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»  » Diamond Prices and Grading »
 » RockyTalky
»  » In need of more advice please!
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In need of more advice please! |
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| P: 10/17/2003 9:46:31 PM | |
m82 Rough Rock Total Posts: 27 Last Post: 12/20/2003 Member Since: 10/7/2003 |
As some of you may have read my prior posts I found a diamond I liked, but found out here it was way overpriced. Here is my dilema. The store I found the diamond I liked is apparently known for high prices, Christian Bernard. The stone is a .44 H SI1 IC-2 of 9.4 AGS 000 tbl 56 dpth 61.1 crwn 34.6 gird 1.0-1.2 cul pointed pav 40.9 The diamond has lifetime replacement, gurantee on quality of grading, free cleaning/polishing etc., and comes with history of when it was mined, weight when mined etc which really adds no value but is a little interesting. The original price quoted was $1899, obviously high. I talked to the guy and argued my case via e-mail since I live an hour and a half from the store, told him of other diamonds I found similar to it and he argued about IC 2 rating. I finally got him to go down on price but not by much. WE are at $1693 right now which he stated was as low as he could go. I dont buy it. He can go lower right? I guess my question is that if I can find another diamond for a similar price, but bigger. Like this one I am considering Good old Gold .566 H VS2 1.3 EX ex-ex-ex-ex Dpth 60.6 tbl 56 crn 34.4 pav 40.9 girdle .9-1.2 pt id id for $1529 Ok, again like I was saying my question is that how much monetary value should having a jewler that will be there to clean, inspect, and guarentee replacement have on a price verses a stone like the above that I can get on the net but not have those ammenities? Should IC-2 weigh in this heavily? Do you think it would be worh my while to go down there with similar interntet stones printed out and in hand along with my checkbook and try to bargain him down another couple hundred? Would really appriciate some help! Thanks, m82 |
| Posted: 10/17/2003 9:46:31 PM | |
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There are 10 replies to this message. There are 10 replies on this page. |
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| P: 10/18/2003 10:44:25 AM | |
fire&ice Ideal Rock Total Posts: 7,827 Last Post: 3/30/2009 Member Since: 7/22/2002 |
IMHO, you are paying $150.00 more for a stone that is off the 1/2 carat mark than one that is over the 1/2 carat mark. And, not to mention the .56stone is .10 more carat weight. That's about 20% more for less. This isn't even addressing the fact that the lesser priced larger stone is a VS2. I don't mind paying extra for service, etc. But, you are not comparing apples to apples here. Even if CB match the price, your still w/ a lesser quality, lower carat weight stone.
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| Posted: 10/18/2003 10:44:25 AM | |
| P: 10/18/2003 11:29:48 AM | |
StevL Ideal Rock Total Posts: 591 Last Post: 12/11/2007 Member Since: 1/1/2000 |
I have to agree, the better buy is at GOG in this instance. The CB diamond is priced at a pretty high margin. Bottom line, do what makes you happy.
Cheers, |
| Posted: 10/18/2003 11:29:48 AM | |
| P: 10/18/2003 11:51:54 AM | |
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m82 Rough Rock Total Posts: 27 Last Post: 12/20/2003 Member Since: 10/7/2003 |
If I did go with the GOG diamond or something similar to it, how do I go about having it cleaned, polished and inspected on a regular basis. If I bought the setting from CB will they mount the GOG diamond for me? Would they be willing to service the diamond regularly and if so do you think it would cost me since it isnt their diamond? Another question is what do you all think of that GOG diamond? Is it good for the price? Last question. Does anyone have a recomendation of a appraiser in the St. Louis, MO or Springfield, IL area? Thanks, m82
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| Posted: 10/18/2003 11:51:54 AM | |
| P: 10/18/2003 1:59:06 PM | |
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fire&ice Ideal Rock Total Posts: 7,827 Last Post: 3/30/2009 Member Since: 7/22/2002 |
Well, I guess having someone "service" my ring is unimportant to me. I clean my ring myself w/ a toothbrush & 1/3 sudsy ammonia & water. I never polish my rings as I like a natural patina. I do have my jeweler check for me every once in a while; but, he just confirms what I already know from my own inspection (buy a loupe). My ring is insured in the event of anything happening anyway. Except for cleaning my ring a couple times a week, I am a wear it & go person. Less is more - every time you polish metal - it polishes away some of the metal. As for buying the diamond at GOG, his store is a full service shop. He can supply a setting for your choice & set your stone. Maybe I'm off base here; but, sometimes I think some B&M try to scare someone into thinking their ring needs to be serviced like a car. Besides, you may move in a year anyway. We did even though we weren't planning on it. If you were comparing apples to apples (or for that matter a tad more money), I would say go w/ the local. But, you are not. Also, if you buy something else, like wedding bands, as a show of good faith many B&M stores will examine your ring for free anyway.
