Too Good 2 B True?

[Diamond_Lil]

Hi All,

First post here. Despite the login name, I''m quite the novice, so please bear with me.

)

My fiance and I went to L.A.''s Jewelry Mart, yesterday, to look at stones for my engagement ring. Our budget is 3,000 to $3,500.

Prior to going to the Mart, we''ve looked at stones in stores that have been GIA certed, .70 - .90 cts. range with G - J color and vs1 - SI1 priced around $3,300. Some of these were very sparkly, seemingly cut well.

At the Mart we saw Egl stones, again around $3,300 that seemed a bit of a better buy, in terms on one of the C''s. One .70 ct was an "F" color, another was 1.0 ct. These stones did not seem as sparkly as the previous stones (i.e., cut not as well?), so perhaps they were equal in value, all things considered.

My question concerns the following stone: *1.7* cts, H, SI1, *EGL*, $3,700.

My fiance told me later he noticed a "crack" in the stone. Otherwise, this stone seemed to be comparable to the others at the mart in terms of color, and clarity. This is a much larger stone (.7 - 1.0 bigger) than any of the previous stones from the same dealer. Yet only $400 more.

Is this a great deal or (more likely) too good to be true?

I realize the help offered here is limited by not seeing the stones but any insight into this dilemna is appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

Sincerely,

Lili

 

[Brian Knox]

Hi,

If I am reading this correctly as a 1.70 carat diamond H/SI-1 for $3700.00


*1.7* cts, H, SI1, *EGL*, $3,700.


The answer is , YES , it is too good to be true!

They could be giving away $100.00 dollar bills for $50.00 , but I doubt it.

 

[Diamondsbybree]

Definately stay away. There is a reason why there "giving" that diamond away...

 

[Diamond_Lil]

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On 7/8/2004 11:03:48 AM Diamondsbybree wrote:

Definately stay away. There is a reason why there 'giving' that diamond away...

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Thank you for your responses, Brian and Anon. Now, just *why* no one will trade my $50 for their $100 escapes me...LOL.


OT -- Actually, today someone sent me an email regarding some stuff I'm selling online/newspaper priced from $1 - $250 (used books, plants, furniture -- I'm moving).

This individual claimed to be "From the UK" and that his buddy in the US owes him 5 K, and what with the time delay cashing a US check in the UK and all, he proposed that his friend give *me* a check for 5 K and after it cleared, I should send his *change* via Western Union.

Now, bear in mind he hasn't stated what item(s) he wants nor has he seen pictures nor does he give a shipping address-- other than "The UK".

Oh, puhlease.

I'm sorry to bring this up on this board... perhaps I'm violating a rule here (if, so, I apologize) certainly it's off-topic...

Except that, it struck me as an old scam and I'm wondering if anyone has ever run into this scenario in relation to diamonds... or ....used socks.

Best,

Lili

 

[Brian Knox]

Hi again,

Before 9/11 I would of blew that off as some garden variety scam.

But now, I would reccomend forwarding the info to the FBI.

 

[Rank Amateur]

Why the FBI?

If it is mis-represented aren't there other agencies (the FCC?) who would be more interested?

Do you think this is a cash for terrorists deal?

 

[oldminer]

I have a feeling the 1.70 is a typo....Or the price is per carat, or some other mistake. The suggestion that it is a terrorist plot to launder money sounds incredible, but crazier things have happened. The Patriot Act does state that suspicious activities such as the possibility of being offered something for far less than it is worth provided payment is immediate, requires consideration of reporting....While it does not require an individual to make a report, a business owner who does not comply with the Patriot Act may have a problem for failure to make a report.

It is a difficult law to enforce fairly, but it is not hard to imagine selected enforcement on some unlucky business or individual. Right now, it probably is just a mistake of some sort.... It could be a very poorly graded diamond or one that became damaged after the report was completed.

 

[Mara]

a) yes that stone is way too good to be true! typo or just a crappy stone, who knows.




b) that scam you mention has been done via email many times...i think that it really originated more with those african scam emails that go around so often. the check could be forged or similar and then this individual gets $5k (minus your fee or whatever) in cash from a stolen or forged check.

 

[questionsRus]

i have a friend that was wanting to buy a used car online. he found a deal which he should have known was too good to be true, and he actually wired the $5k overseas, and ended up conversing with the FBI to try and get his money back. DOH!