Diamond Ring: Variance in measurements from jewelers?
 

Greetings TFP.

I recently bought my g/f an engagement ring. I was told the center was .69 (i think) which "is considered three-quarters" (-Saleswoman). With a total weight of 1 1/2 with the sidestones. This was great; the perfect size I wanted. So I purchased the stone and since I have looked at a 1/2 carat earring which appears to be the exact same size as my center-stone. I also compared it to another ring that was 3/4 carats and this one appears slightly smaller, but very noticeable.

Getting worried, I took I called the place I bought it from and confirmed the center was 3/4 and the total was 1.5. Afterwards, I took it to two other stores and got it measured. The first reported "around a carat" total and 1/2 for the center. The second reported 5/8 center, and around 1 1/2 total.

The diamond didn't come certified (the store of purchase was Littman Jeweler's and I was told to not worry about certification for a large well-known chain) so I was wondering what I should do in this situation. I like the diamond alot -- so it's not that "if its not 3/4 I dont like it"; its more that I want what I was told I was getting.

Should I get it certified, then confront Littman's about it? Though the diamond wasn't certified (no paperwork) it was labeled as "1 1/2 Carats tw." and the ring IS on their website at the price I paid stating it is a 1 1/2 carat ring.

Is it common for jewelery stores to inaccurately measure diamonds? What about the other diamonds that look bigger/smaller?

Thanks for any advice, it's much appreciated.

Personally I'd just buy the ring based on whether I liked it or not. If you were prepared to buy it uncertified, why does it matter?

If the price is right, and you like the ring - don't worry about it.

After all, it's the girl that matters and her reaction. :D

Exactly right. It's not like the diamonds are equity; the resale value sucks.

Just go with if you like the ring or not.

Like I said, I like the ring. However, I'm sorry I dont agree about the ethics -- if it's only a half a carat and I like it, that's just fine, but I don't want to be lied to by a salesperson.

If I was told it was half a carat and I bought it, great. If I'm told its 3/4 and it's 1/2, there's a problem, wether I like it or not, I was lied to to make a sale.


I have already given it to her, and she has the same concerns as I do; as we both noticed it seemed smaller than other 3/4 carat stones. She still loves the ring and doesn't want to give it up since it was the one I got for her; however we both think something should be done if we didn't get the size that was sold to us.

From an ethical standpoint...get it appraised if need be, and bring the paperwork to the jeweler if there is a question as to the honesty of the salesperson. But keep the ring if you like it.

"carat" is simply the weight of the stone, not the dimensional size measurement. Visual size can be deceiving since the depth and cut angles can add up to more or less weight. If you want to be sure, have it weighed.

Diamonds are an interesting study in sales prowess and consumer information.

Do you have the technical knowledge and equipment to accurately measure the stone? No? Then as the salesperson, I could tell you that it is 1,458 cuzbitisings (pronounced cuh-bite-eye-sings) which is really good and you are fucked right off of the start.

You have a case if you were told the diamond in the centre was .69 carats and it is less (more than 10percent? Hell yes). If the total weight is the same, meaning that the side stones are fractionally bigger, then there is a defence.

You also stated that the stones are not certified. Other than the stone being an actual diamond, all the certification does is inflate the price to make you feel better.

Is it a diamond? How about the side stones?

Caveat Amptor, in this case, I fear. You got a nice ring for your future bride. That is what matters.

I would lodge a complaint with the Better Business Bureau if you have been lied to by a salesperson. You cannot prove the lie without spending more money. Oooops.

Oh, and .69 anything is never "considered three quarters". It is almost, but everything being relative, you should wave a red flag when getting a sales pitch like this. Ask if their price is considered "Almost retail".

Zackly - when it comes to carat sizes, I don't think the norm is to "round up" to the next size... if it's a .69 stone, it's a .69 stone...

If you like the stone, and like the ring, and it will make your future bride happy, well... that's all that matters... Size really doesnt matter :)