one.love Posted December 9, 2009 Posted December 9, 2009 I've read these forums for a while, but first time poster.. I'm doing the whole diamond ring hunt (a bit daunting) and was looking for a little advice. I've read up on loads of stuff online and talked with friends so I feel pretty comfortable finding a good diamond at a good price. The only thing i'm not entirely clear on right now is diamond grading reports. my good buddy just got hitched and his diamond came with a GIA grading report. he says that lab is the best and that (apparently) i can't tell the 4 C's w/o a report. so i guess what i'm asking is.. should i be following his advice and getting a grading report? and if so, is GIA the lab to go with, or is there more to this i don't know about? I know a lot of people are in the anti-diamond buying club, and I totally respect that.. but I'm firmly set on getting one, so any help in the matter would be greatly appreciated. thanks all
shotinthedark Posted December 9, 2009 Posted December 9, 2009 A GIA report is important, but may not be everything. Make sure you get it appraised by an independent jeweler soon after you get it to verify the report and set a true replacement value for it if you are thinking of getting a home insurance rider.
2sure Posted December 9, 2009 Posted December 9, 2009 How important the 4C's are, how important the report is....all depends on the what kind of money you are spending and the value of the stone. Insurance for jewelry is really expensive and unless this an heirloom/ investment piece will end up costing more than the ring if thats the only high value jewelry on it. If the ring is more modestly priced...just remember that regardless of how it looks under a jewelers magnifier...it will be seen only with the naked eye.
Author one.love Posted December 9, 2009 Author Posted December 9, 2009 A GIA report is important, but may not be everything. Make sure you get it appraised by an independent jeweler soon after you get it to verify the report and set a true replacement value for it if you are thinking of getting a home insurance rider. I definitely want to insure the thing when I get it. That seems like a no-brainer. My mom lost her engagement ring a few years back and was so sad, but at least she was able to get money back.. since she had rider insurance on it. i feel like the report would be needed to get an accurate appraisal.. since the report lays out the 4 C's, the jeweler would be able to better know the diamond's value, no? and if GIA is the strictest lab, then i'd imagine their reports would lead to the best possible appraisal.
sb129 Posted December 9, 2009 Posted December 9, 2009 An independent appraisal should have enough information in it to get the best insurance value without the GIA lab report. Some diamonds come with a report when you buy them- my Tiffany engagement ring came with one, and I gave a copy of that to the jeweller when he did his appraisal for our insurance.
abd Posted December 9, 2009 Posted December 9, 2009 I guess if you're in the market for something expensive enough to require insurance, maybe you should worry about a report. I think GIA is probably the most familiar grading lab, but here's a link discussing a few others. But remember that your future spouse is unlikely to be examining her ring through a loupe, or asking you exactly what clarity or cut it is. If it looks good and she likes it, that's more important than what a report says. Personally, I'm one of the anti-diamond crowd.
Author one.love Posted December 10, 2009 Author Posted December 10, 2009 I guess if you're in the market for something expensive enough to require insurance, maybe you should worry about a report. I think GIA is probably the most familiar grading lab, but here's a link discussing a few others. But remember that your future spouse is unlikely to be examining her ring through a loupe, or asking you exactly what clarity or cut it is. If it looks good and she likes it, that's more important than what a report says. Personally, I'm one of the anti-diamond crowd. thanks for the link. (and the discloser ). i really do appreciate the help. it's not so much that i'm that concerned with the exact cut or clarity, it's more that i just feel if i'm buying something this expensive, it'd make sense to have documentation of its make-up/characteristics/what-not.. whether its for insurance or just comfort of mind. and IF i'm going to worry about a report, I might as well get the most accurate one available, which from that link you gave seems to be from GIA or AGS. reading that thread, and knowing my buddy went with GIA though, i' think i'll just go ahead and go with them. this line stuck out to me on the thread: "The thing to remember is: you aren't paying less for non GIA stones, you're getting less." i'm with you 100 percent though on the end-goal : making sure she likes it and making sure it looks nice Let's just hope that's not easier said than done, heh. again thanks for the help, abd and everyone.
OneTwo Posted December 10, 2009 Posted December 10, 2009 So spill: what size and grade of diamond are you looking at?
Author one.love Posted December 10, 2009 Author Posted December 10, 2009 So spill: what size and grade of diamond are you looking at? i'm on a budget of sorts (who isn't these days?) but for now i'm thinking something like a 1.25 (ish) carat, excellent cut, color J, SI1 . from what i've read online, it seems like a better bet to put more concern on cut than color and then the clarity wouldn't seem as important too since i'm not going to be looking at it under a microscope.
sonicranger Posted December 11, 2009 Posted December 11, 2009 (edited) GIA is the cheesiest gem lab. Ask around at independent jewelers. The mall stores are tend to use GIA, independents will be AGL or EGL. You want AGL or EGL. American Gemological Labratories or European Gem Labs Certification. Also, you realize you're just paying extra for a certification card. Its the same as buying a used car. Car (A) has 50,000 miles on it, is green and clean. Car (B) has 65,000 miles on it is blue and clean but has this fancy certificate that says it is REALLY clean. You are right, CUT is everything, COLOR is second. Clarity...SI2 you can't see squat if its in the right spot. You want good dimensions, good symmetry. Very thin girdle if any. Fluorescence will also cost you more money, if a diamond fluoresces it is worth less money. IMO, if you going for a 1.25 Carat, an SI1-SI2 is fine, if their aren't any major feathers visible on the table, I wouldn't go below an H color to be honest and your cut should be Very Good to Excellent. Either way, you say you're on a budget but just from memory at 1.25 Carats you're looking at around $4000-$10000 for the stone, don't forget at least $500 for the setting, more if you want platinum. I second the whole, "If she's happy". That means the most. If she's happy with you covered in mud but sitting by her side then she probably doesn't give a damn about a certification or any of that crap. Edited December 11, 2009 by sonicranger
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