Questions regarding solitaire selection

[Melanie123]

My husband bought me a gorgeous (I think) 1.63 ct RB solitaire very recently from Helzberg. We visited several mall stores, as well as independent local jewelers and this is the one I fell in love with and we felt was the best bang for our buck.

I''m thrilled with the stone, but wanted input from some experienced diamond consumers. Please excuse my lingo, I''m not an experienced diamond shopper.

First I''ll let you know that I wanted ''bling''; and I realize this isn''t an investment. While I know the specs are important, truly I really don''t care as long as the stone is lovely and I''m not getting ripped off. I''ve been reading the posts here about IGI, mall stores, etc., and thought I better reach out.

The stone is 1.63 ct, G color, I1 clarity, IGI cert. Polish/Symmetry are both good. Price was $5999.

Most importantly - here''s my opinion of the stone. It''s very white to me, very clear (no cloudiness), and very sparkly. And it''s big (my favorite!) There are no visible carbon deposits under a loupe, and the feather type inclusions are only visible when viewing the undersides or when I look very closely in sunlight. Otherwise it is beautiful, no dullspots, no cloudiness, and the facets are very distinct when viewing from the top (in other words, not fuzzy). The COA doesn''t indicate the cut (fair, good, etc.) but to me it''s beautiful, and I''ve looked at ideals as well as poors.

The independent jewelers we visited had a much smaller selection of stones. The clarity was much higher of course, but so was the price, or the size was much smaller. Other mall jewelers wanted approx. $8k+ for similar stones.

A big reason we went with Helzberg is because they offered 18 months same as cash. We are big on the ''same as cash'' deals, and always pay them off in advance. Also, they have a 60 day ''no questions asked'' return policy which I am still well within. I like that this removes the pressure.

While my stone is I1, I don''t know that I''d be comfortable buying an included stone without seeing it first (internet). I realize there are return policies, but the anticipation of waiting and drag of having to send it back if not happy would turn me off the whole experience I think.

So basically I want you to pat me on the back and tell me it seems like a fair deal. Or tell me to get my head on straight and not throw out 6 grand like I have it just lying around.

Thanks so much for your thoughts! Melanie

 

[Gleam]

Melanie, I''m no expert either, but I think it''s safe for me to say that IGI is not the must trustworthy certificate out there. Your diamond may not truly be G color, I1 clarity... it could be one or two grades off, maybe more.

If you do a search on Pricescope for diamonds with similar specs to yours, you''ll be able to tell if you paid a fair price.

 

[Miss Sparkly]

I surfed all of the popular vendors here and couldn't find a similar stone, that my be eye clean to you, in that price. If you're happy and it is beautiful to you then I would show it off with pride

eta: I am not a huge fan of B&M stores but I do like Helzberg. I have a friend who works for them and they have treated their employees and customers very well.

 

[elle_chris]

Well, I just did a search for a stone with your specs and with GIA reports, they''re running between 4.6k-6.5k. 1.50ct through 1.56. So I don''t think you did bad price wise provided the stone is what the paper says.

I''d probably have it appraised just to make sure it is in fact a G, I1. If it checks out, and you keep saying it''s beautiful, you did well.

 

[Bella_mezzo]

Like everyone else is saying, for a stone that valuable I''d get it appraised to be sure it is what Helzberg said it was. Other than that, if you love I think you should just enjoy it. Congratulations!

 

[yssie]

Honestly, if you love your stone, you think it's gorgeous, you're comfortable with the payment plan/type/return policies, and you think you got a good deal - you've covered all the important things!



Yes, there are stones with better specs out there, but... who cares? You love what you have, don't start doubting yourself now, just enjoy it!



We'd love to see pics, too

 

[Melanie123]

Thanks so much to everyone for your comments. We will keep looking just in case but I am very happy so far!

What is a B&M store?

FYI - so far I am happy with Helzberg also. I purchased a 1 ct. cluster ring from them years ago and a stone fell out. They repaired it but I wasn''t happy, so I returned it (still within the 60 days). They did take it back with no hassle.

I''ve heard they offer the double up upgrade but it''s nowhere in writing, is this true? The salesman said if we ask about it then he can tell us that yes, they do, but that they can''t tell you about it. Not sure what this means since it''s not in writing?!?

Also, I had a previous 1.5 ct. cluster ring from Bond Jewelers (who offers their double up upgrade in writing) and they told us that it''s not available at their ''year end closout'' pricing, which of course isn''t stated in my agreement. We weren''t buying there so I didn''t care but if I was interested in a purchase I would have made a stink.

I have so much to learn. How can I seek out an independent appraisal? How much should it cost?

 

[AprilBaby]

If you are happy and the stone is really a G and as clear as you say then you got a good deal for the size. For the cut? Who knows? Just enjoy it.

 

[oneandahalfrock]

If you are happy and the stone is structurally sound than that''s all that matters.
I have a 1.5 carat G VS2 and on the flip size a .91 carat L I1... in retrospect, I wish my bigger diamond was somewhere in between the two. I really don''t know that I see enough of a difference to justify the price between between what I have and maybe like an I SI2 as long as it was well cut.
You''ll have to post pics very soon.