Purchased a 1.63 diamond for $8,690...

[davidsle]

My apologies for posting the same message twice. I tried posting this message two times before and twice my computer experienced an error that prevented me from posting this message.

Provided below is the complete GIA report:

March 13, 2002
Round Brilliant
7.68 - 7.71 x 4.58mm
1.63 carat
Depth 59.5%
Table 60%
Girdle Thin to Medium, Faceted
Cutlet None
Polish Excellent
Symmetry Excellent
Clarity SI1
Color G
Flourescence None
Comments: Pinpoints are not shown

My first question:

I was planning on getting an independent appraisal of the diamond but my jeweler suggested that he would appraise the diamond for free. That''s where I got suspicious. I wanted to get an independent appraisal for peace of mind (that I purchased a good diamond) and to verify that what was on the GIA report was correct. I read in an earlier posting that getting the GIA to appraise the stone twice would only provide the same report. Should I get an independent appraisal of the diamond or should I save the $200 - $300 by getting it appraised by my jeweler?

Second question:

I was under the impression that an SI1 clarity rating should appear flawless to the naked eye. If inspected carefully, the inclusion is visible to the naked eye. I can see the inclusion in the table of the diamond. From the bottom, the inclusion is visible as well. Is this common to be able to see the inclusion or should I suspect that the clarity rating is actually lower than an SI1 rating?

Third question:

For insurance purposes, my jeweler suggested that he would probably grade the diamond with a color grading of F-G and a clarity of VS2 to SI1. In comparison to other stones, the G was very white or colorless. However, I''m very uneducated in grading diamond colors so I might be completely wrong. As far as the inclusion goes, I don''t think the diamond should be rated as an SI1 unless the inclusion is not visible to the naked eye. Anybody have any suggestions?

Last question:

How can I verify that the stone is ideally cut? The Depth and Table fall within the ideal proportions and the symmetry is excellent but how can I verify that the stone has an ideal cut?

Any comments or suggestions would be greatly apprciated.

Thank you,

David

 

[fire&ice]

Personally, I would have an independent appraisal. On a stone this size, it would not be unusual to see inclusions from the side or bottom. SI1's are not guaranteed to be eye clean. However, the placement of the inclusion (smack on the table? - is that correct) would lead me to quesiton the SI1 rating. But, I don't know how visible the inclusion is.

Also, GIA should show a plat of where the inclusions are. Do the inclusions on the plat match w/ what you see in a scope?

 

[aljdewey]

Hi, David: My responses in blue below:

Should I get an independent appraisal of the diamond or should I save the $200 - $300 by getting it appraised by my jeweler?

Absolutely get an independent appraisal from someone who has positively no vested interest in the sale.

I was under the impression that an SI1 clarity rating should appear flawless to the naked eye. If inspected carefully, the inclusion is visible to the naked eye. I can see the inclusion in the table of the diamond. From the bottom, the inclusion is visible as well. Is this common to be able to see the inclusion or should I suspect that the clarity rating is actually lower than an SI1 rating?

Diamonds are graded for clarity in the face-up position. It is not unusual to be able to see inclusions from the side/bottom. Another thing about inclusions....the larger the diamond, the more visible the inclusions. An inclusion in an SI-1 diamond of less than 1ct may not be visible, but in larger than 1 ct may be more visible. Many folks in the 1.25 ct range and up typically move up to VS-2 for this reason.
If seeing the inclusion bothers you, you can exercise return options (if you are still within the refund period), or perhaps the jeweler will work with you to trade it for another stone from him.

For insurance purposes, my jeweler suggested that he would probably grade the diamond with a color grading of F-G and a clarity of VS2 to SI1.

The professional appraisers can probably give you better insight on this, but from an amateur's standpoint, I don't think there's a lot of benefit in "overrating" your stone for insurance purposes. All it does is drive up your premiums.

How can I verify that the stone is ideally cut? The Depth and Table fall within the ideal proportions and the symmetry is excellent but how can I verify that the stone has an ideal cut?

This, too, can be verified through an independent appraisal. Believe me.....for peace of mind, for knowing that your $9k was wisely spent....the independent appraisal is one of the best investments you can make.

