15 replies to this topic

[Defense]

I have been shopping for a diamond engagement ring for the love of my life. She found a ring that she absolutely loves, but I think that it may be quite overpriced. It's a Leo Diamond, 1.5 carats, round, G color, SI1 or SI2 clarity. I was quoted a price of $13,000 for the stone (with the setting it would be $15,000 based on the setting). Is this a reasonable price and quality? My concern is not so much the price, but rather if I can find a diamond of better quality within the same price range by not going through such a large dealer? Even if the size was slightly smaller (no less than 1.3 carats) will I be able to find a beautiful stone?

Edited by Defense, 28 October 2010 - 06:44 AM.

[diamond noob]

Searching bluenile for the same specs give me a similar price (assuming it is an Ideal cut)....but I'm no expert!

David, Jan, and Denver are though and are very helpful.

[davidelevi]

There's a couple of issues with a Leo:

1. It being a patented cut, it will cost more for the same specs in terms of colour, clarity and size than a traditionally cut round. Also, it may be more difficult to find what you want in terms of colour/clarity/size and - should it ever be the case - to resell or exchange it.

2. Since it's graded - like all Leo - by IGI, you cannot really compare it to other diamonds (IGI grades are inherently more variable than say GIA or AGS).

Which kind of leaves you with a problem - as diamond noob points out, you can get a very well cut, properly graded, eye-clean 1.50 G/SI1 for about $10,500 and an SI2 for $8500.

Do you want to spend the extra 3-5,000 for a diamond that may well be a J-SI2 (in which case, incidentally, it's really an extra 6500)?

To what extent what you (and she) liked was the diamond cut and to what extent it was a nice diamond in a nice setting? Have you compared a Leo and an equivalent (properly graded) "traditional cut"? Bear in mind that most settings/ring designs are available to most jewellers, or can be custom manufactured - $5k buys you a LOT of custom-made ring, and still leaves you in the black.

[jan]

Well I've had the opportunity to test a couple and they weren't that great in light performance. Extra facets doesn't mean extra light performance. They tend to say that they have a Gemex report, however their examples are of 1 stone and not each individual diamond. Also they don't use GIA and AGS lab reports. You would be much better off getting an ideal cut diamond that will knock her socks off versus a gimmicky mall stone.

Here is an example of a beauty.

http://www.dbof.com/...-1-55-ct-si1-h/

[Defense]

Thank you Jan for posting that comparison. I would be getting a bigger stone of better quality with the one that you posted. Are the numbers provided on the stone you posted ideal? I'm referring to the depth, table, and measurements.

Edited by Defense, 28 October 2010 - 11:57 AM.

[LaurieH]

I'll second (or third) what the others said...is she REALLY absolutely in love with the Leo, or has she just commented that it's pretty? Trademarked cuts really aren't something special, in the grand scheme of things. And, as someone else mentioned, the exclusive lab that goes along with the exclusive cut isn't as consistent as some of the others (such as GIA and AGS) which have much stronger reputations within the trade as being stringent and consistent in their grading.

I'd say make sure you're getting your dollar's worth. It's one thing to be getting a ring at, say, Tiffany's, where you're getting a great diamond that might be additionally trademarked by them, as well as lab graded, and you're paying for the name for them selecting it and putting it in one of their named settings. Some names--Tiffany, Cartier, etc--carry intrinsic value. Leo and the others, really do not. And there's no indication that they will.

I'd say if you have that kind of money to spend, you can get at least that size of diamond, same or maybe even better Color, better Clarity for less money, or spend the same money and maybe even get something bigger. If she was steering you towards a Leo for the "sparkle" factor, then pay close attention to the CUT GRADE on the diamond that you select and stick with Excellent in Cut, and Symmetry, and VG or EX in Polish. Then you'll get some good sparkle, and fire, and you'll have a beautiful ring and a happy fiancee'.

Good luck and congrats in advance!

[diamond noob]

That diamond is Ideal cut. It is an AGS Triple 0 which is AGS' highest cut rating.

[davidelevi]

Defense, on 28 October 2010 - 11:56 AM, said:

Thank you Jan for posting that comparison. I would be getting a bigger stone of better quality with the one that you posted. Are the numbers provided on the stone you posted ideal? I'm referring to the depth, table, and measurements.

Based on the AGS cut grade, yes. It looks a modern superideal stone. The Leo will look different, but I'm sure this one would outshine and outsparkle it. (And I'm notionally a competitor )

[Defense]

What caught her eye was the style of the ring and the sparkle. It has four side stones and a center stone. The ring she picked out was 1.5 carats total, including the center stone (I believe the center stone was .75 carats). The fact that it's a leo has no factor, it was the way it sparkled and the style.

[davidelevi]

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat??????? $13k for a 0.75? Tell that jeweller to pull the other one. Some of the rare fancy colours may be worth that (or even lots more), but not a near-colorless SI (or even a D-IF)

[Defense]

davidelevi, on 28 October 2010 - 01:00 PM, said:

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat??????? $13k for a 0.75? Tell that jeweller to pull the other one. Some of the rare fancy colours may be worth that (or even lots more), but not a near-colorless SI (or even a D-IF)

The price of that ring was $6,999. I won't put anything less than 1.25 carat on her finger so upgrading the center stone to 1.5 carats brought the price to almost $15K.

[davidelevi]

This makes more sense - if still not the best deal (or even a good one). Can you find an image of the setting, or of something that looks like it?

[Defense]

It looks just like this:

[davidelevi]

OK. It's a fairly common type of setting, and you can get that from any one of a number of suppliers, or have it custom made for a price reasonably close to the $2k they quoted you (in gold; platinum would be more). I like the detail of the "O" with a small diamond, BTW.

[HeartAndStone]

Hi Defense!

Welcome!

If it's exactly like this, and the price is not your main concern,
All I can say is.... She deserves this Leo ring!
One more thing, as you said,
"She found a ring that she absolutely loves."
I think it means, this is it, buy it, and then let's move forward.

Congratulations!

[jan]

Defense, on 28 October 2010 - 11:56 AM, said:

Thank you Jan for posting that comparison. I would be getting a bigger stone of better quality with the one that you posted. Are the numbers provided on the stone you posted ideal? I'm referring to the depth, table, and measurements.

Yes. I'm sure we could make a setting like that one as well. For the same setting with .98 ct. of diamonds on the side it would be an additional $2850 for the setting. So the total weight would be 2.53 ct. using the center 1.55 ct. ideal cut diamond. It should come out to about the same price as the Leo ring because if you are not in Florida, we don't have to charge you Florida sales tax. If you want, we can engrave Love in the ring and put a diamond where the O is.

Edited by jan, 29 October 2010 - 08:28 AM.