Newbie - Dover Jewerly

[kisbel65]

As the title says I am a newbie in the bling buying business. I have been lurking around this site for a few weeks trying to gather information on diamonds and Dover Jewerly. I read the feedback on Dover and took the plunge and bought a beautiful (still on layaway) asscher cut engagement ring. I was able to receive (in writing) from Hamid a five day refund on the ring begining on the day that I pick up the ring. I plan to have an independent apprasier (recommended by this site) look at it the same day. I would appreciate any and all advice. Information and picture (attached) follows:

CENTER STONE: BEZEL SET ASSCHER CUT

CARAT: 1.00 cttw

COLOR: F

CLARITY: VS1

SURRONDING STONES:

CARAT: .35 cttw

COLOR: G - H

CLARITY: VS1


WEIGHT 3.9 GRAMS
WIDTH/HEIGHT: 10MM X 4MM
PRICE: $5899


I hope I have provided enough informaiton. Thank you again in advance.


'

 

[Gypsy]

Dover Jewelry uses a dart board for their : carat weight measurements, inflated estimated values, and their color AND clarity.

So I wouldn't rely on ANYTHING they say. BUT-- they have excellent customer service and a great return policy they stick by.

Let me tell ya a quick story. I bought a band from them. The carat weight was ENGRAVED ON IT. And they got it wrong in the listing, plus they put the appraised value at a WHOPPING 2K when it is worth only 900. I bought a necklace from them it said .5 ctw. What was it? .27ctw (color and clarity were wrong too). Appraised incorrectly double it's true value. I bought an antique cut ring that was from them. On their appraisal papers it said J VS. It was N SI2. I kid you not. Setting stats were wrong too. Appraisal value was THREE TIMES what it was worth.

NOW, they have LOVELY things. And even with ALL OF THIS, I'd buy from them again. But A) if it's a diamond it better have a GIA certificate. B) if it's something else I bid based on the picture and not on the stats and I bid KNOWING the stats are WRONG (and have no basis in reality).

Do a search for "Dover" on here and you'll find other posters.

This is the company that sold a Harry Winston Ring for PEANUTS because the couldn't be bothered to check out the ring well enough to see the hallmark. They are THAT BAD at it.

 

[kisbel65]

Thank you for your reply. I had heard that Dover can over estimate/under estimate color and clarity. As I stated before, I will have an independent apprasier look at the same day I pick it up (apprasier is down the street from Dover's office). I live in Miami, so I have the luxury of walking over to Hamid's office and letting him know how accurate/in accurate his spec are. I will be very displeased if the specs do not match what he stated, but I wont be surprised. That being said, if the specs are accurate is the ring worth it? I appreciate your input. Have you kept all the pieces you bought from them. Btw, I did not know the Harry Winston story, that must of been one lucky buyer.

 

[Gypsy]

You need a REALLY GOOD independent appraiser. Appraisers are NOT certified or anything so any shmuch with a GG (or not even that) can hang his shingle out and MANY are terrible (not just bad). And the ones that work at jewelry stores have a vested interest in lying to you-- they want you to return what you have and buy from them instead. So-- independent good appraiser is key.

I'll tell you what I think your ring is going to be. From that picture.

PRONG SET (he can't even tell a prong set stone from a bezel set stone, I'm scared).

I think it's going to be an 85 point center stone H-I color. Maybe eyeclean. I DO NOT think that center stone is going to hit one carat (1 carat asscher is about 5.5 square). So much of the value depends on how well that stone is cut.

I don't know the metal on the setting or the condition (more pics would be needed for that). So I can't even tell you.

That tiny pic is not enough. And is stats aren't worth the dart board he gets them from. There is not enough information to judge anything by but I can pretty much guarantee you that what he calls F is going to be H or lower.

 

[Gypsy]

Did I keep all the pieces? No. The necklace I returned after thinking about it. The old cut ring I returned immediately. The stacking band (my last purchase from them) I did keep-- but only after he offered me a partial refund of my purchase price for his errors in estimating.

