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Q&A: Choosing a 1 – 2 Ct. Round Diamond for a $15,000 to $18,000 Budget

By Mike Fried,

Hi, I have read what you have to say about buying EGL certified diamonds and I know now not to buy those diamonds. However I am going to an auction on Tuesday 7th October and there are 10 individually sealed diamonds with EGL certificates . These certificates were issued on the 5/10/1979. It is my understanding that in 1979 EGL certification was well respected. Is this so ? The cut and the polish were done by PN FERSTENBERG p.v.b.c.

The stones look good and there were many people, I think jewelers, viewing them. They are all brilliant cut and range in size from 0.97 ct to 1.45 ct. Color from D to H and purity from flawless to vvs2, Estimation from $3000 to $7000 plus auction house fee which is 20% and since this is Europe there’s the value added tax (VAT) of 8%. Here are the EGL certificate numbers for each diamond. I don’t know if they are of any help to you..

EGL nos : A57783 A610193 A610195 A59542
A610210 A610196 A59217
A59066 A59148 A610194

Your opinion as well as your advice will be greatly appreciated. Thanks. 

I don’t know who is telling you that, but they are trying to scam you. EGL has never been a legit certificate. 

 Thanks. Would you believe it was a certified gemologist at the auction house who gave me that bit of information ?

I won’t throw away my hard earned money on EGL certified diamonds.

Can you suggest a stone of more than a carat but less than 2 carats, color G or H with vsi or better clarity for no more than between $15.000 to $18.000 ? I looked at stones from James Allen and they all look great but I have an untrained eye so don’t really know what to look for.

 Happy to hear that.

This would be my recommendation for you:

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.82-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-361703?a_aid=dmnd1357

What do you think? 

Thanks, the diamond looks great but I was always told to avoid diamonds with fluorescence. Now, I’m confused. What are your thoughts on fluorescence ?

I’ll do some reading on fluorescence later in the evening…

Also, last night was the auction on those 10 EGL certified diamonds. There was very little bidding on them and all 10 of them went for their lowest estimation. A very well known diamond merchant here was in the room but as far as I know he never made a single bid on any of them. 

Who told you that?

Fluorescence is a double edged sword. On one hand, it brightens up the diamond and makes the color look a bit lighter than it really is. On the other hand, the stronger the fluorescence, the bigger the chance the fluorescence would cause a hazy/milky look to it. This is more common, the higher in color grading you go.

What does that mean to you? In this case nothing. I don’t know a single diamond expert that would say medium fluorescence is a problem in an H color. I think it adds brightness with zero impact on the brilliance. There were similarly priced diamonds without fluorescence, but I felt this was the better choice. 

THANKS! 

My pleasure. Let me know what you decide to do in the end (and if you have any more questions). 

James Allen James Allen is the leader in online diamond sales. Their imaging technology is the same as inspecting a diamond with a jeweler's loupe. They have the largest exclusive loose diamond inventory online and fantastic prices. They also have the nicest collection of lab-created diamonds online. They currently run a 10% discount on selected lab-grown diamonds!
What we love about them:
  • No questions asked returns within 30 days of shipment. James Allen will send you a paid shipping label to return the ring.
  • Lifetime Warranty
  • Free International Shipping
  • Free prong tightening, repolishing, rhodium plating and cleaning every 6 months
  • Provide insurance appraisals
  • One free resizing within 60 days of purchase
  • Free ring inscriptions
  • Best-in-class high quality imagery of all diamonds in stock
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Blue Nile Blue Nile is the largest and most well-known internet jewelry seller. They have a very large exclusive online inventory. Their high-quality images are catching up to James Allens' and their prices are amazing. Right now, Blue Nile offers up to 50% savings on selected jewelry during a limited-time season sale.
What we love about them:
  • No questions asked returns within 30 days of shipment. Blue Nile will send you a paid shipping label to return the ring.
  • Lifetime Warranty
  • Free Shipping
  • Free prong tightening, repolishing, rhodium plating and cleaning every 6 months
  • Provide insurance appraisal
  • One free resizing within the first year of purchase
  • High quality images of about half of their diamonds
  • 24/7 Customer Service
  • 100% credit towards future upgrades (must be at least double in value)
  • Best in class fulfillment
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