need experienced opinions from you all.

[suluzbt]

Just wanted to say that I this is by far the best forum for a complex topic such as diamonds and overall wedding ideas...if it wasnt for you all, I dont think i would be as educated that I am today. Thank you all... I do have a question for all and I would love to have your opinion from everyone.

Princess Cut 3.03 carats

Measurements: 7.88 X 7.90 X 5.77 mm
Clarity SI-1 *enhanced
Color: H
Proportions : VG
Symmetry: VG

That''s all the info I have so far on it. I know the deal about enhanced diamonds but I am curious about the ratio of that...any opinions or comments welcomed. Thank you.

 

[Lorelei]

Welcome!

It is very difficult to judge, there are various types of enhancements/ treatments, personally I would recommend you perhaps gp smaller and buy a non enhanced diamond from a reputable PS vendor.

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 8/19/2008 9:27:11 AM
Author: Lorelei
Welcome!


It is very difficult to judge, there are various types of enhancements/ treatments, personally I would recommend you perhaps gp smaller and buy a non enhanced diamond from a reputable PS vendor.

Ditto! And with princess cuts you really need to see it, especially if it isn''t graded by a reputable company like AGS or GIA who I believe will not grade enhanced stones. So it ends with that you really need to see it.

I *will* say that considering many people who buy enhanced stones have SIZE as a goal, you usually won''t see really well CUT enhanced stones on the market. Not worth it to the people who buy them. Just something to think about because cut is what will really make it sparkle.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 8/19/2008 9:30:44 AM
Author: neatfreak

Date: 8/19/2008 9:27:11 AM
Author: Lorelei
Welcome!


It is very difficult to judge, there are various types of enhancements/ treatments, personally I would recommend you perhaps gp smaller and buy a non enhanced diamond from a reputable PS vendor.

Ditto! And with princess cuts you really need to see it, especially if it isn''t graded by a reputable company like AGS or GIA who I believe will not grade enhanced stones. So it ends with that you really need to see it.

I *will* say that considering many people who buy enhanced stones have SIZE as a goal, you usually won''t see really well CUT enhanced stones on the market. Not worth it to the people who buy them. Just something to think about because cut is what will really make it sparkle.

Neat is right, they are less likely to be well cut. Is this diamond for sale via an online auction? I believe GIA will grade laser treated diamonds if I remember rightly, but not fracture filled ones.

 

[suluzbt]

It''s not an online auction but from a friend who had the unfortunate breakup prior before proposal. It is a diamond from Karisma, with UGL appraisal report stuck to it.

I saw the diamond in person and it was pretty nice, it did sparkle but I think the lighting in a Barnes and Noble store didnt do it justice. The price is right though really right..

...and i dont think my fiancee would object to it.

Although...its UGL and it''s enhanced...it still doesnt stop the fact it is a really nice size stone and clarity. I would have the lifetime warranty of the stone and the word of my friend.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 8/19/2008 10:09:16 AM
Author: suluzbt
It's not an online auction but from a friend who had the unfortunate breakup prior before proposal. It is a diamond from Karisma, with UGL appraisal report stuck to it.

I saw the diamond in person and it was pretty nice, it did sparkle but I think the lighting in a Barnes and Noble store didnt do it justice. The price is right though really right..

...and i dont think my fiancee would object to it.

Although...its UGL and it's enhanced...it still doesnt stop the fact it is a really nice size stone and clarity. I would have the lifetime warranty of the stone and the word of my friend.

Perhaps the best thing to do if you like this diamond, is to get an independant appraiser to check it out, here is a tool you can use to find appraisers in your area. This would be very useful in case of durability issues with the diamond which is worth checking, also from what I understand a diamond is clarity graded after the treatment, so the diamond may be in actual fact an I clarity - that may not bother you, but I thought it was worth mentioning.

http://www.pricescope.com/appr_list.aspx

 

[suluzbt]

I was thinking of that...but there is already an appraisal report done by UGL...would an independent make it any better? Probably worse no?

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 8/19/2008 10:23:58 AM
Author: suluzbt
I was thinking of that...but there is already an appraisal report done by UGL...would an independent make it any better? Probably worse no?

An independant appraiser will be working on your behalf, they will examine the diamond, point out anything that needs to be considered and let you know what a fair price would be buying it on the secondary market, this will help you to make an informed decision on whether it is a good purchase. The appraiser will have your interests uppermost. The grading opinion of the appraiser may be different to that of the grading report, but this could happen in any case, but I would really recommend you seek the advice of a professional before purchase. Some C.E. diamonds are fracture filled, this is often done to make feathers look less visible, so assuming this diamond might have a good size feather that could possibly reach a vulnerable area of the Princess, thin part of girdle etc, then an expert eye will let you know if there is a potential durability issue.

