Diamond Certification vs. Appraisal

[dmsanti]

What is the name of your state? Calfornia

Hi,

In December 2004 I purchased an engagement diamond from a store (owned by Four Points Corporation). Long story short, the engagement didn't work out and I'm now looking to get what I can for the diamond. Here's the big problem...when I took the diamond to be appraised, they appraised the diamond as having a 'J' color rating. The certification that came with the diamond lists it as an 'E'. This means that the diamond is a full two categories away from the 'E' rating and is worth significantly less than what I purchased it for.

As a consumer, do I have any rights regarding this issue? My belief was that diamond certifications are a trustworthy source of information for jewelry inept people such as myself. Looks like I was taken advantage of by the business. Any ideas?

Thanks in advance for your input!

-Darren

 

[bigun]

Why is this posted on a forum dealing with business bankruptcy questions?

 

[JETX]

As a consumer, do I have any rights regarding this issue?

Yep, you can sue them for the 'fraudulent' grading... but what will you say when they claim YOU changed the stone??

Any ideas?

1) Take the ring to a CERTIFIED gemologist and get an accurate CERTIFIED appraisal.
2) Take the CERTIFIED appraisal back to the first store (where you purchased) and ask them to explain.

 

[dmsanti]

Well, after contacting the company, they want the diamond shipped to their New York office so that they can "officially" examine the diamond. As you can imagine, I'm not too keen on this idea. They can easily swap the diamond or simply state that their "official" graders were correct in their original certification.

Is this a reasonable request on the part of the company?

 

[divgradcurl]

Well, after contacting the company, they want the diamond shipped to their New York office so that they can "officially" examine the diamond. As you can imagine, I'm not too keen on this idea. They can easily swap the diamond or simply state that their "official" graders were correct in their original certification.

Is this a reasonable request on the part of the company?

You could check with a certified gemologist about obtaining a "map" of your diamond, that way you could have a way of ensuring that the same diamond you gave them for analysis is the same diamond you get back. That doesn't help you if they come up with the same certification.

 

[JETX]

Is this a reasonable request on the part of the company?

Reasonable?? Yes.
Would I do it?? No way.

Go get a PROFESSIONAL appraisal of the stone, as you have already been told several times. And talk with the PROFESSIONAL appraiser about having him ship and receive the stone. That way he (independent) can confirm it is the same stone.
Of course, you can tell the store where you purchased it that is what you are going to do, and get them to agree (in WRITING) to reimburse your costs.