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  #1  
Old 08-10-2006, 10:15 PM
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gemologist question

i understand that diamonds and the like are graded on the 4 c's (whatever they are). question, would the exact same rock be given the exact same grade by two different gemologists? i imagine it to be different since it has to be somewhat subjective.

being the perpetual cynic, the gemologist can really rip someone selling a diamond if he wanted to?

is the process really scientific or more like a used car evaluator at the local carmax telling you how much your benz is worth?

i'm just really curious. btw, my engagement ring was a CZ. too practical for the real thing in case i lose it.

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  #2  
Old 08-10-2006, 10:35 PM
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Color, cut, clarity and carat(?). There is actually a rating system VS, VI, ect.....The key to shineys, is having a GIA appraisal. One doesn't buy diamonds to sell......but if you have a GIA certificate and an adequate insurance rider, the stone will never lose its value and the recipient can enjoy it without guilt of financial waste if it is lost. I am fortunate my wife is not a big jewelry hound, but she has a nice shiney for her engagement ring (in a platinum tiffany setting) and matching earrings she got for our 5th ann. That's it other than two nice watches I have gotten her when our children were born. She is extremely practical too, but exercises her very good taste as our means allow.

I've read and can appreciate your frugality posts, but if you had say $5M in the bank, no debt and a mid six figure income, would you drive a 240 D and let coupons dictate where you dined? I have never met any other Germans (my people) that would.
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Old 08-11-2006, 04:28 AM
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It's a set of standards setup by the American Gemological Institute. Very strict, not only about the stone, but about buisness ethics. My father was one and also A Certified Master Watchmaker.

John
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  #4  
Old 08-11-2006, 05:17 AM
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Can diamonds be certified after purchase? Can an heirloom be certified?

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  #5  
Old 08-11-2006, 07:02 AM
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They can be appraised, but I don't think a GIA certified diamond can be re-certified, or even worse, decertified. Unless the gemologist was blind in one eye and couldn't see out the other, GIA certifications are good for the life of the diamond.

So moral is, never use some company's in house certification specialists. They can make stuff up, but GIA certification overrides all others.
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  #6  
Old 08-11-2006, 07:23 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by John Doe View Post
Color, cut, clarity and carat(?). There is actually a rating system VS, VI, ect.....The key to shineys, is having a GIA appraisal. One doesn't buy diamonds to sell......but if you have a GIA certificate and an adequate insurance rider, the stone will never lose its value and the recipient can enjoy it without guilt of financial waste if it is lost. I am fortunate my wife is not a big jewelry hound, but she has a nice shiney for her engagement ring (in a platinum tiffany setting) and matching earrings she got for our 5th ann. That's it other than two nice watches I have gotten her when our children were born. She is extremely practical too, but exercises her very good taste as our means allow.

I've read and can appreciate your frugality posts, but if you had say $5M in the bank, no debt and a mid six figure income, would you drive a 240 D and let coupons dictate where you dined? I have never met any other Germans (my people) that would.
i am bavarian (and not just 'german') and yes i clip coupons. i imagine i still would regardless of income.
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  #7  
Old 08-11-2006, 08:10 AM
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GIA is the gold standard of diamond grading. However, most diamonds sold are not graded due to the cost involved (paying the GIA labs to certify could get costly on 1/2 carat and smaller stones).

However, if I were to spend anything over $2K on a diamond, I would make certain it had a GIA cert. and confirm it directly with the GIA...yep, there ARE fakes certs out there....

http://www.gia.edu/gemtradelab/31548/fees.cfm

As far as sending your diamond in yourself for certification, contact the GIA at the above link. It may be easier to have your jeweler do this for you.

Good luck.
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  #8  
Old 08-11-2006, 10:16 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by John Doe View Post

I've read and can appreciate your frugality posts, but if you had say $5M in the bank, no debt and a mid six figure income, would you drive a 240 D and let coupons dictate where you dined? I have never met any other Germans (my people) that would.
GIA is the key. There are other certs, but scammers use these, so BBW.

Now, as to frugality - man you have no clue. You're right, I don't use coupons when I dine.
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  #9  
Old 08-11-2006, 12:04 PM
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"Was?"

Quote:
Originally Posted by 1991 560 SEC View Post
It's a set of standards setup by the American Gemological Institute. Very strict, not only about the stone, but about buisness ethics. My father was one and also A Certified Master Watchmaker.

John
Is your father no longer living, John? I guess you've come by your interest in watches honestly from the sound of it. Did your dad have his own business or work for someone else?
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  #10  
Old 08-11-2006, 01:20 PM
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Nothing more breath taking than a fine Ascher cut diamond.ummmmmm
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Old 08-11-2006, 03:01 PM
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Si, senorita

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Originally Posted by Siduri19 View Post
Nothing more breath taking than a fine Ascher cut diamond.ummmmmm
. . . unless it's a fine Asscher cut diamond on Mistress Heather's finger,

eh?
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Last edited by Dee8go; 08-11-2006 at 03:50 PM.
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  #12  
Old 08-11-2006, 03:04 PM
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. . . unless it's a fine Asscher cut diamond on the finger of Mistress Heather's finger,

eh?
Some days I am just like Saran wrap. My last boyfriend said I was like a crow because I liked shiny things....
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  #13  
Old 08-11-2006, 04:50 PM
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I dated a chick that used to wrap herself in Saran wrap the night before magazine shoots to lose that last couple of pounds
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  #14  
Old 08-11-2006, 04:52 PM
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I dated a chick that used to wrap herself in Saran wrap the night before magazine shoots to lose that last couple of pounds
What? Does it really work...this last 10 lbs is killing me!
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  #15  
Old 08-11-2006, 04:57 PM
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What? Does it really work...this last 10 lbs is killing me!

Yeah, I knew lots of models that did it, but it can't be a healthy way to lose weight.

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