Help with this diamond!

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Note: Chainsaw Not Sold Separately.

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On 1/6/2004 1:22:20 PM cherry wrote:

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I am looking for a diamnd online, however, most of them don't provide crown/pavilion angles even though it's graded by AGS, why? ----------------

Why use a big word when a diminutive word would be succinct!

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Just a regular person trying to be helpful. Consult a Pro prior to purchase!

Caratgirl
Just a Diamond Lover

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On 1/6/2004 10:44:12 PM caratgirl wrote: 

 I just hate to see a nice stone dismissed so summarily! Most stones available to buyers have only a GIA cert.

Should everyone just pass on them?
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Caratgirl.....no, of course not, and that's not what I was suggesting. 

I'm saying that the lack of info *combined* with a suspiciously low price tend to lead me to think that the diamond isn't one of the strong makes.  Does that mean one shouldn't consider it?  No. 

But I'll be honest......if other places can give me LOADS of the information I want without having to go on a (potentially losing) fishing expedition, wouldn't it make *much* more sense to start there?   I could see doing the needed in the haystack thing if there weren't a lot of other great options, but there are......and it just seems to make more logical sense to me to start with those and exhaust the "low-hanging fruit" before working down to the "maybe it's good, maybe it's not" list.

_____________________
Note: Chainsaw Not Sold Separately.

Caratgirl
Just a Diamond Lover

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Note: Chainsaw Not Sold Separately.

I would do all the research up front and don't necessarily buy a brand or have to pay more to get the info you need. Keep looking There are tons of stones out there and vendors (online and offline) who will go that extra mile and get you what you ask for.

Good luck!

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"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."

-Albert Einstein

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"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."

-Albert Einstein

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"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."

-Albert Einstein

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On 1/6/2004 11:33:36 PM aljdewey wrote:

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Oh, believe me....I'm ALL about getting a bargain! But I just don't see the vendor trying to compensate for the lack of information.

What's the return policy on this stone? Is it only if off by more than one color/clarity grade, or is it 100% refund no questions asked? How long is that return period?

If I were the vendor and I wanted the sale and couldn't get the information, I'd offer a decent return policy to minimize the risk to the client - or offer to have it sent to a local independent appraiser prior to purchase to incent the customer to give serious consideration.

Cherry didn't mention getting any of this---just 'it was cut on great Russian machine, so you buy!'. To me personally, that's not worth it when I can get the information without even breaking a sweat from so many other places.

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Caratgirl
Just a Diamond Lover

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On 1/6/2004 10:44:12 PM caratgirl wrote:

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Most stones available to buyers have only a GIA cert. Should everyone just pass on them? ----------------

........... Karl has joined the diamond trade and is now posting as Karl_K

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On 1/6/2004 10:44:12 PM caratgirl wrote:

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I personally would give such a stone a good look. It may be a wonderful purchase. The numbers, as such, look right on, and the diameter is right on. Why not see it, get it appraised, then make a decision whether or not to keep it? You will surely pay more to get all of the bells and whistles at the more expensive vendors. If, however, you want to spend more to be sure, that is your decision. I just hate to see a nice stone dismissed so summarily! Most stones available to buyers have only a GIA cert. Should everyone just pass on them? ----------------

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On 1/6/2004 11:55:58 PM caratgirl wrote:

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Well, actually, Abazias is quite highly regarded as a PS vendor. Plus, it does have a GIA cert. But, it is certainly true that there is a plethora of stones in this size on the net.

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The issue isn't whether Abazias is well-regarded or not......that has nothing to do with the lack of information on *this* stone.  Look, GOD has a great reputation, too, but I wouldn't buy a diamond from him either without crown/pavilion angles *unless* there was no other alternative. 

However, in this scenario, there IS a better alternative, and that was my whole point.  Yes, this stone may be nice.....and it may not be.  There are those people who are willing to invest a little time to find out.....and I'm one of them, too, IF that's the best option.  But I also value my time, and if there is a more direct route to finding what I want.....that's always my first choice. 

Maybe an analogy would help illustrate:  If an off-beat part in my car was broken, there is a chance that the local Wal-mart *may* carry it.....but I'd rather not waste time on the *possibility* when I KNOW that the auto-parts place down the street WILL carry it.  (On the other hand, if there are no auto-parts stores in my town.....*then*, yes, it becomes worth my while to check out Wal-mart.  I may still strike out there, but there are no better alternatives.)

Yes, it has a GIA cert.  At the risk of repeating myself....*so what*?????  I've said it already, but I'll say it again....GIA does *not* grade the cut.  When I was looking, I got Sarin info on four GIA stones that had nice depth/table figures......and not one of them had crown/pavilion angles that fell within the ideal range I was seeking.  A stone with GIA grading does absolutely give peace of mind that the color and clarity are likely well-represented.....but AGAIN, they don't grade cut.

