Price Check

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Note: Chainsaw Not Sold Separately.

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On 10/8/2003 4:31:21 PM nilsm wrote:

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> $6800

Seems to be a tad high even for a GIA/AGL cert - a search for an AGS0 (better cut) stone in pricescope shows a lot of candiadates around $6000-$6400.

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Hi, Nils:  If he were able to get this stone for $6800, I don't believe that's especially high for a bricks-and-mortar vendor (providing it is indeed an ideal H&A make stone).  The non-net world tends to have a bit of a mark-up to support their overhead (and the perceived convenience of viewing the stone in person, yada yada.)

I wouldn't pay this price for an internet purchase because there are clearly better prices to be had (as you've pointed out).  But in the B&M world, this price might be reasonable.

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Note: Chainsaw Not Sold Separately.

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On 10/8/2003 5:45:56 PM MikeyG wrote:

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How important Is the 1+ct. size? You could save a decent chunk of change $2000 - $3000 by going to something just under a carat. Many people wouldn't be able to tell the difference between a .97 and a 1.04ct stone. Plug in the specs close to your diamond's and see what you come up with. Try entering in .97 -.99 range with all the other specs the same.

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Weeeeeeeeeellllll.........yes and no.  An ideal make G, SI-1 (which is down a clarity grade) runs about $4600-4800.  If he's willing to fudge a little on the color and/or clarity AND drop below 1 ct., then he MIGHT save $2k.  $3K.....no way.

And, easier said than done.  There are very few .9x stones out there, largely because most cutters are motivated to fudge the cut to produce a 1ct stone  (which means the make isn't as good, but it gets over the magic 1ct mark and therefore commands more per ct.)

As of this writing, there are NO ideal make stones available in the .97-.99 range when searching by cut quality.  There are 3 in the .90 to .95 range..... 2 are F stones, 1 is G, and clarity varies down to SI-1.

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Note: Chainsaw Not Sold Separately.

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On 10/9/2003 12:58:57 PM nilsm wrote:

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having a trusted local business where you can see the stone in person is worth a lot - thanks for pointing that out
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Perhaps I should clarify my comments.  I personally don't believe that B&M jewelers offer anything that I cannot get from the fabulous internet vendors here.  I don't feel B&Ms offer any "advantage".  I personally do not believe that one must pay a premium and deal with a "local" vendor in order to see a stone in person.

Every one of the vendors I've listed will ship a stone to an appraiser near me to view prior to purchase if I ask.  In short, I can get everything (and more) from them than I can from a local jeweler.  I can see the diamond before purchasing just as easily as I can at a B&M store....but avoid paying the B&M markup.

I personally think that it's important to have a trusted business.....but it does not have to be local.  I live in New England.  I would have far more trust and confidence buying from GOG (NY), Whiteflash (TX) or NiceIce (OR) than I would from an unknown local entity. 

As far as "trust", trust is earned by providing verifiable information about my purchase.....and trust is lost by telling me not to be concerned with angles or other information but to instead rely on the wisdom and *word* of the local jeweler.

Some people feel discomfort about making a purchase this large on the internet.....largely because they aren't aware that they can pre-inspect the diamond prior to purchase with good vendors. 

Some people just like the experience of walking into an actual store, and as long as they don't mind paying considerably more for the privilege, that's great.

I'm an internet supporter all the way......providing we're talking about the proven, reliable vendors. 

_____________________
Note: Chainsaw Not Sold Separately.