Would I buy from him again? If the price was right, and then only if I liked it from the pictures. But yes, if it was cheap enough, I would.

 

[kisbel65]

Gypsy,

Wow!!! I was also thinking the center stone was under 1.0 carat, may .98 but not .85 ( i know its a guess, but wow). I noticed his reaction when I ask him about it and he raised his voice a little and said "it says approx., so I hope you are not going to hold me to it." I am starting to get a sick feeling in my stomach. I won't compromise on the center stone (.98 is my cut off point). I thought when you deal with someone personally (face to face) like I did with Hamid that they would be less likely to lie to you. I guess I just got so emotional with the ring, I could not see straight. This coming from someone with a psychology background is bad. I am so sad right now, I am going to call tomorrow morning and ask him for my deposit back.

 

[Gypsy]

Yeah. Not surprised. He has a different definition of 'approximate' than most people. As long as it's a number, it's close it seems.

Now, with fancy shaped diamonds carat weight isn't as important (at all) as size. I have a 1.09 carat asscher and it faces up at 5.89 x 5.87 and one of our other posters, Kaleigh, has one that is .92 and faces up at 5.84 x 5.82 -- visually they are exactly the same size but mine is 17 points larger. And mine, for an asscher, has good spread actually (most are about 5.5-5.6 because they are cut deep). BUT Hers is a 1 in a million stone where the shallow (for an asscher) 60 depth isn't affecting the light performance and it faces up HUGE for it's weight.


You can (and frequently do) have a 1 carat that faces up the same or even smaller than a 90 point stone. But you also get 90 pointers that face up like 80 pointers.

My point is-- with fancy diamonds you shouldn't have a carat weight cut off, because it's largely meaningless. What you should do is decide what shape you want. Prioritize light return and faceting. And go for the largest dimensions you can get for your carat weight (without sacrificing performance).

Also, if you are looking for size-- asschers are pretty much THE PITS for size. Not only are they cut deep to achieve that miles deep look, BUT the way the steps are draw your eye inward to the center of the stone making it look smaller.

If you like step cuts, stick to true emerald cuts, and shoot for 5 mm by 6.5-7mm for the dimensions (those the standard 1 carat dimensions for Emerald cuts, but again with fancies those things vary greatly).

If you aren't set on an asscher but want a square try a cushion.

If you aren't set on a square my best advice is go for an oval or pear. They are very spready (that means they face up large for the carat weight) and an 80 point pear can look as large as a one carat asscher (or larger) easily.

 

[anne_h]

Hi,

I have bought from Dover a few times and agree with Gypsy. Specs listed were 'better' than reality. But I kind of figured that from the pictures, so I only paid what I thought was fair. The pieces were nice enough. I'd buy again if I saw something I liked and found the price reasonable. But I'm very comfortable now shopping remotely. If you are not, just make sure they have a solid return policy.

Also, don't get your hopes up too high on this piece. As in, don't get emotionally attached/committed before you've seen it. So if you see it and it's not nice, you can return it and be okay with that.

Anne

 

[kisbel65]

Gypsy,

My first impression was that it was small, but I did love the ring. Anyway, lets see what he does when I call him tomorrow when I ask him for the refund. I am glad I got it in writing. I am not married to an asscher. I love ovals and cushion. I am flexible about the shape but not the center stone (1.0 -1.25 range). What is the standard dimensions for that range for an oval or cushion center? So where do you recommend I start looking again?

 

[kisbel65]

Anne,

Unfortunately, I did see the ring and fell in love with it. I just know that if the apprasier tells me that it is under a carrat (center stone) I will be one pissted off customer, so it is best for me to cut my loses at this time. I will be calling tomorrow about my refund. i just feel so lost at this point.

 

[Gypsy]

Cushion is 5.7-6.0 if you are talking square, if you are talking rectangles 5.5 by 6.5 ish (harder to say, it really depends a lot on the l/w ratio). Ovals are 5x7 approximately (less variation in there than cushions, but still quite a bit).

