Really a SI2 diamond?

[newlyengaged27]

Hi,
I hope someone can offer me some advice.
My finance bought my engagement ring at a jeweler who doesn''t have the best reputation (high pressure sales environment, overpriced pieces).
We went there to exchange the original stone he picked out because it had a very obvious inclusion. It was a 1.3 ct rated I1.
I told the jeweler I would be happy with a smaller eye clean diamond. She brought out a SI2 1 ct stone. I studied it (without a loupe because they wouldn''t let me use one). The stone looked eye clean. I think I have very good vision and I tried to take my time to look at.
After the ring was sized, I get it home and I notice it has several black blemishes in it. They are quite noticeable and I can''t believe I missed them in the store.
I''m not sure what to do. Is this common in a SI2? I thought that rating meant the stone had inclusions but they weren''t noticeable without a 10X magnification. ... Should I go back and ask them about this? Or should I let it go? The ring was appraised in house, but does not have a GIA certification. Should I get it appraised somewhere else?
Also, the white gold band has started to scratch and tarnish after less than two weeks of wearing. Is that normal?
I''m worried I''m getting swindled by this jeweler. Please help! I don''t want my finance to lose out on $3,600!
Any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[swingirl]

Can you return it and just be done with this jeweler? I wouldn''t buy anything from a jeweler who wouldn''t let me use a loupe!

 

[jaz464]

They wouldn't let you use a loupe??

I would bring my own.

When they told me that, I would have walked right out the door.

Many SI2 diamonds will have visible inclusions with the naked eye. It is possible to find some that are eye clean but they are more rare. If you are uncomforable with the inclusions I would take it back. Do you want to wear something for the rest of your life that you were pressured into buying and that you are not happy with?

Do you have to purchase from this vendor? I would do everything I could to return you ring and look elsewhere, either online where you can get the most bang for your buck or at a more reputable B&M.

 

[cectra79]

Ditto! Can you return the ring?

If they don''t have any return policy, and you paid with a credit card, you can dispute it through your credit card company. Just a threat of that may make them give you a better stone, or return the money. Does the stone have ANY certificate with it? You could take it to another jeweler and have them take a look at it to make sure the stone and the cert match.

Good luck!

 

[newlyengaged27]

Yes, I totally agree with you about the loupe and the jewelery. But unfortunately, my finance bought the first ring on his own and the jeweler doesn''t offer refunds. Store credit only. That''s why we exchanged the first stone for this one. I''ll ask about the inclusions. But if you say SI2 can have noticeable inclusions, then I guess I don''t have much of a leg to stand on.
Any insight into the band? Should white gold be scratching and tarnishing this soon? I''ve worn it for less than 2 weeks.
Urgh!
Thanks.

 

[MonkeyPie]

By tarnishing do you mean it''s turning black or brown? If so, then no, it shouldn''t do that. If it''s white gold though, it will scratch and turn yellow over time.

 

[kcoursolle]

Date: 7/8/2008 1:52:59 PM
Author: newlyengaged27
Yes, I totally agree with you about the loupe and the jewelery. But unfortunately, my finance bought the first ring on his own and the jeweler doesn''t offer refunds. Store credit only. That''s why we exchanged the first stone for this one. I''ll ask about the inclusions. But if you say SI2 can have noticeable inclusions, then I guess I don''t have much of a leg to stand on.
Any insight into the band? Should white gold be scratching and tarnishing this soon? I''ve worn it for less than 2 weeks.
Urgh!
Thanks.

Did your ring come with a certificate saying what quality the ring and diamond is? I would take it to an appraiser and get it independently appraised. If you can catch them in a lie (i.e. certificate says SI2 and it''s actually I1) you would have a good case for getting a refund from them.

I honestly think your best option is to try to somehow get your money back and start over.

If that isn''t going to work after trying various methods, I would go in there with a set of criteria. I would say you want a GIA "excellent" or AGS "zero" stone, set your minimum color/clarity, etc.

It is common for SI2 stones to have slightly visible inclusions, and if this stone is graded by someone else besides GIA or AGS, it might be even lower in clarity.

 

[jstarfireb]

Date: 7/8/2008 1:29:33 PM
Author:newlyengaged27
After the ring was sized, I get it home and I notice it has several black blemishes in it. They are quite noticeable and I can''t believe I missed them in the store.

