5 replies to this topic

[Re83L]

Hi.

I've been looking to get a ring made locally in South-Africa.

Mostly, I only ever get diamonds graded by EGL South-Africa, and the prices just seem way higher than those using the diamond finder.
So I thought I'd give it a try and see whether I can have a ring made by one of the certified jewelers on this site.

I also want to support the people on this site, since I feel the information gathered here will save me a lot of money.
Now I tried sending emails to some members here, but for some reason I can't, so maybe its easier if you just email me:

All I need for now is that you mail me your website. I'll look around on it and take it from there.
The condition is that you are definitely prepared to ship to South-Africa, and it would be even better if you have done this before. I'm still unsure what my import duties etc would be.
I'm looking to spend around $5000 in total.

Regards

My email is pcpelser [at] gmail [dot] com

[LaurieH]

Just as an FYI if you've read any of the other threads where we've discussed EGL graded stones--The reason you're seeing higher prices on what SEEM to be similar stones, is because many of the vetted vendors who put up their listings for the Diamond Finder list GIA and AGS graded stones, which are much more stringently and consistently graded. EGL is much more lax in their grading, so something that they call a G might actually be an H or a J by GIA standards, and VS2 could be SI1 or SI2. So keep in mind that when you're looking at pricing, the EGL stones are going to be priced closer to their ACTUAL GIA counterparts. So while you're paying what looks like more for a GIA graded stone, you're really getting a better value for money than an EGL graded stone. I'm sure others will chime in there with their take, but it's going to be along those lines.

[davidelevi]

Laurie - I think what the OP was saying is that the EGL-SA stones he finds at home are more expensive than the GIA ones... and certainly in the one specific example he was considering, that seemed to be the case.

[Re83L]

davidelevi, on 01 September 2011 - 05:43 AM, said:

Laurie - I think what the OP was saying is that the EGL-SA stones he finds at home are more expensive than the GIA ones... and certainly in the one specific example he was considering, that seemed to be the case.

Yes that's what I meant - got a round 0.76ct, H, SI1 here @ $2816
That's why I'm looking abroad for the ring and stones..

Anyways, I also found this page, where the South-African jeweler claims that EGL South-Africa is better than EGL International, (whatever EGL International means) - [url="https://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=200783019958068"][url]https://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=200783019958068[/url][/url]

[davidelevi]

I don't disagree with the South African jeweller that dealers should stand behind what they sell, and not "hide" behind a report. When we sell ungraded (or EGL graded) stones, we make it clear to the customer that the report exists, but other than for ID purposes it is to be disregarded, and we grade the stone (or will submit it to GIA if the customer requests).

It is also true that some EGL-I labs are less reliable than others; however, they all offer different types of report (as do most other labs) with different levels of detail available, so it's not necessarily true that EGL-SA scores better...

[Re83L]

Here's an example of what's on the full report from EGL SA: