick search of inventory and I found this:
EGL (not EGL-USA) Report - 1.35ct, F, Ideal, EX/EX, VS2.
Though they didn''t have a copy of the report online, a quick phone call and i was emailed a copy of the report, and several photos of the stone in question. Also, they ship to Canada, but the purchase was done in USD.
In dealing with my sales rep Heleena, I came to learn she was a GIA Graduate Gemologist. One huge difference to me was the physical location of the stone. While my sales rep at BlueNile had to rely on someone else''s feedback for visual inspection, UnionDiamond had the diamond in hand and could address all my questions. I also particularly liked receiving candid photo''s of my stone.
Now... I know all the grief that EGL receives on this and other forums, but... to my untrained eye, the cut of this stone, exceeded that of my previous GIA Ideal. Though it did not score as well on the Cut Advisor. It has more fire, brilliance and sparkles like mad. Obviously this is subjective.
The stone arrived last evening and was set this afternoon. In that time, 3 jewelers have viewed it. 2 said VS1, 1 said VS2. 2 said F color, 1 said G.
So, although YMMV, in my case EGL > GIA. The Cherry on the icing of this story.... my EGL stone from UnionDiamond was bigger, better clarity, IMO better cut & saved me $1000.
I have learned this... if you are looking around VS2 & SI1 to save some $$$ on your purchase... the lab report can be a HUGE asset.
tks for reading!
Jeff
I initially began speaking with friends and associates locally in search of a great deal on my engagement stone. Within a few days I had spoken with several local jewelers, jewelers in nearby cities, a few "wholesalers" etc. Obviously prices were starting to get competitive and I''d a large variety to choose from.
I happened across BlueNile (as I''m sure anyone reading this forum has as well). I was pleasantly surprised at the selection and prices. They had a Canadian site with Canadian prices which made the purchase easier. After much searching and several phone calls I selected the stone of choice.
Gia report - 1.30ct, F, Ideal, EX/EX, SI1.
Here''s where it gets interesting. It was confirmed by my sales rep that the stone was eye clean. Even though the GIA report was a bit "busy". Upon receiving the stone I made the mistake of rushing it to my jeweler to have it set in the setting I''d chosen. I''d a deadline to meet if I was to have to ring in Hawaii to propose. 3 hours later my jeweler called with alarming news. They disagreed with the GIA report, and said the stone was closer to an I2 or I3
My now fiance had the ring on her finger for all of 45 seconds before she noticed the carbon inclusion near the edge of the crown.
Upon my return, I had 3 other jewelers look at the stone (without giving any details prior) sure enough.... not one gave better than I1 report.
Some phone calls later, the stone was unset and returned to BlueNile. BlueNile contacted me shortly after receipt of the stone, and verified they considered the stone SI1 & EYE CLEAN.
Immediately, I''ve lost consumer confidence, regardless of the rarity of such an incident. I understand there can be human error at GIA and they are normally top tier. But.... this was NOT an eye clean stone.
To BlueNile''s credit, their customer service is top notch. My refund came expeditiously & they are refunding my return shipping and insurance costs.
Now...
I started looking for another diamond source, and found UnionDiamond. A quick search of inventory and I found this:
EGL (not EGL-USA) Report - 1.35ct, F, Ideal, EX/EX, VS2.
Though they didn''t have a copy of the report online, a quick phone call and i was emailed a copy of the report, and several photos of the stone in question. Also, they ship to Canada, but the purchase was done in USD.
In dealing with my sales rep Heleena, I came to learn she was a GIA Graduate Gemologist. One huge difference to me was the physical location of the stone. While my sales rep at BlueNile had to rely on someone else''s feedback for visual inspection, UnionDiamond had the diamond in hand and could address all my questions. I also particularly liked receiving candid photo''s of my stone.
Now... I know all the grief that EGL receives on this and other forums, but... to my untrained eye, the cut of this stone, exceeded that of my previous GIA Ideal. Though it did not score as well on the Cut Advisor. It has more fire, brilliance and sparkles like mad. Obviously this is subjective.
The stone arrived last evening and was set this afternoon. In that time, 3 jewelers have viewed it. 2 said VS1, 1 said VS2. 2 said F color, 1 said G.
So, although YMMV, in my case EGL > GIA. The Cherry on the icing of this story.... my EGL stone from UnionDiamond was bigger, better clarity, IMO better cut & saved me $1000.
I have learned this... if you are looking around VS2 & SI1 to save some $$$ on your purchase... the lab report can be a HUGE asset.
tks for reading!
Jeff
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