2.07 CT Radiant EGL USA

[SchwartzM]

I am looking for an engagement ring and was only looking at GIA stones. I went to a local wholesaler and they brought out a GIA stone. It was 2.07 ct. F VVS2. 8.17x6.56x4.89. They offered it to me for $14,500. I am a little nervous about EGL USA after reading about it, but from an amateur's standpoint, it was a good looking stone. Is this a good value? Is my skittishness unwarranted?

 

[04diamond<3]

I am looking for an engagement ring and was only looking at GIA stones. I went to a local wholesaler and they brought out a GIA stone. It was 2.07 ct. F VVS2. 8.17x6.56x4.89. They offered it to me for $14,500. I am a little nervous about EGL USA after reading about it, but from an amateur's standpoint, it was a good looking stone. Is this a good value? Is my skittishness unwarranted?

Was it GIA or EGL USA? EGL USA tends to be more accurate with their grading compared to EGL INT, EGL Hong Kong, EGL Israel etc. I also have an EGL USA F colored stone and when GIA looked at it they confirmed the F color. If you saw it in person and liked the cut, then I say go for it. I would have the jeweler check it out though and make sure that's it's as clean as the report says it is.

Here's a comp: it's not as big, 1.71ct F VVS2 for $16k

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/1.71-carat-F-color-VVS1-clarity-sku-19729

Even if it were a G VS1 that's still a good price:

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/2.11-carat-G-color-VS1-clarity-sku-181776

 

[SchwartzM]

It is EGL USA F VVS2.

 

[04diamond<3]

It is EGL USA F VVS2.

Is there a gemologist at your jewelers? You need to have it appraised anyways for insurance purposes so I'd have them look at it and tell you what it is hopefully based on GIA standards. Either way, I think you should go for it.

 

[Christina...]

I would not have the jeweler that you are purchasing the stone from also appraise the diamond. You need to have an independent appraisal done, but someone that has no interested in the stone or where it was purchased. You should also specify that you are having the appraisal because you want to verify the color/clarity and for insurance purposed. Most appraisals done by the jeweler who sold the stone are significantly inflated to make the purchaser feel good there is no sense in paying for premiums based on inflated amounts.

I wouldn't personally purchase an EGL stone be it EGL international or USA.if I was a first time buyer. The fact that EGL USA is more accurate wouldn't be good enough for me. Above the color and clarity differences there is also cut differences to consider. A EGL EX graded stone is NOT the same as GIA or AGS EX cut grade. Do you have the stone proportions?

ETA I also wanted to mention the fact that there is an huge price difference from F and G, so if this particular stone were to grade even one color grade lower by GIA standards there would be a remarkable discount in the pricing.

 

[SchwartzM]

I bought the stone F VVS2 EGL USA stone and two matching 0.5 ct trillions as side stones and am designing a custom setting for $16,300. The jeweler said that they would send the stone to GIA for me for $200 more and they think that it would certify as H VS1 or better at GIA, or I could get a refund or discount on the package. The stone already is already laser etched with a EGL USA Cert Number. How does that go over at GIA, and how would there report be independent if they could see the certificate number, look it up and make sure they don't grade better than EGL USA. thought the stone was gorgeous, and I could not see any flaws with 10x loops and they lined the stone up for me on white paper next to GIA F, G and H color diamonds and I could not tell the difference.

 

[Niel]

the ring sounds like it will be beautiful!
If you want to pay the money to have it re cert'ed then thats not a bad idea. But if with your eyes you see no tint or inclusions, and you go in knowing that grading is a little soft, i see no reason it has to be recerted. You know it will end of different and you are comfortable with that anyways

 

[Rockdiamond]

A few important points about radiant cut diamonds that relate to this discussion.
1). As has been discussed here many times, there's no way to tell if a diamond is a winner or a dog from the measurements. Radiant cut diamond presents some inherent challenges to diamond cutters. Unfortunately, the result is that many radiant cut diamonds are not what would be considered well cut. This is indicated when you look on the virtual lists and see a huge range of prices for stones that are ostensibly similar.

2) I'm very interested to hear what GIA grades this diamond. Looking at stones that are available today, the price of the stones with the same grade issued by GIA, would be anywhere from a little bit more, to a whole lot more – like close to double.
Having said that, SchwartzM, if you are comfortable with the seller, it could be a good deal for you – especially with the money back guarantee being contingent on the GIA grade. That puts you in a very good position.


