3 replies to this topic

[Always learning]

Hello all,

After I bought an engagement ring I came across these guys online...

[url="http://www.mcqueenjewelry.com/Round-Solitaire/1.00-Ct.-Round-Diamond-Solitaire-Ring-D-FL.html"][url]http://www.mcqueenjewelry.com/Round-Solitaire/1.00-Ct.-Round-Diamond-Solitaire-Ring-D-FL.html[/url][/url]

As you can see a Round 1 ct D FL for just $4700! It is not clear how the diamond is certified, but if you look in their T&Cs you will find,,,

"Every item is accompanied with an appraisal evaluated by an experienced master gemologist to Gemological Research Laboratory of America diamond grading standards. Each appraisal contains a detailed description and the replacement value of the item."

I googled 'Gemological Research Laboratory of America', but didn't find much.

In their Diamond Education section...

[url="http://www.mcqueenjewelry.com/diamond-clarity.html"][url]http://www.mcqueenjewelry.com/diamond-clarity.html[/url][/url]

...it looks initially like the GIA grading scale, but if you look carefully at the graphics it seems that all grades down to VS2 have no inclusions or blemishes. They do state on that page that a Flawless Diamond has "No internal flaws or external flaws on the stone.". Does this make them liable to legal action if I buy a 'Flawless' diamond from them and it does have internal and external flaws?

All thoughts appreciated!

Best Regards

[denverappraiser]

Your question isn’t really about the dealer, it’s about this ‘appraiser’ and whether or not they provide any information that’s useful to you. Anyone who wants to call themselves an appraiser, a gem lab, a gemologist, a guru or a diamond consultant. They are welcome to write a report about what they think and they are welcome to distribute this report ‘free’ if they want to. The question is whether or not you should care.

Here are some things you already know:
1) The dealer chose them, not you.
2) By their own statement, they aren’t using the GIA grading scales.
3) You seem to be having difficulty finding a history on them.
4) You seem to have difficulty contacting them directly.
5) You are having difficulty vetting their credentials, methodology and tools.

The burden is on the appraiser to convince you that their opinions have merit and, since the dealer is the one suggesting that you should rely on them, this burden passes through to the dealer as well. Do some research. Ask some questions. The default answer is NO.

[NC3]

I also contacted them about this and they came back to me saying that they can have a GIA certificate issued at an extra cost of $100.

[davidelevi]

This sounds very reasonable, since it's basically leaving them at a small loss compared to shipping and paying GIA. So the questions must be:

1) Will you get the GIA report before or after you close the purchase? When does the "return period" clock start to tick?
2) Will it be a GIA report, or a report by "a GIA graduate"?
3) Assuming the GIA report is genuine and it says something different (which it will - there is no way a 1.00 D/IF or FL is going for 1/3 to 1/6 of its value in the open market), what then?

BTW - note that their return policy clearly states that returns after 7 days incur a 20% restocking fee.

Edited by davidelevi, 30 April 2012 - 12:15 AM.