14 replies to this topic

[dmag]

Looking for an engagement ring, being from CT i went to the diamond district in NYC and was a bit overwehlmed. Being a newbie I had no idea what to look for in a ring. After some long weeks of studying I now have somewhat of an idea what I am looking for.
I saw a ring on Diamondsontheweb.com ( not too sure about purchasing onlin, but prices seem to be way better)
any info from some of the pros here would be much appreciated
here is the info:
Carat weight:1.31
Measurement:6.95 - 7.02 x 4.37
Cut:Signature Ideal
Polish:Excellent
Color:G
Symmetry:Very Good
Clarity:SI2
Fluorescence:None
Depth%:62.6%
Girdle:Thin to Medium, Faceted
Table%:56%
Culet:None
*Cut grade has been determined by ex
cost is about $6000, does that seem reasonable?
anyone have any experience with the online retailer
Thanks in advance for any advice

Edited by dmag, 10 May 2010 - 01:03 PM.

[davidelevi]

Don't know the retailer at all. However, I do have some questions here:

1. Who graded the diamond? The retailer? A lab? Which one?
2. Who graded the cut "Signature Ideal"? What do they mean with that? How ready are you to trust that judgement?

(BTW - no grading report gives you enough information to evaluate cut beyond the cut grade itself, but knowing crown and pavillion angles does help a bit).

In terms of price, the trade market for small (<5 ct) near-colourless diamonds is very liquid. You are unlikely to find a bargain, particularly online, given that most online inventory actually sits with a cutter/manufacturer, and the retailer only adds a commission for marketing and selling (they never own or even handle the stone). Having said this, the price is within the range for similar size/colour/clarity stones advertised for sale here (click on the "Find Online Jeweler" button at the top of the page). Whether it's truly reasonable will depend on the details of grade (lab), cut (is it truly "excellent" or "ideal") and clarity (does the SI2 inclusion show, or is it invisible to the naked eye)

[HeartAndStone]

Hi dmag!

I think if you're willing to spend $6000, dig deeper. In my opinion as a woman if I asked the guy "Where did you get this?" and the the answers would be "diamondsontheweb" that would be unflattering...
I'm not so techie about the diamonds but., certifications and well known jewelers matters.
$6000 shouts for some sophistication and credibility.
If you need some enlightenment click ~" Find Online Jeweler"

And dmag, congratulations!
Please keep us posted, I'll be glad to follow your 'proposal story'
Cheers!

[davidelevi]

Oh - one thing that I forgot to ask:

3. Does the $6k include the ring? If so, what type of ring, and in which material?

[dmag]

thanks for the quick responses, the $6000 is just for the stone, the setting was another $1200 for a platinum band
the stone was rated by the GIA. I would assume that is who determins the cut correct?

@heartandstone, I don't really think where I get it from is going to make a difference to her (or me) as long as its appraised good. I will check that "find online delear" didn't even see that so thank you. Are those online dealers more reputable?

[denverappraiser]

http://www.diamondsonweb.com is a reputable company. I believe they've been discussed here before and you can search for previous postings with the box near the bottom left corner of the page. This isn’t exactly what you said and there are lots of stores with very similar names so it’s important with this sort of comparison to be sure you’re talking about the right company. If you’re concerned, check with THEIR local BBB, ripoffreport.com and similar agencies.

GIA is the right answer to the grading question but ‘signature ideal’, or just regular ‘ideal’ for that matter, aren’t GIA grading terms so actually it raises more questions than it answers. Since GIA didn’t assign the grade, who did, what criteria did they use and why did they tell you it was GIA?

