Did my fiance get a good ring for me?

happylaurs · October 2010

Hi there,

My name is Lauren and I got engaged almost two weeks ago to my fiance Devin. I'm just starting to plan my wedding and I'm feeling a little overwhelmed, although it's very exciting and I am looking forward to what lies ahead.

I just was curious about my ring. It came with a "summation of appraisal" certificate from the International Gemological Institute and I was hoping to get some insight on it.

The appraisal says: "One 14karat white gold mounting(ring), Weighing in total approx. 3.8dwt./ stamped "14K D 1.70" , containing one natural diamond, round brilliant cut, meas. approx 7.54 - 7.6 - 4.88mm./ weight estimated by formula 1.70 carat(s), Color: (E-F), Clarity: I(1), Polish/Symmetry Good/Good. Total estimated Replacement Value $12,125.00"

Here's the thing though. I know where my husband got the ring. It was from a website that he got a special code to join from. Something about it's a friend of a friends's comapany. I knew the code and I went there and I saw the ring for $5,400 more or less. I just can't believe that a ring markup can be so high that he can get a ring for me like this. I was wondering if other people had similar experiences or did I just get really lucky with a connection?

It is the perfect ring for me and I'm really thrilled. I tried to take pictures but my camera had a hard time focusing but I posted the two best ones.

Please let me know!

-Lauren

redheadfsu · October 2010

I always recommend getting another appraisal of the ring to be sure. But usually the appraisal value is more than the price paid for the ring. The appraisal value is what is used to insure the ring. This seems completely normal, but get another appraisal to be sure.

My ring also was appraised for thousands more than what was paid for it.

Edit:
Here is a link that describes it better than I could http://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamond-grading

IGI isn't the best lab, so it is hard to tell. I don't have any diamonds done by IGI so I can't tell you how off it is.

You can always send the loose diamond to another lab (maybe GIA) to get a more detailed report if you are concerned.

(I even go so far as to have two different labs of high quality check the diamond) The stats/grading report is more important than the appraisal value.

Sam9865 · October 2010

Well it looks great in the picture. I'm not an expert on diamonds, but I'll tell you what I do know. An E-F color rating is very good, however an I1 clarity rating is pretty low on the scale... Any clarity rating that starts with the letter I usually means there are imperfections in the diamond that can be seen with the naked eye. Some diamond retailers don't even carry diamonds with an I clarity rating.
However, that being said... I certainly can't see anything wrong with your diamond in the picture; it looks good to me.
The clarity rating may be why the ring is only priced at $5,000 or so even though it's almost 2 karats.
In the end, what matters is what you're happy with. If you like the ring, then I don't think anything else really matters.

motoLyn · October 2010

My wedding set was appraised at a little over 3K then what it was purchased at. The appraisers tend to round up when it comes to your stone and setting. If you're in doubt take it to another certified gemologist that's also an appraiser and get a second opinion. I got my ring insured under the amount it was appraised at since the difference between the quote for the appraised amount was only $70 more than the quote for the actual purchased price. As long as you like your ring then that is what matters.

sgervais88 · October 2010

I know nothing about what you asked, except that E-F is good, I1 is bad. I just wanted to add that I love the setting your diamond is in lol!

HobokensFury · October 2010

14karat white gold = ok. Not good but not bad, just average
E-F color is great considering D is the highest.
I(1) is bad. That means there are visible inclusions in your ring,

I'm guessing a 1.7 carat stone was so cheap because of the I(1) clarity. With all of that being said, it's a beautiful ring. Your FI did a great job.

motoLyn · October 2010

I have also come to realize in my diamond shopping that GIA stones cost more than other lab certified stones. So you could keep that in mind as well.

redheadfsu · October 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_just-engaged-proposals_did-fiance-good-ring?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:683Discussion:7b5afee0-ed51-44a0-bad5-c358c4b6a328Post:619e6271-dbb0-4760-b52f-f60f7d6189e2">Re: Did my fiance get a good ring for me?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Did my fiance get a good ring for me? : So the E-F and l1 don't mean anything? Or are they relative th the proportions?
Posted by Belle2Be[/QUOTE]

There are four Cs, but cut is the most important. Most people will take a lower color & clarity grade to get a better cut. (Spending money on the most important thing) This allows one to get the best diamond for the money. Cut is about how the diamond sparkles/ handles light. As long as the diamond is eye clean, color & clarity aren't that big of a deal.

Belle2Be · October 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_just-engaged-proposals_did-fiance-good-ring?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:683Discussion:7b5afee0-ed51-44a0-bad5-c358c4b6a328Post:7afd33f0-f6bc-42dd-8cb5-0d843ff61617">Re: Did my fiance get a good ring for me?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Did my fiance get a good ring for me? : There are four Cs, but cut is the most important. Most people will take a lower color & clarity grade to get a better cut. (Spending money on the most important thing) This allows one to get the best diamond for the money. Cut is about how the diamond sparkles/ handles light. As long as the diamond is eye clean, color & clarity aren't that big of a deal.
Posted by redheadfsu[/QUOTE]
Ahh interesting! I have no idea what mine is, I've been meaning to get it appraised(?) though.

motoLyn · October 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_just-engaged-proposals_did-fiance-good-ring?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:683Discussion:7b5afee0-ed51-44a0-bad5-c358c4b6a328Post:7afd33f0-f6bc-42dd-8cb5-0d843ff61617">Re: Did my fiance get a good ring for me?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Did my fiance get a good ring for me? : There are four Cs, but cut is the most important. Most people will take a lower color & clarity grade to get a better cut. (Spending money on the most important thing) This allows one to get the best diamond for the money. Cut is about how the diamond sparkles/ handles light. As long as the diamond is eye clean, color & clarity aren't that big of a deal.
Posted by redheadfsu[/QUOTE]

