I think I found the ring for my gf, could use some help! :)

[ScottK]

Hi guys,
Just wanted to say I love the forum, everyone here is very knowledgeable and I have learned a ton already just by browsing through everything!

I came across a diamond and I am very aware of the saying, if its too good to be true it probably is... I am still waiting for the report from her, (I believe it is from Professional Gem Sciences) but I have looked at the stone in person and it is beautiful.

The details I have so far from the lady that owns it are:

2.4 carats brilliant round cut

K color

SI2

Cut/Polish/Symmetry are all very good, with one of the three being good to very good I believe.

I am wondering what a fair market value is for a stone like this. I am very aware that K has a slight yellow tint to it, but after looking at the stone I don''t think it''s an issue. The stone is very fiery with a lot of sparkle and I am planning on having it mounted in a solitaire white gold band. This kind of stuff is stressful for us guys, would appreciate your help in figuring out if I should move forward with it.

 

[jewelz617]

Price?

 

[ScottK]

I think I can get it for around $4,000.

 

[gemdandy]

My advice to you is to make sure you see the stone in light other than the lighting used in the store. Even if it means someone has to accompany you outside, I would definitely ask to see it using another light source.

 

[D&T]

Date: 2/24/2010 11:00:18 AM
Author: ScottK
I think I can get it for around $4,000.

WAYYYYY toooo good to be true!... for a 2.4 carat at $4k

but second hand... could work out.. .Make sure its a natural diaomond as well.

 

[stone-cold11]

Which lab graded the stone?

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 2/24/2010 10:48:25 AM
Author:ScottK
Hi guys,
Just wanted to say I love the forum, everyone here is very knowledgeable and I have learned a ton already just by browsing through everything!

I came across a diamond and I am very aware of the saying, if its too good to be true it probably is... I am still waiting for the report from her, (I believe it is from Professional Gem Sciences) but I have looked at the stone in person and it is beautiful.

The details I have so far from the lady that owns it are:

2.4 carats brilliant round cut

K color

SI2

Cut/Polish/Symmetry are all very good, with one of the three being good to very good I believe.

I am wondering what a fair market value is for a stone like this. I am very aware that K has a slight yellow tint to it, but after looking at the stone I don't think it's an issue. The stone is very fiery with a lot of sparkle and I am planning on having it mounted in a solitaire white gold band. This kind of stuff is stressful for us guys, would appreciate your help in figuring out if I should move forward with it.

Hi Scott and welcome!

What I would do if you want to buy this ring is to get an independant appraiser of your choosing to oversee this deal. I am not well acquainted with Professional Gem Sciences reports so to me involving an appraiser is essential. The price is incredibly low even for a secondary market stone, you want to make sure the stone isn't damaged or has a potential durability issue. Definitely look at the diamond away from any bright lighting to make sure it is eyeclean to your satisfaction also.

You can use this tool here to find an appraiser in your area.

 

[D&T]

Date: 2/24/2010 11:35:00 AM
Author: Stone-cold11
Which lab graded the stone?

Professional Gem Sciences...

 

[ScottK]

Thanks guys!

I actually did have them take it outside for me as their super bright lights obviously made it sparkle the most, but the rest of the lights at her place were rather dim and yellow. Outside in the sun, the stone still has quite a bit of fire to it.

I asked her personally if the stone was natural and she said yes, 100%. She is a very sweet lady but is there any way I can verify?

The lab that graded the stone was Professional Gem Sciences. The stats that I gave above were all off her head, she is sending me the report today.

I feel like this is too good to be true, but I feel like it is possible for a second hand stone. She told me a buyer from a well known local shop came buy and offered her what I did for the stone, but she would rather that it goes to someone actually looking to get engaged rather than sell it. I have been in the sales and marketing business for a long time and I know pressure tactics, but I can''t help but think this may be legit after looking at the stone in person.

 

[D&T]

Date: 2/24/2010 11:45:37 AM
Author: ScottK
Thanks guys!

I actually did have them take it outside for me as their super bright lights obviously made it sparkle the most, but the rest of the lights at her place were rather dim and yellow. Outside in the sun, the stone still has quite a bit of fire to it.

I asked her personally if the stone was natural and she said yes, 100%. She is a very sweet lady but is there any way I can verify?

The lab that graded the stone was Professional Gem Sciences. The stats that I gave above were all off her head, she is sending me the report today.

I feel like this is too good to be true, but I feel like it is possible for a second hand stone. She told me a buyer from a well known local shop came buy and offered her what I did for the stone, but she would rather that it goes to someone actually looking to get engaged rather than sell it. I have been in the sales and marketing business for a long time and I know pressure tactics, but I can't help but think this may be legit after looking at the stone in person.

hopefully it is legit and possibly go to the appraiser together perhaps before you shell any money out, the appraiser can tell you if it is natural or not.

 

[Bella_mezzo]

just get it independantly appraised before you buy it, or make sure you have a 100% moneyback guarantee for 7 days so that you can get it appraised then. if it''s natural and the stats are true and it looks great to you then you may have founda great deal.

 

[ScottK]

Just contacted a local appraiser, thanks for the link and the tips you guys!

How much on average does it cost to have a stone appraised, and should I pay that or take it out of what I offer the seller?

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 2/24/2010 12:27:51 PM
Author: ScottK
Just contacted a local appraiser, thanks for the link and the tips you guys!

How much on average does it cost to have a stone appraised, and should I pay that or take it out of what I offer the seller?

It depends on the depth of the appraisal, I believe it can run $200 and up, personally I don't think you can afford not to consult one for this stone. Make sure YOU choose the appraisal and not the seller. You could make an offer depending on what the appraiser says, they will be able to tell you a lot about the diamond and a fair selling price.