SchwartzM – you can see this diamond, while none of us can. If there was a problem with the diamond’s cut, it could be something like it looks too small for the weight, or there might be large static dark areas in the stone. Many people like a bright diamond, and a well cut radiant can be quite bright, without large dark static areas. Have you seen a variety of radiant cut diamond in person? It's always advisable to train your eyes a bit, if that is possible.

About your concerns regarding the EGL USA engraving: have no fear, GIA will not let that influence their decision. The only downside is that the inscription will be described on the GIA report. And that's not such a big downside if you love the diamond and the deal works out to be a good one for you.

 

[04diamond<3]

I bought the stone F VVS2 EGL USA stone and two matching 0.5 ct trillions as side stones and am designing a custom setting for $16,300. The jeweler said that they would send the stone to GIA for me for $200 more and they think that it would certify as H VS1 or better at GIA, or I could get a refund or discount on the package. The stone already is already laser etched with a EGL USA Cert Number. How does that go over at GIA, and how would there report be independent if they could see the certificate number, look it up and make sure they don't grade better than EGL USA. thought the stone was gorgeous, and I could not see any flaws with 10x loops and they lined the stone up for me on white paper next to GIA F, G and H color diamonds and I could not tell the difference.

That's wonderful!! It sounds like it's going to be a gorgeous ring! You'll have to post pictures once it's completed. GIA does tend to charge more so I think you're getting a great deal! I think RockDiamond explained the process the best and considering he has experience with this, I'd go with what he says. Anyways, let us know what it comes back with!

 

[denverappraiser]

The jeweler said that they would send the stone to GIA for me for $200 more and they think that it would certify as H VS1 or better at GIA, or I could get a refund or discount on the package

So the jeweler is grading it as H/VS1 and you're good if GIA meets or exceeds those two specs. Correct? EGL-USA is now out of the loop (which is good by the way). Who pays the $200 if it falls below on one or both of those grades? Not to be a pissant but refund and discount are rather different things. Is this to be YOUR choice or theirs?

 

[SchwartzM]

1) What is the turn around time at GIA?

2) The jeweler and I have a verbal agreement where if I am unhappy (i.e. the diamond does not certify at H/VS1) I can get a full refund. I wish I would have received that in writing, but there is a lot of emotion going on at the time of such a large purchase. I paid for the diamond on a credit card expecting a GIA H VS1 diamond, and I would imagine this gives me certain protections. In my amateur opinion the diamond was gorgeous and I hope everything works out. I have not recceived delivery of the stone, and they want a happy customer, who comes back in the future and recommends his physician friends to this jeweler. With all the avenues for online reviews, the consumer has never been more protected. From my understanding, a worst case scenario would be an I/SI1 grade, in that case, I would expect the mercheant to honor this verbal agreement. If it grades at G, VS1 in color which is a possibility, I wouldn't mind paying a couple dollars more for the stone.

 

[04diamond<3]

1) What is the turn around time at GIA?

2) The jeweler and I have a verbal agreement where if I am unhappy (i.e. the diamond does not certify at H/VS1) I can get a full refund. I wish I would have received that in writing, but there is a lot of emotion going on at the time of such a large purchase. I paid for the diamond on a credit card expecting a GIA H VS1 diamond, and I would imagine this gives me certain protections. In my amateur opinion the diamond was gorgeous and I hope everything works out. I have not recceived delivery of the stone, and they want a happy customer, who comes back in the future and recommends his physician friends to this jeweler. With all the avenues for online reviews, the consumer has never been more protected. From my understanding, a worst case scenario would be an I/SI1 grade, in that case, I would expect the mercheant to honor this verbal agreement. If it grades at G, VS1 in color which is a possibility, I wouldn't mind paying a couple dollars more for the stone.

You can find out information about what GIA does and how and how long etc on their website: www.gia.edu . Although, since you're working this out with your jeweler, I'd talk to him about it.

 

[denverappraiser]

They're currently claiming 10 days at both of their US labs. By the way, that's 10 WORKING days and it excludes any 'holiday' that's preprinted on your calendar. Figure 3 weeks, plus shipping as needed depending on where you are. They'll do a 'rush' job for double the price if you want.

