Seeking Help - Please

[glammy]

Hello all.

I recently bought a Ritani setting that also came with the wedding band for a great price. The setting comes with a warranty from Kessler’s Diamond in WI. Now my issue is finding a diamond that needs to be mounted in it. The setting originally had a 1.05 round brilliant stone it.

This is the setting http://www.ritani.com/diamond_engagement_rings/item/524/in_collection/4

I don’t want to purchase the diamond from Kessler’s because I want the best cut possible and they stated they grade their own diamonds, which concerns me. I have asked Kessler’s if I send the diamond and setting to them, could they send it to Ritani to be mounted, and they stated they could. My worry is, is it possible that they could switch out the diamond? Is there anything I can do to avoid this from happening?

I also need assistance in picking a diamond, it needs to be between 6.4-6.6mm in diameter to fit in the setting. Please help. My budget for the diamond is $3000. Is that feasible? I want excellent cut, don’t want to go below J in color, and an eye clean stone. I would certainly also consider a pre-loved stone.
Thanks

 

[rubybeth]

My worry is, is it possible that they could switch out the diamond? Is there anything I can do to avoid this from happening?

I also need assistance in picking a diamond, it needs to be between 6.4-6.6mm in diameter to fit in the setting. Please help. My budget for the diamond is $3000. Is that feasible? I want excellent cut, don’t want to go below J in color, and an eye clean stone. I would certainly also consider a pre-loved stone.
Thanks

Well, if you buy a loose stone and are sending it off to have it set, get it appraised/insured beforehand, and that will cover you if something happens to the stone during setting (chipping), but I doubt any jeweler would actually switch out a diamond for another. It would ruin their reputation and it's hardly worth it. I don't know why people think this happens a lot, because I've never heard of it actually happening to anyone.

As for a diamond that will fit the setting for a $3,000 budget... it sounds like you'll need as close to a 1 carat stone as possible (.9 or so would be about 6.2mm). If you are okay with J-K color, VS2, maybe an eye-clean SI1, and a bit flexible on the budget, I think it's do-able. I found this one from James Allen for $3,450 with PS discount:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/K-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1479341.asp

Or this for $2,960 with PS discount (not their 'True Hearts' line, but listed as 'Excellent' cut):

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/K-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1474600.asp

Edited for typo.

 

[Cherokee1979]

Hi Glammy.

I remember reading a few weeks ago that you were looking to find a Ritani set at a reasonable price, and I am glad to learn that you have found a gorgeous set at what (I assume) would be priced according to secondary market prices. I also recently purchased a second-hand matching Ritani platinum endless love set (I recently got the rings back from the independent appraiser and Ritani, and I am taking pictures today and will soon be posting them on SMTB), and I was REALLY happy with the prices of the secondary market.

Anyways, I will certainly defer to the PS experts on here regarding RB stone suggestions. However, I can offer my personal experience with Ritani. Specifically, I had sent my set to Ritani's NYC offices via a Ritani-authorized B&M and Ritani was SO helpful!!! I cannot say enough regarding their customer service. If you did, in fact, purchase your set second-hand, I would HIGHLY recommend that, if you'd like it, request Ritani to polish the set, clean it, check all melee prongs, etc. I had asked Ritani to do the same as well as some minor repairs, and they did it all and charged me NOTHING, not even for the repairs! When I got the rings back from Ritani, they looked BEAUTIFUL and like brand new. All I had to pay for was the shipping and insurance, and Ritani returned the rings faster than I had even thought possible.

With all of that being said, I would agree (albeit with my VERY limited knowledge and experience ) that it would be highly unlikely that either ANY trusted B&M or especially Ritani would switch out the center stone. However, if you might need additional assurance, if you happen to purchase a certified RB stone, you could always mention to the B&M and a note to Ritani that your stone is certified with having _____ specs. That is what I did in my case. Thus, they will know that you have the cert. documents displaying an "inclusion map" that, even if your center stone is not laser-inscribed, like mine, any jeweler/appraiser could, I imagine, easily match the stone returned to you to that shown in the Cert. document with inclusion map.

Also, let me also suggest that if you have any further inquiries regarding Ritani, to contact mrssalvo or Diamondseeker2006. I have found, from personal experience, that DS is incredibly knowledgeable (like most PS experts) and mrssalvo is a WEALTH of knowledge when it comes to everything Ritani. Well, best of luck, and I will be eagerly looking forward to seeing your completed set! The setting is gorgeous.

 

[bagelboy]

As a newbie myself many years ago, I also had concerns about diamond switching. I highly doubt ANY jeweler who wants to stay in business and not spend time in prison would resort to this mistake. Today, almost all diamonds are sold with a lab report that help identify this particular diamond from another. Some diamonds have the lab report number laser inscribed on the girdle. Plus, most diamonds have inclusions that are unique to particular diamond. It was much easier to switch diamonds a 100 years ago when there were no lab reports, no inclusion maps, no Sarin machines, even loupes wre not common. But the myth still remains. I personally would not worry about diamond switching. I hope this helps. Happy Hunting!!!

 

[tyty333]

Here is another one that might be worth taking a look at...
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/K-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1462595.asp

You also might want to call ID Jewerly and let them know what you are looking for and budget.

 

[glammy]

rubybeth - thank you for putting my mind at ease about the diamond switheroo. I think I feel more comfortable after reading the replies in this thread. As for the diamond suggestion, I like the ones you've picked but I'm really trying to stay away from the K color. I'm also not sure if anything in the .9ct range would work, since I was told that it would fit a 6.4-6.6mm.

Cherokee1979 - Hey! I've been waiting for you to post some pictures! Thank you so much for your response. It's always so detailed and certainly helpful, which I appreciate. I will definitely take up the advice of having Ritani inspect, clean and polish the ring. I'm trying to see if I can get a Ritani authorized dealer to help me with the process of sending it to Ritani in NY since I live in NJ and don't want to have to mail it to WI at Kessler's (I'm not sure how feasible that is, since I didn't buy the ring nor will not buy the diamond from them). I may have a load more of questions to ask you since you've just been through this process, so I hope you don't mind.

I'm hoping mrssalvo or Diamondseeker2006 will chime in, although I appreciate everyone's help on this forum. I've learned so much in such a short time. I might have to make a shoutout thread to them, lol.

bagelboy - my mind tends to get creative and start think of all kinds of possibilities. You all have eased that fear.

tyty333 - Thanks for the suggestion. I intend to contact IDJ, especially since I live so close, but I just wanted to see what I could come up with on my own first.