What to do when the appraisal comes back different

[uncwalrus]

Hi all;

First, let me say thank you to those that maintain this site as well as the members of this forum. I knew nothing about diamonds. You have made this a much more comfortable process for me!

Last week we bought a diamond engagement ring and are very happy with the stone and okay with the price.

As purchased:
Round Brilliant
6.08 - 6.03 x 3.58mm
.80 F VS1
Ideal/Tolkowsky Ideal
depth/table 59.1/58
crown height 13
Pav depth 42
girdle medium/faceted
pol/sym gd/vg

The independant appraisal basically agrees with this except for the class, which it lists as 2A. I paid $3425 for the stone, appraisal, shipping and taxes.

We still like the diamond, so I would be willing to keep it. It had the most fire of several stones that we looked at. How big a price difference is there between ideal and 2A? The retailer and I discussed that we would renegotiate if the ring didn''t appraise on price or spec. In your opinion, what would be a fair discount for the difference?

Thanks for your time and help.

 

[pqcollectibles]

According to Price Stats, link at the top of the page, the Average asking price for a similar diamond would be $3322. There is currently one 0.75 carat diamond similar to the one you bought available. The asking price varies from about $2900-$3000 depending on the Vendor. Also, there is a price bump on a /carat basis when you hit the 0.8 mark. Sounds like you got a fair price for the diamond even at a grade of a Cut Class 2A.

 

[uncwalrus]

Thanks for the reply.

I am okay with the price. Philosophically I think the retailer should sell this at a lesser price since it's a lesser grade.

But rather than focusing on price, perhaps I should have asked the question this way: how much of a difference in quality is there between one appraisal saying ideal vs. another saying 2A? Is there a way for me to determine how close to the border between classes this stone is?

Thanks.

 

[Rank Amateur]

Maybe the polish grade of "Good" is what set the grade. Doesn't sound like anything to worry about.

 

[victorianblue]

What was the crown angle?

 

[uncwalrus]

the orginal cert doesn't list a crown angle,
the appraisal says 31.8 average crown angle.

 

[noobie]

What did the vendor define ideal as when he sold you the stone? There are various definitions of ideal and the AGA one is amongst the strictest. If he sold it to you as a "Tolkowsky Ideal" it may very well fit that spec.

 

[Richard Sherwood]

Rich, from the wording it appears that your diamond was graded as an "Ideal Tolkowski Cut" by an EGL laboratory.

EGL has a wider range of parameters in their "ideal cut" category than the AGA. Under their system, the stone is considered an ideal make, while under the AGA system it is considered a fine make.

Same diamond, just different grading systems. The jeweler was selling the diamond in good faith, representing it as it was represented to him.

If you like the diamond, I wouldn't let a 2A grade throw you off. A "fine make" is nothing to sneeze at.

 

[EdSkinner]

crown height at 13%. pavilion depth @ 42% both 2a characteristics. Can not have 2 2a characteristics and have a class 1 stone in AGA system. Still a very nicely cut stone.