Uncertified diamonds -- Go or No Go?

[SuzyQZ]

Great!

As an aside for any future shoppers, I consider the JA stones to be an easy purchase too. In my opinion, with GIA Ex, a real life photo, and a good HCA score you do not need an IS image at all. So you can also pick, buy, and walk out with stones from JA within a short time and with no waiting.

In your case, since you wanted bezels, and JA does not have those, BGD or WF are the best options! But I don't want other consumers to be left with the impression that the process of buying from a vendor like JA need be complicated. It doesn't have to be!

Dreamer:
I totally agree.
I would imagine that JA would be just as easy to purchase from as any other respected PS vendor. I've purchased from both BGD and WF before so they are in my comfort zone and my first "go to" vendors, but I would have definitely considered JA if they had a yellow gold bezel setting, no question about that. They are definitely an option for any PSer as they have a great reputation here.

 

[SuzyQZ]

OK, here they are, bought and paid for, I'll have them in 8 to 10 days!

Brian has personally looked at them together and said they are a perfect match.

0.841 ctw
AGS000's
.407 I VS2
.434 J SI1

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond/diamond-detail/?product_id=AGS-104051366071 PS WIRE $750.50
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond/diamond-detail/?product_id=AGS-104051391028 PS WIRE $633.65

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/home/ring-details/?product_id=5409 $325 - 2% wire = $318.50

Total Wire $1702.35 - $100 repeat customer gift = $1602.35 out the door!!

> total carat weight < price + AGS Certs = happy me

And I'm totally OK with I/J color for a first set of stud earrings and the cut on these is going to be awsome!

Thanks everyone for your input, I'll post pictures in SMTB when they arrive.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Suzy...job well done..

 

[SuzyQZ]

Thank YOU DF for finding the proverbial “needle in the haystack”.
Great specs, great price!
It was your link that sent me in their direction.
I had searched their inventory before and nothing like that came up.
You've got a knack for finding those beauties, that's for sure!
THANK YOU!!!

PS is a great community. I appreciate all the support and advice.

 

[SuzyQZ]

AND... I forgot to mention these diamonds are eligible for the Lifetime Upgrade Policy. So down the road if she, we, or her future hubby decide they want to upgrade, we've given her a start in the right direction

In case you haven't figured it out by now, these studs are for my daughter. They are a belated college graduation gift (she graduated last week). These will be her first pair of diamond earrings ever. She has grown up seeing all my sparklies, and now she is getting a pair of her very own!

 

[bridecat]

I would be more concerned with the fact that you may be paying more than they are worth because you don't have a GIA report, etc. The verified grades on the report are what determine the value as other have said.

So if it is a reputable jeweler it is less about if they diamond is worth anything or bad quality, but more about are the grade levels a bit overinflated to fetch a better price.

Good luck. You are a very good gift giver

 

[Gypsy]

I'm so glad they found you stones that make you comfortable to buy!

I personally would be okay with uncerted stones for earrings as long as they were from a vendor, like BGD, that I know has very high internal standards. And the if the price was right. But there is a great deal of piece of mind in certed stones. Plus the upgrade policy is a huge selling point for certed stones-- especially with earrings!

 

[SuzyQZ]

I would be more concerned with the fact that you may be paying more than they are worth because you don't have a GIA report, etc. The verified grades on the report are what determine the value as other have said.

So if it is a reputable jeweler it is less about if they diamond is worth anything or bad quality, but more about are the grade levels a bit overinflated to fetch a better price.

Good luck. You are a very good gift giver

For me, cut is king. So I'm perfectly happy, and actually prefer, AGS graded stones because I think they evaluate cut better than GIA does. This is my opinion, I am not an expert by any means, just a regular consumer, but that's how it seems to me.

I think both AGS and GIA are great certificates to rely on.
I don't think you can go wrong with either one.

 

[Dreamer_D]

I would be more concerned with the fact that you may be paying more than they are worth because you don't have a GIA report, etc. The verified grades on the report are what determine the value as other have said.

So if it is a reputable jeweler it is less about if they diamond is worth anything or bad quality, but more about are the grade levels a bit overinflated to fetch a better price.

Good luck. You are a very good gift giver

For me, cut is king. So I'm perfectly happy, and actually prefer, AGS graded stones because I think they evaluate cut better than GIA does. This is my opinion, I am not an expert by any means, just a regular consumer, but that's how it seems to me.

I think both AGS and GIA are great certificates to rely on.
I don't think you can go wrong with either one.

Suzy I think that bridecat was answering your original question about uncerted stones and had not read on to see the conclusion?

 

[Dreamer_D]

AND... I forgot to mention these diamonds are eligible for the Lifetime Upgrade Policy. So down the road if she, we, or her future hubby decide they want to upgrade, we've given her a start in the right direction

In case you haven't figured it out by now, these studs are for my daughter. They are a belated college graduation gift (she graduated last week). These will be her first pair of diamond earrings ever. She has grown up seeing all my sparklies, and now she is getting a pair of her very own!

I think the ability to upgrade is a really nice feature for earring stones. Worth the extra effort you went through for sure.