 

[Rockdiamond]

Schwartz- my advice is to call the jeweler- and ask specifically what happens if you're not happy.
If there is a money back guarantee in place, they should have NO problem giving that to you in writing- if they balk, that indicates there may be a problem.
I always advise consumers to get any guarantees IN WRITING.
Even an email confirming your arrangement will likely be sufficient.
I don't mean to alarm you, but this is just good general good practice.

 

[SchwartzM]

I have an email from the salesperson stating that if the diamond does not certify at GIA at H/VS1 or better, than I can get a refund in full. The jeweler was pretty confident that it would get at least an H/VS1 grade, and that was one reason I purchased the stone. My only regret is laying out the deposit in full. Anyway, It was sent to GIA on 2/4/13 and I was told that there would be a 3-4 week turnaround. I will post on the outcome. With a EGL and GIA certificate, would you reccommend paying extra for an independent appraisal as well?

 

[04diamond<3]

I have an email from the salesperson stating that if the diamond does not certify at GIA at H/VS1 or better, than I can get a refund in full. The jeweler was pretty confident that it would get at least an H/VS1 grade, and that was one reason I purchased the stone. My only regret is laying out the deposit in full. Anyway, It was sent to GIA on 2/4/13 and I was told that there would be a 3-4 week turnaround. I will post on the outcome. With a EGL and GIA certificate, would you reccommend paying extra for an independent appraisal as well?

Insurance companies (usually) have no clue what your ring would cost or what the value is, so yes, you need to get an appraisal as well.

 

[denverappraiser]

I have an email from the salesperson stating that if the diamond does not certify at GIA at H/VS1 or better, than I can get a refund in full. The jeweler was pretty confident that it would get at least an H/VS1 grade, and that was one reason I purchased the stone. My only regret is laying out the deposit in full. Anyway, It was sent to GIA on 2/4/13 and I was told that there would be a 3-4 week turnaround. I will post on the outcome. With a EGL and GIA certificate, would you reccommend paying extra for an independent appraisal as well?

The usual purpose of an appraisal on a new purchase is to provide a quality control step on the purchase, to document exactly what you have, and to provide a maximum budget for purposes of replacement in the case of a covered loss. In most cases the insurance is for a piece of jewelry, not an unmounted stone and a proper appraisal will include full details on the mounting, photographs, serial numbers, manufacturers and other details that may be necessary at replacement time.

A GIA report provides some of this. It’s possible that the paperwork provided by the seller will provide some more. Whether or not this is sufficient depends on what they give you and to what extent you trust the jeweler with the quality control steps since it’s not a second opinion if it comes from the same source as the first. I’m perhaps biased here but my observation is that most selling jewelers don’t do a particularly good job on the ‘free’ appraisals they give out with purchases. Yours may be different. The EGL report has NOTHING to do with it beyond academic interest, and the GIA report is only a rather limited piece of the information.

By the way, let us know how it comes back and post scans of the reports if you can. There's always great interest when a stone is examined by several graders and the differences in their observations. This situation doesn't actually get documented all that often because when dealers do it, they tend to lose the least favorable report and consumers rarely do it because of the lab fees and the time.

 

[SchwartzM]

The GIA report came back yesterday. They mentioned the laser EGLUSA inscription on the girdle. It came back as 2.07 carat H VS1. The number of the report is 1146673 if you want to verify online and the EGL USA number is 906055901D.

 

[04diamond<3]

The GIA report came back yesterday. They mentioned the laser EGLUSA inscription on the girdle. It came back as 2.07 carat H VS1. The number of the report is 1146673 if you want to verify online and the EGL USA number is 906055901D.

I guess that's good....What are you going to do now? Are you keeping it?

 

[SchwartzM]

I feel reassured and am happy with my purchase. I haven't seen the stone in 2 weeks and was expecting the worst. 2 color grades off from the EGL USA report still makes for a beautiful diamond.

 

[BriBee]

I was following this thread and am happy you came back to update! I'm so glad that you're happy with your purchase and a GIA H VS1 is still great

 

[Niel]

Thats great. ,if you liked it before at least now you have the appropriate paperwork!

 

[chel180]

so now you have a stone you love and the peace of mind of the paperwork. sounds like this has worked out for you. please come back and share photos with us.