Also in case you aren''t aware, C.E. diamonds need different handling to other diamonds when being set or the ring is being worked on, as the filling can leak out, so always inform a jeweller if you are having the ring serviced. Also you need to avoid ammonia based cleaners apparently.

 

[robh505]

Before you make the purchase, you should probably spend the $100 or so to take it to a good independent appraisor and see what he or she has to say. They only way to know for sure about the quality of the stone is to have it checked out by an expert. For all you know, the clairity isn't SI1, but could be I2.



-Great, I write a reply and forget to hit the send button. I see this has already been discussed.

 

[mercoledi]

Date: 8/19/2008 10:23:58 AM
Author: suluzbt
I was thinking of that...but there is already an appraisal report done by UGL...would an independent make it any better? Probably worse no?

Perhaps, but the point of the appraisal is to find out what you have, usually to be certain that it''s priced appropriately and to get it insured properly.

If you''ve seen the stone yourself and you''re happy with how it looks and its provenance, then it sounds like you''ve made up your mind. If you''d like more info without an appraiser, you could purchase a loupe and/or and idealscope to examine the diamond more thoroughly on your own. Also maybe visit a jeweler and look at similar ideal cut stones to get an idea of how it should sparkle. You have an advantage over us in that you can see it and we can''t!

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 8/19/2008 10:23:58 AM
Author: suluzbt
I was thinking of that...but there is already an appraisal report done by UGL...would an independent make it any better? Probably worse no?

It wouldn't MAKE it any worse, it would just help IDENTIFY what you are buying...We have all heard too many stories of people who got screwed from buying from friends of friends, etc.

Also, UGL reports aren't really worth the paper they are written on, so take that report with a very large spoonful of salt.


You also say you don't "think" your fiance would mind. Do you KNOW for sure that she's ok with you buying a ring from a friend whose relationship broke up? And do you KNOW that a CE stone is ok with her? Because these are both things that you need to disclose to her BEFORE purchase IMO just to make sure she's ok with it...many women would prefer a smaller ring that isn't enhanced and might not want to wear the same ring that your friend picked out for HIS fiance.

 

[suluzbt]

Thank you all. there are times still im teeter tottering btw and CE diamond and a natural one. I guess I do have something to think about. As an educated guess, what do you think is worth paying for this ring. 18K white gold channel set with .30 of diamonds on the shank for a total of 3.32 TW rignt.

 

[JulieN]

Date: 8/19/2008 10:09:16 AM
Author: suluzbt

Although...its UGL and it''s enhanced...it still doesnt stop the fact it is a really nice size stone and clarity.

Its clarity is not SI1. It is still an Imperfect clarity grade as it was before its treatment. It just looks better.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 8/19/2008 11:53:32 AM
Author: suluzbt
Thank you all. there are times still im teeter tottering btw and CE diamond and a natural one. I guess I do have something to think about. As an educated guess, what do you think is worth paying for this ring. 18K white gold channel set with .30 of diamonds on the shank for a total of 3.32 TW rignt.

No real way to tell unfortunately, too many variables. An appraiser would be able to help you with that should you decide to further investigate this purchase.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Date: 8/19/2008 10:23:58 AM
Author: suluzbt
I was thinking of that...but there is already an appraisal report done by UGL...would an independent make it any better? Probably worse no?

flush it down the toilet.

 

[Cleo]

I can''t comment specifically on your diamond, but I would say that whilst I personally wouldn''t have a problem with a pre-owned diamond (after all many of our diamonds are probably pre-owned anyway), I really wouldn''t want to have a clarity enhanced diamond.

Let me qualify that by saying that although I am a total size queen (and for me, bigger''s definitely better!) I would be willing to sacrifice both colour and clarity to get a bigger diamond - buying a clarity-enhanced diamond is definitely not something I would consider, even to get a much bigger size.

As Lorelei said, a clarity enhanced diamond does need different handling.

You haven''t mentioned how much you''re being asked for the diamond. The price of CE diamonds, as I understand, is based on the clarity of the diamond *before* it is enhanced. Without knowing what that clarity was, there''s no way of knowing the degree or nature of enhancement that has occurred... which is another reason why it would be worth paying for an independent appraisal.

I''m willing to bet though, that you could probably buy a stunning 1ct princess-cut with top-notch cutting and great colour/clarity (completely unenhanced) for what the CE diamond would cost you.

I''d take the 1ct natural stone any day.

If you *do* decide to go for it, do get an independent appraisal, and do make sure that your GF won''t mind a CE diamond.

x x x

 

[MMT]

I''m with cleo. I have no problem with a previously owned diamond but I wouldnt be interested in a clarity enhanced one. I also thought I heard those diamonds were more likely to crack or chip.