Buying Diamond Jewelry

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nerd_bird

nerd_bird

O.G.
Dec 8, 2009
20
0
#1
Hi all!
I've been looking at diamonds and ERs online to get a concrete idea of what kind of engagement ring I want (when the time comes, sigh), and I was able to gather a lot of information about metals, but I am pretty clueless when it comes to diamonds. Of course, I have been doing some research, but I'd also like to know what you gals have to say and suggest.

I know about the four Cs, since they seem to come up in every diamond guide, but I've also seen people talk about diamond grading. Do all diamonds come with a grading report, or do I have to specifically ask for one? Is it safer to consider and eventually buy diamonds that come with reports? And, lastly, who "grades" the diamonds? I see names like AGS, GIA, and EGL as diamond grading labs...are they more or less the same? Is one more reputable than the others? Etc. etc.

Any help would be great...thanks! :smile1:
 
#2
AGS and GIA are the most reputable for grading. Do not buy an non-certified diamond. Cut is key, so make sure you focus on that first.

Visit pricescope.com to learn more. It's a really great resource.
 
#3
Hi!

No, not all stones come w/ a grading report but you should buy one that does.
^She's right, AGS and GIA are the most reliable, but EGL-USA is getting better. Avoid IGI.
I have an EGL-USA graded stone and am very comfortable w/ it's grading.
 
#4
while this forum is amazing, you can get a lot of diamond info at pricescope.com
Also, a great vendor to check out is goodoldgold.com for diamonds.
I've had uncertified and certified diamonds. If your really educated in diamonds I think you could do fine with out certification, but if your not, then perhaps it would be best. AGS and GIA are the best, but like the PP I currently have a EGL and I too am comfortable with it. I've heard EGL-Isreal (gee I hope I got that right) can often grade wrong though. Calling a stone an H color when it's actually a J, and things like that.
Congratulations and good luck in your search!
 
#5
I am going to also throw a bump out there for good old gold as well. I have been very pleased with my experiences with them. There are many other pricescope vendors that will be recommended to you over there also, but check out the whole site first before you flock to any vendor's site.
 
#6
Is there a difference in enhanced and non-enhanced stones? What does it mean when it says a diamond has been enhanced? Which do you prefer and why? I too am learning about diamonds from all of you. Thanks
 
#7
Swanky Mama Of Three said:
Hi!

No, not all stones come w/ a grading report but you should buy one that does.
^She's right, AGS and GIA are the most reliable, but EGL-USA is getting better. Avoid IGI.
I have an EGL-USA graded stone and am very comfortable w/ it's grading.
Click to expand...

I have an EGL-USA as well. I took it to an appraiser and it was graded about the same. EGL can be a good buy, but I think a person needs to be somewhat diamond savvy or should buy from a really trusted source to be sure they're getting what they think they're getting with EGL (especially EGL-Israel).
 
#8
mdmc said:
Is there a difference in enhanced and non-enhanced stones? What does it mean when it says a diamond has been enhanced? Which do you prefer and why? I too am learning about diamonds from all of you. Thanks
Click to expand...

An enhanced stone means a stone has been drilled to remove inclusions and that cracks have been filled to improve the clarity and color grade. Clarity enhancement drastically reduces the value of a diamond and sometimes means the stone is more fragile, especially during setting. I'm not a fan, but clarity enhanced can be a good value for people looking for a larger stone than they could otherwise afford.
 
#10
ahertz said:
AGS and GIA are the most reputable for grading. Do not buy an non-certified diamond. Cut is key, so make sure you focus on that first.

Visit pricescope.com to learn more. It's a really great resource.
Click to expand...

Thanks! I'll check that out.

Yeah, a lot of people in other forums and on other sites have talked about avoiding non-certified diamonds. But between AGS and GIA, is there one that is more reputable or preferred by people shopping for diamonds? I just want to make sure that if I'm getting my diamond graded and have the option to choose who "grades" it, I know exactly which lab to pick.
 
#11
^^ They are both top notch. Like choosing between DeBeers and Harry Winston. But stones come already graded usually--it's unlikely that you'd pick a stone and then have a choice of who grades it. You want to know the grade before you buy...
 
#12
Here's how I look at this:
AGS--I trust for Cut Quality. I kind of don't feel they are as "on it" for clarity and color though, esp. clarity.

GIA--I trust for clarity and color but not for cut quality. I feel like they don't really have the same type of qualifiers as AGS does.

My reasoning is completely mine and probably irrational as hell.

NerdBird I am over here LOL'ing at your Avatar. My husband loves that show. Best one was still whatever that green guy was for advertising the bar where he kept getting hit in the balls. Oh and to who poo'd too.
 
#13
ahertz said:
^^ They are both top notch. Like choosing between DeBeers and Harry Winston. But stones come already graded usually--it's unlikely that you'd pick a stone and then have a choice of who grades it. You want to know the grade before you buy...
Click to expand...

Ah, good to know! It makes a lot of sense actually, now that I think about it, haha. D'oh...I should have known!
 
#14
ame said:
Here's how I look at this:
AGS--I trust for Cut Quality. I kind of don't feel they are as "on it" for clarity and color though, esp. clarity.

GIA--I trust for clarity and color but not for cut quality. I feel like they don't really have the same type of qualifiers as AGS does.

My reasoning is completely mine and probably irrational as hell.

NerdBird I am over here LOL'ing at your Avatar. My husband loves that show. Best one was still whatever that green guy was for advertising the bar where he kept getting hit in the balls. Oh and to who poo'd too.
Click to expand...

Thanks! I just did some simple research and saw on the GIA website that they developed the 4 Cs and the grading standards, so I'd think that their reports are more reliable.

and, I LOVE "It's Always Sunny." Greenman is so great! Are you referring to the same episode where Danny DeVito takes acid?
 
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