Post by Snicklefritz » June 24th, 2009, 9:26 pm
So I found a 2.70 carat, K color, EGL-USA certed diamond listed on craigslist. Price is listed as $10,500 but the seller is considering selling to me fo $8,000 because he is "desperate". He is willing to meet me at an independent appraiser to have it authenticated, etc. I spoke with the jeweler who sold him the stone and he said it was a gorgeous, and was flabergasted that the seller would sell it for even $10,500. I asked about the coloring, obviously K EGL does not bode well, but he said the faint fluorescence makes it face-up like an I. I could live with that, though I doubt faint fluorescence has that much impact. No matter - I tend to prefer warmer stones. It''s just a question of how warm this K actually is. Unfortunately, I haven''t seen it in person yet, but I have seen a pic and it looks like a beaut, but pics are so subjective. I ran the specs he provided on the HCA and got all very goods.  I figure I could always get it recut down the line if need be. No ASET, IS or Sarin to be had, sorry. So....is it worth pursuing or am I out of my mind? I know there are no safety nets if I buy from this guy, no trade-up or lifetime guarantees, etc.

Wait, before you answer, there''s more...

I recently found a diamond that meets all of my preferred criteria at one of our lovely PS vendors including: GIA or AGS cert, I color or higher, SI1 clarity, excellent cut, visible arrows, and 1.5 carat size.  Clearly it has a better cert, color, and cut, but way smaller size, though it''s still very big. It gets a 1.4 on the HCA. I would buy it in a heart beat if not for this looming 2.7. I could get this stone for $7,500. So there''s no huge price difference between the two stones. 

Another thing to take into consideration is that I already have a setting that I ABSOLUTELY LOVE, and it is built for a 1.5 stone. I would have to spend a little additional cash to buy a new setting for the 2.7 and would be left with an empty setting. I expect I would put a colored stone in it someday, but I really look at it as an engagement ring not a RHR. 

So, would you take the risky 2.70 with it''s lower color grade, inferior cert, less than perfect cut that could be made ideal, for an AMAZING price? And take the loss on the already purchased $800 setting that has no return policy?
OR 
Would you take safe route, the 1.50 with the perfect cut, color and clarity that fits perfeclty into the setting that has already been purchased?

The 2.7 is making me break all of my own rules for diamond buying. Help me! I feel like I''m in quick sand.