Would you buy a diamond unseen?

[randyred]

I am contemplating a few diamonds online, trying to narrow it down to one.

I am based in the UK but decided to buy in the USA to get more for my money. Thank heavens for this site as it has definitely given me a pretty good education so far!

So...would you buy a diamond unseen? I keep on gravitating towards the Dirt Cheap Diamonds website and will be giving them a ring as soon as the time difference allows. I know from this site that they are very highly thought of so hopefully that will mimimise my risk...

Also wondering whether the visual difference between VS1 and SI1 is very noticable? Or does that depend on the diamond?

 

[moremoremore]

I would buy a stone site unseen. But persoally, not from dirtcheap. They don't own any of their stones. They have never seen them. Better find a vendor who can SEE the stone, run some tests and give you an opinion about it.
Regarding clarity, yes, there is a difference, a big visual diff? Prob not...BUT you have to look at each stone individually. There are si1 that are totally eye clean. Others are not. Eye clean is subjective and it means something different to diff people. Keep in mind that eye clean is also only face up. I have seen an inclusion in a vs2 and I had to return the stone. So I guess the answer is, it depends. I'd have to see the cert first to see the inclusion plot at a minimum.

 

[WinkHPD]

In most cases there will be no visual difference bbetween a IF and an SI1 diamond. It all depends on whether or not there is anything that you can see with the eye in the SI1, normally there will not be, but occassionally there is.

If you ask the folks at Dirtcheap, they will tell you what they can and can not see with their eyes.

Wink

P.S. Yes, I buy diamonds site unseen every month, but I always check them over very well when they arrive and send any back that do not meet my standards. My dealers know me, so I end up sending very few back anymore. As long as you have a good return policy from the vendor, and I am sure that Dirtcheap does, then you should not have any problem. (I have never actually looked at their policies and proceedures, but if they did not have such a policy they would not be getting good reviews...)

 

[valeria101]

This must be the one question for PS!

Of course Not... pictures are mandatory

especially since SI could indeed mean "visble inclusions" as well as "eye clean" depending on stone.

 

[ep6585]

If you're looking for an Emerald cut the clarity will be more of an issue.

 

[noobie]

Correction MMM, DCD owns all of their "Signature" Series diamonds. If you are close enough, they are all available to preview or for visual description by one of their staff.




Even for vendors that don't own teh stones, just make sure they bring them in and have them on hand to look at them.




randyred, for your situation you just need to make sure that you are extra clear and extra careful in describing what you want. For clarity, if you want it clean make sure you specify clen from all angles and views at very close and prolonged inspection. Many people from overseas (Singapore) have bought successfully on-line sight unseen.

 

[valeria101]

----------------
On 8/9/2004 10:11:18 AM ep6585 wrote:

If you're looking for an Emerald cut the clarity will be more of an issue.----------------

yeah.... but cutters know this too, of course.

So, often inclusions are strategically placed in ECs so that they do not show (as in any cut, of course). I would still take a look down to SI2, and definitely SI1 even in Ecs. Surey not all such stones are lucky to be acceptably clean, but many are and it is definitely worth looking for the respective kind of deal

at least, as far as I know

 

[randyred]

Thanks all for your input.

As ep6585 knows from my previous post, I am looking for an emerald cut.

Definitely all points to consider.

Thank you!

 

[randyred]

These are the 2 I am looking at. I will ask for more info but any thoughts on these?

Laboratory: GIA
Carat Weight: 0.83
Color: G
Clarity: SI2
Shape: Emerald
Depth: 64.3%
Table: 64%
Polish: VG
Symmetry: VG
Culet: N
Girdle: T-M,F
Fluorescence: None
Measurements: 6.18x4.71x3.03


Laboratory: GIA
Carat Weight: 0.69
Color: G
Clarity: VS1
Shape: Emerald
Depth: 66.4%
Table: 63%
Polish: VG
Symmetry: VG
Culet: N
Girdle: TN-MD
Fluorescence: None
Measurements: 6.06x4.32x2.87

 

[valeria101]

Pictures and inclusion plots ? Otherwise, the only thing telling these apart is clarity!


Numbers are not extremely informative about Ecs... and I would not buy sight unseen, as said before. A few sellers show Ec pictures for a change: Good of Gold, NiceIce, Stuller (LINK) and Diamonds by Lauren (ocasionally) are a couple that come to mid. The list at Stuller is definitely a good source to see different styles of Ec cuts, if anything is

 

[moremoremore]

Ah ha Noobie...you dirty dog! You are right! lol I didn't even think of the sig series.

 

[valeria101]

 

[Mara]

I would, and have, bought diamonds sight unseen online, but I made sure I got enough information to where it may have been sight unseen but it was not a BLIND purchase. In my opinion, nowadays many sites give you enough information where you can virtually see the stone, so you feel more comfortable. Idealscope or Fire/Lightscope images, H&A images, images of the stone, images of inclusions within the stone, Bscope reports, Sarins, lab reports...all of the above give you that peace of mind that you are not just handing your money over with unsure feelings on what you may have to show for it. Vendor trust is very important as well and I think that the reports/numbers/images go hand in hand with that trust. I require both trust and the numbers/images/reports to back up a purchase like this.

 

[quaeritur]

I would -and have- bought sight unseen. But ONLY as long as there's a 100% return and refund policy. I would only keep it if I liked it

 

[randyred]

Thanks everyone,

Well I have gone for this one in the end. I have asked for some pics and further details too which I will post when I receive them.

They have a 10 day return policy so I can send it back if it is not pretty enough!

Stock Number: 2083866
Laboratory: GIA
Carat Weight: 0.69
Color: G
Clarity: VVS2
Shape: Emerald
Depth: 69.6%
Table: 65%
Polish: VG
Symmetry: VG
Culet: N
Girdle: -
Fluorescence: None
Measurements: 5.94x4.34x3.02

 

[moremoremore]

LOVE IT. Love the length to width. And with that clarity, you'll have no problems!!!

 

[randyred]

YAY! Thanks mmm. I feel in need of a little assurance!

 

[ep6585]

Have you picked a setting for your new diamond?

 

[randyred]

.25cttw Tapered Baguette Diamond Engagement Ring set in Platinum.

 

[randyred]

OK, this is what they say:

"This ring is GIA graded. However, this diamond has been laser
inscribed. So the GIA report has been printed without the plotting of the
diagram mapping the inclusions of the diamond. This is completely common
with GIA reports that have been printed in the form of a "dossier" report.
Dossier's do not include the plot."

They are going to have the cert emailed to me.

Sounds good. Can't wait to see it!