Straight black line when looking under magnification

[jobo22]

Hello,

I'm in the process of buying an engagement ring. I found the setting I wanted and a dealer I am/was comfortable with. She ordered a stone with seamingly good characteristics but when I look at it under 10x magnification there's a straight, vertical, (black?) line to the right of center. This is the only impurity I could find. The dealer downplayed it a lot but I noticed they didn't mention it until I requested the magnifier, then immediately warned me about it. Really the best way to describe it is that it looks like a thin black hair, is off center, and goes maybe a 1/3 of the length of the table. Its perfectly straight. Any idea what this could be? Is it a type of inclusion that I can look into and should I be concerned with the integrity of the stone? It's GIA certified of course with these specs:

$4100

.90 carat

triple excellent cut

H/SI

No florescence


I haven't paid anything yet and can still back out (although I really like the way the whole package looks together).

also, does this significantly detract from value? You can only see it under magnification unless you put it right up to your eye.

Thanks!

 

[Gypsy]

Is it N color or H color?

 

[jobo22]

color is H. I fixed the original post.

Thanks,

 

[Gypsy]

The best authority on what that inclusion is would be the GIA lab report. It should have the inclusion plotted and list what it is. So ask for the lap report number and we can help you look it up on the GIA website to find out what it is. If it is black, it is likely some sort of carbon though. As for how eyeclean it is, it will vary depending on someone's eyesight. Just because you can't see it unless you are right up at it, doesn't mean someone else might not see it better.

As for the value increasing or decreasing. The diamond is worth what any GIA H SI is worth at that carat weight. Is the price listed (4100) including the setting, or is that just the price for the stone?

I just did a search and H SI GIA Ex stones at 90 points are listed at 4,800. So you are getting a good price either way.

 

[Enerchi]

They didn't tell you about it until you asked to view it under magnification? Hmm... where they trying to hide this and assume you were not a knowledgeable consumer? I'm probably over reacting and reading way more into it than necessary, but do you feel comfortable with this jeweller?

Its not a feather, crack or fissure is it? What does the GIA plot list it as?

 

[milton333]

Is this something you see looking from the top down into the table of the diamond, or from the side of the diamond? From the side of the diamond, you could be seeing table reflection. It's unusual for carbon inclusions to be thin straight lines.

 

[jobo22]

The price is 4100 without the setting. another 1k for the setting I want so just over 5k for the whole package. The setting is a platinum cathedral design with stones going down both sides about halfway.

I did find it strange that she didn't mention it until I asked for magnification, but it very well might not have been deception as much as catering to an easier experience (a lot of guys don't enjoy looking at jewelry... i'm one of them). I wouldn't have said anything if I were in her shoes unless it depressed the monetary value. I should mention that I'm buying this in the diamond district in NYC so she's a saint compared to a lot of others i've talked to.

The primary reason i'm comfortable is I have several co-workers who got their engagement rings through this particular dealer and even a couple of the partners at my firm (who spent many multiples of what i'm planning to) have all had good experiences.

also, when i did say that I see a black line she said "its not actually black" although i'm not sure what that meant. She's GIA certified so i'd expect she knows what she's talking about.


I'll give them a call tommorow to get the GIA number.

Thanks!

 

[LD]

I would definitely look at the GIA report because I have a diamond with what looks like a tiny black (very straight) hair that turned out to be laser drilled. It wasn't disclosed and it's only because I have a loupe that I found it. Laser drilling typically leaves a thin clear/white line but that's not what mine looks like (don't know why).

I hope it turns out to be nothing.

 

[Gypsy]

Okay so this may be on the up and up. But just because she is a GIA graduate (GIA doesn't certify people) doesn't mean anything. That's like saying just because someone graduates from Yale they are on the up and up. Morality is different from education and there are plenty of white collar criminals that went to Yale. As for your friend's experiences-- they probably don't know anything about jewelry themselves, that includes the executives, so they could all of them have been hoodwinked and not known it. Most people regard buying a diamond like buying a pair of jeans. When really it is closer to buying a car.

The bottom line is: Buyer be ware. It's YOUR money and YOUR purchase so it is YOUR responsibility to make sure to check out what they are telling you, and what they are offering. I do hope you have done a BBB check and Jewelers Association check on this person at the least.

So here are the questions you need to ask.

1) is the GIA # inscribed on the stone? If so, can you see it before you buy it to make sure they match up. If it is not inscribed make the person show you, under magnification, how the clarity plot of the lab report matches that of the stone. If they match, you are good. If they don't... be wary.

2) What is the lab report number? Post it for us and we'll help you to figure out what that inclusion is (should be listed) .

3) IS THE DIAMOND LASER DRILLED??? If the answer is yes, skip this stone. It is not a good price or a good value for this stone (and that would explain the 700 discount you are getting off the retail price for a true H SI stone). It is enhanced and I personally would not want a laser drilled stone.

While GIA does NOT grade clarity enhanced stones of the fracture filled variety, IT DOES grade stones that are laser drilled, and it WILL be marked in the Comments section of the Clarity Plot.

 

[jobo22]

Thanks for the input .

I'm not concerned about the stone being different that the GIA number they claim. My coworker got his appraised and they ok'd it as matching the report. By saying the dealer is GIA certified I was just trying to convey that they should know what they're talking about and if the inclusion is a big deal (like devalues or threatens the structural integrity of the stone) then it would be a red flag if she knew this but didn't bring it up to me.

