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Trouble with my diamond

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nottypicallyperfect

Rough_Rock
Joined
Dec 3, 2007
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I recently purchased a 3/4 ct. diamond from a lady who said it was from Kay and that it was an SI1/SI2 H/I. She said it was purchased 2 years ago for $2229. The setting was no good so I took the diamond out of the setting. It passes almost every home test I could find. I can''t read a newspaper through it, every letter just looks like a funny circle. If I put a dot a on white piece of paper it looks like a bold O when i set the diamond on it. I can only see one line of refraction, if I''m looking in the right place. Under a black light it looks pinkish purple, definately not mustard yellow, but definately not blue. I''m so confused because I took it to a jeweler who diamond tested it and said it was fake
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. I was so embarressed I didn''t even ask to have him put it under the loupe I just quickly exited
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. It had not been cleaned prior to me taking it in to be tested. Could this cause it to test fake or by the other info I''ve provided can someone tell me what they think? The trouble is I went back to the lady I purchased it from and she was completely insulted and is insisting that she was there when it was purchased. Any help would be much appreciated. My closest jeweler anymore is about 30 minutes away and I''m too embarressed to take it in until I can come to a reasonable conclusion on this.
 
You need to take it to an independent (read: someone that does NOT sell jewelery) appraiser right away and have them assess it. Then if it''s fake, have them write you a letter about it, and then bring it back to the woman you sold it to and ask for your $ back. If she won''t give it, sue in small claims court.

Best of luck!
 
Is there any other way without having to pay an independent? Thanks for you help!!
 
Date: 12/3/2007 8:26:52 PM
Author: nottypicallyperfect
Is there any other way without having to pay an independent? Thanks for you help!!
No. You either have to cough up the money for an independent appraisal or be willing to have no ammo to argue for a refund. Pure and simple. Why dont you just ask for a refund anyway?
 
I did go back asking for a refund, but the lady couldn''t understand why I wanted one. She insisted that is was worth way more than I paid. It is a beautiful stone, really. I just hate to have to put more money into a ring and find out is definately is fake. It probably is a fake and I''m just sitting here wishing it wasn''t LOL. Thanks
 
Well, first thing first: you have no reason to be embarrassed in front of a jeweler or an appraiser. This is something that everyone goes through when they buy expensive jewelry. If the stone turns out to be a fake, that''s unfortunate, but it''s not your fault, and it''s not as if you were trying to "put one over" on anyone. There are a few other threads about possible fakes going on right now, all of them chock-full of good advice, and most of the ones that deal with unsolicited opinions lean towards the possibility that the jeweler might have some interest in making a sale of his or her own. Out of curiosity, did you *ask* the jeweler to test it? How did the jeweler who tested it test it, heat conductivity? Or did he just use his eyes? I ask because you mention that he didn''t even loupe it, which sounds a little sketchy to me. Either way, it sounds like you definitely need a formal appraisal before you do anything else - good luck!
 
I asked him to test it because I was there to purchase a new setting for it. It sat out on the counter right in front of us for about 20 minutes while we looked at different settings and such. He used the little hand held tester that I''m assuming was heat conductivity. Once he told me it was fake I quickly said thank you and practically ran for the door. I''m too trusting of a person and I took her word for it. Out of curiousity, should he have been able to tell by looking? He was pulling other diamond rings out of the case and they all looked exactly like my diamond in question. He seemed surprised that I asked him to test it.
 
Date: 12/3/2007 8:26:52 PM
Author: nottypicallyperfect
Is there any other way without having to pay an independent? Thanks for you help!!

Since all you need here is a simple ID, not an appraisal/evaluation, it should not be expensive. A qualified appraiser can tell you definitively in five minutes whether you''ve got a diamond or a simulant.

FWIW, I don''t recommend that untrained people attempt gem identification. It can be tricky enough with the right tools and training; without them, it''s like trying to fly a plane by just climbing into the cockpit and pushing buttons.
 
Ah, okay, I see: using the tester was definitely the right way to go. If he''d just glanced at it from a distance without employing a loupe or tester, then I would have wondered a bit. Judging from this, you should definitely go to an appraiser to get it *in writing* that the stone is not a diamond and that she sold you a fake, and you should tack the fee for appraisal onto the money that you''re asking her to return (this should be acceptable in small claims court, I believe). Alternately, *tell* her that you''re going to have it appraised, and that if it doesn''t pan out, you''ll be suing her for money back plus appraisal fees, and see if that changes things at all. Again, good luck ....
 
LOL I definately see your point. Thanks!
 
Date: 12/3/2007 9:02:46 PM
Author: Circe
Ah, okay, I see: using the tester was definitely the right way to go. If he''d just glanced at it from a distance without employing a loupe or tester, then I would have wondered a bit. Judging from this, you should definitely go to an appraiser to get it *in writing* that the stone is not a diamond and that she sold you a fake, and you should tack the fee for appraisal onto the money that you''re asking her to return (this should be acceptable in small claims court, I believe). Alternately, *tell* her that you''re going to have it appraised, and that if it doesn''t pan out, you''ll be suing her for money back plus appraisal fees, and see if that changes things at all. Again, good luck ....
I know I''m reaching for straws here, but can the heat conductivity test ever be wrong?
 
