10 replies to this topic

[niterage]

Hi guys,

I'm a newbie to diamonds and I started looking at them and I recently eyed on a diamond with the following specs:

Shape

Round

Carat Weight

1.18

Cut

Ideal

Color

E

Clarity

SI1

Certificate

GIA

Price

$7,350

Depth

62.6%

Table

53.0%

Polish

Very Good

Symmetry

Very Good

Girdle

thin to medium

Culet

none

Fluorescence

none

Measurements

6.78 - 6.83 4.26mm

Crown Angle

35.00

Crown %

16.00%

Pavilion Angle

41.20

Pavilion %

43.50%


There aren't any inclusions that I can see with my naked eye. There are very few white clouds and small crystals according to GIA certificate. The white clouds weren't very noticable even with a 10x magnifying glass. I was told by the jeweler that it was a solid SI1. Just based on the specs and the info I provided; is it worth the pricetag?

All feedback is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Jim

[davidelevi]

1. GIA does not use the work "Ideal" in grading cut (or indeed in grading any other attribute), This means the cut grade is the dealer's. Ask them why they used this term, and what it means to them. Also ask them whether GIA graded the stone for cut, and what is GIA's grade.

2. Similar stones are quoted here (use the "find online jeweler" button at the top of the page) between $5400 and $8000. Yours is close to the top of the range. Given this, I would expect it to be perfectly eye-clean and of superior cut. There is no way anyone can assess either fact without a lot more information (and most probably without seeing the stone).

3. You have seen it. Do you like it? Have you compared it to other stones? Does it come up consistently among those you like most? If the answer to these questions is yes, go ahead.

[denverappraiser]

The price is reasonable. The specs sound lovely and it sounds like the jeweler is representing everything as they should. Only you can say if it's the right stone for you but it all looks good from here.

Neil

[niterage]

Thanks Neil and davidelevi for your feedback.

I do like the diamond a lot and I did compare it to other SI1 clarity diamonds and saw the differences. I attached the picture of the GIA report for reference.

davidelevi: You are right about the cut; I looked at the copy of the GIA report and it say "Excellent". I'm guessing that the jeweler identify it as Ideal due to the Very good polish and symmetry as opposite to the signature ideal label that they use for other diamonds with an excellent polish and symmetry.

Glad to hear some experts' opinion about the pricetag for the diamond; I was afraid I was being scam by the jeweler due to my newbie knowledge.

I have a few more questions about diamonds:

1.) The GIA report was reported in 2008; is that something I should be worry about? Like why is the diamond been sitting around for two years?

2.) Since the diamond comes with a GIA report, the diamond should be a real diamond and not CZ right? I read the other topic on how to distinguish a real diamond vs a CZ (thanks Neil for the easy test), but I didn't test it out when I was looking at the diamond. I'm just concern that it is not real.

3.) Is purchasing insurance recommended for a diamond like this?

4.) Is it better to get a diamond appraised before they mount it on the setting? Is an appraisal needed before purchasing insurance?

Thanks in advance!
Jim

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[denverappraiser]

1) Diamonds aren’t perishable so the date doesn’t affect much. The only real issue is a possibility of damage since the stone was examined since you don’t know what has happened to it or where it has been during that time.

2) The stone examined by GIA was definitely a diamond. If you’re concerned that what you are getting is something other than what GIA saw, get it checked out. Any jeweler can tell you quickly and easily what’s a diamond and what isn’t. If you’re seriously worried that the seller is that far out of line, find a different seller, but if you’re just doing the old ‘trust but verify’ process, it’s easy to arrange.

3) I generally recommend insurance but it depends on your own tolerance for risk and her general lifestyle. It’s up to you to decide if you want to shoulder the risk yourself or sell it to someone else. If you’re like most people, buy the insurance, it provides cheap peace of mind.

4) It depends on your objective in getting it appraised. For insurance purposes, it’s likely that the GIA report and the sales receipt from the seller will be sufficient to secure a policy. If you want to know additional information that you plan to use as part of your shopping process then, obviously, an appraiser would need to look at the piece. Since you’ve seen the stone and love it, I would wait until the ring is completed before getting it appraised. This can serve as both a quality control step for the craftsmanship and provide documentation and photographs for insurance of the entire item, not just for the center diamond.


Davide,
You might want to check your comps again. I’m not finding any GIA x’s in that size/clarity/color range in the database here for under Niterage’s price. Non-GIA, Non-excellent yes, but, as you know, these details make a big difference. Maybe I'm missing something but most I see are actually on the top end of your range.

Neil

[davidelevi]

No, you are right. There is something which could be excellent cut for 6500, but the vendor site opens up a "record not found". And I have to say that not having the cut grade listed on the database is a bit of a pain. On the other hand, I had only the "ideal" which clearly wasn't anything to go by, and general proportions.

[denverappraiser]

No worries. And you're right, 'ideal' can and often does mean all manner of peculiar things.

Neil

[mszabo]

As you say you are new at this, the price seems reasonable for what it is. I'd just make sure you know what it is your paying for. Personally I can't see the difference between the color E and G in a round diamond. Then again my budget was a bit smaller and I was looking at 0.75ct stones when I last shopped. I'd guess $1000 of that price quote comes from getting an 'E' vs a 'G'. Just make sure your using your budget how you want to here.

Edited by mszabo, 14 June 2010 - 11:38 AM.

[niterage]

Thank you all for your valuable feedback. I purchased the diamond and placed it on a nice platinum setting and proposed w/ the ring!

After the proposal, my fiancee asked if there is an inscribed number to identity the diamond. And I didn't know. So that makes me wonder, are all loose diamond supposed be inscribed with the GIA number if it has a GIA certificate? I never asked the jeweler and I never checked.

How would I know if the diamond that is on her finger is really what it say on the GIA certificate if there is no number on the diamond? Please share your expertise.

[denverappraiser]

GIA has been offering inscription services for about 6 years but it’s an optional add on for their standard grading service. Most jewelers don’t have the necessary equipment but can arrange to have it done for you for a modest fee.

Recognizing your stone is usually a matter of recognizing the inclusions as well as details like the dimensions, fluorescence and the like. Nearly every stone has some unique ‘birthmarks’ that you can learn to spot. Talk to your appraiser about it and have them point out what to look for.

Neil

[davidelevi]

...and that's a lot more foolproof than an inscription that can be erased and redone in a matter of minutes...