8 replies to this topic

[PhilL]

Hey folks I'm new here. I am ready to propose to my girlfriend, and I'm having trouble deciding which diamond I should go for. I am somewhat intimidated by the larger stones being posted on this forum, but I'll do my best!

I have been thinking of purchasing it from a jewellery store called Charm Diamond Center. From research I've done, they seem reliable and have good products, and I do enjoy their cutsomer service. So let's get down to the ring in question I suppose. I know she would love a solitaire diamond with a simple white gold band, with a round cut. I also know that she will not be particularly picky in terms of the stone, and will love it either way, but I've got certain criteria I myself would like to meet. I want a nice looking stone, with no major, obvious looking flaws if I'm looking from a few inches away, and a nice color. I'd also like the stone to be .70 carats or larger.

My price range is 5,500$ and under. The stone I was shown and that I am interested has the following stats that I know of and remember:

Cut: Round
Clarity: SI1
Color: I
Size: 0.70 Carats
Valentine's Day Sale price: 2499$
Regular: 3999$
"Canadian Glacier Fire" diamond apprasise at ~8500$
14kt white gold band

I was able to compare it to several other lower and higher grade stones, and I do like this one very much, though I am still nervous about the purchase. Does this seem like a reasonable price? From all the shopping around I've done, I can tell that the salespeople are honest, but they are still trying to sell me a product after all. The diamond does look very nice and clear, with the minute flaws expected from an SI1 diamond, which are only visible if I stick my eye right up to it. It is extemely brilliant in the light and shadows, and the color, although graded as I, almost seems clearer than the other I's I was looking at, though that may just be wishful thinking! The salesperson said he believes it may be slightly better than I, but again, he is trying to sell me the thing!

I will reitterate that she would be happy with any ring, even if I spent 1000$ on it, but this is somehting I myself want to do. There are rings out there that are much more expensive, but this one seems right for the price, and we can use any savings for the wedding and starting up our life together. I like it, but I just keep second guessing myself, and I need a push in the right direction. Again, I'm not second guess the proposal, I'm just having a hard time purchasing the right ring.

Any help would be greatly apprecited, and let me know if there's any other info I could post!

Cheers,
Phil

Edit: after reading some more posts, I will try and get more information on the cut of the diamond and other relevant information, although I was hoping to make the decision the next time I was there. I've also come to realize that despite clarity, color, cut and all that jazz, it really comes down to what I see and like with my own 2 eyes. If I really like the diamond, it looks gorgeous in different lighting, and I'm satisfied with every aspect of it, then it's the right one for me, and her. I guess it just comes down to price. Thanks in advancef or any input!

Edited by PhilL, 31 January 2011 - 09:30 PM.

[davidelevi]

Hello Phil, and welcome!

I'd like to comment on two points. First of all, your last paragraph is absolutely the right attitude. What matters is what you see and what you like - grades and details matter far less than getting something you (and your FI) like; at the same time, getting ripped off is not something anyone likes, and grades and details DO matter as far as pricing is concerned.

Secondly, let's assume that the diamond you are considering is graded correctly; from what you say it doesn't seem to have a grading report from an independent, reputable lab - which may be OK, but it puts you in the situation where you are totally relying on the store's word for all of your information. You already know that some of that information is totally bogus, like the "appraised for $8500" but sold for less than 1/3 of that.

Assuming the colour and clarity grades are correct, and that the cut really is excellent, you can get a similar diamond with great cut for about $2000-2500, and a 14k simple solitaire ring costs $200-500, which makes the "super duper discounted Valentine" price reasonable, although it puts the other two numbers into rather sharp relief. However, assume that the store is wrong by one grade on clarity and one on colour (J/SI2 instead of I/SI1), and you are down to $1700-1900, which makes the price not so good. Then you factor in the cut not being at the super top of the range, and you are down another couple of hundreds. And it's a fluorescent stone - which does not matter much in terms of looks, but drops price by another $100. At which point you start having what looks like a rather expensive diamond... and you don't need to. There's plenty of nice ones well within your price range (or much below it) at a fair price. Just be careful of "special offers" and of getting taken in when you don't have the information you need.

