Spent 2 hours looking at diamonds in downtown LA

[HappyNewLife]

My GF wanted to go to some B&M stores, because she said her mother has a "guy" that gives good deals. I've of course told her I know too much about diamonds now (because of PS) and that I HIGHLY doubt they will have anything worthy. But, we went anyway. Her guy pulled out a 2 carat H, VS1 diamond that was gorgeous, at just under $17,000. EGL certified and I'm like NOPE NOPE NOPE. She and her mother looked at me like I was nuts for not loving this diamond. So I finally get "the guy" to pull the certificate and I put the numbers into the HCA calculator. It got a 7.2. SEVEN POINT TWO! I've never seen such a dud online before. And under those lights, the diamond looked amazing. They wanted to buy it!!! Then, there was a 1.66 carat diamond with a GIA cert from 2001--- of course there was no info on that diamond's cut. Once again, she and her mom were like "ooooooo" and I'm like "EH!!!!!".

Then we go to another place and I put that diamond's #s into the HCA calculator.... The pavilion angle was 44.3!!!--- the HCA calculator wouldn't even GO THAT HIGH!!!

Yeah, I am VERY glad I bought her ring online. I'm just shocked at what garbage they try to sell and how good this garbage looks under their lighting!

 

[AprilBaby]

There is a market for everyone, including suckers!

 

[Gypsy]

I love this. Too funny. Now you know how we feel. If you want to be even more horrified go to "the jewelry exchange" some day.

 

[kenny]

Did you use the HCA in the presence of the seller?
If so, what was her/his reaction?

 

[SirGuy]

Then we go to another place and I put that diamond's #s into the HCA calculator.... The pavilion angle was 44.3!!!--- the HCA calculator wouldn't even GO THAT HIGH!!!

This part alone made me laugh! Too funny. Unfortunately, for everyone knowledgeable consumer like you, there are ten who are not. There are different types of ignorance: some at least know what they don't know. A sobering number don't know what they don't know.

Fun sort of discussion! I'm with Kenny; I'm wondering how they reacted to your thoughts on their stones.

 

[HappyNewLife]

Kenny-- oh heck yes, I did! I think my GF and her mother were also horrified, but I don't care. Obviously, it's good to know that a diamond is a 7.2 on the HCA!

One of the vendors kept saying "it's a certified diamond, so you know it's good". Um, yes, for sure. That was the one with the 44.3% pavilion angle.

 

[krisjon]

One of the vendors kept saying "it's a certified diamond, so you know it's good". Um, yes, for sure. That was the one with the 44.3% pavilion angle.

My response: "Yeah, certified so it's good for vendors like you."

 

[kenny]

Kenny-- oh heck yes, I did! I think my GF and her mother were also horrified, but I don't care. Obviously, it's good to know that a diamond is a 7.2 on the HCA!

Good for you.
Let the gals be horrified.

They won't be horrified when they see the fireball you eventually get.
It won't even need jewelry store lights to be beautiful.
I'll bet they'll be telling all their friends about the HCA.

The state of the majority of the diamond trade is such a tragedy!
Drab-looking diamonds cut for weight retention and sold by unethical money-grubbing scumbags who prey on the innocent, unsuspecting, uninformed public.

Thank Glob for Pricescope!

 

[Calliecake]

I love this. Too funny. Now you know how we feel. If you want to be even more horrified go to "the jewelry exchange" some day.

I could not believe how awful the diamonds were and the place was packed with customers. The diamonds didn't even look great with the lighting!

 

[Gypsy]

I love this. Too funny. Now you know how we feel. If you want to be even more horrified go to "the jewelry exchange" some day.

I could not believe how awful the diamonds were and the place was packed with customers. The diamonds didn't even look great with the lighting!

Yeah. I was horrified. I've been to maul stores and so forth. But the Jewelry Exchange had some of the worst quality I've ever seen.