What are your thoughts on this BIC EGL graded 1.05 ct stone?

[killer_deep]

Hello All,

First off, I'd like to thank all of you for the wonderful forum. Without Pricescope, I'd be completely lost in shopping for a quality stone. That being said, I would like to take advantage of the vast pool of knowledge here, by getting your opinions on this stone (graded by EGL USA):

Weight 1.05 CT
Shape ROUND MODIFIED BRILLIANT10
Color J
Clarity SI3
Measurements 6.72 x 6.65 x 3.98 mm
Depth 59.6%
Table 54%
Crown 14.5%
Pavilion 42.1%
Crown Angle 32.1°
Pavilion Angle 40.6°
Girdle EX. THIN TO THIN FACETED
Polish GOOD
Symmetry GOOD
Fluorescence MEDIUM BLUE
Culet NONE

This stone, set in a platinum 6-prong Tiffany-style setting is selling for $1800US, having been previously owned. On the HCA, it scores 1.0, vg/ex/ex/ex (although well outside of GIA/AGSL ideals), but listed as a BIC candidate.

I've attached a couple of not-so-good pictures. My present thought is that it represents a steal for someone on a very limited budget. What are your thoughts?

Thanks,
S

[Link removed by Moderator] See forum policies

 

[strmrdr]

is it eyeclean?
si3 is really a gia i1 and is rarely eyeclean but sometimes can be.

 

[killer_deep]

I''ll double check on the eye-cleanliness. I have my doubts, but given the price, I don''t think it''d be a complete deal-breaker for me.

S

 

[strmrdr]

second thing is how much of the girdle is e-thin?
because it is a used ring with a e-thin girdle it is imperative to get it checked by a professional as a condition of purchase.

 

[killer_deep]

Hm, thats a good point. Given that its mounted in a 6-prong platinum setting, isn''t it unlikely that there would be a problem with the stone based on being protected by the prongs?

S

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 1/24/2009 6:07:19 PM
Author: killer_deep
Hm, thats a good point. Given that its mounted in a 6-prong platinum setting, isn''t it unlikely that there would be a problem with the stone based on being protected by the prongs?


S

Still a chance of damage get it checked if you move forward.

 

[strmrdr]

Here is your picture:

The lighting is hiding any inclusions that may be present cant tell much...

 

[Lorelei]

Ditto all Storm''s advice.

 

[killer_deep]

Thanks everyone for your replies.

The ring I''m thinking of buying from is from I Do Now I Don''t, a website where people can list used rings. If I decide to pull the trigger on this ring, my payment will not be sent to the seller until the stone has been looked over by a GIA-certified gemologist.

Here''s their policy:
http://www.idonowidont.com/news,page,1,topic_id,content_pages

Given that any chipping or cracks in the stone due to the extremely thin girdle would be noticed, does that make this stone more of a deal? If I did purchase this ring, wouldn''t buying insurance protect against any future damage or loss?

The other things I''m worried about are the good quality of symmetry and polish, the SI3 grading of the clarity, and the J color rating. The seller suggests that the inclusions aren''t obvious to the naked eye, and will post some closeups of the ring shortly. The grading article written by a few PriceScope experts (http://grading.pricescope.com/) suggests that EGSL USA grades as strict or stricter that AGS and GIA for clarity (thus eliminating some of my apprehension about the SI3 grading), although more lax for color. Given the brilliant ideal cut candidacy of the diamond, though, I would assume that color is less of a concern facing up, and I''m not particularly color sensitive. The grading article also suggests that EGL tends to give ratings of "good" for polish and symmetry that GIA and AGS give "excellent" or "ideal" scores for. All of this is statistical hedging of bets though.

So - bottom line - is the inspection policy of I Do Now I Don''t enough to determine that what I''m paying for is exactly what I''m getting? In searching around, it seems that the cheapest price for just a diamond of 1.05ct J I1 diamond is $1900. This ring comes with a six-prong platinum setting, worth at least another $600.

Any further thoughts? It seems like a good deal...

S

 

[killer_deep]

Here are a couple more pictures. It does seem that the girdle pretty thin. There are also some inclusions, although it doesn''t look terrible, especially relative to the light performance. Workmanship doesn''t look particularly awesome either. Any more comments?

Thanks to everyone who already replied.

 

[killer_deep]

picture 2

 

[killer_deep]

picture 3.

Please reply! I''d love to get some more substantial feedback.

S

 

[risingsun]

AGS and GIA grading reports have more validity than EGL-USA. Just something to keep in mind.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/26/2009 12:08:29 AM
Author: risingsun
AGS and GIA grading reports have more validity than EGL-USA. Just something to keep in mind.

Ditto. You can try a search for this company in the archives, there are some threads concerning them. With this ring, I would definitely make the sale final on an independant appraisal and get it in writing that you can return it for any reason during the return period. Here is a tool you can use to find an appraiser in your area.

https://www.pricescope.com/appr_list.aspx

 

[Daisi2112]

SI3 may not be eye clean, that would be my concern.