Placed deposit, but now not sure. How?

[atelier7]

Hi, need help on what to do. Feeling rather foolish after an impulsive move.
I''ve placed a 20% deposit on a 0.7 RB for an engagement ring, after viewing it in a store.

I thought the dimensions (DCLA ''certified'') qualified it for AGS0 and did not run it through HCA first. unfortunately it scores a 2.8

Not only that, I accepted the dimensions on the sticker on the piece of paper that wraps the diamond without seeing the proper certificate. Now I don''t even know what its symmetry and finish grade is, or where the inclusions are!

When I went to the store and asked to see the "cert", the jeweller was nice enough to hear my concerns about the inclusions and used the loupe to show me. Still, he didnt show me the proper cert, assuring me that i would get it when everything is done. (the price I agreed to includes selecting a setting for the ring in white gold).

Now i''m lose as to what to do! is there any reason why they couldnt just show me the cert if it was already certified? Should I get an independent valuation on the diamond? (any recommendations in Sydney australia?)

 

[denverappraiser]

It's quite possible that the jeweler doesn't have the original report. It is fairly common for jewelery stores to sell stones that are actually owned by a 3rd party and these 3rd parties will sometimes prefer to hold onto the original report until they finish the sale, ie. until they get paid. The jeweler usually can get a copy. The sticker you discribe is probably generated from a Sarin or similar machine. These actually give more information than most lab reports about cut parameters although they don't discuss the inclusions at all. Unless there is concern that the diamond described on the sticker is not the same stone as the one described in the report, I would recommend using the dimensions on the sticker for your cut considerations. The values will often vary slightly because of different adjustments in the equipment.

There's a pretty good discussion here about why you should consider getting an independent appraisal on a stone that already has a lab report.

Neil Beaty, GG ISA
Independent Appraisals in Denver

 

[atelier7]

Thanks Neil. It makes sense why they may not have the original report.

And I'm definitely going to get it appraised. Except if I have already taken delivery of the diamond to get it appraised, even if the report were bad, isn't it too late?

The price is around US$3300 for the rock and setting.
Here are the specs. Do u think it was ok? Should i be concerned about the HCA score of 2.8?

0.718 F SI1
Diameter 5.72 (5.68 - 5.77)
Depth 3.54 61.9%
Crown angle 35.3
Pavilion angle 40.9
table 3.28mm
cutlet 0.7 Very Small
Girdle 3.5% Medium

I'm wondering if they would allow me to choose another rock? They werent too impressed when i was scribbling down the dimensions to run it through HCA at home. stupidly, i ran the HCA after i put the deposit.

sigh!

 

[denverappraiser]

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On 10/13/2004 11:58:23 AM atelier7 wrote:



if I have already taken delivery of the diamond to get it appraised, even if the report were bad, isn't it too late?

I'm wondering if they would allow me to choose another rock?

sigh!

----------------

Stores don't all have the same policies in these areas but it's fairly common to allow you a reasonable amount of time after you take delivery to get it appraised by an independent expert and to allow you the option of returning it if you are unhappy with the results. They should be happy to explain to you what their policy is as well as their policy for allowing you to choose a different stone.

We have lots of consumers here who love to talk about the relative merits of various stones. I'll leave that part of your questions to them.

Neil Beaty, GG ISA
Independent Appraisals in Denver

 

[verticalhorizon]

First,what's the color and the clarity? It's hard to determine if you're overpaying.

Second, you shouldn't feel bad about feeling a bit... nervous when shopping around. I think the first thing to do is look at a wide variety of diamonds with NO intention of putting any money down. If they try to push the hard sell ("This one may not be around much longer..."), then just walk. You'll be able to find comparable diamonds in your range if one should happen to sell before you get back.

I was looking at wedding bands with my FW in BBB (just cause we were there) and I saw this poor guy... by himself... looking at rings, clutching his copy of "How to Buy Diamonds."

I don't envy being in that position. It was way harder than buying my car. What you have to realize though is in order to be (mostly) sure, you have to know what the differnece between an F and an I... or for that matter, an G and and I. See the difference between an VS1 and an SI1.

Ask your colleagues and friends where they shopped, maybe they can offer suggestions. I eventually went with Good Old Gold in NY, who has a store and operates online as well. They were able to provide ALL the detail you'd ever need on your purchase. Their deposit was refundable. Actually, the whole purchase is 100% refundable within a 4-week timeframe.

When you start experiencing service like that, you have much less patience for the hard-court-press sales tactic. It's true that diamond prices have been going up steadily, but the difference will probably be negligible within a 4 month span. Don't fall prey to the 'free gold setting.' They really don't cost the vendor all that much.

-So, in review... do your research.
-Inspect all the diamonds you can.
-Determine your budget.
-Prioritize your FIVE C's (COST, Cut, Carat, Clarity, and Color) so that you can make swift decisions within your predetermined goals once you're ready to buy.

This last part is important, b/c you'll almost never find a diamond that's exactly what you want. You'll have to be willing to bend. Perhaps it's with +-0.05ct or +- 1-color, but not both. You dig?

Once you got that done, laying down the money is the easy part. (Well, sorta!) I still look longingly at the New Harley Sportster.

 

[hoorray]

I would find out the specifics of their policies before doing anything else. Do you have a refund period, is your deposit refundable, what are the details of the refund criteria -- no questions asked or only if it doesn't come back appraised to be what they told you it is, etc. Until you know this, it's hard to tell you what to do.

If you can get your deposit back, I'd do that immediately, and start the process over with some looking around and getting educated about what you like first. Then when you make a decision, you'll be able to have more confidence that it's a good one.