Quick thoughts on recent purchase, 7 day refund period

[davemclean]

Hi all,

I have been checking out a number of threads on these forums for the last few months but am a first time poster.

After a lot of time researching online followed by a significant amount of time spent with a handful of different retailers I have purchased the following stone from a bricks and mortar for what I understand to be a pretty hefty price (at least based on an online search for a stone with similar GIA credentials). That said, I 'm not too fussed about the cost as long as I get comfortable that it's a great stone.

I have 5 days to change my mind for a 100% refund and am really interested in your thoughts based on the certificate and also on any processes that you would suggest I undertake within the next 5 days to get comfortable with the stone (and, to a lesser extent, the value proposition). The representative of the supplier that I have been dealing with is a qualified gemologist and it is best to assume that I can access any grading etc. tools as required (if push comes to shove I'll take the stone to a grading lab).

http://www.gia.edu/cs/Satellite?pagename=GST%2FDispatcher&childpagename=GIA%2FPage%2FReportCheck&c=Page&cid=1355954554547&reportno=7163548405

Happy to answer any questions but as you will appreciate, not much time is available on this one. I will check back for responses every 12 hours or so, any help or guidance is much appreciated.

Cheers,

Dave.

 

[Mikla]

I just glanced at the report to see the type and placement of the inclusions. I would be worried that there are so many inclusions at the edge of the stone, which could compromise the stone's durability. Unless you are setting the stone in a halo, I might think twice about this one.

 

[geoffreysnow]

Since you already purchased it, I would see it in person and take it in to an independent appraiser to get their thoughts. I don't think the inclusions on that plot will compromise the structural integrity, but a professional appraiser can give a definitive opinion.

 

[davemclean]

Fantastic, thanks for the information guys. That has not crossed my mind at all so very helpful. I'll do as suggested and let you know the result. Are there any further specific questions that you would suggest I ask the independent gemologist/appraiser?

My biggest 'concern' was the small spread vs carat size (and reasonably large depth). Still GIA ExExEx and HCA sub 2.0 but like I said, the stone is particularly expensive for its paper credentials so want to ensure thr this is not something that should sway my decision.

Would you suggest assessing any particular imaging tool (i.e Idealscope or Hearts and Arrows viewer) or simply to just have a good look myself (untrained eye) at the broader performance and preferability of the stone as against other similarly priced stones? That and speak to an independent appraiser of course.

To me the stone appears to be particularly eye clean. I have examined it in the flesh (including under loupe) a couple of times now and to me the cleanliness of the stone has outperformed a range of similar characteristic SI1's that I have been considering. I think this must be because I am focused on and seem to be able to more easily spot inclusions located on the table as oppose to the pavilion, and this is by far the cleanest table I have found in the SI's that I have viewed. It is however priced to reflect this (i.e no material price difference between it and other SI1's with similar characteristics and smaller & fewer BUT more prominent inclusions located within the table).

Anyway, any further thoughts are much appreciated.

Cheers,

Dave

 

[diamondseeker2006]

How much is the stone? Because I would vastly rather have an excellent cut with slightly better spread and better clarity...like maybe G SI1 or H VS2. Let's see what is out there for the same price. I wouldn't do E SI2 for an engagement ring. I would balance the specs a little more rather than combining high color and low clarity. I also would not buy an SI2 with the primary inclusion being a feather (crack).

 

[davemclean]

Thanks for the response.

The stone cost 18.5k AUD (I am based in Sydney, Australia). The bricks and mortar vendor wouldn't budge (any further than this).

For a point of comparison, about 18% needs to be added to online US prices to get back to the AUD equiv to account for the current exchange rate difference plus the 10% AU tax payable to AU customs to bring the diamond into the country (set or loose).

The exchange rate does of course move around a little and the suggested adjustment above may be a little conservative but let's not get too caught up in that.

Appreciate any information or suggestions you may have that will help me to confirm this stone or find a better alternative.

Cheers,

Dave

 

[davemclean]

P.S. I've got a gemologist/appraisal appt booked for tomorrow so let me know if you think there is anything specific that I should be asking/requesting further to the above.

 

[davemclean]

A reputable independent appraiser/gemologist gave the stone the thumbs up yesterday. No durability issues, no light return issues, great proportions, white, bright, very eye clean. SI2 because of the quantity of (innocuous) inclusions, none of which are pertinent and all of which are VERY difficult to spot with the naked (trained) eye on close examination.

He commented on the fact that if I wanted to continue my search I could likely achieve a slightly bigger spread and slightly lower cost but noted that finding an SI this eye clean can be quite difficult. All in all he thought a very pleasant stone, that I had done my research and should be happy to hold on to it.

 

[MarionC]

A reputable independent appraiser/gemologist gave the stone the thumbs up yesterday. No durability issues, no light return issues, great proportions, white, bright, very eye clean. SI2 because of the quantity of (innocuous) inclusions, none of which are pertinent and all of which are VERY difficult to spot with the naked (trained) eye on close examination.

He commented on the fact that if I wanted to continue my search I could likely achieve a slightly bigger spread and slightly lower cost but noted that finding an SI this eye clean can be quite difficult. All in all he thought a very pleasant stone, that I had done my research and should be happy to hold on to it.

That's great! To continue to search will only confuse things and can be very time consuming, so it sounds as though you've done very well and can now go on to enjoy the new diamond in happiness.