Good luck, David.

 

[davidsle]

From Fire&Ice:

"Personally, I would have an independent appraisal. On a stone this size, it would not be unusual to see inclusions from the side or bottom. SI1's are not guaranteed to be eye clean. However, the placement of the inclusion (smack on the table? - is that correct) would lead me to quesiton the SI1 rating. But, I don't know how visible the inclusion is.

Also, GIA should show a plat of where the inclusions are. Do the inclusions on the plat match w/ what you see in a scope?"


My inclination is to get an independent appraisal at this point. Mainly because of what I mentioned before, peace of mind and because your postings that advises me to do so.

As far as the inclusion goes, it's visible at an angle. If you're looking directly at the table of the diamond from above, the inclusion is very tough (if not impossible) to see.

The GIA report matches the inclusions but in my opinion the inclusion looks more like a carbon inclusion than what is provided on the report.

Thanks for your response.

 

[davidsle]

Response to aljdewey's posting:

aljdewey:
Absolutely get an independent appraisal from someone who has positively no vested interest in the sale.

davidsle:
Any suggestions in the Los Angeles area? I'm currently working out in Thousand Oaks but during the weekends I'm back in the LA downtown area.

aljdewey:
Diamonds are graded for clarity in the face-up position. It is not unusual to be able to see inclusions from the side/bottom. Another thing about inclusions....the larger the diamond, the more visible the inclusions. An inclusion in an SI-1 diamond of less than 1ct may not be visible, but in larger than 1 ct may be more visible. Many folks in the 1.25 ct range and up typically move up to VS-2 for this reason.
If seeing the inclusion bothers you, you can exercise return options (if you are still within the refund period), or perhaps the jeweler will work with you to trade it for another stone from him.

davidsle:
The placement of the inclusion is near one of the corners of the table. Through a loupe, the inclusion is easily spotted but viewing the diamond from a distance, the inclusion is invisible. If viewed with scrutiny, the inclusion appears to be a little spec of dust (or black ash). It's very tiny but I can notice it. I'm not sure if my "fiancee" will notice it or even care but if she does, she would never tell me. I just purchased the diamond over the weekend so I'm sure if I wanted to return the diamond, I'll have no problem.

aljdewey:
The professional appraisers can probably give you better insight on this, but from an amateur's standpoint, I don't think there's a lot of benefit in "overrating" your stone for insurance purposes. All it does is drive up your premiums.

davidsle:
I thought the same but the upside is the replacement value would be much higher.

aljdewey:
This, too, can be verified through an independent appraisal. Believe me.....for peace of mind, for knowing that your $9k was wisely spent....the independent appraisal is one of the best investments you can make.

davidsle:
what can I expect from an independent appraisal? Can I assume the cost would be around $110 - $125? Does the appraisal include additional information (i.e. dimensions like a Sarin report, Ideal-Scope specs)? I called my jeweler today to request the Sarin report. Without any dimensions of the diamond (besides what's on the GIA report), I'm unable to decipher how well cut (ideal) the diamond is.

aljdewey, thanks for you response. I've recently purchased this diamond and I need all the help possible to guarantee that I made an intelligent decision.

 

[aljdewey]

----------------
On 8/19/2003 11:54:32 AM davidsle wrote:
Any suggestions in the Los Angeles area?

Sorry, I don't know of any in that area? Leonid, Richard Sherwood, Dave Atlas.....can any of you guys recommend someone for David?

The placement of the inclusion is near one of the corners of the table. Through a loupe, the inclusion is easily spotted but viewing the diamond from a distance, the inclusion is invisible. If viewed with scrutiny, the inclusion appears to be a little spec of dust (or black ash. It's very tiny but I can notice it. I'm not sure if my "fiancee" will notice it or even care but if she does, she would never tell me. I just purchased the diamond over the weekend so I'm sure if I wanted to return the diamond, I'll have no problem.

Again, up to you on this. I'd defer to the experts on this to correct me, but I don't think you should be able to see a black inclusion in an SI-1 even at this size. A whitish inclusion, maybe...a cloud or feather, but not a black inclusion.

