7 replies to this topic

[chirpy]

I'm looking for the following loose diamond:

Shape: Round
Carat: 3.0+
Color: H or I
Clarity: SI1 or SI2
Cert: GIA
Cut: Good or better
Price: < $25,000

Please let me know if you are selling a diamond that meets the above criteria. I'm not interested in items outside these parameters. I can be found at my username at gmail dot com. Thanks.

Edited by chirpy, 29 July 2011 - 08:16 PM.

[LaurieH]

Hi Chirpy and welcome to the forum.

I'll be completely honest with you--the chances of you finding a diamond like that, matching those specs (ie not dropping even a hair below the 3ct mark or even dropping down to J) for that price is pretty unlikely, since GIA stones matching that criteria are well over the 30k asking price. I would say that your very best bet to try to find a price like that would be to check pawn shops or pawn lenders (we have some high-end place here in Atlanta, for instance, that specializes in high-end, luxury item and jewelry pawn and loans, as opposed to just your run-of-the-mill, trashy "sell us your cheap stuff cheaper" places) or search the web (craigslist, ebay) for private sellers. Someone selling a used diamond can't command the same price as a store selling something new, so while it might take some time, you might luck out in one of those venues.

Good luck and let us know if we can help with any other information!

[denverappraiser]

Laurie,

You never know. That's below 'wholesale' but it's above what most pawnshops are paying. It's a stab in the dark but there may just be someone out there looking to pawn a diamond and there's a few extra dollars on the table to make a deal with Chirpy.

Chirp. Where are you?

[chirpy]

I'm located in San Francisco, but would be willing to travel if someone had the right stone. I realize I'm asking below the retail market prices, but believe this is above what dealers or pawn shops would pay a private seller. Therefore, I'm primarily looking for a private seller, or perhaps someone looking to unload inventory at a slight discount.

[davidelevi]

One more suggestion: it may be worthwhile contacting (physically or by phone) estate jewellery dealers that take consignment (and even those that don't) and letting them know what you are looking for. Many will be happy to "turn a quick profit" on a stone that they don't have to market or wait to sell if one turns up at their shop, even though they be more reluctant to sell stones that are already there much below sticker price. Remind them every month or so, and you stand a better chance of them remembering you...

Good luck!

Edited by davidelevi, 29 July 2011 - 10:09 PM.

[chirpy]

davidelevi, on 29 July 2011 - 10:08 PM, said:

One more suggestion: it may be worthwhile contacting (physically or by phone) estate jewellery dealers that take consignment (and even those that don't) and letting them know what you are looking for.

Thanks, that's a great idea - I hadn't thought of that.

[denverappraiser]

davidelevi, on 29 July 2011 - 10:08 PM, said:

One more suggestion: it may be worthwhile contacting (physically or by phone) estate jewellery dealers that take consignment (and even those that don't) and letting them know what you are looking for. Many will be happy to "turn a quick profit" on a stone that they don't have to market or wait to sell if one turns up at their shop, even though they be more reluctant to sell stones that are already there much below sticker price. Remind them every month or so, and you stand a better chance of them remembering you...

Good luck!

A stone with GIA paperwork including a cut grade must, by definition, have been inspected by the lab after 2006. That's only been 5 years and it's unlikely that such a thing will turn up in estates to a significant degree for several more years. A dealer can certainly send an undocumented or older stone in and get a pedigree but this pretty much precludes the strategy of flipping it for a 'quick profit'. I doesn't hurt to try but I wouldn't expect this strategy to have a high likelyhood of success.

Edited by denverappraiser, 31 July 2011 - 07:11 AM.

[davidelevi]

Good point. On the other hand, cut does not seem to be a high priority for this buyer...