Unfortunately from the GIA report I don't really see an inclusion plot or anything (maybe i'm looking at the wrong report).

I am a bit concerned with this:

CLARITY CHARACTERISTICS
Feather, Crystal

but really thats the only info i can see on the report. The additional details listed in the posts above (like a plot and comments section) don't seem to be on the report that I find on GIA's website.

Here's the number:

GIA 5136518597

thank you so much!

 

[msmei]

Thanks for the input .

I'm not concerned about the stone being different that the GIA number they claim. My coworker got his appraised and they ok'd it as matching the report. By saying the dealer is GIA certified I was just trying to convey that they should know what they're talking about and if the inclusion is a big deal (like devalues or threatens the structural integrity of the stone) then it would be a red flag if she knew this but didn't bring it up to me.

Unfortunately from the GIA report I don't really see an inclusion plot or anything (maybe i'm looking at the wrong report).

I believe a clarity/inclusion plot is only available for stones 1 carat and above for GIA reports.

I am a bit concerned with this:

CLARITY CHARACTERISTICS
Feather, Crystal

but really thats the only info i can see on the report. The additional details listed in the posts above (like a plot and comments section) don't seem to be on the report that I find on GIA's website.

Here's the number:

GIA 5136518597



thank you so much!

 

[jobo22]

thanks msmei.

too bad about the lack of inclusion plot, looks like i'm a bit under the cut off (im sure its saving me quite a bit of money) . Does that requirement apply to it being laser drilled as well or is this something they would include regardless?

can I assume if it is not mentioned in the report then the process hasn't been applied to this stone or do I need to visually inspect it? If (looking like when I purchase this its going straight to an independent appraiser so most likely they'll be able to tell me. Just always easier to do it on the front end of the transaction.

Does everything look on the up and up as far as sizing and other characteristics that can be determined from the (unfortunately abbreviated) report?

 

[msmei]

thanks msmei.

too bad about the lack of inclusion plot, looks like i'm a bit under the cut off (im sure its saving me quite a bit of money) . Does that requirement apply to it being laser drilled as well or is this something they would include regardless?

can I assume if it is not mentioned in the report then the process hasn't been applied to this stone or do I need to visually inspect it? If (looking like when I purchase this its going straight to an independent appraiser so most likely they'll be able to tell me. Just always easier to do it on the front end of the transaction.

Does everything look on the up and up as far as sizing and other characteristics that can be determined from the (unfortunately abbreviated) report?

Wish I could help you with your questions, but that's the only nugget of information I can offer at this moment. I'm a newbie too and just purchased my first significant diamond (0.81ct) after having learnt from the experts on this forum. My GIA report doesn't show the inclusion plot as well and when I questioned the SA, he told me about the 1 carat and above rule, so that's how I know

Best of luck in your diamond search. You're in good hands here on Pricescope.

 

[Gypsy]

Without the plot and with only your description it's hard to know if what you are seeing is the feather or the crystal. If it were drilled it would be in the clarity characteristics.

My advice is to tall the jeweler and say: Hey, that inclusion just to the side of the table, is that the feather or the crystal, as noted on the GIA report?

As long as the feather doesn't break the surface it's safe. Just get insurance, which you would do even if the stone was an IF.

 

[GirlyGirl]

I have a .9 ct GIA graded diamond. The report has a clarity plot. So I don't buy that GIA only plots diamonds 1 ct or above.

 

[milton333]

Wish I could help you with your questions, but that's the only nugget of information I can offer at this moment. I'm a newbie too and just purchased my first significant diamond (0.81ct) after having learnt from the experts on this forum. My GIA report doesn't show the inclusion plot as well and when I questioned the SA, he told me about the 1 carat and above rule, so that's how I know

Just to clarify, it's not that GIA doesn't plot inclusions for diamonds under 1 ct as a "rule." Some dealers only purchase the more limited GIA report as a cost-saving measure for diamonds under 1 ct. The less detailed report is a "dossier," and doesn't include a clarity plot. Purely a result of the dealer deciding to save money on the GIA report.

Now, IMO, would I feel comfortable buying a diamond where I've seen a "long black line" through the body of the diamond, and having a report that makes no reference to any type of inclusion that could correlate to what I've seen? No, I wouldn't. Assuming that the diamond is clean and there's something you're seeing under 10x magnification, there's a problem, that's an inclusion that should be noted.

We can find you a great diamond in your price point from a reliable PS vendor.

 

[msmei]

I have a .9 ct GIA graded diamond. The report has a clarity plot. So I don't buy that GIA only plots diamonds 1 ct or above.

Girlygirl, I stand corrected. Your statement piqued my curiosity and I went to check out the GIA website. There are two types of report:
(1) GIA grading report (offered for stones 0.15 and up)
(2) GIA grading dossier (offered for stone 0.15 to 1.99).

I've got the latter. I'm guessing that the charges for these two reports vary somewhat and the practice of jewelers in my country is to offer the more expensive one (with inclusion plot) only to stones above 1 carat.

Am still learning and enjoying it!

 

[Diamond*Dana]

I have to agree...I would not feel comfortable purchasing this particular stone without knowing what that black line is.

 

[Enerchi]

Any update Msmei? Any further news or info to share with us about what that black line was??? I'm curious!