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| Posted: 10/18/2003 1:59:06 PM | |
| P: 10/18/2003 3:48:06 PM | |
Mara Ideal Rock Total Posts: 27,912 Last Post: 11/23/2009 Member Since: 10/30/2002 |
Having someone service my stone is really unimportant to me since I do clean it myself all the time. I guess I'd like someone to check the prongs for me sometimes, but if you have a regular jeweler that you have bought other items from or plan to in the future....they usually don't balk at cleaning or checking out your ring if you bring it in. We bought offline so we have a jeweler for all of this and at the time it somewhat factored in, but not really.
I would definitely consider the GOG stone more strongly than the smaller stone....I would never overpay significantly for a stone just for 'lifetime service'...that's so nebulous a promise anyway. Plus I would want the bigger stone, hands down.
Jonathan at GOG has an ISee2 so why don't you just ask him to run the diamond for you? Then you can have that Isee2 score and tell the B&M jeweler you got a stone with a comparable score (it probably will be comparable....I've seen most of GOG's posted stones with IS2 scores at 9 at least) for much less and its bigger. Don't settle or be 'talked into' your stone!
Good luck
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| Posted: 10/18/2003 3:48:06 PM | |
| P: 10/18/2003 6:15:10 PM | |
canadiangrrl Ideal Rock Total Posts: 787 Last Post: 3/19/2008 Member Since: 6/10/2003 |
Ditto what everyone else says. You need to decide whether or not the service the store is offering is worth that much extra $$. It would definitely not be worth it to me. My advice - get the GOG stone, and have them mount it. Buy yourself a loupe, a soft baby's toothbrush, and mix together a simple solution of 3 tablespoons white vinegar and 1 cup of water (there are good commercial cleaners out there but I refuse to use them if they're tested on animals, and this one is equally effective, so it's what I recommend) Use the loupe to check your ring periodically, and if you notice any issues, take it in to a reputable B&M jeweler and get it fixed. Use the toothbrush and cleaning solution to clean your ring a few times per week. If you're really mad on the cleaning bit, get yourself an Ultrasonic. The cost of the loupe, the cleaning supplies, and even an Ultrasonic will still be far less than the markup Christian Bernard is charging you. And besides, I'm biased because I had a nasty experience with Christian Bernard at Tyson's Corners in VA, and I adore Jonathan at GOG. 
Sursum Corda! |
| Posted: 10/18/2003 6:15:10 PM | |
| P: 10/18/2003 10:51:14 PM | |
Mikesgirl Cut Rock Total Posts: 348 Last Post: 12/9/2003 Member Since: 8/30/2003 |
If you check price stats at the top of this page, you'll see that a 1A stone should run you about 1710 per carat or an average of $752.00. The .566 should run you about 2603 per carat, or an average of $1473.00. It looks like what you are seeing is a 100% + markup on CB, and a 5% markup on the internet diamond. Not much debate over which is the better value. Go with good old gold, and pay a local jeweler to check your diamond each year for loose prongs or other damage. It would take a lifetime to even begin to add up to what you'd pay at CB.
"Where ever you go, there you are." |
| Posted: 10/18/2003 10:51:14 PM | |
| P: 10/19/2003 6:25:54 AM | |
pqcollectibles Ideal Rock Total Posts: 3,441 Last Post: 6/18/2005 Member Since: 2/23/2003 |
Go with the folks at GOG for the diamond and see what they have for the set. Jonathan and all the folks there are GREAT. Quality workmanship, professional, knowledgeable. GOG can ship you the finished ring. Don't be bullied into buying less than you could and should have for the same $$$! I clean my jewelry myself except for when I take things in for inspection. If you have a "trusted" relationship with local jeweler, I'm sure they would be happy to perform those services for you.
Why use a big word when a diminutive word would be succinct! |
| Posted: 10/19/2003 6:25:54 AM | |
| P: 10/19/2003 2:03:21 PM | |
sylvesterii Cut Rock Total Posts: 295 Last Post: 5/27/2009 Member Since: 11/3/2002 |
just because you didn't buy "A" ring from a reputable jeweler, doesn't mean that you wouldn't make "OTHER" purchases in the future. I don't think hardly ANY reputable jeweler would turn you away if you asked them to check out your ring to make sure it was ok.
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| Posted: 10/19/2003 2:03:21 PM | |
| P: 10/19/2003 2:13:50 PM | |
lop Ideal Rock Total Posts: 2,651 Last Post: 9/7/2009 Member Since: 6/14/2003 |
I've never had a jeweler not offer to clean my rings while I am looking around. (I clean them myself, but I love a good steam cleaning occasionally  ). And, I've never had trouble finding a good jeweler to inspect and/or repair any jewelery, whether I've bought anything from them in the past or not. I think those "lifetime inspections and cleaning" offers are worthless -- you can get that anywhere without buying from them. What counts is the service and support along with the product and pricing for what you are buying now.
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| Posted: 10/19/2003 2:13:50 PM | |
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