Personally speaking, it would drive me crazy. I have a pair of .75 cttw diamond earrings, and every time I clean them, I see the small black dot in the center of the table. Had I known more out diamonds at the time I bought them, I'd have picked up on this. It bugs me every time I see it, but that's me.

....The upside (of overvaluing appraisal) is the replacement value would be much higher.

Yes, but that's only important IF you have to replace it, and the goal isn't to replace with more, it's to replace with equal. Paying the higher premium over several years would more than offset the difference.

what can I expect from an independent appraisal? Can I assume the cost would be around $110 - $125? Does the appraisal include additional information (i.e. dimensions like a Sarin report, Ideal-Scope specs? I called my jeweler today to request the Sarin report. Without any dimensions of the diamond (besides what's on the GIA report), I'm unable to decipher how well cut (ideal) the diamond is.

A full extensive appraisal will likely run around the $125-150 mark or so.....the appraisers on here could probably tell you better how much it is and what documentation it entails. A full appraisal would likely include Sarin/idealscope or similar.

Your jeweler, by the way, should be able to call the GIA to secure the crown/pav angles. GIA records this information during the cert process, but they don't include it on their certs.

aljdewey, thanks for you response. I've recently purchased this diamond and I need all the help possible to guarantee that I made an intelligent decision.

You're more than welcome....you're doing all the right things to ensure that.----------------

 

[fire&ice]

BTW, I did a quick pricescope search. Your price is more in line w/ an SI2.

Eye clean SI1/someSI2's exist. I can see a "carbon spot" if I look carefully at my 3c. Unlike Al, I like the fact that I have a little gem inside a gem (most likely the inclusion is a garnet). Some white spots can have a negative effect on the transparacy & brilliancy of a stone. One requirement when searching was that the stone did NOT have a feather.

Bottom line, only you can determine whether this is acceptable or even preferred by your to be. A G/SI combo is a good one. Have you bonded with it? Does it sparkle like mad? Did it speak to you the moment you saw it? What did you initially like about the stone?

If the inclusion is where you say it is and you can only see it when tilted, the inclusion will only be seen upon very close inspection. Most people will not even see it; so, it comes back to you & what your to be prefers.

A second set of trained eyes may either reject or bless the stone. I'd probably defer.

Good luck.

 

[davidsle]

In response to Fire&Ice's posting:

Thanks for your response. In addition ALJDEWEY, thanks for you response. I didn't want to clutter the string with "thank you" messages.

"Bottom line, only you can determine whether this is acceptable or even preferred by your to be. A G/SI combo is a good one. Have you bonded with it? Does it sparkle like mad? Did it speak to you the moment you saw it? What did you initially like about the stone?"

I am such a bad person to ask these questions. "Have I bonded with the diamond?" I'm not sure. I think once I get a confirmation that the diamond was a very good deal, I'll become much more enthusiastic about the diamond. "Does it sparkle like mad?" When I shopped around for this diamond, I looked at all sorts of diamonds. Large and small, under bright lights and under natural light through a window. I wish I had a better eye for the brilliance of the stone but I'm very uneducated when it comes to my asthetic judgment.

But you're right, the bottom line is whether my "fiancee to be" will like the stone. I'm not sure. My intentions are to keep this a secret and asking her about inclusions or sizes would, in essence, reveal the secret. Furthermore, like I mentioned before, she is not the type of person to let me know whether or not an inclusion would bother her. You're also right about the fact that most people, when viewing the stone, will have no idea of the inclusion (let alone see it).

My hopes is to end up with a stone that both I and my fiancee will be happy with. With me, the inclusions don't matter. However, the inclusion might be a different story to her. For example, have you ever spilled anything on your clothes and pretty much cleaned it out but a little remaining stain was apparent to you? That little stain, which is only obvious to yourself, will cause you to be self-conscious throughout the rest of the day. That is my fear when it comes to the inclusion in the stone. Will it bother her, I don't know. Does it bother me, not yet.

Thanks for you responses Fire&Ice and Aljdewey

David

 

[aljdewey]

----------------
On 8/19/2003 4:24:50 PM davidsle wrote:
I think once I get a confirmation that the diamond was a very good deal, I'll become much more enthusiastic about the diamond.