Oh, and DO NOT complient DF or thank him! It will only encourage his shenanigans around here if we acknowledge him too much Though I suppose in this case he did help... hee hee

 

[SuzyQZ]

I'm so glad they found you stones that make you comfortable to buy!

I personally would be okay with uncerted stones for earrings as long as they were from a vendor, like BGD, that I know has very high internal standards. And the if the price was right. But there is a great deal of piece of mind in certed stones. Plus the upgrade policy is a huge selling point for certed stones-- especially with earrings!

Gypsy:
You make a very good point.
Hence my dilemma in deciding to "Go" or "No Go" with the uncertified diamonds from a very trusted and reputable vendor.

In the end, I was able to get BGD Signature AGS000's in a larger tcw for less than the uncertified diamonds. I did go down in color to get there but I think it was a good choice for me.

And you are right, the upgrade policy for the BGD Signature definitely was an added factor that pushed me over to the "no go" camp.
It was a hard choice, not easily made, but I'm ok with it now that I've decided.

 

[SuzyQZ]

I would be more concerned with the fact that you may be paying more than they are worth because you don't have a GIA report, etc. The verified grades on the report are what determine the value as other have said.

So if it is a reputable jeweler it is less about if they diamond is worth anything or bad quality, but more about are the grade levels a bit overinflated to fetch a better price.

Good luck. You are a very good gift giver

For me, cut is king. So I'm perfectly happy, and actually prefer, AGS graded stones because I think they evaluate cut better than GIA does. This is my opinion, I am not an expert by any means, just a regular consumer, but that's how it seems to me.

I think both AGS and GIA are great certificates to rely on.
I don't think you can go wrong with either one.

Suzy I think that bridecat was answering your original question about uncerted stones and had not read on to see the conclusion?

Dreamer:
Now that I've re-read her reply, I think you are right.
I mistakenly assumed she had read through, but many people don't.
Thanks.

 

[SuzyQZ]

AND... I forgot to mention these diamonds are eligible for the Lifetime Upgrade Policy. So down the road if she, we, or her future hubby decide they want to upgrade, we've given her a start in the right direction

In case you haven't figured it out by now, these studs are for my daughter. They are a belated college graduation gift (she graduated last week). These will be her first pair of diamond earrings ever. She has grown up seeing all my sparklies, and now she is getting a pair of her very own!

I think the ability to upgrade is a really nice feature for earring stones. Worth the extra effort you went through for sure.

Oh, and DO NOT complient DF or thank him! It will only encourage his shenanigans around here if we acknowledge him too much Though I suppose in this case he did help... hee hee

Hee hee, yes I guess just this once we can give him kudos!

 

[tyty333]

Excellent on the BGDs Suzy! The future owner should be beyond happy!

 

[SuzyQZ]

Excellent on the BGDs Suzy! The future owner should be beyond happy!

Thanks tyty.
They are for my daughter who just graduated from college.
She is so excited waiting with me until they arrive.
It's a bonding experience, for sure.
Growing up she always would put on my rings and watch me clean them daily.
She's a diamond lover too!

 

[yssie]

All these fabulous college graduation sparklies - I didn't get one!

She must be thrilled Suzy!!

 

[iheartscience]

Awesome, glad BGD came through with the certed stones! And what a great graduation gift-I bet she'll have them forever! They're going to be a perfect size for everyday wear, too. Please post pics once you get them!

 

[SuzyQZ]

All these fabulous college graduation sparklies - I didn't get one!

She must be thrilled Suzy!!

Yssie, I didn't get a graduation gift either
I'm glad we are able to do this for her.
She's a very good student (cum laude) and worked as a waitress all through college.
Hubby and I felt she was deserving of something special to reward her efforts.

 

[SuzyQZ]

Awesome, glad BGD came through with the certed stones! And what a great graduation gift-I bet she'll have them forever! They're going to be a perfect size for everyday wear, too. Please post pics once you get them!

Thanks T2of2.
Congratulations on reaching 10K on PS!

I've got to go find that graduation gift thread in SMTB so I can post them there, what was it called? I'll also post on the Show me your studs thread.

 

[Dancing Fire]

AND... I forgot to mention these diamonds are eligible for the Lifetime Upgrade Policy. So down the road if she, we, or her future hubby decide they want to upgrade, we've given her a start in the right direction

In case you haven't figured it out by now, these studs are for my daughter. They are a belated college graduation gift (she graduated last week). These will be her first pair of diamond earrings ever. She has grown up seeing all my sparklies, and now she is getting a pair of her very own!

I think the ability to upgrade is a really nice feature for earring stones. Worth the extra effort you went through for sure.

Oh, and DO NOT complient DF or thank him! It will only encourage his shenanigans around here if we acknowledge him too much Though I suppose in this case he did help... hee hee

Hee hee, yes I guess just this once we can give him kudos!

thank you ..

 

[Dreamer_D]

AND... I forgot to mention these diamonds are eligible for the Lifetime Upgrade Policy. So down the road if she, we, or her future hubby decide they want to upgrade, we've given her a start in the right direction

In case you haven't figured it out by now, these studs are for my daughter. They are a belated college graduation gift (she graduated last week). These will be her first pair of diamond earrings ever. She has grown up seeing all my sparklies, and now she is getting a pair of her very own!

