Thanks Pricescope and USA Certed Diamonds!

[Friced]

Thanks everyone for their great advices on selecting a perfect diamond and setting.

I''ve been searching for a diamond for the past 2 months and have finally picked one out with the help from all the useful information on Pricescope and the expertise from Martin at USA Certed Diamonds. The diamond Martin helped me choose was very beautiful with lots of fire and sparkle. I think I''m very happy with the outcome, eventhough it was very nerve recking to know that there was no return policy if I did not like the diamond (because the stone was shipped from USA to Canada). My only concern with the whole experience was that there wasn''t more information provided for the diamond (i.e. Ideascope/light return images), which would have helped my confidence in purchasing the diamond. Since I was only able to judge the diamond by the GIA report, it was not very reassuring to spend thousands of dollars on a piece of paper. But thankfully, Martin did choose a great stone for me.

Right now I''m getting the setting made from Victor, a refered goldsmith by Martin, because USA certed does not make settings. Victor is currently making a modified tiffany''s classic setting in platinum, which I''m sure will come out great based on the work I''ve seen from him. I only wished that he would get the ring made sooner as I was told that he could have a ring done in 1 week, but he will be taking 2 weeks. I just hope he''ll have everything completed for me when I leave town with my GF in 2 weeks.

Thanks again everyone!!!

 

[girlie-girl]

Congratulations on finally making your decision. I''m excited to see pics when the ring is complete.

 

[CharmyPoo]

I am also a fellow Canadian. Congrats on your purchase. I know how nerve wrecking it can be. We made a purchase without even seeing the offical GIA certificate (just the online report). We just had to go with our eyes and trust with the vendor.

 

[sarah95]

I''m in the process of purchasing from USA Certed diamonds and I believe they have a 10 day return policy. Martin has been great thus far.

 

[Friced]

Girlie-Girl: I will definitely show the final product!!

CharmyPoo: I only had a scanned version of the report to look at too and parts of the report was cut off (the crown and pavillion angles

). But Martin reassured me that the dimensions of this stone were excellent as it scored a 1.3 on the HCA, which was within the more desirable range under 2 (1 to 2).

sarah95: Do you live in Canada? I was told that the stone was not refundable unless it did not match teh gia cert. The reason was that it was shipped from the states and to send the stone back would be difficult or costly.

 

[precious jemz]

Congrats on your diamond and ring choice! I hope that your gf/soon to be fiancee will love it too!
I also bought my diamond from Martin and the reason that I felt confident about making the final purchase is that it was sent to an indepent appraiser who verified all the info on the cert. With her expertise, I also knew that the numbers were great for the stone and it was a very good buy at the time.
Did it make me feel less nervous to walk down the street to the bank to wire all of that money, well, no, but Martin was there to call in during every step and I was assured.
The independent appraiser also happened to have 3 appointments that day with USA certed customers and she told me that even though he''s a smaller operation, he does give great/fair deals for the high quality stones he finds.

 

[sarah95]

Friced, I am in the States.

 

[CharmyPoo]

It seems that GIA certified diamonds are rare in Canada. I wonder what type of certifications is standard for Canadians or do the majority have uncertified diamonds. We went down to the US to make our purchase.

 

[Friced]

sarah95: Oh, that''s why you have a 10 day policy. Since I live in Canada, I did not have that luxury of returning the diamond if I was unsatisfied. So luckily things turned out right and I had no problems with the sone.

CharmyPoo: I never tried to look in the B&M stores for a GIA stone as they were going to cost more than purchasing one online from the states. The first and only store I visited was Spence Diamonds, which was before I found this forum and educated myself about diamonds. The sale rep showed me a ~0.76ct, H, VS2 for $3700, and I believe the cut was very good. It seemed like a decent stone at the time. Then I was shown a ~$4600, 0.84ct, H, VS2, I think, but I could see a large feather with my naked eye. At that moment, I lost total trust in the sales rep as he said this stone was eye clean. The funny thing was when I asked about online stores like bluenile, he said they had bad stones and were no good. I didn''t really know much then and didn''t really trust him so I left and never went back.

 

[sarah95]

Friced, I''m in the nerve racking stage now...I just wired payment today for a diamond from USA Certed. I''m hoping everything goes smoothly and hoping that when the diamond comes home, it is definitely "the one."