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Note: Chainsaw Not Sold Separately.

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Omnia Mea Mecum Porto.

Giangi

My two cents (boy I love it when we disagree! Livens up the day!).

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"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."

-Albert Einstein

I wasn't only talking about a Sarin. Of course Sarins are not the end all to be all. Of course numbers aren't either Eyes are probably the best and the eyes of the person buying are most critical.

But when you don't have trustworthy eyes because the diamond is drop-shipped AND you don't have the numbers because the Sarin and/or IdealScope is not available...to me that is not something worth pursuing. Especially not for almost $5k and when there are other options. It's not $200 we are talking about here, that may be more feasible for a 'leap of faith'. Because that is EXACTLY what this original stone is. A leap of faith based on a GIA cert and crossed fingers. Is that where you would put your $5k when online shopping? Not me.

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"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."

-Albert Einstein

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On 1/7/2004 2:19:51 PM Mara wrote:

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Why use a big word when a diminutive word would be succinct!

____________________________________________________________
Just a regular person trying to be helpful. Consult a Pro prior to purchase!

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On 1/7/2004 2:13:30 PM fire&ice wrote:

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Sarins are not the end all be all. I believe you can pick a very nice diamond from the numbers presented. Mara, you believe your way is it. It's not that I don't appreciate it. I don't subcribed to it wholeheartedly. Doesn't make me wrong, just a different shopper who has talked to quite a few jewelers who don't think the crown & pav angles tell the whole story either. Call me reckless. This diamond looks nice. Whether it's a bargin or not, I'm not sure - didn't say that. But, while I agree that an SI presents a better*value* than this VS2, it doesn't diminish the fact that the *VS2* does command *more money* regardless of what market.

Quite frankly, I wouldn't buy a diamond on drop ship. I'd want a jeweler/vendor, someone who is trained & sees diamonds all day for a living, to eyeball it. I'd trust their opinion & let my eyes be the final judge. In a way, this is basically the way I conduct all my buying if it's sight unseen. I view a diamond kinda like art - could be a great artist, great colors, great time period of his life, on it's own good composition but when you put it all together - it just doesn't work. And then there is the converse.

I don't think my way is foolish.
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Caratgirl
Just a Diamond Lover

Happy friendly family.

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"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."

-Albert Einstein

Derek in Los Angeles

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On 1/8/2004 2:30:26 AM derekinla wrote:

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I think for the first time online diamond buyer, AGS graded stones or a GIA with a Sarin makes the most sense. An AGS 000 with an HCA score < 2.0 is pretty much a slam dunk for a beatiful stone. A drop ship GIA Ex Ex without the complete #'s is a bit more of a gamble.
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On 1/7/2004 11:41:45 PM pqcollectibles wrote:

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To me, it's the emotional and capital investment in an unknown, otherwise unproven product.

If you go the preview in person route and choose not to keep the diamond,..... You have your money tied up while you inspect the diamond. Just my $0.02 worth.----------------

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On 1/8/2004 1:20:15 AM caratgirl wrote:

I completely agree with F&I. I was simply voicing my opinion - we are allowed to have those without a severe beating here, no?  

 I don't even know why this has turned into an argument.

Perhaps Cherry wanted to take a slight risk. I rather doubt it though, ----------------

Severe beating?  Don't you think that's a little dramatic?  This forum is about differing opinions, and the fact that others voice opinions different from yours doesn't mean they are beating on you.  It simply means they see it differently from you, which is the beauty of a collective forum.  Expressing an opinion that differs from your doesn't negate your opinion, make your opinion wrong, or deem it foolish. 

I didn't take it as a "beating" when you (erroneously) interpreted my comment that I'd pass.  But your interpretation (that I was suggesting to "summarily dismiss" the potential of this diamond or any diamond without information) was off the mark, and I sought to correct it to accurately reflect what I was expressing.

All I said was that *I* personally would not spend my time on "MAY be-s" when I could more directly target my time on "LIKELY WILL be-s". 

Further, regarding whether or not Cherry wants to take a risk, please reread what he initially wrote:  "So what do you think about it? should I keep looking? or do you think this diamond is worth to buy?"  He asked for what WE thought.....and I told him what *I* thought. 

I didn't say others would see it that way, nor did I say the diamond didn't have potential.....all I said was "I'd pass.  I think you can do better."  That means it's *my opinion* that one's time is better spent concentrating on possibilities that have a better chance of return.  I'd rather not spend time trying to rebuild the wheel from scratch when there's a perfectly good wheel right in front of me.  Maybe you'd want to because you like the challenge of doing it yourself....and if so, great.  That's what makes differing opinions.

_____________________
Note: Chainsaw Not Sold Separately.

Caratgirl
Just a Diamond Lover

Why use a big word when a diminutive word would be succinct!

____________________________________________________________
Just a regular person trying to be helpful. Consult a Pro prior to purchase!