As a suggestion, if you have a Tiffany or Jared near you, go there and look at some of the diamonds (any diamonds at Tiffany, and ONLY the "Peerless" line at Jared - not the Leo, not the other lines - insist that you want to see the "Peerless"). I'm not suggesting you buy in either place, but these are properly graded diamonds which are also very well cut, and can give you a good comparison point. Also remember to look at the diamond in as many lighting environments as possible, not just under spotlights. Then go back to Charm and see if you are still in love with the stone you are considering now.

[HeartAndStone]

Hi Phil!

Welcome

The 'special sale price' doesn't sound that special to me.
Try to use our 'DiamondFinder' tool.
Why not go beyond her expectations? It sounds like you are truly ready to give her what she deserves.
It doesn't mean that you have to go with your max. limit.
Explore other stores... Contemplate. Be creative.

[PhilL]

Thank you very much for the advice! I will most definitely be doing some more exploring. I will also clarify on a few more points concerning the diamond:

The salesperson presented me with a little booklet containing the diamond's certificate, with all the information about it's cut, color, origin, appraisal, etc etc. I do believe it was from a lab and not the store itself, and perhaps I got the appraisal price wrong, I did look at a few.

I will definitely have to write this information down from now on, because obviously it gets very confusing, and some of my information may be mixed up, considering I've looked at many rings. I am certain about the color, clarity, size and sale price..

Another point to clarify is that I am Canadian, and this is a Canadian store. Unfortnately, despite our dollar being at parity with the US dollar, the dollar figure for everything is larger, including rings. For examples, the Celebration Diamonds from Peoples Jewellers (The Canadian Zales) are a few hundred dollars more for the same stones in the US.

I will definitely have to agree in any case that this crazy "sale" price isn't so crazy, as you guys have mentioned. My quest for a ring is most definitely not complete! I will be checking out Peoples (Or Zales) very soon. I have read mixed reviews about the Celebration Diamonds, do you folks have an opinion on them? My girlfriend and I happened to actually look at them together a few months ago, and she really like them, but I know they aren't the best out there.


Anyways, sorry for the long winded reply, this is just so much to think aobut, and I may be over complicating things. I will shop some more and come back with some more reliable information!

Thanks again,
Phil

Edited by PhilL, 01 February 2011 - 06:07 PM.

[davidelevi]

Certificate or report: the issue is not so much whether it's a store-given grade or lab-given grade, but whether you have any reason to trust it. In any store-given grade there is an inherent conflict of interest, but not all lab grades are reliable either. GIA and AGS are one thing (and generally a good one), other labs can be distinctly bad news.

Appraisal: not a big deal. It's a common tactic for vendors to give hugely inflated appraisals to make the buyer "feel good". The good feeling generally evaporates quickly when a quote for insurance is requested or the stone is brought back for reselling, so one may as well know about it upfront. Ignore that "appraisal" and get a proper one done if you need it.

Celebration (or any other custom-cut) diamond:

Pros: it looks different and you may like the look
Cons: it looks different and you may NOT like the look, it is more expensive, it is available from a restricted number of outlets, it will be more difficult to resell or exchange (and/or it ties you in to a particular vendor), it is difficult to compare in terms of prices with traditional cut diamonds.

Having said all this - if you like it, go for it. I still recommend that you see some truly well cut traditional diamonds first, though.

Edited by davidelevi, 02 February 2011 - 03:00 AM.

[PhilL]

Thank you Davide, heard and understood. Let the search continue!

I will be back

Phil

[davidelevi]

Looking forward to part II!

[HeartAndStone]

Good luck!

Let your girl have her dream engagement ring...
It might be a .40 ct. antique-style ring. Keep us posted!

[Britani17]

Hi Phil!

Definitely find out if the diamond was graded by GIA or AGS before deciding. The prices seem a little high for the specifications identified. We have a couple in comparison to what was offered to you that are graded by GIA and laser inscribed with the report number on the girdle. Both have excellent cut grades as well as excellent polish and symmetry.

The first is a .72ct SI1 I round brilliant diamond and the second is a .74ct. SI1 I round brilliant diamond. Both are less than the prices you were offered even with the white gold solitaire. There are lots of diamonds out there to choose from you just need the right tools and guidance. If you want any other info or help you can contact info@dbof.com. We have done business with people from Canada in the past so we are familiar with the customs and shipping.

http://www.dbof.com/...nd-72-ct-si1-i/

http://www.dbof.com/...nd-74-ct-si1-i/

Edited by Britani17, 03 February 2011 - 01:07 PM.