Princess Cut - Think I've made a bad decision

[emchrm]

Hello all,

firstly thanks to all in this forum, I wished I'd found it before I'd made below purchase!

Long story short, I've purchard a Princess Cut 0.51 Carat D VS1 platinum engadment ring from a local store for £1800 ($2,812) which I thought was a good deal.

The store had good feedback online and it was the first of several stores, and rings I had a good gut feeling about, however since taking it home and looking at it under different light it's no where near as scintillating as it first was and I think I've made a poor decision.

I feel like if its the right ring I shouldn't have any doubts which I now do

I have a 7 day (5 days left) no questions refund option available.

This is the IGI spec:

From http://www.igiworldwide.com/:

Report Result
Number F4C43390
Date ANTWERP September 12 2005
Description Natural Diamond
Shape And Cut Princess Cut
Weight 0.51 Carat
Measurements 4.48 x 4.40 x 3.11 mm
Clarity Grade VS 1
Color Grade D
Fluorescence None
Finish
Polish And Symmetry Good
Proportions Very Good
Table Diameter 72.5%
Crown Height 10%
Pavilion Depth 59%
Girdle Thickness Extremely Thin To Medium
Culet Size Pointed


The big mistake (or one of them!) is the Girdle Thickness, I didn't know about this beforehand.

Any general comments or questions so I don't make another mistake greatly appreciated.

Any questions or comments please let me know.

 

[stone-cold11]

Yap, the girdle is the main thing I worry about.

The rest of the numbers could still work but will need to see an ASET image as there is no way to tell the facet placement of a fancy cut from just these numbers alone.

If you do not like the sparkle then return it

 

[oranges]

I would immediately take advantage of their refund policy and start from scratch. There are tons of people here who would be happy to help you find the right ring!

 

[emchrm]

Thanks both for your time and advice, very much appreciated.

 

[tyty333]

Yep, if you're not happy with it now...return it and start over.

 

[TruLuv858]

I would agree with all of the above posters, take advantage of the return policy, and utilize this community to educate you- so that you feel really good about your purchase. I can't imagine my FF and I entering this journey without the help of the community. Best of luck!

 

[emchrm]

Thanks for your kind words.

I feel somewhat of a pratt about this all. I think in retrospect my feelings of excitment probably blinded me for seeing or thinking about the ring objectively and I got carried away.

I'm buying the ring as a surprise so there is the added pressure but I'm determined to try and do this right

I've spoken to the store to arrange to go back in tomorrow but they didn't sound happy, understandable I guess

 

[Dreamer_D]

I don't think IGI is particularly reputable as a lab, either, but perhaps it is different in the UK?

 

[Fly Girl]

Thanks for your kind words.


I've spoken to the store to arrange to go back in tomorrow but they didn't sound happy, understandable I guess

Be strong and be firm. They will do what they can to make you decide to keep the ring.

Then come back and people here will help you choose a gorgeous princess diamond.

 

[petrock<3]

Thanks for your kind words.

I feel somewhat of a pratt about this all. I think in retrospect my feelings of excitment probably blinded me for seeing or thinking about the ring objectively and I got carried away.

I'm buying the ring as a surprise so there is the added pressure but I'm determined to try and do this right

I've spoken to the store to arrange to go back in tomorrow but they didn't sound happy, understandable I guess

Don't worry! It is very easy to get swept up in excitement and sparkle when you are first looking! The store will get over it, you need to be thrilled with your purchase, and you are not.

Best of luck!

 

[emchrm]

Thanks once again for the morale support and advice, it's been very much appreciated. I never anticipated how stressful it would be trying to get the perfect ring! I'm trying to keep it secret so I've no-one to talk too about any of this so it's been great to have all your help

I don't think IGI is particularly reputable as a lab, either, but perhaps it is different in the UK?

All the certificates I've been presented with so far have been been IGI. I ask each shop which certificates they've use and all so far have mentioned IGI, some have also mentioned GIA too. Perhaps the GIA certificates are only used for more expensive rings?

Be strong and be firm. They will do what they can to make you decide to keep the ring.