Get it appraised by an independent appraiser, and if it is a fake, but still a beautiful stone, then have it set and enjoy it.

I have a beautiful purple stone that my grandfather got me in Thailand when I was a child. I was told it was an "alexandrite". Turns out it is not an alexandrite, and the best conclusion anyone can come to is that it is a "synthetic alexandrite".

My point is, stop calling it a "fake" and call it a synthetic whatever it is. Being synthetic doesn''t diminish the wearbility or beauty of the stone. But for your own peace of mind, have it appraised. Then you will know for sure if you want to take legal action.
 
Date: 12/3/2007 9:05:15 PM
Author: nottypicallyperfect

Date: 12/3/2007 9:02:46 PM
Author: Circe
Ah, okay, I see: using the tester was definitely the right way to go. If he''d just glanced at it from a distance without employing a loupe or tester, then I would have wondered a bit. Judging from this, you should definitely go to an appraiser to get it *in writing* that the stone is not a diamond and that she sold you a fake, and you should tack the fee for appraisal onto the money that you''re asking her to return (this should be acceptable in small claims court, I believe). Alternately, *tell* her that you''re going to have it appraised, and that if it doesn''t pan out, you''ll be suing her for money back plus appraisal fees, and see if that changes things at all. Again, good luck ....
I know I''m reaching for straws here, but can the heat conductivity test ever be wrong?
Yes, it did happen to me...it turns out that there was something wrong with their tester. I really think that you should get it appraised, that is the only way that you will know for sure.
 
Thanks fo all your help, but until I can get to an independent does anyone know if any of the at home tests are even proven? Like the newspaper one for example. I can see black print through the stone, but I can''t read a single letter.

Only reason I''m trying to get get some kind of an answer is because it''s creating a little upset here at home with me and the old man lol. I''m not too stressed about it because as I said diamond or not it''s beautiful, but still not worth what we paid
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Any insight would be appreciated.
 

Well I had an odd experience recently. I had my diamond taken out of the setting because I am going to have it reset. I had an appraisal done, not from an independent but none the less I wanted some documentation before I send it off for a good appraisal.


She told me my stone was a 2.20 ct diamond well I know good and well it is only 1.5 ct. They reweighed it and the "machine still read 2.20". That night I could not convince them that something was wrong with their equipment they just kept looking at my diamond and testing it thinking it was some kind of stimulant although it tested as a diamond. The next day I went back and they reweighed it and it was 1.49 ct. Obviously they have a calibration problem!


Anyway equipment can have issues so have it tested somewhere else.

Cindy
 
Cindy,

Thanks for your info. If anything this experience is helping me to learn a lot about diamonds. This site has helped me understand a little more about what part is where and why it''s important http://www.preciousmetals.com.au/Tutorial/t_culet.htm It just touches on things, but as a comsumer, it works for me!!

Thanks, Jess
 
Does anybody know if they make sims with inclusions in them? Assuming that they do not, you may want to take a look at your stone with a loupe or under some other form of magnification to see if you can find the inclusions. At SI1 or SI2 they should not be too difficult to spot. If there are none to be seen under 10x I would be concerned.
 
Date: 12/4/2007 9:42:12 AM
Author: nottypicallyperfect

....but until I can get to an independent does anyone know if any of the at home tests are even proven?
I don''t believe they are. They don''t amount to much more than random guessing at best, so why bother?
 
Date: 12/4/2007 10:14:20 AM
Author: nottypicallyperfect
Cindy,


Thanks for your info. If anything this experience is helping me to learn a lot about diamonds. This site has helped me understand a little more about what part is where and why it''s important http://www.preciousmetals.com.au/Tutorial/t_culet.htm It just touches on things, but as a comsumer, it works for me!!


Thanks, Jess

Have you gone through the PS tutorials? If you have not, you might want to. There is a ton of great material available - very worthwhile reading. Click on "knowledge" at the top of the page.
 
Date: 12/4/2007 10:17:56 AM
Author: aljdewey

Date: 12/4/2007 9:42:12 AM
Author: nottypicallyperfect

....but until I can get to an independent does anyone know if any of the at home tests are even proven?
I don''t believe they are. They don''t amount to much more than random guessing at best, so why bother?
That''s what I figured, but they''re posted all over the net as if they are a *reliable* way to judge for yourself

Thanks, Jess
 
Date: 12/3/2007 8:11:38 PM
Author: neatfreak
You need to take it to an independent (read: someone that does NOT sell jewelery) appraiser right away and have them assess it. Then if it''s fake, have them write you a letter about it, and then bring it back to the woman you sold it to and ask for your $ back. If she won''t give it, sue in small claims court.


Best of luck!

BTW, I agree.
 
