Riviera / Tennis Necklace

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#91
Ok. I called the store and now I really need some advice. The store is called Milano Diamond Gallery and it's one of those chain stores that you find on the popular cruise stops - Alaska, Cozumel etc. After haggling a bit I got the price down to US$8,700. I checked out what places like Bluenile and Zales were asking for the same specs and it's cheaper. Here's the thing though. I asked what was the type of cut, if it was ideal etc and they could not say. Also, the appraisal is in-house, not GIA. I was a bit surprised because they're the agents for hearts on fire and are generally very knowledgeable about their jewelry. Do you guys think i should let this pass? I'm not planning on reselling but I know I should have a GIA appraisal.
 
#92
First: GIA doesn't "appraise". You're wanting GIA reports on the diamonds. And you'd be getting A LOT of reports for this piece since ideally each stone would have a report.

Second: I would shy very far away from such a seller. It's common for pieces like this to not be "certed" stones, but they should know well enough to know how well cut the stones are and its evident they either don't or they know and won't admit that it's not great so they don't lose the sale.

If you're going to lay out this much cash, Blue Nile would be a more reputable source with better stone quality than Zales or this vendor. You won't get GIA reports, likely either way, but you'll get better quality diamonds than you will with Zales or this particular vendors.
 
#93
ame said:
First: GIA doesn't "appraise". You're wanting GIA reports on the diamonds. And you'd be getting A LOT of reports for this piece since ideally each stone would have a report.

Second: I would shy very far away from such a seller. It's common for pieces like this to not be "certed" stones, but they should know well enough to know how well cut the stones are and its evident they either don't or they know and won't admit that it's not great so they don't lose the sale.

If you're going to lay out this much cash, Blue Nile would be a more reputable source with better stone quality than Zales or this vendor. You won't get GIA reports, likely either way, but you'll get better quality diamonds than you will with Zales or this particular vendors.
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I saw pretty much the same necklace on Bluenile for US$11,590 but it was I color and I1 clarity. I did notice they were giving a GIA report though. Other than the specs the SA said the stones were round brilliant 58 facet cut. Don't really know what that means to be honest.

More info: The SA said it was a hearts and arrows cut and I could come in to see for myself.
 
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#94
That just means standard round brilliant. The term "Hearts and Arrow" means nothing unless it's branded. That's a pattern that stones exhibit, usually well cut stones but not always.

The concern I have with this lack of report is that you don't know if these stones are really what they say they are. At least with the blue nile ones you know that there was a report from GIA indicating the stones used are that grade. The ones in this necklace could be I1, I2 even and not be the color they claim.

What is the return policy, is it in writing anywhere? If you buy it and there is a solid money back (NOT credit!) return policy, you can take it to an INDEPENDENT appraiser (ie not one involved in any way with a jeweler) and get it checked out before you keep it.
 
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#95
Hi everyone. So bit of an update - apparently the store has a no returns policy, just an upgrade policy on their diamond jewellery and a repairs/exchange policy on their pieces. I feel like this is a red flag and that I should back away. They only offer independent appraisals on loose stones. This together with the SA not being sure about the cut makes me think I should not buy the piece. I must admit I feel very disappointed though as I really liked it a lot.
 
#96
ame said:
That just means standard round brilliant. The term "Hearts and Arrow" means nothing unless it's branded. That's a pattern that stones exhibit, usually well cut stones but not always.

The concern I have with this lack of report is that you don't know if these stones are really what they say they are. At least with the blue nile ones you know that there was a report from GIA indicating the stones used are that grade. The ones in this necklace could be I1, I2 even and not be the color they claim.

What is the return policy, is it in writing anywhere? If you buy it and there is a solid money back (NOT credit!) return policy, you can take it to an INDEPENDENT appraiser (ie not one involved in any way with a jeweler) and get it checked out before you keep it.
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I just saw this. You are right - I'm glad I got your feedback as I was letting my judgment be affected by how I felt about the piece. I'll keep my eye out for something better. Thanks so much for your help!
 
#97
Yea no returns = no sale.

This didn't sound like much of a "deal", frankly. Blue Nile's price isn't really that terrible for the carat weight, esp given that it's got a GIA report.
 
#98
Thingofbeauty said:
Ok. I called the store and now I really need some advice. The store is called Milano Diamond Gallery and it's one of those chain stores that you find on the popular cruise stops - Alaska, Cozumel etc. After haggling a bit I got the price down to US$8,700. I checked out what places like Bluenile and Zales were asking for the same specs and it's cheaper. Here's the thing though. I asked what was the type of cut, if it was ideal etc and they could not say. Also, the appraisal is in-house, not GIA. I was a bit surprised because they're the agents for hearts on fire and are generally very knowledgeable about their jewelry. Do you guys think i should let this pass? I'm not planning on reselling but I know I should have a GIA appraisal.
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That does not sound like a deal at all, since the diamonds are not highly graded and they are giving you exact info on them just appx, I would not purchase it all! I would rather buy brand name since you are spending that kind of money :graucho:. There are no games when you buy an established brand name, the quality is guaranteed and you actually know what you are getting.

