frustrated and annoyed :(

[diamondgirl]

So my CHEAP fiance' finally got around to proposing but the diamond is SI2 (princess shape, 1.20cts) but it has all kinds of ugly inclusions in it! Is this normal? I guess he bought it at costco and it comes with an IGI certificate. I'm very happy to be engaged but I'm so frustrated that the diamond is supposed to be eye clean but it's anything but that. :( What should I do? Should I tell him to take it back?

[Yosef]

Not all SI2's are created equal, especially when graded by different labs. IGI is all right but no substitute for a major lab like GIA, AGS, EGL-USA. I personally like AGS and EGL-USA myself. GIA is great don't get me wrong, and arguably the most famous lab but I just find it easier to do business with EGL-USA and their grading reports are very accurate in my mind, and for "ideal cuts" I have them sent to AGS. I think IGI grades a little soft so that SI2 could be borderline SI2-I1, it's hard to say without seeing the stone.

Also when grading the diamond, it's not based on how it looks but how many inclusions they are, where they appear, what type, etc. So a diamond with many small white inclusions which are hidden around the girdle perhaps under the prongs is going to look much cleaner then say a diamond with 1 large black inclusion right in the top/middle of the table, even though they may both get an SI2 grade.

This is something you're going to have for the rest of you're life and it's important you love it, so I'd say take it back and get something you'll be happy with. Tell him something like "I love that you thought enough of me to buy me a ring and I love you very much, but I just want to get something a little different if that's OK". I'm sure he won't mind. Good luck :)

[denverappraiser]

If you aren’t happy, you should tell him and you should take it back. The plan is to wear this every day for the rest of your life. Costco is a very agreeable company and they are very cooperative about getting you what you want. It’s worth bearing in mind that, as DY has mentioned, all SI2’s are not created equal. They aren’t all priced the same either. I’m confident that Costco can move you into a better stone but it will probably come with either a smaller size or a bigger price tag.

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver

[Mervyn L. Cohn ASA]

I wonder how long these respondents have been married, I've got 58 yrs in with the same wonderful lady. I'd suggest that you tell him not only that you love him and his choice but you would prefer a less included stone. Make a date with him for lunch and suggest that you would like to go with him to negotiate an exchange. Then you can pick the one you love the most and be happy with it forever, until you can both choose to increase the size.

[ken7700]

Sitting down with him and telling that you love him dearly,but you would like to see if you could get something a little different is a very good idea. he will like that you came to him first and he will me more receptive than if he heard you weren't happy from someone else.

[joe27]

If you aren't happy with it you should address it with him. maybe he could purchase something more suitable for you. My question is if he can afford it, i'm not sure what type of job he has but these things get pricey, good luck.

[ChubbyWubby]

I talked to a jeweler once who said that they "upgrade" stones. Is that a common practice?

[Mervyn L. Cohn ASA]

I talked to a jeweler once who said that they "upgrade" stones. Is that a common practice?

ABSOLUTELY especially if you will spend some more money for the upgrade