Then get the independent appraisal...that's your confirmation. Don't provide the cert to the appraiser, tell him you want his "uncluttered", uninfluenced assessment of the diamond.

FYI....if this indeed appraises at as a G, SI-1, you got a FABULOUS deal. Your stone works out to $5274 per carat. Comparable internet stones right now in G, SI-1 range run rom $6853 per carat for H&A (superideal) stones to $5912 for a Class 2A stones.

G, SI-2 internet stones run from $4763 per carat for H&A to $4588 for Class 2A stones.

Because B&M stores tend to run higher than internet stones, I agree with F&I that your stone is priced more like a G, SI-2.

I wish I had a better eye for the brilliance of the stone but I'm very uneducated when it comes to my asthetic judgment.

Yeah, but at the end of the day, it's the aesthetic judgment that's most important. When you look at it in comparison to other stones, does it seem to sparkle more? The paper stats are helpful, but the final determinant should be your eyes.

You're also right about the fact that most people, when viewing the stone, will have no idea of the inclusion (let alone see it).....That little stain, which is only obvious to yourself, will cause you to be self-conscious throughout the rest of the day. That is my fear when it comes to the inclusion in the stone. Will it bother her, I don't know.

Tough call. Where you cannot ask her, this comes down to a judgment call that can only be made by you. You know your girl best and you know if she's the "notice the little stain" type or not. The bottom line becomes, do you think it will be visible to her (because everyone else doesn't really matter, after all)? She'll be the one gazing at it most intensely (as we all do!).

If this really concerns you, then play it safe and go for a completely eye-clean stone. If she's like F&I and prefers a little "character", then go with the stone and enjoy!



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

 

[davidsle]

aljdewey:
"FYI....if this indeed appraises at as a G, SI-1, you got a FABULOUS deal. Your stone works out to $5274 per carat. Comparable internet stones right now in G, SI-1 range run rom $6853 per carat for H&A (superideal) stones to $5912 for a Class 2A stones.

G, SI-2 internet stones run from $4763 per carat for H&A to $4588 for Class 2A stones"



davidsle:

Now I'm confused...for a superideal stone at around a G, SI1 is approx. $6,853 per carat ($11,180 for 1.63 carats)? To be honest with you, I would love to purchase the diamond online but I'm very uneducated to the deals and steals around the net. If my diamond is, in fact, an SI-2 stone then I paid too much for the stone ($8,690 - $7,478 = $1,212). Would you recommend that I return the stone and purchase a diamond online. The only concern I might have is not being able to inspect the diamond in person.

Do you have any suggestions as to where I can begin to look or if you have found any good deals that you're not interested in buying, I would love your suggestions.

Once again, and I apologize for being redundant but thank you for your response. It's very helpful and reassuring that you guys on this message board are here to assist the readers.

 

[davidsle]

I've asked my jeweler for the Sarin report so as soon as I get the report, it would be greatly appreciated if one of you guys could check out the specs of the stone and let me know whether the stone is worth the money I paid.

 

[Mara]

David...spend the $100 to get the stone appraised. Only an independent appraiser can tell you what you so desperately want to know. Looking at a Sarin is great, but without seeing the stone, this whole inclusion discussion is almost pointless. Your eye may catch the inclusion, your fiancee's may not. Other people will almost definitely not view the inclusion as most people have no idea what to look for AND don't get to view the stone for extended periods of time up close to their eye. But if it bothers you.....

The appraisal will tell you the final word. If it comes back as an SI2...are you prepared to keep it or send it back? The longer you waffle on getting the appraisal, the shorter your return time period...the longer that you feel as though you should just keep the stone and be done with it.

Get the appraisal, call around at some jewelers to find out if they know of any independents who work in that area, search the net for someone..look at the 'appraisers' listing up at the top of the page. Take some steps to help yourself and you will be happier in the end when you know for sure what an expert, unbiased eye thinks.

Best of luck.

 

[aljdewey]

----------------
On 8/19/2003 9:54:21 PM davidsle wrote:
Would you recommend that I return the stone and purchase a diamond online. The only concern I might have is not being able to inspect the diamond in person.