Since you are looking for around 7ct, I would go with the necklace with the highest clarity, so the diamonds have the maximum brilliance.

I've found a few:

http://www.opulentjewelers.com/shop/fred-of-paris-diamond-tennis-necklace-18k-white-gold/

http://www.1stdibs.com/jewelry/necklaces/more-necklaces/diamond-tennis-necklace/id-j_47982/

I've personally purchased from the first site, and he will work with you on the prices, I tried finding more but it doesn't look like there is a big selection of designer ones available.
 
#99
Uh clarity doesn't usually impact brilliance until you're into I2, first of all, secondly, sparkle is based on cut quality. If it's not well cut, it doesn't matter if it's a D Flawless, it won't sparkle like a well cut stone of any grade will.

I know nothing about either of those vendors.
 
#101
ame said:
Uh clarity doesn't usually impact brilliance until you're into I2, first of all, secondly, sparkle is based on cut quality. If it's not well cut, it doesn't matter if it's a D Flawless, it won't sparkle like a well cut stone of any grade will.

I know nothing about either of those vendors.
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I2, lol :laugh:, the "sparkle" is based on many more things than just cut quality. Again the 1st necklace is by Fred of Paris, and all the diamonds are matched to strict standards. This is a very respected manufacturer and part of the LVMH Group which owns, Bulgari, Chaumet, De Beers Diamond Jewelers, Hublot, TAG Heuer and Zenith.

As for the second one I can not give any insight, but again I've dealt with Opulent Jewelers on many occasions, and he always take care of me on the price. You never know until you ask, hope this helps.
 
#102
Reasonable for the specs and carat weight, yes. Your budget is simply not realistic for your expectations. Your only option in that budget is smaller carat weight, or preowned, and even then you won't know what you're getting if it's not from a brand and with a reliable report. You can check out pawn shops perhaps to see if they have anything in your budget that meets your criteria. Some of them have some really nice pieces.

You could also see what this company will do in terms of a custom necklace. Their stones are magnificent and so far they've been doing fantastic work for everyone that's used them, quite a few on this board myself included. This is just a bracelet but I am sure they could fashion a necklace for you that is similar. It will likely still be over your budget, though.
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/d...-prong-tennis-bracelet-14k-white-gold-5451w14
 
#103
bespoke_vicky said:
I2, lol :laugh:, the "sparkle" is based on many more things than just cut quality. Again the 1st necklace is by Fred of Paris, and all the diamonds are matched to strict standards. This is a very respected manufacturer and part of the LVMH Group which owns, Bulgari, Chaumet, De Beers Diamond Jewelers, Hublot, TAG Heuer and Zenith.
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Not sure what you're basing that on, but again, cut quality is why a diamond sparkles. The facet planes are cut to line up correctly and in doing so reflect the light up and around and out of the stone = light return. Color light and white light are impacted by the size of the table, crown and pavilion angle interplay. A diamond's color and clarity play very little role in the sparkle and light return of a diamond unless the stone is so included that light cannot pass through the stone.

Just because it's a designer brand doesn't make it super high quality. It does imply that it SHOULD be, but it doesn't mean it's always the case.
 
#104
I don't mind paying for a quality piece. It's just that the piece that was recommended cost $18,000 and I honestly wasn't intending to spend THAT much for the necklace. I guess what I really was wondering was whether the specs I was looking at (SI1-2, H-I) were good enough for a piece like that and if not, how high should I go? I know generally those specs work for everyday studs but may not work for an engagement ring per say. I'm just trying to get a fair idea of what I should be looking at and what would be a fair price for what for me would be a significant purchase.
 
#105
Thingofbeauty said:
I don't mind paying for a quality piece. It's just that the piece that was recommended cost $18,000 and I honestly wasn't intending to spend THAT much for the necklace. I guess what I really was wondering was whether the specs I was looking at (SI1-2, H-I) were good enough for a piece like that and if not, how high should I go? I know generally those specs work for everyday studs but may not work for an engagement ring per say. I'm just trying to get a fair idea of what I should be looking at and what would be a fair price for what for me would be a significant purchase.
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Again you are going by someones word that they are "SI1-2" that's generally what all jewelers say, and it's very hard to trust them nowadays sadly. I don't know if they will give you an additional discount, but my entire family purchases from them and he cuts the prices even lower than he has listed :cool:.
 
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