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GIA report for a James Allen ring

N

Nick Bee

Rough_Rock
Joined
Mar 30, 2021
Messages
3
First time I bought a diamond ring and online, from James Allen. The ring arrived on time and looked great. But there is no GIA report in the box.
I asked via chat and a customer support person answered they would send me a PDF later.
When I asked if there is such a thing as an "original GIA report or certificate" they said I would be provided with a paper copy and a PDF only, and the original stays "with GIA".
I find it strange. But I am new so can people advise if that is the normal practice - you have no original report?james allen chat.png
 
I've never bought a diamond with a GIA report that did not include the original, hard copy laminated report. A copy would not work for me at all.

Not having this report, the resale value would be less. I would send it back.
 
I was given the original AGS report for my True Hearts purchase with JA. I presume they will do the same for the GIA report.
 
Every legit diamond comes with a hard GIA copy. Why would GIA keep it if they do not have a diamond? JA is brushing you off. Do not settle for PDF - that sounds like a joke.
 
This CS makes James Allen sounds like a fraudulent company which I believe they’re not, or they were not? Agree with everyone else, you should get the original copy, if not, return it.
 
It may have been a tradein and the original owner either still has, or lost, the original report.
 
ringo865 said:
It may have been a tradein and the original owner either still has, or lost, the original report.
Click to expand...

I think in that case JA would have sent the stone to br recertified.
 
Hi Nick,

Please contact our office and ask to speak or chat with a manager. We provide the original lab report with every purchase. There is such a thing as a 'GIA Digital Diamond Report' which is electronic only, but it would be very unusual for a diamond with this particular type of report to be listed on our website.

All the best,
 
YoungPapa said:
Hi Nick,

Please contact our office and ask to speak or chat with a manager. We provide the original lab report with every purchase. There is such a thing as a 'GIA Digital Diamond Report' which is electronic only, but it would be very unusual for a diamond with this particular type of report to be listed on our website.

All the best,
Click to expand...

Thanks for clarifying! However, the misinformation that your SAs continue to give to posters (see many threads on this) is incredibly disappointing.
 
Hi lovedogs,

I agree. We are training someone now to take a more active role in the PS community to help us identify and counsel team members that are providing misinformation, as well as add context (when helpful) to the conversations.
 
YoungPapa said:
Hi lovedogs,

I agree. We are training someone now to take a more active role in the PS community to help us identify and counsel team members that are providing misinformation, as well as add context (when helpful) to the conversations.
Click to expand...

That's good to know--thank you!
 
Yet another disappointment from James Allen. :nono:
Why JA still a PS vendor escapes me.
IMO it's making PS look bad.

Mr. Schultz while we have your ear, why have you removed from your website instant viewing of GIA reports?
You used to allow it.
Your competitors allow it.

Why do we have to go through the hassle of calling or emailing JA (giving up our privacy and anonymity) to do simple online diamond shopping in 2021?

Please return to offering what your competitors offer, a convenient fast shopping experience.
More and more companies gathering, tracking and making money on the side from our personal information is offensive.
Even if you don't sell our information, capturing it from shoppers to send us spam is also annoying and discourages me from patronizing JA.

We should relinquish our privacy only after deciding to make a purchase - as it should be.
 
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No, that’s not right. You get the hard, laminated, original version of the GIA report. I’ve ordered many diamonds from JA and they always come with the official report, AND a copy. I’d speak to a manager.
 
kenny said:
Yet another disappointment from James Allen. :nono:
Why JA still a PS vendor escapes me.
IMO it's making PS look bad.

Mr. Schultz while we have your ear, why have you removed from your website instant viewing of GIA reports?
You used to allow it.
Your competitors allow it.

Why do we have to go through the hassle of calling or emailing JA (giving up our privacy and anonymity) to do simple online diamond shopping in 2021?

Please return to offering what your competitors offer, a convenient fast shopping experience.
More and more companies gathering, tracking and making money on the side from our personal information is offensive.
Even if you don't sell our information, capturing it from shoppers to send us spam is also annoying and discourages me from patronizing JA.

We should relinquish our privacy only after deciding to make a purchase - as it should be.
Click to expand...

I have to agree. While my purchase went smoothly with them, I found it extremely annoying to have to keep requesting each certificate of the hundreds of diamonds I was looking at. Why not just put them out there??
 
Hi Kenny,

I came into the thread to try and provide the OP assistance with their report request- not relitigate a business decision we made two years ago. With that said, I agree that we should make shopping on our website convenient and will continue to work with my team to make improvements towards that end.

We do not sell or share any personal information, and all of our email subscriptions contain opt-out links. Further, requesting a certificate via phone or chat does not subscribe any consumer to any mailing list. That can only be initiated by the consumer through our newsletter sign-up page.
 
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kenny said:
Yet another disappointment from James Allen. :nono:
Why JA still a PS vendor escapes me.
IMO it's making PS look bad.

Mr. Schultz while we have your ear, why have you removed from your website instant viewing of GIA reports?
You used to allow it.
Your competitors allow it.

Why do we have to go through the hassle of calling or emailing JA (giving up our privacy and anonymity) to do simple online diamond shopping in 2021?

Please return to offering what your competitors offer, a convenient fast shopping experience.
More and more companies gathering, tracking and making money on the side from our personal information is offensive.
Even if you don't sell our information, capturing it from shoppers to send us spam is also annoying and discourages me from patronizing JA.

