Tip for finding a “near super ideal” without paying “super ideal“ prices?

[al_g]

Any thoughts on how close you can get to near super ideal without paying the incremental cost of a super ideal diamond? What ratios to look for? All else equal, what would you sacrifice first?

 

[TODiamonds]

You don't have to sacrifice anything other than your time and some effort. You can have the "super ideal" stone and not pay the branded premium. There's no such thing as a "super ideal" stone technically. That's just a marketing term that is generally used on PS to describe diamonds that are cut to certain proportions (55-57 table, <62.5 depth, 34.5 crown, 40.8 PA). The incremental cost you are referring to is for the branding. You can find stones within these parameters anywhere, unbranded.

Go on Blue Nile, James Allen or use one of the smaller sites like B2C which have even better pricing. Make sure you use the advanced filters to search by table and depth which will quickly narrow down the selection.

You may get lucky quickly or it may take a while, but there are thousands of new stones coming online everyday so just be patient and you'll find something. When you find a nice one, be prepared to move fast or it will sell quick. If you post anything to this forum, remember to put it on hold first.

 

[distracts]

You can use the PS diamond search (under "resources") and check that you're only searching for stones with AGS0 light performance grading. Or you can search using excellent HCA score. That's a quick way to sift through a lot of diamonds at once from most of these websites without having to input everything at each website individually.

Not knowing what size/color/clarity/budget you want, I just searched and pulled up this one:

1.02 Carat round diamond

This 1.02 carat round diamond I color vs1 clarity has Ideal proportions and a diamond grading report from AGS

www.jamesallen.com

 

[OoohShiny]

You don't have to sacrifice anything other than your time and some effort. You can have the "super ideal" stone and not pay the branded premium. There's no such thing as a "super ideal" stone technically. That's just a marketing term that is generally used on PS to describe diamonds that are cut to certain proportions (55-57 table, <62.5 depth, 34.5 crown, 40.8 PA). The incremental cost you are referring to is for the branding. You can find stones within these parameters anywhere, unbranded.

Go on Blue Nile, James Allen or use one of the smaller sites like B2C which have even better pricing. Make sure you use the advanced filters to search by table and depth which will quickly narrow down the selection.

You may get lucky quickly or it may take a while, but there are thousands of new stones coming online everyday so just be patient and you'll find something. When you find a nice one, be prepared to move fast or it will sell quick. If you post anything to this forum, remember to put it on hold first.

I would agree that it is certainly possible to shop for diamonds within the PS-recommended 'superideal' parameters and find some great options, but I think the SuperIdeal vendors might take issue with the assertion that it is all just 'branding'

I know that CBI, for example, take a great deal of care to nuance faceting to create cohesive lightpaths within the stone, which a generic stone of similar proportions is unlikely to have. @John Pollard has previously mentioned the processes involved, and it is that extra cutting time that the additional costs associated with SuperIdeals covers in that instance.

 

[AV_]

Look for HCA scores with the search here & a fairly precise pattern face up. Then see what bona fide H&A there might be for roughly the same price; I assume there might be one or two colour & clarity grades between options of similar size & a debate to be had!

 

[John P]

I know that CBI, for example, take a great deal of care to nuance faceting to create cohesive lightpaths within the stone, which a generic stone of similar proportions is unlikely to have. @John Pollard has previously mentioned the processes involved, and it is that extra cutting time that the additional costs associated with SuperIdeals covers in that instance.

Correct. This is a choice of course. Our proposition involves crafting each diamond to a specific geometry to meet consistent visual goals. So we can't just stop polishing when we want to. We have to finish each one as we'll finish them all.

I'd also mention cost associated with selection. Most manufacturers can buy in volume because they produce any and all rough that comes into their hands. Our selectivity criteria means we must buy crystals one at a time due to rejection. This brings more expense but it also ensures that all our starting material meets certain standards. That's done to remove any guessing - e.g. transparency, haze, durability, performance-character, eye-clean, etc. - for our jewelers and their clients.

 

[OoohShiny]

I'd also mention cost associated with selection. Most manufacturers can buy in volume because they produce any and all rough that comes into their hands. Our selectivity criteria means we must buy crystals one at a time due to rejection. This brings more expense but it also ensures that all our starting material meets certain standards. That's done to remove any guessing - e.g. transparency, haze, durability, performance-character, eye-clean, etc. - for our jewelers and their clients.

And, of course, you are buying crystals that others would cut into steep/deep heavier stones and then sell at a higher carat weight, realising more profit, which means they pay more for the rough and you have no choice but to match it and turn more of the crystal into dust while creating a lighter stone! lol

 

[John P]

And, of course, you are buying crystals that others would cut into steep/deep heavier stones and then sell at a higher carat weight, realising more profit, which means they pay more for the rough and you have no choice but to match it and turn more of the crystal into dust while creating a lighter stone! lol

In many (most) cases you’re spot on. Nicely learned, well stated, and thank you for the comment.