What would you do about misrepresented clarity?

[K9]

I recently purchased an estate ring with a transitional cut diamond. Here are the specs as given to me:

Approx .70ct (5.63mm, 3.6mm deep)
E Color
VVS2 Clarity

I am having it appraised today to confirm, but there are two visible flecks with a loupe and my amateur assessment is that it''d be more of an SI1 clarity. The seller will accept the item as a return if misrepresented, however, I like the ring a lot and would still like to keep it. Would you say it''s fair to request a partial refund? I''ll know more later today, but with what I know now about the ring, I overpaid. I paid $1100.

I''ll post back later with my appraisal, but wanted some thoughtful insight from my very knowledgeable diamond friends here on PS.

 

[JulieN]

did it have a GIA/AGS report? (ok, I guess not.)

wait for the appraisal.

but why do you think you overpaid?

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 1/21/2009 1:33:14 PM
Author: JulieN
did it have a GIA/AGS report? (ok, I guess not.)

wait for the appraisal.

but why do you think you overpaid?

Ditto.

 

[Rockdiamond]

Hi everyone!
I find that many sellers tend to "overgrade" diamonds.
For example- a stone graded VVS2 by GIA is so very close to one that gets VS1 that the only way to really answer that question is to have GIA grade the diamond.
I feel that calling a diamond VVS without a GIA report is a clear case of overgrading for these reasons.
Plus- since the weight listed is approximate, it sounds like the diamond is not even loose.
Anyone grading a stone in a ring and calling it VVS has already shown themselves to be willing to overgrade.


In terms of the price- it does not sound like you necessarily overpaid based solely in the overgrading.
A properly graded E/VVS2 .70ct transitional diamond would cost considerably more.

 

[glitterata]

Post a picture! We want to see!

As for requesting a partial refund, no harm in asking if the appraiser agrees that it''s not an E VVS2. If they say no, you can decide whether to keep it or send it back (assuming they honor their return policy).

But depending on the setting and the stats, $1100 doesn''t sound like that high a price for a nice .7 ct diamond in a nice old setting.

 

[Steel]

Date: 1/21/2009 2:22:31 PM
Author: glitterata
Post a picture! We want to see!

As for requesting a partial refund, no harm in asking if the appraiser agrees that it''s not an E VVS2. If they say no, you can decide whether to keep it or send it back (assuming they honor their return policy).

But depending on the setting and the stats, $1100 doesn''t sound like that high a price for a nice .7 ct diamond in a nice old setting.

Perfect advice glitterata!

 

[K9]

Date: 1/21/2009 1:33:14 PM
Author: JulieN
but why do you think you overpaid?

Perhaps "overpaid" was not necessarily the right word. I''m just disappointed that the grading was off. I''ll likely keep it as it is a lovely ring and still think it was a steal.

Thank you for your honest replies - helps keep me in check. Sometimes I think it''s easy to get greedy and want more for less.

I will report back with the appraisal and pics later!

 

[coatimundi_org]

Date: 1/21/2009 3:06:00 PM
Author: k9muttlover


Perhaps ''overpaid'' was not necessarily the right word. I''m just disappointed that the grading was off. I''ll likely keep it as it is a lovely ring and still think it was a steal.


Thank you for your honest replies - helps keep me in check. Sometimes I think it''s easy to get greedy and want more for less.


I will report back with the appraisal and pics later!

Not greedy at all to want what you paid for. If the clarity is indeed lower, I''d ask for a little back--no harm in that.

 

[Rockdiamond]

True that!
No harm at all in asking.
I would be surprised if the seller does not try to defend the grade- but you''ve got the right ammunition to counter any argument he raises.

Yes- pics please!!!

 

[Judah Gutwein]

K9,

It seems like you have more than one concern here:

1. Did you overpay?
2. Was the item misrepresented?
3. Are you within your rights to ask for a financial concession?

I'd submit to you the following:

1. You did not overpay one way or the other.

2. Perhaps. Color/clarity is by definition subjective on the part of the individual grader who evaluated the stone. In fact, you can have a grader examine the same stone twice and give it a different grade both times. We use our eyes for these things and we are limited of course by the potential for human error. If the diamond was graded by the guy who sold it to you, then I'd say he has a vested interest to error on the side of a better grade than what the stone possibly deserves. However, if the diamond is accompanied by an independent grading report from a respected lab (GIA/AGS), then it would be tough to argue with them.....

3. Of course it never hurts to ask. The worst that will happen is that he says NO.

Of course, you don't know until you try!

Best,