I think the ability to upgrade is a really nice feature for earring stones. Worth the extra effort you went through for sure.

Oh, and DO NOT complient DF or thank him! It will only encourage his shenanigans around here if we acknowledge him too much Though I suppose in this case he did help... hee hee

Hee hee, yes I guess just this once we can give him kudos!

thank you ..

Don't let it go to your head, DF

 

[SuzyQZ]

UPDATE:
I released the first two stones because Brian called me and said he found an even better match.
Both stones are still BGD Signature, AGS 000's. Color and measurements are more uniform.

Here's the link. Delivery is expected sometime next week.
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond/diamond-detail/?product_id=AGS-104051391036
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond/diamond-detail/?product_id=AGS-104051391034

They are sending me a check with the earrings for the difference in price.
Oh, and no worries about the crystal in AGS104051391036. Both Brian and Jamie have looked at it and assure me it is eye clean.

 

[Dancing Fire]

UPDATE:
I released the first two stones because Brian called me and said he found an even better match.
Both stones are still BGD Signature, AGS 000's. Color and measurements are more uniform.

Here's the link. Delivery is expected sometime next week.
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond/diamond-detail/?product_id=AGS-104051391036
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond/diamond-detail/?product_id=AGS-104051391034

They are sending me a check with the earrings for the difference in price.
Oh, and no worries about the crystal in AGS104051391036. Both Brian and Jamie have looked at it and assure me it is eye clean.

yup!...the diameters are very close match to each other...

 

[SuzyQZ]

Thanks DF. I knew Brian would not steer me wrong.

It's not every day that a vendor will call you and offer you a better option for less money.
Brian is a busy man and I appreciate that he took the time to get me on the phone.

 

[SuzyQZ]

I'll have these beauties on Wednesday.
Dear dauughter is going to LOVE THEM!!

 

[partgypsy]

NIiiice. I love bezels. Great story. I'm sure your daughter is excited.

My oldest especially enjoys looking at my jewelry. One time in passing I told her she would get my anniversary ring when I passed. She totally remembers and when I am wearing will often point out and remind me that is the one she will get when I die. Which I find a little morbid so I say I'm not going anywhere yet! She is only 8. Unfortunately she has already developed expensive taste. I bought them fun cz rings for stocking stuffers but when she found out they were not real stones she wasn't interested in wearing them! So next time I'll get a white topaz or amethyst ring.

 

[SuzyQZ]

NIiiice. I love bezels. Great story. I'm sure your daughter is excited.

My oldest especially enjoys looking at my jewelry. One time in passing I told her she would get my anniversary ring when I passed. She totally remembers and when I am wearing will often point out and remind me that is the one she will get when I die. Which I find a little morbid so I say I'm not going anywhere yet! She is only 8. Unfortunately she has already developed expensive taste. I bought them fun cz rings for stocking stuffers but when she found out they were not real stones she wasn't interested in wearing them! So next time I'll get a white topaz or amethyst ring.

We've gifted my daughter over the years with gemstone/birthstone jewelry, some real, some manmade. All set in 14K gold. Not high end, but certainly some pretty items. It gave me a chance to see how responsible she was with her stuff and how she took care of it (wearing, storing, cleaning, etc.). These are her first diamonds (other than tiny melee).
Growing up she would always ask to try on my rings and giggle in delight at the sparkles!

I'm trying to show her to be a responsible and discerning diamond owner. In order to have sparkly things, you need to take care of them so they always look their best. Dirty diamonds are a no no!
She's excited to get these and really is looking forward to it. I know she will take good care of them as she has observed me doing with my jewels over the years.

We've never discussed what I will leave her when I die. I don't even think about that yet as I'm just 53 years young!
We just focus on taking care of what you have and accumulating pieces over a lifetime as special events and milestones take place. It will be fun, starting with this pair of earrings.

 

[tyty333]

They are beautiful Suzy! I think I got a briefcase for college graduation !

I also have a 7 year old daughter that likes to try on my stuff...most of it will be hers someday since my other two are boys.
I'm also the only girl and I'll be getting all my Mom's stuff because I told her I didnt think I could stand to see her stuff on
some other girl...it would just make me cry.

 

[SuzyQZ]

They are beautiful Suzy! I think I got a briefcase for college graduation !

I also have a 7 year old daughter that likes to try on my stuff...most of it will be hers someday since my other two are boys.
I'm also the only girl and I'll be getting all my Mom's stuff because I told her I didnt think I could stand to see her stuff on
some other girl...it would just make me cry.

Yes, our daughters do lean a lot from us, don't they?

It was standard practice whenever we were someplace that had terrific lighting (movie theatre, church, museum, sport arena) my daughter would always say, "Whoa! Let me wear your rings for a while!"

I hear ya about someone else wearing your mother's jewelry.
Who could possibly appreciate it more than you?

 

[bethprov]

Wow Suzy, what a wonderfull gift! They are beautiful and you and your husband have obviously done a good job to bring up such a hard working and responsilbe daughter