... it would be greatly appreciated if one of you guys could check out the specs of the stone and let me know whether the stone is worth the money I paid.----------------

David.....no, I wouldn't recommend that yet. You are putting the cart waaaaaaaay before the horse. Do what has been recommended to you repeatedly already. GET AN APPRAISAL.

No one can check out a stone just from specs, and no one can evaluate a stone properly without viewing it. Get a professional opinion on your stone....it's well worth the money.

You're spending a great deal of time on "what ifs" when you don't even know what you have in hand. Go get the appraisal, and if you're still concerned after that, perhaps we can help.

One more time: Get the appraisal, OK?

 

[Heyjud]

An INDEPENDENT apprasal will be done with care
To be sure the assessment is unbiased and fair

As far as the inclusion
It's probably true
Your "fiance" won't scrutinize
As closly as you.

Sounds like a beautiful diamond!

 

[caratgirl]

Hi Davidsle,

Why don't you check out Jennifer Davis, listed on the appraisal guide on Pricescope? She is located in Sherman Oaks, and although busy, if you let her know that you need to get the appraisal done prior to your return window expiration, she may be able to squeeze you in. She did my diamond appraisals, and was very thorough and professional.

 

[davidsle]

aljdewey:

Thanks for your advice. I'm getting the diamond appraised tomorrow (Thursday). I'll let you guys know the results as soon as I get the diamond appraised. Actually, I purchased a loose diamond and the appraiser said that at this time (since the diamond is not in a setting), she can only provide me with a consultation. You're right about "cart ahead of the horse."

Heyjud:

You're right, I'm probably just over scrutinizing the inclusion.


caratgirl:

That's who I've scheduled to appraise my diamond. Thanks for the heads up.



David

 

[Mara]

What exactly is a consultation?

When we had our loose stone, our appraiser did a full thorough appraisal workup on it so we could see all the data on the stone itself. Then when the stone was set, we brought back the final to her and she re-appraised the total package. But we got an official appraisal for the stone itself. Wondering what a consultation would entail...seems like a loose stone is the most important part of the entire package anyway.

 

[fire&ice]

Ummm..Mara is right.

David, did the appraiser *know* why you wanted her to look at the stone? She can not do a formal *insurance* appraisal w/o the stone set. She can, however, *evalutate* the stone for the reasons that you want to verify the specs & confirm cut quality. Make sure she understands the distinction.

Good luck. I hope it turns out to be all that & a bag of chips! At face value, sounds like a nice stone at a decent price.

 

[davidsle]

Mara:

What exactly is a consultation?

When we had our loose stone, our appraiser did a full thorough appraisal workup on it so we could see all the data on the stone itself. Then when the stone was set, we brought back the final to her and she re-appraised the total package. But we got an official appraisal for the stone itself. Wondering what a consultation would entail...seems like a loose stone is the most important part of the entire package anyway.


davidsle:

I'm not exactly sure what the consultation will entail.

What was the appraisal fee for your loose stone? What data/information did the appraiser provide. I asked if she could provide me with similar measurements as a Sarin report but she said that she didn't have a Sarin instrument. She said that the consultation would cost $75 and the follow-up complete appraisal of the stone (after setting) would be an additional $50. When you say, "all the data," do you mean all the measurements ranging from each facet to each angle?

 

[Mara]

No she was not that thorough, but it depends on the appraiser and what sorts of tools they have. We already had a Sarin report, so she didn't need to give us more information on that. She confirmed that it was the same stone, checked all the dimensions against the GIA report, checked inclusions, confirmed color and clarity, looked at it under the IdealScope, and gave us back a 2 page report on all the data for the stone that she had pulled and confirmed.

If she had a Bscope or similar, we would have asked for data on that, but it was not available. The stone was not H&A so that didn't matter either.

Sounds like the consultation may be the preliminary stone-only appraisal, but you can only know by asking her directly. I would be sure you are getting the important treatment on the stone itself..and not just an eyeball saying 'yep that's a diamond!'. Whatever data you need to feel comfortable is what you should ask for.

Good luck!