Date: 12/4/2007 10:17:40 AM
Author: DiamanteBlu
Does anybody know if they make sims with inclusions in them? Assuming that they do not, you may want to take a look at your stone with a loupe or under some other form of magnification to see if you can find the inclusions. At SI1 or SI2 they should not be too difficult to spot. If there are none to be seen under 10x I would be concerned.
I''ll have to see if I can find one locally to start. The area I''m in is not very well suited for the jewelry market. Closest we have without going out of town is a WalMart and in this situation I''m sure they''re not qualified to judge.
 
Does Walmart sell jewelry? If they do, they may have a diamond tester. They would certainly have a loupe. I''m sure they would let you have a look at your stone.

You could also use an inexpensive microscope at 10x if you can find one.
 
Date: 12/4/2007 10:27:45 AM
Author: DiamanteBlu
Does Walmart sell jewelry? If they do, they may have a diamond tester. They would certainly have a loupe. I''m sure they would let you have a look at your stone.

You could also use an inexpensive microscope at 10x if you can find one.
I called them yesterday thinking the same thing. They do not have a diamond tester or a loupe and yes, they sell jewelry including diamond engagment rings. I was shocked!! I looked at the tutorial you recommended and it''s also identical to the link I posted a couple messages above. The fluorescence categogy hit me though. Under a black light my stone in question looks exactly as the one pictured to the right. That pinky color. It confuses me because all my other diamonds show up as a medium blue, light blue and one is even a glaring bright white. This one is the only one that''s different.
 
They sell diamonds and they don''t have a loupe? Ok, then . . . I don''t know what else to tell you.

I hope you can sort this out soon. Good luck!
 
Another way to see somewhat (and maybe a trained eye would do this better) but factes on a diamond are sharper than on a CZ. They may also exhibit abraision, meaning scratches, whereas a CZ or moissanite will have rounded edges on the facets.

The girdle will also be a give-away. On a CZ they are not finished and often have patterns of striations, unlike a real diamond which will look more granular if it is not faceted. Faceting is a give away, but if it''s not there, granular over lines is the next best indicator.

Lastly, if you have access to a diamond (and you KNOW it''s a diamond) of the same measurements, a CZ will actually weigh more. So a 1ct simulant will not really weigh a carat if it''s simulated to LOOK like a diamond 1ct. It will be about 6.5mm, but weigh 1.75ct instead. Big difference.

Lots of other ways, but the most obvious is thermal testing for CZ. Conductivity of diamond and moissanite are similar and inconclusive, so one needs to test with a moissanite tester after a CZ tester, or have a tester that checks for both. Testers that work are key.
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Date: 12/4/2007 10:56:04 AM
Author: Ellen
not, sorry to hear about your troubles. If it turns out not to be a diamond, go back and give that lady hedoubletoothpicks.
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In the meantime, til you get to an appraiser, there''s a couple home tests in this thread, not sure if you''ve tried them or not. Scroll down til he says he mixed up the CZ with the diamond.

And good luck!

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/could-you-guys-help-me-to-select-one-from-these.69796/
Thanks for the link!! It was very helpful. I used the ink dot test. Mine comes up looking exactly like the CZ. Well, not I can concentrate on how I''m going to get my money back. Thanks to all for their info!!
 
Date: 12/4/2007 11:04:06 AM
Author: Nicrez
Another way to see somewhat (and maybe a trained eye would do this better) but factes on a diamond are sharper than on a CZ. They may also exhibit abraision, meaning scratches, whereas a CZ or moissanite will have rounded edges on the facets.

The girdle will also be a give-away. On a CZ they are not finished and often have patterns of striations, unlike a real diamond which will look more granular if it is not faceted. Faceting is a give away, but if it''s not there, granular over lines is the next best indicator.

Lastly, if you have access to a diamond (and you KNOW it''s a diamond) of the same measurements, a CZ will actually weigh more. So a 1ct simulant will not really weigh a carat if it''s simulated to LOOK like a diamond 1ct. It will be about 6.5mm, but weigh 1.75ct instead. Big difference.

Lots of other ways, but the most obvious is thermal testing for CZ. Conductivity of diamond and moissanite are similar and inconclusive, so one needs to test with a moissanite tester after a CZ tester, or have a tester that checks for both. Testers that work are key.
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The girdle on this stone is not exactly perfect all the way around. You can very slightly see the inperfection in it. It doesn''t have the same appearance as the rest of the ring. It''s not shiny. It''s dull and when I take my fingernail to it I can feel a texture, not smooth. The facets all look very sharp and the culet is pointed, sharp not rounded at all. I do not have another diamond of this size nor do I have a scale the can weigh something so small. My kitchen scale only weighs in grams and ounces (too big). I guess we were trying to have our cake and eat it to. We were upgrading because my current diamond is a 1/3 ct. and this one is a 3/4 ct. so in our minds it was a no brainer. You win some and you lose some.
 
I repeat, please take it to an unbiased professional. These home tests are no good if you have no experience and no context in which to place what you''re seeing.
 
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