8 replies to this topic

[rock candy]

I bought a 1.01 carat diamond 2 years ago in St. Maartin. The jeweler placed the diamond in my existing setting without replacing the head. I had the ring appraised when I came home and the US jeweler told me the setting was fine. Well, the diamond fell out about a month ago. We are looking to replace it. What do you think of this GIA stone. BTW, I will be replacing the head this time.

Shape: Round Brilliant

Measurements: 6.52 - 6.61 x 3.91mm

Carat: 1.02

Color Grade: H

Clairty: VVS2

Cut Grade: Excellent

Polish: Excellent

Symmetry: Very Good

Flourescence None

Proportions:


Depth: 59.5%
Table 61%

Crown Angle: 34.5
Crown Height: 13.5%

Pavillion Angle: 41%
Pavillion Depth: 43%

Star Length: 55%

Lower Half: 75%

Girdle: Thin to Medium Faceted 3%

Cutlet: None

This diamond is being offered for $6350 by a Jeweler downtown. Is this a deal? I haven't actually seen the diamond yet, but don't want to make the trip downtown unless this stone is worth it. Thanks for your help.

Edited by rock candy, 10 November 2010 - 08:46 AM.

[denverappraiser]

rock candy, on 10 November 2010 - 05:48 AM, said:

I bought a 1.01 carat diamond 2 years ago in St. Maartin. The jeweler placed the diamond in my existing setting without replacing the head. I had the ring appraised when I came home and the US jeweler told me the setting was fine. Well, the diamond fell out about a month ago. We are looking to replace it. What do you think of this GIA stone. BTW, I will be replacing the head this time.

Shape: Round Brilliant

Measurements: 6.52 - 6.61 x 3.91mm

Carat: 1.02

Clairty: VVS2

Cut Grade: Excellent

Polish: Excellent

Symmetry: Very Good

Flourescence None

Proportions:


Depth: 59.5%
Table 61%

Crown Angle: 34.5
Crown Height: 13.5%

Pavillion Angle: 41%
Pavillion Depth: 43%

Star Length: 55%

Lower Half: 75%

Girdle: Thin to Medium Faceted 3%

Cutlet: None

This diamond is being offered for $6350 by a Jeweler downtown. Is this a deal? I haven't actually seen the diamond yet, but don't want to make the trip downtown unless this stone is worth it. Thanks for your help.

You forgot to include the color so there's no way for us to look up comps but it's easy enough for you to do it yourself using the 'diamond finder' utility at the top of the page. Even if you have no intention of buying from any of these folks you'll find a pool of highly competitive offers that you can use to beat up your downtown jeweler with if the need arises.

Is it the right stone for you? I wouldn't know, but the specs look good enough so far. Depending on how far downtown is, it's probably worth your trouble to go take a look. At the very least, it's productive to look at actual diamonds to set your own parameters in terms of clarity and color. VVS2 comes at a significant premeium over, say, VS2, and it's not for everyone. May I ask how you came to your specs?

[rock candy]

Wow, you're quick! Sorry I forgot to mention the color is H. I came into the specs by asking the jeweler to fax me a copy of the GIA report. The downtown jeweler came to my attention through a listing on Craigslist. In his ad he mentioned that he could beat Bluenile prices. I called him regarding a diamond I saw on Bluenile. He said he had a similar diamond and began listing off the specs. My head started spinning in confusion, so I asked him to fax me the GIA report. I am open to other offers. I do want a GIA certificate though. I'm looking for a stone between 1.01 and 1.49 I want to stay in the G-H range with at least a VS2 clairity. Thanks for your input.

denverappraiser, on 10 November 2010 - 05:58 AM, said:

rock candy, on 10 November 2010 - 05:48 AM, said:

I bought a 1.01 carat diamond 2 years ago in St. Maartin. The jeweler placed the diamond in my existing setting without replacing the head. I had the ring appraised when I came home and the US jeweler told me the setting was fine. Well, the diamond fell out about a month ago. We are looking to replace it. What do you think of this GIA stone. BTW, I will be replacing the head this time.