I went back to the shop today, they initially refused a refund as having an extremely thin girdle wasn't an acceptable reason, said that you want a thin as possible girdle. At this stage I was pretty panicked but after querying what the 7 day policy was about they eventually they agreed to the refund

Off to start looking afresh tomorrow!

 

[slg47]

well I'm glad you didn't back down to the pressure...you are the customer and you should be able to return within the return policy!

have you seen any AGS0 princesses?

 

[John P]

I found this to be the most important statement made in your original post: "...since taking it home and looking at it under different light it's no where near as scintillating as it first was and I think I've made a poor decision..." That strikes me as the main reason for reconsideration, unless you're viewing it in a place where all diamonds will appear muted.

The shop was not right to tell you to get a "thin as possible" girdle, but I know what they intended: You absolutely don't want a diamond with significant weight hidden in the girdle. That was the caution they were expressing, and it's a good one.

Also, in their defense, a diamond can have a girdle with a single very/extremely thin spot that does not pose a durability issue. For example, below is a princess with a girdle described as very thin-med. Almost the entire girdle is medium. The vtn on the grading report referred to an indented natural on a corner (arrow). In this case the stonesetter was careful to protect the corner with no problems. I can't say it's the same case with the one you were considering without analysis, but it could be worth investigating if you find "the one" with a similar descriptor.



Regarding the grading report: You're not likely to find many AGS-graded diamonds in Europe, nor jewelers or appraisers with the lab's proprietary grading software. Meanwhile, IGI has numerous worldwide locations with site-based management. Their reputation in the US has been built largely on the finished jewelry appraisal-reports that are famously misused by salespeople to demonstrate what a "bargain" a piece is (unfortunate). Meanwhile the lab has a very strong history in Europe and a top reputation in Asia. GIA reports will be plentiful, but they make no judgment of cut quality, which is most important to diamond beauty. Your best bet is to find a jeweler you trust, who will allow you to make comparisons of diamonds in several lighting conditions - focus on how they look in low light - and extends a no-questions asked return policy for enough time that you can view it in all your favorite places.

The enthusiasts and experts on this forum can give great feedback on many particulars if you post them, but when it comes to fancy shapes it will be your eyes that are most important to finding the diamond you think is most beautiful.

 

[emchrm]

Hi slg47,

I've not seen any AGS0 but I don't know in my little corner of the world, and for my price range, if I would be likely too? Although it's something I'll be asking about just in case

Hi John,

Thanks for taking the time to respond in such detail, that's a really helpful explanation and example about girdles. Having a better understanding about the girdle now makes me think of the old adage "a little knowledge is a dangerous thing"!

However it's good to get a re-assuring 2nd opinion about the sparkle/scintillation of the ring, that I'm not being a complete fool.

The enthusiasts and experts on this forum can give great feedback on many particulars if you post them, but when it comes to fancy shapes it will be your eyes that are most important to finding the diamond you think is most beautiful.

That sounds like some reall good advice, it's been easy to get carried away with number and rating and to over think things.

ps, I did just want to say the shop and staff have been very kind and helpful in general, in retrospect I can understand their initial reluctance to return the ring for what may have seen like flimsy reasons, I didn't want to paint a bad picture of them, they've offered to start from scratch to find what I think is right. I had seen the ring twice and in retrospect seems a silly thing to have not asked to have seen it in different light, but you live and learn!

Many thanks all, have a great weekend!

 

[John P]

ps, I did just want to say the shop and staff have been very kind and helpful in general, in retrospect I can understand their initial reluctance to return the ring for what may have seen like flimsy reasons, I didn't want to paint a bad picture of them, they've offered to start from scratch to find what I think is right. I had seen the ring twice and in retrospect seems a silly thing to have not asked to have seen it in different light, but you live and learn!

You're welcome emchrm.

You can certainly continue to post relevant data here and we will weigh in. Also (and this is a tall order) if the store is equipped with a 3D scanner you could bring them a flash drive and post a .SRN scan of a candidate diamond(s) in this thread and we could give some degree of opinion regarding light performance. But honestly, if you ask them about this and they give you a blank stare it won't be surprising. You should know you've stumbled onto a pretty advanced group of folks here... In many "normal" jewelry stores the fax machine is still considered pretty groovy.