I''m sorry to hear this! That''s one of the miracles

of jewelry store lighting. That and it makes poorly cut diamonds sparkle as much as well cut diamonds, fooling you into buying one of lesser quality. Next time see if you can take it out into sunlight, or at least near the door/windows, so you can get a better idea of what it looks like under natural conditions. I hope you can return it or at least exchange it for something better...good luck!

 

[Lynn B]

Aye yi yi, I am so sorry! What a MESS!

You have been given some good advice. As stated above, SI stones can run the gamut of terribly included to totally eyeclean... depends on the grading lab (or lack of one)... for example, I have an AGS-0, 2.36 RB, that is an SI2 and it's gorgeous... and 100% eyeclean. So they ARE out there! (So I think you still have quite a "leg to stand on"!) But again, like I said, it depends on the grading lab... or lack of one. Without a cert (or an INDEPENDENT appraisal), anyone can call anything whatever they want to!

And yes, jewelry store lights can make a river rock sparkle. Always observe a diamond in as many different lighting environments as possible. Take a stone to the window... outside... in the shadows... in the shade... under a desk... in fluorescent lighting... etc. That is critical!

OK now... on to the jeweler. Not "letting" you use a loupe???! High pressure tactics? Overpriced merchandise?! No refunds?!

Well, you definitely have a challenge ahead of you, but I simply would NOT REST until you get a stone you are happy with. The jeweler can "call some in" if he doesn't have anything in his store that you want. I know it sounds daunting, but be persistent and stay on this until you are satisfied!

 

[newlyengaged27]

Thank you for the great advice!
Any suggestions on where I should take my ring for an appraisal? I live in Atlanta.
Thank you again for everything.

 

[Lynn B]

Date: 7/8/2008 3:21:55 PM
Author: newlyengaged27
Thank you for the great advice!
Any suggestions on where I should take my ring for an appraisal? I live in Atlanta.
Thank you again for everything.

You can do a search from the PS home page, see if any appraisers are listed for your area.

Otherwise, look in the yellow pages, or call around. You want an independent appraiser... in other words, he/she neither buys nor sells diamonds. There is no potential conflict of interest then.

Keep us posted!

 

[Lorelei]

There are two appraisers in your area according to the search tool.

https://www.pricescope.com/appraisers_GA.aspx

 

[diamondringlover]

I have a 1ct SI2 and it is very hard to see my inclusions from the top by just looking at the ring, I can see them because I know where they are, but I have to take my glasses off and look very closely at my ring. Now from the side I can spot them easily, but from the top it is very difficult. I think you need to get the diamond appraised. Good luck

 

[Bliss]

I agree with the jeweler lighting, but the whole business seems shady. Could they have sold you the eyeclean SI2 and set another stone in it that was not eyeclean? The whole "not allowing you to use a loupe" when buying a diamond of all things, and high-pressure commission based sales tactics give off a foul odor, methinks. Something smells rotton in the state of Dia-mark. I'm so sorry. Can you bring it back and choose an eyeclean one? Take your own loupe this time. And be present when they set it? That having been stated, most jewelers are so honest. That is their stock in trade, but this one seems highly suspect.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Date: 7/8/2008 3:21:55 PM
Author: newlyengaged27
Thank you for the great advice!
Any suggestions on where I should take my ring for an appraisal? I live in Atlanta.
Thank you again for everything.

forget about the appraisal,save yourself the $100 bucks. i can give you a free appraisal right here over the internet "you bought one those $1999 special". tell them you want a refund.

 

[Tuckins1]

Return it and run!!!

 

[newlyengaged27]

That's what I thought too -- that they switched the stones! We weren't present when they set it. I told my finance about my suspicions and he said I was crazy; that they wouldn't do that. But I seriously don't remember seeing these inclusions and I was paying attention!
God, I never thought being engaged would be such as hassle.

Thanks for all the advice. I'll keep you posted.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 7/9/2008 9:21:39 AM
Author: newlyengaged27
That''s what I thought too -- that they switched the stones! We weren''t present when they set it. I told my finance about my suspicions and he said I was crazy; that they wouldn''t do that. But I seriously don''t remember seeing these inclusions and I was paying attention!
God, I never thought being engaged would be such as hassle.

Thanks for all the advice. I''ll keep you posted.

Some will do that. Long story short, it was done with a pair of studs I bought years ago before PS. It''s sad, and dishonest, and you''d like to think no jeweler would do that, but it happens. I can''t say whether that''s exactly what happened with you, because jewelery store lighting definitely masks things, but tell your fiance you are not crazy for thinking this.