Proposal Ring - Part 2

[Des126]

I would be wary of other grading labs. According to some other research studies, non GIA & AGS certs actually may cost more. They are not cheaper.

1) Non-GIA & AGS certs tend to be graded of a higher grade. But when re-graded by GIA / AGS, very often, they have lower grades assigned.
2) Although, it would be cheaper when compared to diamonds of the same grade as GIA/AGS, if we use the actual GIA/AGS grade, one may actually be paying more for their stones.

My word of advice. Non GIA/AGS certs may not mean a better deal.

I have actually seen an IGI Ideal H&A before. It was a 0.75ct E VS2 3EX Ideal H&A as stated in the IGI Ideal H&A report. I was given the opportunity to compare the color with the other 2 GIA stones ( F color & E color) side by side for color comparison. All these 3 stones are placed with pavilion facing up on a white paper under a gem light. I can actually see that the GIA F color is more yellowish than the GIA E & IGI E color. But I can't see any difference between the GIA E & IGI E.

As for the clarity i compared with a GIA VS2 & GIA SI1 under a loupe and the GIA SI1 seems to be the most included. Both VS2 looks clean to me.

Lastly when i inspected the IGI Ideal H&A with Aset scope i found that the IGI Aset image is better (even Classis girdle, Perfect Optical Symmetry and no light leakage) than the other 2 GIA 3EX.

In this case, what do u think of these IGI Ideal H&A if the price is the same as GIA 0.75 E VS2 3EX? Do you think it is worth to consider in this situation?

Anyway, I didn't choose either as both exceeded my budget.

 

[Des126]

IGI is not the same standard as GIA for sure. It is cheaper for a reason

Is IGI reliable? : RockyTalky • Diamond Jewelry Forum - Compare Diamond Prices, Discussions & Diamond Information.

You are right. This is what we have been advised not to touch any IGI certified.

I wonder if there is any difference in grading standard between a IGI Ideal H&A Report & IGI Diamond Report? As mentioned in my earlier post, i have seen one before and the Aset Image really looks like a Ideal H&A with perfect optical symmetry.

 

[hnrch42]

Adding one more shop experience to my list..

White Dwarf (Ubi)

Sorry but I would not recommend that place to anyone. Their shop is extremely hard to find... When I first tried going there, their office unit no. led me to a door with no signs at all.. wasn't even sure if that was the correct place and no one was there. First trip was wasted. I made an appointment for my second trip and was served by Kelvin. It was the same place.. Their "shop" is a barely furnished small room... There were no company signs or anything indicating that they are from white dwarf. Was quite unsure if this is a proper company..

Was explained that this is just their part time jobs. They have their own full time jobs by day and sell diamonds by night. They will only open the office to you by appointment as they can only meet you after their job's work hours..

He educated me briefly about diamonds... although I found some of the knowledge shared was definitely wrong.. The diamonds that I was presented were taken out from pieces of papers. Most of their diamonds have fluorescence which I didn't want... He told me fluorescence was actually a good thing because it gives the diamond more color and is good for the diamond? This raised my alarm bells... He tried selling me IGI certificate diamonds and told me it was good.. Which is a complete opposite of what I've been reading here on the forums.

I would never risk a few hundred dollars on such a company.. even more so a few thousand dollars.. I won't expect their full commitment on your ring as this is just a side job and not a proper jewelry company.
This also raises questions about ring after sales services in the future. What if this makeshift company disappears? They can easily do so since they don't have a proper office.. It is known that some jewelry shops operates for 1-2 years and switch your diamonds when you re-size the ring and stuff.. By the time you discover this, the company is not there.

I'd say it's risky to purchase from such jeweler, for myself I will never buy from places like that.

 

[Des126]

I'd say it's risky to purchase from such jeweler, for myself I will never buy from places like that.

I have been there before when i upgrade my wife ring and I dont have any unpleasant experience as mentioned here.

Dont think they hard sell IGI or Fluorescence diamonds even they did explained the IGI and Fluorescence stone. I only came back to them on my second visit to get the diamonds after i compared their price again with other private jeweller. They never try to sell me on any particular diamond during my first visit. In fact they are more like sharing their knowlegde. Regarding the fluorescence i have heard many difference explanation from difference jewellers and even the info that we get from internet also not the same. See below the survey conducted by GIA about fluorescence diamond. As long as the jewellers not trying to hard sell me anything that i do not want then i'm fine with it.

