I purchased a 1.61 carat natural diamond solitaire as a gift for my wife. I had carefully researched the reputation of EGL graded diamonds and the reputation of Reflecting Concepts Jewelers. Since my research had been acquired solely through the internet at the EGL and reflecting concepts sites and their elaborate detailed description of EGL's premier standing for accuracy, I felt they had integrity and honest grading practices.
They had graded the ring as followed:
Weight: 1.61 ct.
Shape/cut: Round Brilliant
Color: F-G
Calrity: I1
Measurements: 7.10-7.06x4.40mm
Est. Retail Rep. Value: $13,700.00
Comment: The appraisal value was provided by UGS.
When we received the ring and my wife began wearing it, people began pointing out large dark spots in the diamond. We took it to several Gemologist who stated the diamond was not as EGL had presented to us on the certification card. It was not an I1 but was more of an I3 and dirty!!! They also had an even greater concern that EGL and Reflecting Concepts were able to grade it's color due to the many large carbon deposits in the diamond. Everyone referred to it as a "dirty gray" diamond and not F-G colorless. The many carbon deposits would not allow for an accurate color grading.
To compound the problem even more, EGL offers a value on their certifications that is deceptive in itself. They use the phrase "Est. Retail Rep. Value" although the actual diamond represented has no representation to the value they have placed on it. A diamond of this size near flawless would appraise maybe at the $13,700 range but most Gemologist felt this diamond was worth less than $300-$500!!!
Even still, I have written Reflecting Concepts and European Gemological Laboratories asking them to replace this diamond with a true I1, F-G color. Regretfully they have not responded to my inquiries in six months. I have filed complaints with the Better Business Bureau, California Attorney Generals Office, the FCC Internet Fraud unit, the Federal Trade Commission, and the California Dept. Of Consumer Affairs. The only agency that has been able to look into the matter has been the BBB but with no response thus far.
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