UGL-USA Question

[clyparkr]

So I live in NYC and have a friend who''s friend works in the diamond district. I''m being offered a pretty darn good deal on a diamond (if i work with cash its better of course haha) but my main concern is that the diamond is certified by UGL-USA.

I did a search on the board here and it appears their not the best out there when it comes to certifications.

Would it be rude of me to ask them to send the diamond somewhere else to be certified?

Like I said its a really good deal... almost to good to be true type thing which makes me feel very skeptical. I''m almost more comfortable spending and extra 2k and buying a similar diamond off whiteflash or another site.

Any suggestions would be great.

Thanks again... love the site.

C

 

[Dee*Jay]

Ask if you can take the diamond to an INDEPENDENT appraiser and get an unbiased opinion before making the purchase.

 

[jayreneepea]

Do you know anything about the stone? Cut? Color? Clarity? Your really great deal might not be such a great deal if you''re getting frozen spit. Ask for a copy of the cert, post the number here and if the experts find it a stone worth investigating, make the sale contingent upon an independent appraisal.

 

[newenglandgemlab]

There is probably a very good reason it sounds too good to be true. I would highly suggest settling for no less than a GIA or AGS Grading Report. This is a major purchase for you. Would you buy a Beemer from a Chevette dealer? ....just my two cents. Cindy

 

[WorkingHardforSmallRewards]

well, I think it is worth finding more information out about, just don't be hasty and if you feel any pressure to make quick decisions pull out even faster.

but i say, dont get your hopes up. how many friends do you think this guy has? and how many friends do you think all of his friends have? I don't think many fellows can go around offering awesome deals to all of their friends friends you know? especially not when running a business.

so get some info, see what he is offering and lets all talk about it together but...don't get screwed over either.

The very first thing I would want to do is to ask about a return policy

and get the specifics on it, time period, refund or in store credit, restocking fees, etc etc. He would probably have something written down somewhere thought that would make it pretty easy.

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

The topic of this thread stands for Ugly as in ugly diamonds.
However I am please to say that there is no such thing as an ugly diamond - just some have more characteristics than others.

The grading survey and anecdotal experiance indicate that EGL tend to get more diamonds sent to them with more characteristics, and this lab might not notice them all.

Many diamonds go to 2, 3 or more labs and the piece of paper with the nicest character references are the ones we are shown.
The other cert''s go in the bin.

It is a type of value adding process. Or subtraction, depending on if you are a seller or a buyer.

 

[clyparkr]

Thanks again everyone for all the comments... its really appreciated.

Here is some info on the diamond that I was e-mailed... yes i realize i need to get a lot more info on it before i decide to purchase it.

CUT: ROUND CUT
CARAT WEIGHT: 2.05 CARATS
MEASUREMENTS: 8.41 - 8.45 X 4.80 MM
COLOR: E
CLARITY: SI-2 Enhanced
POLISH: VERY GOOD
SYMMETRY: VERY GOOD
FLUOR: NONE
CERTIFICATION: UGL-USA

If i decided to go ahead with this one i will make sure to ask that they send it to an independent appraiser and study their return policy.

I will keep you all posted with what I find.

Thanks again

C

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 10/12/2007 4:54:35 AM
Author: clyparkr
Thanks again everyone for all the comments... its really appreciated.

Here is some info on the diamond that I was e-mailed... yes i realize i need to get a lot more info on it before i decide to purchase it.

CUT: ROUND CUT
CARAT WEIGHT: 2.05 CARATS
MEASUREMENTS: 8.41 - 8.45 X 4.80 MM
COLOR: E
CLARITY: SI-2 Enhanced
POLISH: VERY GOOD
SYMMETRY: VERY GOOD
FLUOR: NONE
CERTIFICATION: UGL-USA

If i decided to go ahead with this one i will make sure to ask that they send it to an independent appraiser and study their return policy.

I will keep you all posted with what I find.

Thanks again

C

That would explain why the diamond is so cheap as it has been clarity enhanced. Did you want an enhanced or treated stone? They have to be handled with more care if being worked on by a jeweller, you need to let them know the diamond has been treated. Also you can't use ammonia based cleaners on them. If you still want to proceed with this stone, you need to find out more about how this diamond was treated for the enhancement.

 

[stebbo]

Date: 10/12/2007 4:54:35 AM
Author: clyparkr
Thanks again everyone for all the comments... its really appreciated.

Here is some info on the diamond that I was e-mailed... yes i realize i need to get a lot more info on it before i decide to purchase it.

CUT: ROUND CUT
CARAT WEIGHT: 2.05 CARATS
MEASUREMENTS: 8.41 - 8.45 X 4.80 MM
COLOR: E
CLARITY: SI-2 Enhanced
POLISH: VERY GOOD
SYMMETRY: VERY GOOD
FLUOR: NONE
CERTIFICATION: UGL-USA

I thought you mis-typed when you said UGL-USA before. Maybe your friend in the industry mis-typed EGL-USA? Beware that there are two UGL mobs out there though Universal Gemological Laboratories appraise and United Gemological Laboratories do 'certification'. I haven't heard any nice things about them.

 

[Lorelei]

http://www.uglinc.com/

 

[risingsun]

Date: 10/12/2007 5:34:47 AM
Author: Lorelei
http://www.uglinc.com/

Have we ever heard of this lab? I can''t remember reading about them on PS before. Unfortunate choice of name. I had my diamond graded by Ugli

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 10/12/2007 11:46:47 AM
Author: risingsun

Date: 10/12/2007 5:34:47 AM
Author: Lorelei
http://www.uglinc.com/

Have we ever heard of this lab? I can''t remember reading about them on PS before. Unfortunate choice of name. I had my diamond graded by Ugli

''Tis unfortunate name RS!

I found that link in the archives!

 

[horatio]

Mr. H, you are such as joker, UGL.....hhaha. My suggestion, if you are looking for a 2.05 carat diamond at a extremely great price, and nothing else, your diamond may be worth it. It all depends on what YOU want.

Ask an appraiser to compare your diamond with other diamonds certified by UGL or EGL, and other diamonds in your price range.

BUT..if you are comparing your diamond to some of the other labs like AGS or GIA, or comparing the diamond to some of the vendors here, then most likely there''s no comparison.

 

[WorkingHardforSmallRewards]

when you determined it was a good deal were you comparing it to treated/enhanced diamonds or to completely natural diamonds (obviously the cutting process is an "enhancement" of sorts but you know what I mean)?

obviously if you want to determine if it is a good value you will need to compare it to other clarity enhanced diamonds to find out. Else you could still get ripped off while paying less than for a natural diamond.

Also, how does your fiance feel about enhanced diamonds? she may not care which is fine in that case, but its worth considering I think.

 

[clyparkr]

thanks for all the feedback... I tried to get more info from the guy about this diamond and it seemed like he was giving me somewhat of a run around...

I think im going to just pass on it. Id rather find out that I over paid for a quality diamond then gave my girlfriend something that could potentially not be that good.

Thanks again for all the help...

Listen to your gut feeling... if its to good to be true... it probably is

 

[Richard Sherwood]

Passing on it sounds like good strategy. Congratulations.

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

this ''lab'' seems bonafide, but 3rd tier. top tier labs tend to grade more strictly.
There are other appraisers in that area listed here under resources tab above right.

By and large 47th street has a reputation for fast talking sales people - not fair to say that about someone you do not know - but you may be feeding the myth