We should relinquish our privacy only after deciding to make a purchase - as it should be.
Click to expand...

Kenny JA not giving out GIA certs was the main reason Enchanted diamond went belly up. Enchanted (and other companies (with assistance from some affiliate businesses like one we refer to by 2 initials who were complicit) were actively using JA videos and Ideal-scope + hearts images to undercut JA.
I for one fully support businesses that give more information over bottom feeders, because my mission is to improve the beauty of the diamonds consumers buy.
JA sell virtual diamonds, virtual diamonds can be sourced by other vendors. Companies that own diamonds or have exclusive arrangements share GIA and AGS reports. Other Companies that take photos and videos usually have exclusive arrangements but limited inventories.

Since GIA offer electronic certs - if such a stone is listed in virtual inventory it makes sense that a vendor will need to go out to GIA and request the paper copy. But I know in my own business we are moving to only electronic appraisals because we care about the environment. Chopping down trees and jetting stuff around the globe is not good enough these days.
 
I did contact JA again. The same CS person somehow picked up my chat and again beat around the bush. I requested to speak with a manager who agreed to send me, in 2 weeks, what should have been sent with the ring.
Today I received an email from a person from JA (with no designation details) sending me a link to the GIA report and a PDF of the "James Allen appraisal". I replied and repeated that I needed an "original report" issued by GIA.
So I will wait and see.
My question: what is this appraisal (picture below) and do I really need it?
Thanks for all the advice.
James Allen diamond appraisal_1.jpg


james allen chat 2.png
 
AnastasiaBeaverhausen said:
It looks like getting an electronic report is an option... Maybe JA cheaped out on the report for this diamond and didn't spring for a paper copy?
Click to expand...
Garry H (Cut Nut) said:
But I know in my own business we are moving to only electronic appraisals because we care about the environment. Chopping down trees and jetting stuff around the globe is not good enough these days.
Click to expand...

Ya know what, I'm amending my previous statement. Garry brings up a great point about reducing our carbon footprint. Of course, the OP should get a GIA paper report because that's what they paid for and were promised that. But moving forward, maybe vendors could start to phase out paper copies, at least for gems with inscriptions? I have one paper GIA report in my possession and I know I haven't looked at that thing in years... Plus, it looks like getting a digital copy would reduce the cost of lab fees as well?
 
AnastasiaBeaverhausen said:
Ya know what, I'm amending my previous statement. Garry brings up a great point about reducing our carbon footprint. Of course, the OP should get a GIA paper report because that's what they paid for and were promised that. But moving forward, maybe vendors could start to phase out paper copies, at least for gems with inscriptions? I have one paper GIA report in my possession and I know I haven't looked at that thing in years... Plus, it looks like getting a digital copy would reduce the cost of lab fees as well?
Click to expand...

So many of our clients have lost them as we discover when they bring back a diamond for a trade up.
"Oh, sorry, we moved house twice, or maybe its at our holiday home?"
 
Garry H (Cut Nut) said:
So many of our clients have lost them as we discover when they bring back a diamond for a trade up.
"Oh, sorry, we moved house twice, or maybe its at our holiday home?"
Click to expand...

Lol now you made me want to double-check to make sure my report is where I think it is... *runs to check* Yes! Still there...
 
I’ve bought from Jamesallen.com 3 times now and gotten a physical GIA report each time. . I‘m waiting for an order to be completed as we speak and I will raise bloody hell if I don’t receive a physical copy of the report. I care about the environment. HOWEVER, if I cared THAT much, I would have bought a simutant or lab diamond if cared so much that I didn’t want a paper copy of my certificate.
 
I like having the paper copy of my grading reports and would not be happy with an e-report
What likely happened is the owner of the stone was holding onto the report until paid so they did not have the report to send it to you.
It happens from time to time.
 
Garry H (Cut Nut) said:
So many of our clients have lost them as we discover when they bring back a diamond for a trade up.
"Oh, sorry, we moved house twice, or maybe its at our holiday home?"
Click to expand...

Add to their trade up price the cost of shipping it back to GIA for a replacement report.
If they refuse, then refuse their traded up.
Add this condition to every new original contract ... trade up is only allowed if diamond is accompanied by original grading report.
 
YoungPapa said:
Hi Kenny,

I came into the thread to try and provide the OP assistance with their report request- not relitigate a business decision we made two years ago. With that said, I agree that we should make shopping on our website convenient and will continue to work with my team to make improvements towards that end.

We do not sell or share any personal information, and all of our email subscriptions contain opt-out links. Further, requesting a certificate via phone or chat does not subscribe any consumer to any mailing list. That can only be initiated by the consumer through our newsletter sign-up page.
Click to expand...

Mr. Shultz, why don't you show online reports like your competitors do?
 
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kenny said:
Add to their trade up price the cost of shipping it back to GIA for a replacement report.
If they refuse, then refuse their traded up.
Add this condition to every new original contract ... trade up is only allowed if diamond is accompanied by original grading report.
Click to expand...

That would be petty Kenny. People are people. They do not mean to mess up. Just as I am sure the poor JA person did not know about GIAs new digital certs and that getting a had copy means going back to the original company that submitted the diamond as GIA will not reproducea hard copy for any Joe Blow. And if the diamond changed dealer hands that can be a realy nightmare.
 
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