Go look at your other post (and I'll stop posting in this one so we can close it out) and look at the options I posted for you.

 

[kisbel65]

Gypsy,

How bout this diamond (sorry pic did not paste)? This is from eternity from yoni. That way I can still get a platnium setting. I should have done this before I did an impulse buy with Dover.


Belkis




Table%: 52%Depth:
70.4mmDepth:
5.44%Culet:
NoneGirdle:

Width:
7.16 mmLegnth:
mm


Actual Diamond
Loading zoom 1.02-Carat Oval Diamond
This V. Good-cut, G-color, and VS2-clarity diamond comes with a diamond grading report from GIA, 30 day inspection period, free FedEx Overnight insured shipping and lifetime upgrade policy.


Pricescope Price: $3,947
Bank wire price: $3,868






PriceScope Reviews
View Certificate:

 

[Mara]

If you are local to Dover, have you asked him to measure the stone in front of you so that you can get an accurate read on diameter at least? You can even take a ruler in yourself and do it, at least you'd get to get some inkling of it in person. You have seen the ring in person? Or did I totally misunderstand.

 

[kisbel65]

Mara,

Yes, I have seen the ring in person. When I asked him about the center stone, his voice get a little higher and he said; " it says approx., so dont hold me to it, I think it is bigger but I dont know." I know I should of walked in that moment, but I am a novice and got caught up in the beauty of the ring. After talking to Gypsy, I realize there is a high probability I am going to be disappointed by the specs when I get it apprasied, so I am going to ask for a refund.

 

[SB621]

I think it is a little premature to ask for a refund without even taking the stone to an appraiser first. I would be curious to know what the appraiser said. I personally really like the ring you picked out.

I hate 3 pieces from DJ that range in price. For the two cheaper pieces ($4k and under) I was really happy with them. While the specs were slightly off I got a good price for them. My more expensive piece was a diamond and emerald braclet (see my profile picture <----). We actually still haven't taken it to be appraised so I honestly can't say for sure that the emerald is real or not. The bracelet was a gift from my husband and honestly I loved the bracelet because of it's look so the emerald in it is not really a selling point for me.

 

[kisbel65]

I think it is a little premature to ask for a refund without even taking the stone to an appraiser first. I would be curious to know what the appraiser said. I personally really like the ring you picked out.

I hate 3 pieces from DJ that range in price. For the two cheaper pieces ($4k and under) I was really happy with them. While the specs were slightly off I got a good price for them. My more expensive piece was a diamond and emerald braclet (see my profile picture <----). We actually still haven't taken it to be appraised so I honestly can't say for sure that the emerald is real or not. The bracelet was a gift from my husband and honestly I loved the bracelet because of it's look so the emerald in it is not really a selling point for me.

I just had a feeling I should of acted on what he said about the center stone. I do think it is beautiful, but I have a feeling it is under 1.00 carrat and that is my dealbreaker. Gypsy estimated the center stone maybe .85 and that is way below what I was expecting ( I thought about .9. I looked around some of the sites Gypsy suggested and looks like I may be able to get a bigger center stone with a GIA certificate. I rather have peace of mind and go with the certificate. Btw, bold move on not getting the your bracelet appraised (it is out of this world beautiful).

 

[SB621]

I guess to each their own. The size difference on an asscher from a .85ct to an .98ct would be minimal. And truly with it being a halo I doubt you would ever know the difference. I personally love the setting so to me a slightly smaller diamond is the trade off.

Not bold at all...I loved the overall look of the bracelet. If the emerald weren't 100% natural I could have cared less as I would have / and still might , put a different colored stone in. But I guess that is the difference. You are buying your ring based on the center stone and I "bought" my bracelet based on the actual setting.

Goodluck with what you decide. Honestly Gypsy can't steer you wrong. And for what it is worth I know asschers face up small but they are beautiful cuts so that would be my vote for you!