About Fluorescence

http://www.gia.edu/lab-reports-services/diamonds/G&G-W97-understanding-fluorescence.pdf

As for the risk of being swap with other diamond, we as a consumer should always ask for laser Insciption inspection no matter where we get the diamond from even a reputable retailer. Never trust any jewellers and skip this step even a reputable one as this is our responsibility.

 

[Des126]

Fluorescence Diamond

I found the discussion in Pricescope are a lot more details compared to what we know here here.

Fluorescence: Good, Bad, or Ugly? - Diamond Review Forum


So far, there is no clear consensus on whether diamond fluorescence is desirable or undesirable. Some consider fluorescence a form of impurity while others say that it enhances the uniqueness of each stone. The debates have also led to changing prices of fluorescent diamonds, sometimes unpredictably.

Whether or not diamond fluorescence is desirable comes down to personal preference and one's own perception. In general, higher fluorescence will lower the price of a stone. However, the 'real life' effect is actually very slight and even a highly fluorescent diamond will not be detectable in most normal conditions.

 

[KingKhan]

Going to make a deposit on a Brellia with JP tomorrow

They told me they will give
- 4 free ring resize
- 4 free replating and repolishing
- 1 free engraving
- 1 free hearts and arrows scope

Is there anything else I miss out on?

 

[DawnMin]

I don't understand why you are defending IGI and fluorescence. IGI diamonds are profit making diamonds, jewelers use to profit off unaware buyers. Color sometimes can be even up to 4 grades difference compared to GIA or AGS, clarity most of the time up to 3.

People avoid fluorescence because they don't have the luxury to ask a jeweler to bring a diamond out and test them under different lighting along with other diamonds and compare. The downside to fluorescence is that it may produce a "milky, cloudy" effect.

The upside is on low colors like J,K,L,M colors, that it may help it's color appear somewhat whiter, however, for this to happen it must contain strong fluorescence, and on the downside it may appear milky once again

question is, why take such risks?

 

[Des126]

I don't understand why you are defending IGI and fluorescence. IGI diamonds are profit making diamonds, jewelers use to profit off unaware buyers. Color sometimes can be even up to 4 grades difference compared to GIA or AGS, clarity most of the time up to 3.

People avoid fluorescence because they don't have the luxury to ask a jeweler to bring a diamond out and test them under different lighting along with other diamonds and compare. The downside to fluorescence is that it may produce a "milky, cloudy" effect.

The upside is on low colors like J,K,L,M colors, that it may help it's color appear somewhat whiter, however, for this to happen it must contain strong fluorescence, and on the downside it may appear milky once again

question is, why take such risks?

I am not defending IGI. I just wonder why such reputable retailer like Love & Co (if i'm not mistaken a sister company of Soo Kee) use IGI Ideal H&A for their top range of signature diamond where Soo Kee use GIA for their low range diamond.

As for the fluorescence, i have been reading a lot of thread from Pricescope and found that there are quite a lot of fluorescence fan in US. The info that i get from there is totally difference with what i read here. Furthermore they are all the veteran diamond expert. Even Brian Gavin also promote fluorescence diamond under their Brian Gavin Blue.

Brian Gavin's "Blue" - Diamonds with Fluorescence

My wife engagement ring has faint blue. I bought it on 2006 but the jeweller never told me that it has faint blue fluorescence when i bought it. I only knew about it after a few years later when i know about fluorescence. I think the jeweller should informed me about this even it is just a Faint Blue. The jeweller should not just keep it silent. Recently, I changed it to a pendant and i got a new ring for my wife. The new ring has no fluorescence and from GIA. To be honest i can't see any difference between the pendant and ring.

 

[jhchoo85]

Going to make a deposit on a Brellia with JP tomorrow

They told me they will give
- 4 free ring resize
- 4 free replating and repolishing
- 1 free engraving
- 1 free hearts and arrows scope

Is there anything else I miss out on?

Probably just their loose diamond pictures.. you can request them to take ring photos for you for free too

 

[jhchoo85]

I am not defending IGI. I just wonder why such reputable retailer like Love & Co (if i'm not mistaken a sister company of Soo Kee) use IGI Ideal H&A for their top range of signature diamond where Soo Kee use GIA for their low range diamond.

