9 replies to this topic

[Madryn]

Hi guy,





I was wondering if you guys could help me out with buying a Princes Cut Diamond. I’ve read most of the forums about this topic and learned quite a bit but I feel that had to ask you guys about it myself.



So my situation is: I’m looking to make a purchase by 1^st week of April. I live in Boston and my budget is $5,000 for every thing. I’m looking buy the most diamond I can buy for my budget. I would like to buy something that is H-D / 1.5 CT / VS2 and up. I know this probably an impossible task but I’m hoping.



I’ve not yet gone to any Jewelry stores because I don’t know of any reputable dealer here. The only places I do know of are the big name Jewelers like Longs and Tiffany. I will be making my round this weekend so if you guys could suggest a place and what I can get for my money would be great.

[denverappraiser]

It’s not going to happen.

It’s easy enough to say that it doesn’t hurt to try but actually it often does. The problem is that you absolutely will NOT get a correctly graded stone of those specs for that price from a credible dealer. This leaves you with either an incorrectly graded stone, a less than credible dealer or both. Your lowest prices will be coming from the biggest liar. The absolutely lowest prices will be coming from the ones who don’t have to actually deliver anything at all. Just wire your money to a secret bank account in Nigeria and they’ll send you a stone for a great price. Really. What could possibly go wrong?

Raise your budget, drop your specs or both.

In the meantime, DO go visit with some jewelers. It'll help give you a reality check.

[LaurieH]

I agree with the above post, but a little more gently

I would do a little homework before you do your legwork--take a gander at the Diamond Finder tool (top of the page) and plug in those basics and see what kind of prices come up. Then adjust whatever you're comfortable adjusting, and search again. Keep going til you find either your minimum criteria threshold or raise your budget. You CAN probably find a 1+ carat diamond that meets your budget and the other basic criteria, and then get a simple solitaire setting, and stay within your budget or just a hair over.

Good luck and let us know how things work out for ya! You've got plenty of time--whether you buy from an online store or brick-and-mortar, so if you have more questions as you go through your search, let us know!

[HeartAndStone]

Hi Madryn!

Welcome!

First off, you need to stick with GIA/ AGS certified diamonds.
Now, it's best to lower your exceptions.

Imho, your budget is just right but if you set your standards that high...
You won't be happy with your purchase.

Use our Diamond Finder tool.

Keep this in mind.

denverappraiser, on 10 February 2011 - 09:57 AM, said:

It’s not going to happen.

Your lowest prices will be coming from the biggest liar.

Don't get me wrong, ayt?
But if you change that attitude, it would be easy for you to find the perfect princess cut engagement ring.

[denverappraiser]

ok, I agree, that was a bit crabby. The attitude problem is mine, not Madryn's. I just finished a job for a client who was grossly misrepresented by a seller and they got into it by exactly this logic so I'm a bit sensitive to it today. There are sharks out there, and they always quote low low prices.

[Madryn]

denverappraiser, on 10 February 2011 - 11:42 AM, said:

There are sharks out there, and they always quote low low prices.

LoL you guys are funny. Don't worry no offense was taken. I work in construction, I see worst attitude in the office and a ton of under handed dealing.


Anyways. I used the Diamond Finder and this is a great tool but my only complaint is the vendors are all so far away and I'm a little weary of buying somthing in such high value with out me seeing it or touching it personally. I was hoping if you guys could point me in the direction where to go in Boston and tell me what you guys think I can get for my money.

I saw this in the Diamond finder and I think it looks good so I was wondering is this a good stone to use as my bench mark when I go shopping.

[url="http://www.abazias.com/database/NewDiamondInfo.asp?stock=78019060&flag=dr"][url]http://www.abazias.c...8019060&flag=dr[/url][/url]

[davidelevi]

Madryn - just to make your life a little tougher, you don't mention cut in your criteria. If you look at the diamonds listed for sale on this site (Diamond Finder) fitting your minimal criteria (Princess, GIA H/VS2 1.5x ct), their price varies between just under $7000 to just over $9000.

Only a minimal part of this is differences in profit margin. The most significant factor is cut quality; unfortunately, for princess cuts it is notoriously difficult to evaluate without access to other information than what is provided on a grading report. What it boils down to is "you need to see the stone" and/or have a trusted expert see it.

[denverappraiser]

The folks who advertise here are, by their nature, Internet sellers who are trying to capture a national or even global market. A few of them have storefronts but it's definitely a crapshoot depending on where you live. Even if you have no intention of shopping with these guys, you'll find them to be a very helpful shopping tool to bludgeon your locals with. They may or may not be willing to match prices because their business models are more expensive but they can often get the exact same stones and they may be able to come reasonably close. As you point out, a stone is worth more from a convenient local source so it's a question of deciding how much more and what they are willing to do to convince you to shop with THEM. It's not the most comfortable conversation but it's definitely interesting to show a store a printout from a competitive seller who will FedEx it to you tomorrow and ask them to earn your business.

[Madryn]

I had a feeling that the princess cut was going to be difficult. Thats kind of why I was asking if anyone can recommend where to go in Boston with out going to a chain like Tiffany or Longs.

Also how may chevron will produce a better shining stone under normal light. I mean which is better 2 / 3 / or 4

[davidelevi]

My suggestion would be for you to go to Tiffany and "get your eye in". At the very least, apart from offering you a nice cup of tea (well, they used to with me, at any rate), you will get to see well cut diamonds in that shape and size. This will give you useful comparators for when really you go shopping.

I can't help with recommendations in Boston, but I do urge you to at least talk to some "remote" vendors. It may be a bit of a palaver, but what you stand to lose is shipping costs on a few diamonds (at most), and what you stand to gain is access to many vendors that have great reputation and customer service - and in some cases great stones that they have purchased for stock.

On the cut question - it depends at what angles the pavillion facets are cut, not on their number. In general, more facets = busier, more "crushed ice" look; fewer facets = chunkier, broader flashes. Which look you (or your FI) prefer is something we can only guess at!!!

Edited by davidelevi, 10 February 2011 - 02:55 PM.