Opinions on Diamond and on Broker

[RonDaMan]

All,

Looking to buy a loose stone for my gf's e-ring. I know you all are the resident experts and I am quite the newb. I think I found a really good deal from an online broker called Tiffany Jones Designs, but I want your opinions on this diamond and the broker:

http://www.tiffanyjonesdesigns.com/1.87-carat-e-si1-egl-certified-loose-natural-diamond-gid-14648.html

The gemologist says it is eye clean and the HCA is sub 2.00, but I am very weary of this retailer as I have never heard of them.

Thank you so much in advance for the insight.

-Ron

 

[MollyMalone]

Suggest you give it a pass. That diamond's report is from EGL Israel, which has a well deserved, lousy reputation because of how lenient it is in grading color and clarity. I would bet my next paycheck that were GIA or AGS to assess the stone, neither would classify it as an E SI1 (or even very close to that). See, e.g.,
http://www.diamonds.net/News/NewsItem.aspx?ArticleID=43417
So it's not the bargain that it seems to be at first blush.

fyi: Tiffany Jones Designs was incorporated here in New York in December 2008 (not 35 years ago as the web site seemingly would have you believe) -- the same year the web site launched; is not accredited by the Better Business Bureau; and does not appear to be is a member of any trade association, such as the Jewelers Board of Trade or the Jewelers Vigilance Committee.

 

[chrono]

Ditto Molly. I would be wary of anyone who is selling EGL graded diamonds, considering the recent lawsuit.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I would recommend vendors we know here who have thousands of consumer reviews here on the forum, some for over 10 years. Good Old Gold, Whiteflash, and High Performance Diamonds all carry top quality diamonds and provide the images to prove it. James Allen carries a wide range of quality, and they will allow you to choose three stones for which to request images (ASET or idealscope).

Reliable grading labs are GIA and AGS.