Useful thread here, appraiser essentials.

 

[AprilBaby]

Will be interesting to see if it is really the deal she claims it is.

 

[ScottK]

Date: 2/24/2010 12:53:02 PM
Author: AprilBaby
Will be interesting to see if it is really the deal she claims it is.

I agree, will keep you guys posted!

 

[Chase035]

9 out of 10 this will either be a poorly cut stone, a clarity enhanced stone, or something along those lines.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 2/24/2010 9:05:05 PM
Author: Chase035
9 out of 10 this will either be a poorly cut stone, a clarity enhanced stone, or something along those lines.

Yes, most likely I am afraid. But you never know!

Regarding the K color, you need to look at the diamond in diffuse ambient lighting. Like the type of lighting you would have in your home, or sitting in your car, or even in an office, and you need to look at the diamond at a tilt angle. That is the lighting environment and the angle that will show the most color in a K diamond and some women will *hate* the way it looks. A K color diamond will not neccessarily be yellow, it will perhaps look beige or tan or taupe in some lighting. You may love it, but to be sure, look at it in the critical environments.

 

[ScottK]

Well she could not provide the lab results from it, so I asked her if I could have it checked out by an appraiser as I am not willing to spend any money without knowing what I am getting into, I just don''t want that kind of buyers remorse. It is currently at a jewelry store on private consignment, so the lady I have been dealing with, (claims to be acting as a middleman for the actual seller) said it can not leave without being paid for. To me that is sketchy, so I asked for my money to be put in escrow so I can have 7 days to have it checked out, will see what she says.

So now its an "estimated" K color.. The stone was visibly clear, I would probably put it at an SI2. Cut seemed very good as it sparkled like crazy under the higher powered lights, but as mentioned above in ambient, yellowish light it did not sparkle too much. Not really sure how much it should though either.

I got the price down to $3,500 if I can get an appraiser to look at it first. I really feel like this may be too good to be true and is a bit sketchy.. trying to figure out what I am missing here.

Also, to be honest I feel like buying a diamond for a girl I love should be way more high class than this.

 

[ms.halo]

Date: 2/25/2010 12:56:48 PM
Author: ScottK
Also, to be honest I feel like buying a diamond for a girl I love should be way more high class than this.

I can''t comment on the potential quality or the technical aspects, but I do want to say that the experience of buying a ring is important, too. My parents had a bad experience buying a house in the 1980s and because of that they ended up hating every minute of the eight years they lived in the house. I wonder if you''d be happier starting from scratch even if the size of the diamond would be smaller? Just my 2 cents.

 

[IanG]

I hear you on the "classy" issue, Scott. I just bought an engagement ring and went to the majority of the jewelers at Jewelers Row in Philly. There were some jewelers who offered me better deals for virtually the same GIA stones, but I just didn''t feel comfortable with them as a seller. I thought to myself, "Is this where I want to tell my fiance I bought her ring if we come back here?"

In the end I stuck with my gut, kept shopping until a got a good deal I was comfortable with, and I have no regrets or second thoughts.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 2/25/2010 12:56:48 PM
Author: ScottK
Well she could not provide the lab results from it, so I asked her if I could have it checked out by an appraiser as I am not willing to spend any money without knowing what I am getting into, I just don''t want that kind of buyers remorse. It is currently at a jewelry store on private consignment, so the lady I have been dealing with, (claims to be acting as a middleman for the actual seller) said it can not leave without being paid for. To me that is sketchy, so I asked for my money to be put in escrow so I can have 7 days to have it checked out, will see what she says.

So now its an ''estimated'' K color.. The stone was visibly clear, I would probably put it at an SI2. Cut seemed very good as it sparkled like crazy under the higher powered lights, but as mentioned above in ambient, yellowish light it did not sparkle too much. Not really sure how much it should though either.

I got the price down to $3,500 if I can get an appraiser to look at it first. I really feel like this may be too good to be true and is a bit sketchy.. trying to figure out what I am missing here.

Also, to be honest I feel like buying a diamond for a girl I love should be way more high class than this.

Walk away.

 

[yssie]

Big +1.

 

[Frenchgirl]

Date: 2/25/2010 12:56:48 PM
Author: ScottK
Well she could not provide the lab results from it, so I asked her if I could have it checked out by an appraiser as I am not willing to spend any money without knowing what I am getting into, I just don''t want that kind of buyers remorse. It is currently at a jewelry store on private consignment, so the lady I have been dealing with, (claims to be acting as a middleman for the actual seller) said it can not leave without being paid for. To me that is sketchy, so I asked for my money to be put in escrow so I can have 7 days to have it checked out, will see what she says.


So now its an ''estimated'' K color.. The stone was visibly clear, I would probably put it at an SI2. Cut seemed very good as it sparkled like crazy under the higher powered lights, but as mentioned above in ambient, yellowish light it did not sparkle too much. Not really sure how much it should though either.


I got the price down to $3,500 if I can get an appraiser to look at it first. I really feel like this may be too good to be true and is a bit sketchy.. trying to figure out what I am missing here.


Also, to be honest I feel like buying a diamond for a girl I love should be way more high class than this.

Why 2.40 Carat? You can buy a smaller diamond which will more be " high class "

 

[cara]

This is crazy pricing. Do not do it. Its like a guy on the street offering you a Rolex for $10 but not the opportunity to inspect under anything more than the moonlight. You want to look at it under the streetlight 10 feet over there? Oh, I need to be paid right now for that to happen.

Buy something decent for your girl. Woln''t be 2.4 ct but that''s okay. Buy something you have some confidence in and have pride about, even if its more modest size.