4 replies to this topic

[lalaji]

I wonder if I could tell if a stone is owned by someone else before? Anything I can tell by the GIA cert number?

[davidelevi]

You can't tell for certain; you are dependent on the honesty of the vendor, and even they are unlikely to know the story of the stone since it was mined.

Couple of points worthy of note on GIA report dates:

1. If the report is more than a couple of years old, it may be a sign that the diamond has been bought and sold before coming to you. But it's a sign - not a guarantee. Likewise, a recent report may just be a sign of a conscientious (or market wise) dealer.

2. Apart from technical changes such as indicating the cut grade for round diamonds (2006), it's also important to get a relatively recent report because of the possibility of damage to the stone. This is especially important for high clarity (VVS and above) stones, given the ease with which a minuscule blemish will cause a downgrade.

I understand the emotional value of "the new stone". On the other hand, many important diamonds have been traded, re-cut and worn with pride by different owners over the centuries; why should yours not be the same? (well, OK, perhaps less the re-cut part...)

[denverappraiser]

lalaji, on 06 October 2010 - 06:22 AM, said:

I wonder if I could tell if a stone is owned by someone else before? Anything I can tell by the GIA cert number?

An older dated report is decently likely to have been sold before but the reverse is not the case. It's common for stones to be regraded and issued a new report reflecting the findings of the new inspection.

If you buy directly from a consumer, it's probably 'used', if the dealer tells you it's been owned by someone else of if they're selling it with a moniker like 'estate' then it's probably been around the block but, again, the reverse isn't the case.

Does it really matter?

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[LaurieH]

Unless there is wear-and-tear type damage--a scratch or chip from setting, worn facet junctions, etc, there's no way to tell that a diamond is "used". An old cert might indicate so, but then again, it could just be that that diamond was locked up in a safe somewhere and forgotten about or held back for some reason, but was never ever set or sold before. And, like someone mentioned, with the new(ish) Cut Grade, a diamond can always be re-certed to reflect that and get that grade in on a report to make it potentially more saleable (for rounds, anyway).

Anyway--good luck!

[erothem]

Hi,
There is no way to tell if a diamond is a second hand but still there is a way to check if it has small cheeps (gletz) arround it.
Sometimes non-professional setters break the diamond on its crown-girdle border while putting too much pressure while setting.