Here's a story for you...

After you shipped me the diamond, I went back to the two local dealers I had been dealing with. I had a stone on hold at each (with a refundable deposit), and wanted to let them know I've chosen my stone and wanted to get my dough back.

The first place bowed out reasonably graciously.. they did throw a few more stones my way, but a little too little a little too late. The second place was curious to see the diamond and offered to check it out (ie do a Sarin, etc). Knowing they wouldn't have a stone to match (price and qual) I figured, what the hell. Of course, they looked at the cert and saw the faint fluorescence marking. The head sales woman called in the owner, both of which had their GIA diplomas on the wall. They both exclaimed that my diamond was not faint.. that by GIA standards it was definitely a strong. And, that the AGS was too lenient. According to these ladies, had I gotten my rock cert'd from GIA, I would never have bought it seeing it was strong flouro, and that they know a strong one when they see one, since they had been trained at the GIA.

So, before I started to panic, I asked to see a GIA certed flouro diamond next to mine in the black lite gembox. All they had (wink wink) was an inert GIA. Of course, I could see the difference... and not knowing how much "glow" was faint vs. strong... I started to panic. They proceeded to tell me that a strong flouro nice color diamond should be devalued 15% off Rap, and being the owner and head buyer, she knows the value, and I got ripped off. I pulled out the Rap sheet quoting percentages for how flouro affects stones. "out of date" they said. They said they'd be happy to "save" me, and search for an E -VS1 to match, but if I truly wanted an ideal cut, it was gonna cost me Rap+10%. In my panic stricken state, I said go for it.

In the days to follow, I contemplated getting my stone re-certed at GIA. I called them, and they'd rush it for me (4 days) at $177. That was some dough and too much time, but I thought, for peace of mind, is it worth it? For the next few days, I stared at the stone in sunlight, shade, overcast sunlight, candlelight, halogen, fluorescent, etc trying to see if I could see the "strong" flouro.

After nearly vomiting and passing out from all the stress, I ran into a dude in my lab who just got engaged. He recommended another jeweler in town who he had had a good experience with. I went, told them my story, and how I wasn't sure who to trust, and that I was tired of all the local dealers feeding me crap. I asked if they could pull out some GIA stones of similar weight and color, with faint, med, strong flouro so I could compare. They first looked at my stone, remarked how beautiful it was, then looked at my cert and told me not to worry. Then, they brought out the GIA stones.. and we set them side by side in backlight gem box.

Quelling my fears, there it was... my diamond not glowing anywhere near the Medium, much less the strong. It was even weaker than one of the GIA faints. DAMN!! I WAS RELIEVED. Then I was pissed for those (pardon the french) two bit hookers trying to throw their GIA credentials to scare me into a sale with them. I promptly asked this new jeweler to set the stone, as I set out for the place that was trying to dupe me. I had a bit of fun rippin' them a new bung-hole! Scared off a few customers in the meantime.

I let them know I'd send them a copy of the letter to the BBB and the letter I'll send to the GIA, alerting them to the misuse of the GIA name and standards. F*** those B*tches!! Excuse me, it just gets me torqued every time I think about it. And, of course, I couldn't even discuss any of this with my closest confidant.. my future fiancé.

Anyway, all is good now. I pick up the mounting tomorrow (simple Tiffany band with 6 prongs... just for presentation). I have it all set up for Monday evening. She has no idea. A year and a half ago, we were walking through Seville, Spain...and stumbled across this neat little courtyard with a fountain and beautiful Spanish homes around it. It was late at night, and we were the only two there except this college kid playing flamenco guitar on the doorstep. Totally romantic. Of course, we made out like high-school kids for about an hour. We've talked about going back to that place someday. Since Emmy doesn't have vacation till July, i couldn't propose to her there, but I found a place in Balboa park here in SD that looks just like it. I've got this Spanish fellow lined up to be playing guitar there at 7pm Monday. We'll just go for a casual walk in the park, stop to hear the guitar guy, talk about how this reminds me of Spain, and how even then i knew she was the one i wanted to marry. BAM! RING on finger.. let the honey moon begin!!

Anyway, thanks for all your help. Attached is a picture of the "lovely couple" he he (reunion2.jpg) Actually, that pic was doctored by me... the original is also attached (reunion.jpg). Funny, huh!?

talk again soon!!