Traveling from SEA to NYC to see a stone, can/how I get a second opinion?

[Mechealle]

Panning on going this week just for a few hours to see what I think is my stone after 3 longs months of searching.

It is a GIA certified stone from a private jeweler, but obviously want to make sure I do my diligence and make sure the stone is legit. Am I able to go to another vendor/store to confirm the diamond is real and such? Is that a thing?

 

[xxxxxx]

If you enter New York you have to quarantine for at least three days. I would have the stone sent to an independent (pricescope) appraiser close to you so you can view the stone without getting on a plane. The jeweler should give you that option otherwise I would pass on the stone.

 

[Mechealle]

If you enter New York you have to quarantine for at least three days. I would have the stone sent to an independent (pricescope) appraiser close to you so you can view the stone without getting on a plane. The jeweler should give you that option otherwise I would pass on the stone.

Thank you for this, I did not know.. I was told if you won’t be staying for more than 48 hours you don’t have to quarantine. If it helps at all, I had COVID earlier in the year).

Traveling is not ideal but no chance I’m buying a 3 carat without seeing in person. She said I could pay in full and have the ring appraised locally to me OR she’d happy to to get it appraise in NYC somewhere. I assume I could try to find a PS appraisal on here for her to give to and I just pay them directly. That how it works?

 

[Dancing Fire]

What did you meant by a private jeweler? Don't waste your time if you don't have more information on the stone. Can you post the GIA report? I-scope? ASET? H&A pic?

 

[Mechealle]

What did you meant by a private jeweler? Don't waste your time if you don't have more information on the stone. Can you post the GIA report? I-scope? ASET? H&A pic?

Sorry for the minimal info... been speaking to her for a while now. Below is the stone specifications and attached the GIA report and screen shots from the video.

shape: Oval Brilliant
GIA: 6217175756
size: 3.02
color: I
clarity: VS2 (eye clean)
dimensions: 11.27 x 7.57 x 5
L/W ratio: 1.48
cut: excellent
polish: excellent
symmetry: excellent
fluorescent: strong

I was waiting for the jeweler to get the stone in-house to confirm it was eye clean but I want to be sure myself as I noticed some inclusions in the video however her response was that "The videos are super magnified. They do this to be transparent about the stone and its inclusions, but when you see it in person they go unnoticed.”

She'd be happy to send over the stone overnight to an appraiser in Washington (that I found on here) I'd just have to pay for it in full and be sure I return in the timeframe. That is that compromise unless I go to NYC myself.

 

[lovedogs]

Given COVID and associated restrictions I wouldn't personally be willing to travel across the country right now to see a stone. I would have it sent to WA to be appraised and send back if you aren't happy.

 

[Mechealle]

Given COVID and associated restrictions I wouldn't personally be willing to travel across the country right now to see a stone. I would have it sent to WA to be appraised and send back if you aren't happy.

100% agree, I just didn’t know that was an option and relieved it is. I’ve done a ton of research and am fairly confident this is the one but I must see in person before I pull the trigger on such a purchase. It just has to be a eye clean and want to be 100% due to what I saw in video.

 

[Mamajemmy]

Given COVID and associated restrictions I wouldn't personally be willing to travel across the country right now to see a stone. I would have it sent to WA to be appraised and send back if you aren't happy.

Yes— this. A lot of us have paid for a stone in full to see it in person first and then sent it back if it’s not what we are looking for.

 

[Lookinagain]

what time frame is she giving you for the return? I hope it is long enough to account for bad weather, the holiday rush, etc. Even overnight packages can be delayed for those reasons. If having it appraised in NY makes you comfortable, I'd pick the appraiser and do that, but then of course, you wouldn't see the stone and the appraisal isn't going to tell you if it speaks to you. So I think having it sent to WA works best, just make sure you have a return period that is long enough to account for delays in shipping.

 

[diamondsR4eVR]

what time frame is she giving you for the return? I hope it is long enough to account for bad weather, the holiday rush, etc. Even overnight packages can be delayed for those reasons. If having it appraised in NY makes you comfortable, I'd pick the appraiser and do that, but then of course, you wouldn't see the stone and the appraisal isn't going to tell you if it speaks to you. So I think having it sent to WA works best, just make sure you have a return period that is long enough to account for delays in shipping.

This is so true. I shipped something out a week ago today from Philly to FL priority mail and it’s still not at its final destination. I paid extra too. More and more ppl are shopping online than in stores so delays are even longer than the normal holiday rush.
We are even having issues at work with packages not arriving on time and we pay extra for next day delivery.

 

[Mechealle]

This is so true. I shipped something out a week ago today from Philly to FL priority mail and it’s still not at its final destination. I paid extra too. More and more ppl are shopping online than in stores so delays are even longer than the normal holiday rush.
We are even having issues at work with packages not arriving on time and we pay extra for next day delivery.

@Lookinagain @diamondsR4eVR thanks for this and good to know, she said I usually have a week so have some wiggle room for delays if we went FedEx overnight. I plan to wire the money tomorrw, get stone shipped directly to me then have an appt at a local apprasier that I found onf PS. Fingers crossed all goes well!

 

[diamondsR4eVR]

Good luck and keep us posted on your thoughts. You can even share pictures here if you’d like. Be sure to check out the ring in different lighting too.

 

[xxxxxx]

I would be concerned about the I color. Next to a colorless oval it will look tinted. But if you like the I color then go for it. Also the ends look a bit mushy. But this is also common in ovals.
To be quite honest with your budget you could get a beautiful D color lab diamond in the 4-5 carat range. But I am biased that I don’t like low colored “modern” ovals.

 

[Mechealle]

Guys, while jeweler hasn’t given me any bad vibes from this I am little nervous to just wire $30k over to her... we’ve been communicating for weeks, text and phone call. Has a legit website and company Instagram however you just never know with people.

Samantha Tsiagalis / Sam Tsia is her name, from NYC.

 

[Kaycee2018]

Personally, I would never pay by wire. Especially to a vendor you are unfamiliar with. Credit cards offer extra protection in the event of fraud or any disputes related to the purchase. There are plenty of 3 carat oval diamonds out there. Is there a reason you are committed to this one in particular from a vendor that you aren't familiar with?

 

[Mechealle]

@Kaycee2018 thanks for responding!! It’s just by far the best diamond I’ve been (virtually in this case) shown in the past 3 months of diligently looking and doing so with some local and some other jewelers. Now, annoyingly, considering flying to NYC again for the sake of being sure on my end. However if credit card is an option I could go that route.

 

[Lookinagain]

If she won't let you pay by credit card, I wouldn't do it.
If you have her ship it to WA, make sure the return period she gives you STARTS when the diamond is DELIVERED to you, not from the day that she ships it.