 

[fire&ice]

----------------
On 8/20/2003 12:42:59 PM Mara wrote:
I would be sure you are getting the important treatment on the stone itself..and not just an eyeball saying 'yep that's a diamond!'. Whatever data you need to feel comfortable is what you should ask for.


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

Brings up the old question - do you show her the cert or not? I say not.

 

[aljdewey]

I positively second that, F&I. Don't give the independent appraiser info on the cert.....if asked, just politely decline and say that you'd rather have her unbiased opinion.

 

[yanyan]

If I am not wrong it should be lower than SI and the grade should be I instead of SI a grade lower than SI cos'only I clarity the black inclusion is visible to naked eye.

I would suggest you get an alternative apprasial for a peace of mind.

 

[davidsle]

I'll be sure to keep the certificate away from her.

BTW, I asked my jeweler if he could provide me with a Sarin report and his response was that this was the first time that he was asked for that report in 30 years of experience selling diamonds. In my opinion, I would think everyone and their mothers should always obtain detailed information about a stone they are purchasing.

In addition, I asked him about the SI-1 grading and he said that he bought that as an SI-1 and the GIA report graded the stone at a SI-1 grading. I don't really care what grading he bought the stone at. All I care about is that the stone is truly a SI-1 stone. He also mentioned that the GIA report described the stone as an SI-1. My opinion: mistakes can always occur, especially when it involves something as subjective as grading a diamond.

In regards to the appraiser, she told me that she would charge me whether or not the diamond matched the certificate. So I asked, "id the diamond doesn't match the certificate, you're still gonna charge me even if that conclusion is reached within the first two seconds?" She said that a consultation appointment fee of $75 is not dependent on the outcome of the evaluation.

My plan (maybe some of you guys may disagree): I'm planning on visiting several jewelers for the purpose of finding someone to set the diamond. I can probably ask one of them to quickly verify whether the stone matches the certificate. If it does, then I won't have a problem getting the consultation (because I know I won't be wasting $75 to get an assessment of whether the stone matches the certificate or not).

No matter who conducts the consultation or appraisal, I'll make sure to following your advice and keep the certificate away from him/her.

Thanks for all your advice, guys.

 

[fire&ice]

David, the point is not whether the cert matches the diamond. The point is whether the diamond matches the specs reported on the cert. BIG DIFFERENCE!

I doubt the jeweler is trying to pass a stone off that is not the stone on the cert.

Graders make mistakes. Have you asked - point blank - whether the jeweler thinks the grading is correct? Does he agree with GIA?

You are spending 8k. The appraiser is asking for $75.00. That is about less than 1%. It is the cost of doing business to ensure you are getting what you pay for. If you go from place to place, you are going to get 90 different answers from people who have their own adgenda. You will lose respect from the local jewelers. Believe me, they probably talk.

I don't mean to sound harsh. Either get an independent appraisal on the stone, accept the jeweler's opinion and live with uncertainty or pass on the stone.

 

[Mara]

I agree with F&I...just get the darn thing appraised and be done with it. Carrying the stone around to local jewelers to ask their opinion isn't smart IMO. You are paying a large amount of money, why balk on the $75 for peace of mind? And yes, she should charge you the $75 even if the stone doesn't match or doesn't work out...that's still her time invested in doing work for you.

GIA is a pretty strict grading lab, chances are it is an SI1. It's not as though you have an EGL cert from Israel. Just because you can see an inclusion doesn't mean much...SI's are not guaranteed eye clean...you just should be sure to find one that is if that is important to you.

Good luck...

 

[aljdewey]

----------------
On 8/20/2003 3

2:12 PM davidsle wrote:
I asked my jeweler if he could provide me with a Sarin report and his response was that this was the first time that he was asked for that report in 30 years of experience selling diamonds.

I could think of a lot of fresh responses for this.....(So? What's your point? There's a first time for everything....etc.) I cannot imagine why he feels compelled to tell you this unless he's trying to imply that you're asking for unnecessary information. If that's so, nicely advise him that you are less concerned with how well others research their purchases and more concerned with feeling as though YOU made a smart purchase.

In addition, I asked him about the SI-1 grading and he said that he bought that as an SI-1 and the GIA report graded the stone at a SI-1 grading.