Neil

[dmag]

thanks neil
It was diamondsonweb i didn't even realize there was no "the". I feel better knowing they are reputable. I didn't realize that the GIA doesn't have those cut grades. I guess upon reading further it is actually Diamondsonweb that assigned the cut grade. This is what I copied from their site:

"Refers to the angles and proportions of a diamond. Based on scientific formulas, a well-cut diamond will internally reflect light from one mirror-like facet to another and disperse and reflect it through the top of the stone. This results in a display of brilliance and fire, thereby placing well-cut diamonds higher on the Diamond Quality Pyramid than deep or shallow-cut diamonds.
DoW Cut Grades

The major diamond grading labs (GIA, AGS and EGL) all have different ways of grading diamond cut. Since DoW carries diamonds graded by each of these labs, we understand that it could be confusing to compare diamonds side by side when they are graded by different labs. To end the confusion, our in-house expert gemologists assign a standard, reliable cut grade to every stone we carry. With the DoW cut grades, you can shop with confidence."

I just reviewed the GIA report for the stone and the GIA graded the cut as excellent.
Also is it worth considering other grading labs such as EGL?
Does the stone seam worthy of the price tag?

Edited by dmag, 11 May 2010 - 12:07 PM.

[denverappraiser]

They’re certainly right that people are confused by this but the above statement leaves me awfully curious about their ‘standard, reliable cut grade’. I’m pretty well versed in the various standards and I’ve got no idea what they’re doing. It doesn’t seem to be explained in their ‘education’ section and what little is there doesn’t include a grade of ‘signature ideal’. That seems to be making the whole confusion worse, not better. No, I would not recommend considering EGL for a purchase decision.

Neil

[HeartAndStone]

@niel, thanks for straightening the web address.

@dmag~ my bad, I was thinking hmmn.."diamondsontheweb" ?? but now that that it's clear, I'm good.
I think your choice of webstore, and the other online jewelers available on the "Find Online Dealer"
are on the same thread. Now, for a total of $12k as a budget, I just wish that you're not in a hurry...
You need to compare prices or see the actual 'stone'. Once you decide there's no turning back.
'Till then, keep us posted, ayt?!
Cheers!

[dmag]

@heart: $12k is way over budget my budget is $7000-8000
Not really in a rush just looking around, will def keep u guys posted

@Neil: any other labs worth considering or just stick with GIA?
GIA rated that cut as excellent, is that the highest cut grade there is?

[denverappraiser]

AGS is the only other lab I would recommend you consider.

'Excellent' is GIA's top cut grade. AGSL uses 'Ideal' as their top cut grade.

Your budget is fine if you're shopping with price aggressive vendors. The local storefront places that have a showroom and advertising to support are probably going to be over that.

Neil

[barry]

GIA and AGS are the best diamond grading labs out there.

Stringency, accuracy, and consistency of color and clarity grading.

Avoid other diamond grading labs as you'll be paying more for less.

[dmag]

thanks barry and neil

BTW is the GIA report number engraved somehow on the diamond itself?


Barry- I noticed that you are in the diamond district, would I be able to get a stone similar in specs in the diamond district for that price?

Edited by dmag, 14 May 2010 - 11:12 AM.

[davidelevi]

The (Laser-etched) inscription may or may not be there. It depends on whether someone at some point requested an inscription to be made. This would normally be done by GIA at the moment of grading the stone, but it may have been done earlier (in which case the presence of the inscription and its content will be noted on the GIA report, but of course it won't contain the number), or later (in which case there will be no note on the report). In any case, it's largely immaterial, since the inscription can be very easily polished off and almost as easily replaced.

[barry]

dmag, on Friday, May 14 2010, 03:06 PM, said:

thanks barry and neil

BTW is the GIA report number engraved somehow on the diamond itself?


Barry- I noticed that you are in the diamond district, would I be able to get a stone similar in specs in the diamond district for that price?

The inscription is placed on the girdle and can be seen with a 10X loupe.

Today there are three Ideal Cut GIA graded rounds 1.30-1.35 carat range, G color, SI-2 clarity priced from $6757-7099 listed on our website.

Edited by barry, 14 May 2010 - 12:20 PM.