I agree with Red, color is a person's preference. Some people have complained that D and E make the stone look artificial. I honestly like a G-I interval. The clarity as long as its eye clean like Red said is satisfactory, cause in reality who carries a jewelers loope or 10x microscope around. The next two aspects is size carats and cut, a shallow cut or too deep of a cut will have the light enter and exit at angles that will make the stone less sparkly and brilliant looking. That's why I think its important to take a look at an assortment of stones in different carats, cuts, clarity and color and adjust to what fits in your budget and what you deem is most important to you.

thurisgood · October 2010

I agree with many of the comments here about cut. I just want it to be known that IGI is a great certificate. They originally were though of as less than GIA but they are now considered on par with them and in many ways are more of an industry standard now.I think that if the appraisal is coming out at over $12000 for a a ring you paid only $5400 for, strictly based on value, you got a fantastic deal. I think you have wholesale or below wholesale pricing on that spread.

happylaurs- are you happy with how your diamond looks? Can you pm me where you got it?

heyimbren · October 2010

Happylaurs, you said you're happy with your ring. That's what counts. Even if someone came on here and said "no, your fiance got you a "bad ring" would that change how you felt about it?

Red and the other PP gave you some good advice about appraisals and whatnot, but at the end of the day, whether it's a "good ring for you" or not depends on if you like it. And you said you did. Congrats!

KaylaSue19 · October 2010

IGI is not as good as GIA but that's beside the point. Red hit the nail on the head with cut. I know diamonds well enough having sold quite a few and you can have 2 diamonds with identical color and clarity that look different because of the cut.

14k is just fine. The more gold the softer it gets so 14k is stronger than 18k. I also am a firm believer that platinum is over-rated. 14k yellows after time and plat gets dull, either way you will have to have rhodium (part of the plat group) applied to your ring every once in a while to keep it looking new.

Your clarity is not ideal, but if you don't see any inclusions that bother you than don't worry about it! Don't stress out over the cert , if you are happy that's all that matters.

I would get it appraised from a local appraiser for insurance purposes, but that's just me.

BettyBookworm · October 2010

I think the most important thing about an engagement ring is how you feel about it.

Its worth, appraisal value & monetary value don't mean much unless you plan on getting divorced. That is the only thing I can think of when someone asks about how much a ring is "worth" or gets worked up over the appraisal value. There is no correlation about how much your ring costs with how much your fiance cares about you. He bought you something he thought you would like. Do you like it? If the answer is yes then it is ALL numbers after that.

Are you looking to "upgrade"? I think you should enjoy what you have and not worry so much about its market value.

happylaurs · October 2010

Wow! Thanks everyone for all the feedback!

No, i don't want to upgrade,,,the ring looks and feels great! I'm really really happy. I just was not sure about how I could have a ring worth so much more than what my FI paid. I took the ring two days ago over to my local jeweler and he basically verified the IGI report I was given. He even mentioned to me with the high price of gold it's even better of a deal.

I'm not overly concerned with the value of it, but it does make the ring seem even more special to me. The meaning behind it is of course no different but seeing a large number like that does contribute to knowing I'm worth something to him. Of course there is no correlation between money and love, but my FI was sending me a message with this ring and that's what I take from it.

About the "inclusions" in the ring...my jeweler showed me them but I find it really hard to notice. To me it's a really clear diamond. About the light sparkle...it makes my heart flutter

...I am really really happy with the ring.

sgervais- thanks for the praise on the setting! I love it too! It's exactly what I wanted!

thuris good- I don't know why but nothing happens when I hit private message. I think that's what you mean by PM? It was from an online website called private sales department. you need a code to enter though and I'm not sure how to get you one or if you can use the one my FI got. maybe email them? I don't really know.

heyimbren- thanks for the congrats!

hobokenbride- thanks for the nice words (and you're right by me- I'm moving soon to West Orange

everyone else - thank you!

-Lauren

FutureMrsW9 · October 2010

Why do you even know all of this??? I don't know, nor do I want to know, how much FI spent on the ring...it's none of my business. All I cared about was the color and shape, and both of those are spot on what I wanted. He had it insured and showed me the documentation but I didn't inspect it because I didn't want to dig too deep. The jeweler is a family friend that will be invited to the wedding, so if we ever found out he screwed us it wouldn't be pretty - so I'm confident there's no shady business.

Relax and just enjoy your future husband and the love he has for you!

BeachMuffin · October 2010

I find clarity to be the least important of all 4 Cs... rarely do you notice an inclusion.

roginskyj · October 2010

First of, congrads!!! the ring is beautiful, enjoy it! As for the stats.... some jewelers say that 14k white gold id acctually better cause it has less "red" in it and you will not need to have it buffed as much as 18 k white gold

lisaD26 · October 2010

"...does contribute to knowing I'm worth something to him"

sad.

The size of my ring doesn't determine my "worth" to FI.

HKD817 · October 2010

I dont know too much about diamonds just like yourself, but I can say that my ring was appraised for alot more than FI bought it for so that is all I can go by and assume it is a good ring. I dont care for jewelry really so it took a while to get used to wearing it, but I applaude my FI for not spending too much money on it. I think it is insane what these jewelers do these guys.

Did my fiance get a good ring for me?

Re: Did my fiance get a good ring for me?

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