Side stones grading discrepancy

[Gr8fulDave]

Hi all:

Well, I am inching closer to the big day now that my intended has chosen the (hopefully) attached semi-mount. One thing that has got me confused is the discrepancy concerning the color and clarity of the sidestones between the manufacturer''s site, an online jewelery store that sells the mounting and the B&M where I bought the setting. The manufacturer''s site says they only use F/G and VS stones, the online jewelery store says the stones are H/SI, and the B&M where I bought it lists them as G/SI.

She loves the setting so that is all that really counts, but spending a lot of time on PS is making me sweat the details. How do I find out the color/clarity of the stones? If I take it to an appraiser I will have already bought the ring and I feel like I will have lost any negotiating power if the stones are H instead of G. The B&M has a great reputation and a very generous return policy but I''d rather discuss the issue with them before I complete the purchase. Do you think that the store will lower the price if the stones are H instead of G? FWIW, the setting was already on sale.

 

[strmrdr]

There isnt offten a price difference between g and h melee nor vs/si1 in a lot of cases.
Almost all melee is sold in mixed lots.
def, ghi and so forth.
Others split it: d, ef, gh, ij.
Some will split it de fg hi but usualy there is a premium between F and G so GH is the grouping.

 

[Gr8fulDave]

Date: 3/11/2008 12:56:15 PM
Author: strmrdr
There isnt offten a price difference between g and h mellee nor vs/si1 in a lot of cases.

Almost all melee is sold in mixed lots.

def, ghi and so forth.

Others split it: d, ef, gh, ij.

Some will split it de fg hi but usualy there is a premium between F and G so GH is the grouping.

Your explanation makes sense; thank you for easing my mind. I am going to get a G center stone so I wanted everything to match somewhat. I''m guessing that most people can''t tell the difference between G and H anyhow, so I was probably unnecessarily alarmed.

 

[strmrdr]

for example some I found online, these are commercial quality cut nothing special, better cut melee is more.

G-I Round SI1-2 1.6mm 0.02ct $9.68
G-I Round SI2-3 1.6mm 0.02ct $8.92
G-I Round I1 1.6mm 0.02ct $7.55
I-J Round I2 1.6mm 0.02ct $4.22

princess:
G-I Princess SI2-3 1.25mm 0.02ct $12.98

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 3/11/2008 1:05:02 PM
Author: Gr8fulDave



Your explanation makes sense; thank you for easing my mind. I am going to get a G center stone so I wanted everything to match somewhat. I''m guessing that most people can''t tell the difference between G and H anyhow, so I was probably unnecessarily alarmed.

in small melee a lot of people wont tell G from top light brown.

 

[Gr8fulDave]

Date: 3/11/2008 1:12:27 PM
Author: strmrdr
for example some I found online, these are commercial quality cut nothing special, better cut melee is more.


G-I Round SI1-2 1.6mm 0.02ct $9.68

G-I Round SI2-3 1.6mm 0.02ct $8.92

G-I Round I1 1.6mm 0.02ct $7.55

I-J Round I2 1.6mm 0.02ct $4.22


princess:

G-I Princess SI2-3 1.25mm 0.02ct $12.98

Given the price of the ring, I certainly hope that I got the better cut.

No need to tell me that I''m wrong, thank you very much.

 

[surfgirl]

Dave, while it's doubtful that anyone will be able to tell even a couple of grades difference between the melee and the center stone, there's no shame in taking the ring to an independent appraiser and getting it appraised. If you feel more comfortable doing so, tell the B&M that you're "seeing a discrepancy between what they say, the maker says, and other online carriers of this setting...so you will take the setting for an appraisal. IF the appraisal is off, you will expect a rebate because of the difference." That way, they'll either tip their hand and say "well, it's probably a x grade melee actually..." OR they believe it's what they're saying it is and will be fine with your plan to appraise it and let them know if it's lower quality than they're saying it is.

Did you just understand that last paragraph?! I confused myself just writing it!

Anyway, you can likely ask the appraiser if you can do the appraisal in two parts, one first for the setting (before the center is set), and then bring it back for the overall appraisal with center stone after the center is set. I recommend this reason because you will have better bargaining power IF the center stone is not yet set. Once it's set, the B&M might just think "aw, this guy doesn't really want to remove his stone from the setting and get another one" so they're more in control. If you get the setting only appraised first then it's easier for YOU to return it and thus, you're more in control of that situation, at least in my opinion...Good luck. Hopefully the melee is what you want it to be but again, you wont be able to see the color difference. What you really want are WELL CUT melee so they're firey and brilliant. And FYI, I have an antique I color stone with F/G sides and you cannot tell the difference in color at all...

ETA: I hope you're not gonna be living in a 'brokedown palace' after this is all over...

 

[Gr8fulDave]

Date: 3/11/2008 1:30:02 PM
Author: surfgirl
Dave, while it''s doubtful that anyone will be able to tell even a couple of grades difference between the melee and the center stone, there''s no shame in taking the ring to an independent appraiser and getting it appraised. If you feel more comfortable doing so, tell the B&M that you''re ''seeing a discrepancy between what they say, the maker says, and other online carriers of this setting...so you will take the setting for an appraisal. IF the appraisal is off, you will expect a rebate because of the difference.'' That way, they''ll either tip their hand and say ''well, it''s probably a x grade melee actually...'' OR they believe it''s what they''re saying it is and will be fine with your plan to appraise it and let them know if it''s lower quality than they''re saying it is.


Did you just understand that last paragraph?! I confused myself just writing it!


Anyway, you can likely ask the appraiser if you can do the appraisal in two parts, one first for the setting (before the center is set), and then bring it back for the overall appraisal with center stone after the center is set. I recommend this reason because you will have better bargaining power IF the center stone is not yet set. Once it''s set, the B&M might just think ''aw, this guy doesn''t really want to remove his stone from the setting and get another one'' so they''re more in control. If you get the setting only appraised first then it''s easier for YOU to return it and thus, you''re more in control of that situation, at least in my opinion...Good luck. Hopefully the melee is what you want it to be but again, you wont be able to see the color difference. What you really want are WELL CUT melee so they''re firey and brilliant. And FYI, I have an antique I color stone with F/G sides and you cannot tell the difference in color at all...


ETA: I hope you''re not gonna be living in a ''brokedown palace'' after this is all over...

Yes, I did understand your first paragraph and, as usual, you offer sound advice there and in the rest of your post. I''ll probably mention the discrepancy to them, and see what they have to say. The two-part appraisal is an excellent idea but, due to timing issues, it probably won''t happen. The setting is from a well-known manufacturer that is carried in very nice B&Ms so I''m assuming that the melee is well cut. BTW, cute edit; I''ll be fine.

Peace
Dave

 

[surfgirl]

Can you tell us what make the setting is? Maybe someone here has one...