6 replies to this topic

[Jerome]

Hi guys,

I'm looking to purchase a diamond bezel for my Breitling watch and there are two sellers on ebay who are offering what I'm after.

One is a 1.82 ct twin row diamond bezel and the other is a 2.8 ct single row diamond bezel.

Both come with certificates but I'm not sure about the credibility of either of the labarotories.

One is called AGI, but it is not at all associated with the Antwerp Gemmological Institute, rather it is based in NYC.
The other I think is UGL.

From a quick google, UGL seems more credible as at least they have a website, and there is some info on them.

Could someone advise me on the credibility on either of these companies?

Would it be wise to buy a diamond certified by an less well-known company?

Many thanks

[LaurieH]

Are the diamonds certified or the piece of "jewelry" for the watch as a unit? I have to say, I've never heard of either of those labs, but I'd have to defer to someone who knows watches better if that's what it's about. Since you've mentioned these items are offered for sale on ebay, would you mind providing the links so that we can have a better idea of what you're looking at and get a description of what they're saying the certification is referring to?

I certainly hope we can help you

[Jerome]

LaurieH, on 12 February 2011 - 05:19 PM, said:

Are the diamonds certified or the piece of "jewelry" for the watch as a unit? I have to say, I've never heard of either of those labs, but I'd have to defer to someone who knows watches better if that's what it's about. Since you've mentioned these items are offered for sale on ebay, would you mind providing the links so that we can have a better idea of what you're looking at and get a description of what they're saying the certification is referring to?

I certainly hope we can help you

Hi Laurie,

Thanks for your quick reply.

It is the diamonds that are certified as I would only be purchasing the bezel from the sellers.

Here are the links to the items.
I messaged both sellers and asked which laboratory they use to certify their diamonds... the first link uses UGL and the second uses AGI.

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/3-00CT-CUSTOM-DIAMOND-BEZEL-BREITLING-SUPER-AVENGER-/390240670556?pt=Wristwatches&hash=item5adc28135c"][url]http://cgi.ebay.co.u...=item5adc28135c[/url][/url]

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1-78-CT-Custom-Diamond-Breitling-Bezel-Super-Avenger_W0QQitemZ260735173744QQcategoryZ31387QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp4340.m506QQ_trkparmsZalgo%3DNGRI%26its%3DI%26itu%3DUA%26otn%3D8%26pmod%3D260720433176%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D7056885952589478571"][url]http://cgi.ebay.co.u...885952589478571[/url][/url]

Edited by Jerome, 13 February 2011 - 04:17 AM.

[denverappraiser]

Usually, when people refer to 'certified' diamonds, it means stones that have been individually inspected and there's a report describing the labs results. Even that's a misnomer because nothing is actually being certified but that's a different discussion. Whether or not this is useful depends on the credibility of the lab and your objectives. Obviously this hasn't occured and it doesn't seem to be what you want in any case. Both of the companies you're considering relying on offer a service of writing advertisements for ebay sellers and it's a serious stretch to call these documents 'certificate' or even an appraisal. What are you thinking is to be learned as a buyer from either one?

Edited by denverappraiser, 13 February 2011 - 05:23 AM.

[LaurieH]

Knowing NOTHING more about either one, I would say based on descriptions, if I were choosing for myself--option 2. The first one with the higher carat weight, they say that the diamonds are SI2-SI3. GIA doesn't even recognize an SI3, which means, at best, the diamonds are going to be SI2-I1, which means you're going to have, more than likely, eye visible inclusions. The other gives a higher color (which really doesn't matter, so long as the diamonds face-up white in in the bezel against the white metal, and specifies that they are VS-SI clarity and EYE CLEAN. GIA does not grade diamonds this small, as it is considered melee (mel-E), and they're generally eye graded and parceled out by what matches in color and clarity by someone who is trained, but they're too small to actually grade individually.

I'd say if you're going to buy secondary market, that's the option to go with. And really, if you read their ad, you'll know why I would steer you away from the first one. 10 available, but one of a kind piece? And the diamonds are bigger for only a little higher price to have almost double the diamond weight....do you think they could give you as good of quality goods for the same price? It'd be one thing if it were an auction item that they started low to give incentive to bid and the bid remained low--they set their price. They're not offering half price diamonds out of the good of their hearts. They're half-quality diamonds, as far as I'm concerned.

I'm sure others will chime in on this, but I have a feeling that if it's down to brass tacks and these are the final 2 options, more people are going to "vote" for the 1.78.

Good luck!

[davidelevi]

Here is one of the vendors using UGL - I picked this one because it has a photo of the report on the diamonds
http://cgi.ebay.com/...#ht_4917wt_1140

I cannot find the vendor using AGI. To be honest, the diamond grading is the least of your issues, unreliable as it may be. Much more significant is the quality of the metalwork, and its durability. From that point of view, you have no guidance other than looking for feedback/reviews on that specific vendor. Ebay feedback is relatively useless, since at most it is 90 days old when left.

Specifically on the diamonds: be certain you are getting no bargains. The diamonds are graded set in the bezel, which by itself is cause of issues, and neither UGI nor AGI (whoever they may be) is working for you or has a reputation for impartiality.

To be honest, no matter how "attractive" the prices may be, I would feel much safer with an original bezel.

ETA - sorry, cross-posted with conversation above; comments still apply

Edited by davidelevi, 14 February 2011 - 02:42 AM.

[Zoara]

I've also never heard of either of these grading labs. I agree with davidelevi and laurieH. Always be careful in cases like this!