Online vendors: general questions

[tiffie]

Hi, all. I would like to know what are some of the crucial questions I should ask before making a purchase with an online vendor. For example, if I have the basic criteria (e.g., the four Cs), as well as more in-depth grading information (e.g., polish, symmetry, fluorescence), what else should I ask for? I know that I am particular about not having any black inclusions, since I am mainly looking at SI2-graded stones. In addition, I have a fairly tight parameter in regard to both the table and depth ranges. That said, should I ask for an actual image of the diamond prior to making the final purchase? What other important questions (and items) should I address prior to the final wrap up?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Tiffie

 

[yennyfire]

Hi Tiffie and welcome!

Most PS vendors are pretty used to working with folks who have pretty specific requirements. If you're looking for a MRB (round) stone, you will want to ask for an ASET image. Not all vendors provide it, but it helps identify leakage, etc. Additionally, you should request the deets that are listed on the cert. so that you can plug the #s into the HCA, which is a tool here on PS that helps you weed through stones that will not be ideal (in a nutshell, a stone with an HCA under 2 is worth considering)....

I'd email them your specs and see what they come back with...make sure to spell out your definition of eye clean as clearly as possible, since some SI2's will be more eye clean than others, and of course, the larger the stone, the harder it may be to find one....

If you're talking about any shape other than round, please disregard everything I wrote above, as fancies can't be evaluated by the #s alone and photos of the stone are required, the HCA would not apply, etc....

Good luck!

 

[tiffie]

Hi Tiffie and welcome!

Most PS vendors are pretty used to working with folks who have pretty specific requirements. If you're looking for a MRB (round) stone, you will want to ask for an ASET image. Not all vendors provide it, but it helps identify leakage, etc. Additionally, you should request the deets that are listed on the cert. so that you can plug the #s into the HCA, which is a tool here on PS that helps you weed through stones that will not be ideal (in a nutshell, a stone with an HCA under 2 is worth considering)....

I'd email them your specs and see what they come back with...make sure to spell out your definition of eye clean as clearly as possible, since some SI2's will be more eye clean than others, and of course, the larger the stone, the harder it may be to find one....

If you're talking about any shape other than round, please disregard everything I wrote above, as fancies can't be evaluated by the #s alone and photos of the stone are required, the HCA would not apply, etc....

Good luck!

Thank you, Yenny, for your advice. Yes, I am speaking of a round diamond. Could you tell me about the ASET image, as I am not terribly familiar with that. Also, what are the DEETS?

 

[SB621]

In addition to what Yenny suggested:
-What is the return window?
-Is there a restocking fee?
-What is the trade up policey (you say you may never do it but just in case it is good info)?
-YES I WOULD WANT ACTUAL PHOTOS!


Happy hunting/ shopping! I have a gorgeous SI2 diamond that I love. They are hard to find but you feel very rewarded when the search is over!

 

[hawk25]

I think yennyfire was referring to the specs of the diamond, as in the pavilion/crown angles, depth, table numbers, etc when she said deets.

An ASET is a tool that helps measure light performance. That paired with an Idealscope image will give you more info about how the stone performs. If you want to read up on it, here's a page from WF: http://www.whiteflash.com/about-diamonds/diamond-education/about-aset.htm

Since you're looking for an eye clean SI2 stone, I suggest telling the vendor exactly what your definition of eye clean is. For example, WF's definition of eye clean is no visible inclusions with 20/20 vision from a distance of 10 inches (try putting the end of a pencil/pen about 10 inches from your eye and see how close that is). You might prefer eye clean up to 6 inches, 4 inches, etc and it's important to be on the same page as the person selling it. IMO it's pretty hard to focus closer than 6 inches. Completely eye clean SI2s are hard to come by, but they are out there.

Return window is very important, and make sure it's an unconditional one. I personally prefer a vendor that has the stone in house, as opposed to being drop shippers like Blue Nile. You can ask their gemologist to take another look at the diamond and answer any other questions you have.

 

[SB621]

:
I forgot to mean an idealscope since you are getting an RB.

 

[yennyfire]

I think yennyfire was referring to the specs of the diamond, as in the pavilion/crown angles, depth, table numbers, etc when she said deets.

An ASET is a tool that helps measure light performance. That paired with an Idealscope image will give you more info about how the stone performs. If you want to read up on it, here's a page from WF: http://www.whiteflash.com/about-diamonds/diamond-education/about-aset.htm

Since you're looking for an eye clean SI2 stone, I suggest telling the vendor exactly what your definition of eye clean is. For example, WF's definition of eye clean is no visible inclusions with 20/20 vision from a distance of 10 inches (try putting the end of a pencil/pen about 10 inches from your eye and see how close that is). You might prefer eye clean up to 6 inches, 4 inches, etc and it's important to be on the same page as the person selling it. IMO it's pretty hard to focus closer than 6 inches. Completely eye clean SI2s are hard to come by, but they are out there.

Return window is very important, and make sure it's an unconditional one. I personally prefer a vendor that has the stone in house, as opposed to being drop shippers like Blue Nile. You can ask their gemologist to take another look at the diamond and answer any other questions you have.

Yes, thanks for clarifying Hawk!

 

[tiffie]

I think yennyfire was referring to the specs of the diamond, as in the pavilion/crown angles, depth, table numbers, etc when she said deets.

An ASET is a tool that helps measure light performance. That paired with an Idealscope image will give you more info about how the stone performs. If you want to read up on it, here's a page from WF: http://www.whiteflash.com/about-diamonds/diamond-education/about-aset.htm

Since you're looking for an eye clean SI2 stone, I suggest telling the vendor exactly what your definition of eye clean is. For example, WF's definition of eye clean is no visible inclusions with 20/20 vision from a distance of 10 inches (try putting the end of a pencil/pen about 10 inches from your eye and see how close that is). You might prefer eye clean up to 6 inches, 4 inches, etc and it's important to be on the same page as the person selling it. IMO it's pretty hard to focus closer than 6 inches. Completely eye clean SI2s are hard to come by, but they are out there.

Return window is very important, and make sure it's an unconditional one. I personally prefer a vendor that has the stone in house, as opposed to being drop shippers like Blue Nile. You can ask their gemologist to take another look at the diamond and answer any other questions you have.

Thank you, Hawk25, for providing this information. I will definitely do more research on that.

 

[tiffie]

:
I forgot to mean an idealscope since you are getting an RB.

Thanks, Sarahbear621, for your assistance!