Shape: Round Brilliant

Measurements: 6.52 - 6.61 x 3.91mm

Carat: 1.02

Clairty: VVS2

Cut Grade: Excellent

Polish: Excellent

Symmetry: Very Good

Flourescence None

Proportions:


Depth: 59.5%
Table 61%

Crown Angle: 34.5
Crown Height: 13.5%

Pavillion Angle: 41%
Pavillion Depth: 43%

Star Length: 55%

Lower Half: 75%

Girdle: Thin to Medium Faceted 3%

Cutlet: None

This diamond is being offered for $6350 by a Jeweler downtown. Is this a deal? I haven't actually seen the diamond yet, but don't want to make the trip downtown unless this stone is worth it. Thanks for your help.

You forgot to include the color so there's no way for us to look up comps but it's easy enough for you to do it yourself using the 'diamond finder' utility at the top of the page. Even if you have no intention of buying from any of these folks you'll find a pool of highly competitive offers that you can use to beat up your downtown jeweler with if the need arises.

Is it the right stone for you? I wouldn't know, but the specs look good enough so far. Depending on how far downtown is, it's probably worth your trouble to go take a look. At the very least, it's productive to look at actual diamonds to set your own parameters in terms of clarity and color. VVS2 comes at a significant premeium over, say, VS2, and it's not for everyone. May I ask how you came to your specs?

[denverappraiser]

The difference between VS2 and VVS2 is considerable and really deserves some thought. Buy the VVS if you want, but there's no point in paying a premium for it if it's the jeweler's spec instead of yours.

It's likely that your jeweler can get anything you want, including many of the very same stones that you see listed on Blue Nile. It's handy enough if he's got the right stone in stock but I wouldn't recommend either paying much extra for that or for settling on something other than what you really want because it's easier unless speed is a HUGE issue for you. The cost of inventory is a curse for jewelers and the solution is a huge virtual consignment system where many are buying the same stones from the same sources and they don't actually buy the stone until you do. BN and most other jewelers use roughly the same procedures. Whether or not he wants to beat them on price is up to him but by all means give him a shot. He said he will in his advertising, hold him to it. One of the nice things about BN is that they're really public about their prices so he's solidly set the benchmark for pricing. That takes a lot of the stress out of this whole shopping experience.

By the way, go back to the top of the page and edit your first post to include the color for the benefit of others who may want to respond and who don't want to churn through our exchange.

Edited by denverappraiser, 10 November 2010 - 06:47 AM.

[Britani17]

I would definitely make sure it has a GIA report, not an appraisal by a GIA graduate gemologist, and verify the diamond is what it is. If you get the report number you can verify the report through www.gia.edu The price seems a little low for a stone like that. Just want to be weary since you mentioned you found him through Craigslist. Their a lot of scammers out there.

[rock candy]

Thanks for your input. I took your advice and checked out the GIA report. www.gia.edu did generate a report matching the description I have. I also checked with the BBB and they give the Jewelry store an "A" rating. It has been is business since 1977 . Thanks for the guidance. I agree Craigslist can be scary!

Britani17, on 10 November 2010 - 09:09 AM, said:

I would definitely make sure it has a GIA report, not an appraisal by a GIA graduate gemologist, and verify the diamond is what it is. If you get the report number you can verify the report through www.gia.edu The price seems a little low for a stone like that. Just want to be weary since you mentioned you found him through Craigslist. Their a lot of scammers out there.

[GeorgeDI]

As Britani mentioned, the price does seem a little low. I would definitely go and see the diamond and while you are at it, see if you can compare it with a stone that has a slightly smaller table (53 to 58%)and slightly deeper depth (60 to 62.8%). This will give you a chance to compare a slightly spready stone to one with a better model. If you still like the stone, then you will have done your due diligence.

Good luck,

Edited by GeorgeDI, 10 November 2010 - 10:38 AM.

[rock candy]

Thanks for the advice GeorgeDI. Your recommendations are greatly appreciated. Sounds like using your guidelines will give me a basis to make a comparison,( and ultimately a decision.)

GeorgeDI, on 10 November 2010 - 10:37 AM, said:

As Britani mentioned, the price does seem a little low. I would definitely go and see the diamond and while you are at it, see if you can compare it with a stone that has a slightly smaller table (53 to 58%)and slightly deeper depth (60 to 62.8%). This will give you a chance to compare a slightly spready stone to one with a better model. If you still like the stone, then you will have done your due diligence.

Good luck,

[HeartAndStone]

Hopefully, this is it..

Our "FindMyJeweler" tool can help you out as well.
Try to explore other shops, and take time to see the actual stone.
Feel them, embrace its imperfections by then you'll find the stone that is meant to
brighten up your mornings.

Keep us posted.