As for the fluorescence, i have been reading a lot of thread from Pricescope and found that there are quite a lot of fluorescence fan in US. The info that i get from there is totally difference with what i read here. Furthermore they are all the veteran diamond expert. Even Brian Gavin also promote fluorescence diamond under their Brian Gavin Blue.

Brian Gavin's "Blue" - Diamonds with Fluorescence

My wife engagement ring has faint blue. I bought it on 2006 but the jeweller never told me that it has faint blue fluorescence when i bought it. I only knew about it after a few years later when i know about fluorescence. I think the jeweller should informed me about this even it is just a Faint Blue. The jeweller should not just keep it silent. Recently, I changed it to a pendant and i got a new ring for my wife. The new ring has no fluorescence and from GIA. To be honest i can't see any difference between the pendant and ring.

Relying on a brand name is one of the worse thing to do. They also sell diamonds with their own "brand" certificates which is practically the same as buying uncertified diamond. Vendors sell IGI diamonds to unwary consumers to trick them into buying a "high grade" diamond at a low price.

 

[cotillion123]

For Peace of mind that you are buying a high quality diamond... Buy from jp

 

[KingKhan]

Probably just their loose diamond pictures.. you can request them to take ring photos for you for free too

Thanks! I requested them for ring photos

These are the my diamond pics they sent me. Does it look ok?

 

[[GorgeouS]]

Thanks! I requested them for ring photos

These are the my diamond pics they sent me. Does it look ok?

It looks pretty

 

[Berjaya_080]

is 6 or 4 prong better for round diamond?

 

[babyjyo]

is 6 or 4 prong better for round diamond?

It depends on individual.

I would prefer a 4-prong as it reveals more of the diamond. If I were to opt for 4-prong, my preference is it needs to be D-E colour (as depending on ring design, you can actually see the diamond from underneath), well cut, and a size of at least 0.5c. This would focus more on the beauty of the diamond.

Some say, a 5/6 prong would give more protection to the diamond. I guess, true in some ways. It provides more coverage to the diamond from accidental knocks. However, 5-6 prongs can look complicated. If she is more active, a 5-6 prong could be a better choice. But then again, few wear proposal rings on a daily basis.

 

[TurkMan]

is 6 or 4 prong better for round diamond?

Its your preference..

From the front, I would prefer 6 prongs because I think it makes the diamond look rounder.. It looks more complete to me and kinda like a flower compared to the 4 prongs which looks abit squarish??

From the side, 4 prongs does looks better if you want to see more your diamond. Looks more simple too if you don't like those fancy design type setting.

 

[redsugar]

anyone knows if JP accepts amex cards?

 

[tootyful]

May i know where is this 0.78ct F VS2 Super Ideal from? I believe the price of Jann Paul Super Ideal should not be high as this.

I got this price from Jann Paul.

There was a mix up on their end, where they billed me $8.5k just for the diamond alone. The setting was going to cost me another $1.2k..

However, that being said, they were honest in getting back to me about their error a week after when they did their monthly housekeeping. In actual fact, the cost of the diamond is $7.3k, with the setting costing me another $1.2k. Jann has apologised to me on this, and I will not pursue this.

Anyway, is the price of $7.3k a more reasonable price now? Am asking because I really do not know much about diamonds.

 

[cokiee]

Thanks! I requested them for ring photos

These are the my diamond pics they sent me. Does it look ok?

...

...

Hi guys, please pardon me on what is an innocent question with no ill-intent, but in this aset scope picture there is a small occluded part right in the centre - is that normal?

 

[TurkMan]

I got this price from Jann Paul.

There was a mix up on their end, where they billed me $8.5k just for the diamond alone. The setting was going to cost me another $1.2k..

However, that being said, they were honest in getting back to me about their error a week after when they did their monthly housekeeping. In actual fact, the cost of the diamond is $7.3k, with the setting costing me another $1.2k. Jann has apologised to me on this, and I will not pursue this.

Anyway, is the price of $7.3k a more reasonable price now? Am asking because I really do not know much about diamonds.

That explains.. is your setting with side diamonds?