That's nice, but irrelevant. There is no harm in getting a second expert opinion on anything......medical care, diamonds, etc, especially on something as subjective as diamond grading. Just because it "says so" doesn't mean you shouldn't question it or verify it through an independent appraisal.

Regarding the appraisal issue.....David, listen very carefully on this. You still don't get it about the appraisal. The point of the appraisal not to simply have someone tell you if the diamond matches the cert. You should specify that the you want an appraisal to evaluate the color/clarity/etc.....a FULL work-up on the diamond.

Put another way....it's not about whether the diamond "matches" the cert, it's about whether or not the appraiser's opinion of the stone agrees with the cert's opinion of the stone.

What's the difference? Let's say I have 2 eggs. I mark one of them with an X and I tell you that it's an extra-large egg in my professional opinion. You take it to an independent egg appraiser. The point isn't to get the egg appraiser to tell you if it's the "x" egg....you care if SHE also thinks it's an extra-large egg. Get it?

Last comment.....you seem inordinately concerned about spending the $75 for an appraisal. Look, it's less than 1% of the cost of the darned diamond.....you need to relax on this.

Listen to what everone's telling you. Spell out for the appraiser that you want her to evaluate the dimensions/color/clarity......EVERYTHING about the diamond as SHE sees it. Incidentally, when she's done that, you can then produce the cert and ask her to double check that it's the same diamond, and I'm sure she can verify that too, if you really are concerned about that. I don't think you need to worry about that, but it can be done if it makes you feel better.

 

[mike04456]

I'll chime in here with a couple of thoughts from a professional perspective.

This thread is a perfect example of why a lot of jewelers are reluctant to share too much technical information with their customers. Some customers can handle the details in a rational fashion. Others get confused and start running around like headless chickens seeing fraud behind every tree (mixed metaphor here, but you get the point).

David, it is unlikely your jeweler is trying to defraud you. Genuine fraud is rare. If the diamond came with a GIA SI1 grade, most likely it's an SI1. Such stones can have eye-visible inclusions when you get into larger sizes like this one. GIA is not perfect but they are the most respected grading lab.

I agree with Mara, F&I, and everyone else--don't be pennywise and pound-foolish. Just pay the $75.00 for the peace of mind an independent opinion should give you. Her opinion is worth the money; the opinions of 'x' number of local jewlers are not. And unless your time is worth very little, you've already spent more than that posting here.

 

[davidsle]

Once again, always grateful for your advice.

However, to clear up one thing, I'm not comtemplating the idea of getting an appraisal. I was thinking about verifying the diamond with another jeweler who is only interested in selling me the setting. With that in mind, I thought that he would be able to provide me with an unbiased opinion of whether the stone matched the certificate. That's it.

Afterwards, I was planning on getting the appraisal/consultation. I'm not worried about sending $75. As a matter of fact, I thought $75 was pretty cheap compared to what I was told before.

It seems like everyone is jumping on me because they think I'm unwilling to spend $75 to get the stone appraised. I just meant that I didn't want to spend $75 to have the appraiser tell me that the stone didn't match the certificate, which was what she told me she would do. She said that she would end the consultation if she discovered that the stone did not match the certificate. I asked if she would charge me in that case and she said yes. I thought that would be imbicilic of me to pay $75 for two seconds of her time when all I would have to do is ask my "settings" jeweler. I hope you guys get one thing straight, I am planning on getting the stone appraised for it's qualitative characteristics not for a confirmation of the description of the certificate. I think somewhere along this string of postings, I might have written something but meant something else. I don't mind what percentage the cost is in comparison to the cost of the diamond. I'm very green to the entire diamond buying experience so I've asked many of you for your advice.

Once again, thank you.

 

[mike04456]

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On 8/20/2003 6:11:11 PM davidsle wrote:
She said that she would end the consultation if she discovered that the stone did not match the certificate

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Very odd. And you're sure this is an independent appraiser who does not sell diamonds and has no connection with the store you bought it at? I think actually you have the right idea about wanting a full, detailed inspection of the diamond, and normally that's what you would get with a legitimate independent appraiser. Did you ask her why she would end everything if it did not match the report?