This place has ruined my trust.....(off topic, please ignore)
TommyType
Posts: 4,586 ✭✭✭✭✭
Ok.....So I'm shopping around for diamond earrings. (Not for me...I'm not the jewelry type).
But I find a good price online, and the gems are "certified" by American Gemlab. Now, I don't know anything about diamonds, and pre-PCGS forum I would have figured that was "good enough for me".
Instead, I did some checking. It appears they are an in-house certifier. Sound familiar?
I'm not gullible anymore, and it's ALL YOUR FAULT!!!
Anyway, guess I'll shop the malls. I still won't know anything about diamonds, but when I buy, at least I'll like what they look like.
____
Added here, so as not to bump it to the top:
It just occurred to me that this is either very nearly off topic, or at least wandered in that direction.
But, to answer some of the comments below.....
1) Thanks for the offer to help me find a good deal in the L.A. area, but I'm really not shopping for anything outrageously expensive. Call me cheap.
2) Russ is correct, (as he often is), and I decided to avoid the mall and order online anyway. I avoided the in-house certifier just on general principal, however.
But I find a good price online, and the gems are "certified" by American Gemlab. Now, I don't know anything about diamonds, and pre-PCGS forum I would have figured that was "good enough for me".
Instead, I did some checking. It appears they are an in-house certifier. Sound familiar?
I'm not gullible anymore, and it's ALL YOUR FAULT!!!
Anyway, guess I'll shop the malls. I still won't know anything about diamonds, but when I buy, at least I'll like what they look like.
____
Added here, so as not to bump it to the top:
It just occurred to me that this is either very nearly off topic, or at least wandered in that direction.
But, to answer some of the comments below.....
1) Thanks for the offer to help me find a good deal in the L.A. area, but I'm really not shopping for anything outrageously expensive. Call me cheap.
2) Russ is correct, (as he often is), and I decided to avoid the mall and order online anyway. I avoided the in-house certifier just on general principal, however.
Easily distracted Type Collector
0
Comments
good primer on this site Diamonds
it's a commercial place and i never bought from them, but thier explanation about the 4cs etc is enlightening.
enough about diamonds... back to coins !!!
after all they can make them in a lab. rubies too. large ones.
make gold though? hah. right. ;-)
edited to add: lets not forget pearls, and how they come about now days compared to the old.
ah yes, what a racket indeed.
Find a copy of the blue Rappaport sheet. Subtract 55-60% and offer that in your downtown Jewelry district. 40% back
on certified would be a steal. Take a pure white cardboard sheet with you to look at diamonds for color. Many sellers
will put loose diamonds on a slightly off-colr background to hide color. Buy no less than G color - H may be OK for earrings.
SI2 or SI3 should be good enough for earrings - people don't stick their noses up against women's ears to
look at diamonds the way they do hands. GIA certs are the best.
Good luck.
Check out my current listings: https://ebay.com/sch/khunt/m.html?_ipg=200&_sop=12&_rdc=1
Read.. and be disturbed!
at least you know who...I mean, what the diamond really is !!!
<< <i>sorry, BBE, it doesn't have to be that complicated....
Read.. and be disturbed!
at least you know who...I mean, what the diamond really is !!! >>
OMG! That is MORBID!
Check out my current listings: https://ebay.com/sch/khunt/m.html?_ipg=200&_sop=12&_rdc=1
Anyway, guess I'll shop the malls. I still won't know anything about diamonds, but when I buy, at least I'll like what they look like. >>
I also collect Gems besides watches and Antiques (Member International Gemology Society) If your in the LA area I can give you some contacts in the Jewelry district and if not I can send you some links to ebay sellers I have dealt with that give killer deals. GIA is like PCGS and EGL like NGC in Diamond certs. I strongly advise you to stay out of the malls unless you have the money to burn... I believe the Fender museum is in Corona about 15 minutes from me, On of my Buds lent his early amp to them. Take care! Mark A039@aol.com
<< <i>Anyway, guess I'll shop the malls. >>
Hey, you're a guy! Will you be wearing a disguise in case any of your guy friends get drug there by their wives?
Russ, NCNE
<< <i>sorry, BBE, it doesn't have to be that complicated....
Read.. and be disturbed!
at least you know who...I mean, what the diamond really is !!! >>
That is pretty creepy.
I don't know. It seems simple enough...
"Separate out NO MORE THAN 8 ounces (about 1 Cup) of the cremated remains and tightly secure in a plastic bag or other plastic container. DO NOT send all of the remains unless you have chosen our additional scattering option or return option. We only need 8 ounces to produce all of the LifeGem diamonds on your order."
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
<< <i>That is pretty creepy. >>
I don't know, I kinda like the idea. I'll finally look good. (I'll probably end up with inclusions.)
Actually it makes a lot of sense to me. If I'm going to pay a couple thousand for a stone I'd rather it be one like this than some piece of granite sitting in a cemetary.
I can see it giveing a whole new meaning to the term "Family Heirlooms"
<< <i>That is pretty creepy.
I don't know. It seems simple enough...
"Separate out NO MORE THAN 8 ounces (about 1 Cup) of the cremated remains and tightly secure in a plastic bag or other plastic container. DO NOT send all of the remains unless you have chosen our additional scattering option or return option. We only need 8 ounces to produce all of the LifeGem diamonds on your order." >>
It starts off sounding like a recipe, 1 cup mix and bake w/pressure, etc. Go the whole route, freeze dry, bake then send the gem to space.
why, what a lovely diamond ring !
thanks ! it's my mother/father/etc...
eep
oops.sorry. ibrought this thing off topic. wont happen again.
She will never know the differance
LOL
Menomonee Falls Wisconsin USA
http://www.pcgs.com/SetRegistr...dset.aspx?s=68269&ac=1">Musky 1861 Mint Set
When you go in, you will *know* its the right place and can be trusted like the finest of dealers. Like Mike, Warren and Jon, Julian etc.
The place may well have autographed pictures from local celebs like a football coach or a news anchor.
That place, you can explicitly trust.
I know from personal experience purchasing and getting independent estimates.
My personal favorite are people who buy and sell estate jewelry. My favorite is in Albany, NY and everything I've purchased for my wife in the last five years has been from him. The best being a diamond three stone ring (.78ctTW) set in platinum filigree setting from the 1930's England. Absolutly Stunning little ring! Even came in the original ring box. The workmanship on the older stuff is just wonderful. We've had 5 major pieces appraised for insurance and the appraisal's are up to 5x what I paid!
These type of folks really know thier stuff! You should also definatly familiarize yourself with the 4 C's of diamonds, it'll make it easier when your looking at them.
Added: read the post above this one.