1st time buyer advice

[Steve6716]

Hi all. I''m new to the site and have found lots of helpful information to educate me. However, I''m still having trouble in deciding on the perfect stone. I''d like to stay in the 3,500 to 4,500 range, and get a stone that is 1 to 1.2 ct. My color range is D-G, VS2 or higher.

I''ve been browsing on some of the online vendor sites found here, but it seems the prices vary. Can anyone vouch for James Allen and/or Union diamond? These sites seem pretty compeitive, but I''m open to others if anyone has a suggestion. Also, I noticed that Union has EGL cert. while JA has GIA. Is there really a big difference between the two. Would a EGL cert. diamond be ok? I''ve found JA''s diamonds to be pricier than Union''s for identical or even lesser grades. I understand that EGL certs are typically less stringent than GIA, but is it really a big problem? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

-Steve

 

[tyty333]

JA and Union diamonds are reputable PS vendors. Just realize that EGL color/clarity may be off by as much
as 2 levels.

I did a seach on all diamonds (well cut specs) with the other things you specified and found nothing in your
price range.

Have you found anything?

 

[Regular Guy]

Hi, Steve, and welcome to Pricescope.

With respect to your title, I might first direct you to the links below my signature, despite their being old.

I (and many here) can vouch for James Allen. A good number have used Union, too, and lately, they''ve posted more frequently here than Jim has from JA...but neither exactly burn up the pages with posting.

GIA & AGS are more respected than EGL. JA has decided not to post EGL options (of late...though they used to). Also, JA''s relationship with stock is probably complex, so it''s possible they can say they can see they are less of a drop shipper than Union, but I don''t know how rock solid that is...depending on how you define the relationship you have to your suppliers. For other vendors here, that relationship is probably more well defined, to include the frequently mentioned WF and GOG, and some others here.

Re EGL...gosh...read my second thread below. If you take the high road, yes, they''re a problem. I do think it''s OK to take the high road on an e-ring purchase. You don''t have to take the high road, however, and neither you nor your honey may ever know the difference.

Re Tyty333''s comments...I agree...there are many utilities on this board to help you shop. One easy one is the "search by cut" utility, here. Using your constraints, the only diamonds that come up begin at $2K above your $ numbers. If you relax each of your quantifiers one grade...i.e., go to .9 carats, H, and SI1...a field of diamonds become available...some of which are even G color, now meeting your numbers...but only one of which is actually under $4500...this one, at $4437 wire priced. But, there are other tools here you can use to increase your count, and again, using "strategy B" with that WF vendor, other options will no doubt become available as well...also being either GIA or AGS, should you choose to limit your search thusly.

Regards,

 

[Mrs W]

Date: 8/5/2009 1:11:11 AM
Author: Regular Guy
Hi, Steve, and welcome to Pricescope.

With respect to your title, I might first direct you to the links below my signature, despite their being old.

I (and many here) can vouch for James Allen. A good number have used Union, too, and lately, they''ve posted more frequently here than Jim has from JA...but neither exactly burn up the pages with posting.

GIA & AGS are more respected than EGL. JA has decided not to post EGL options (of late...though they used to). Also, JA''s relationship with stock is probably complex, so it''s possible they can say they can see they are less of a drop shipper than Union, but I don''t know how rock solid that is...depending on how you define the relationship you have to your suppliers. For other vendors here, that relationship is probably more well defined, to include the frequently mentioned WF and GOG, and some others here.

Re EGL...gosh...read my second thread below. If you take the high road, yes, they''re a problem. I do think it''s OK to take the high road on an e-ring purchase. You don''t have to take the high road, however, and neither you nor your honey may ever know the difference.

Re Tyty333''s comments...I agree...there are many utilities on this board to help you shop. One easy one is the ''search by cut'' utility, here. Using your constraints, the only diamonds that come up begin at $2K above your $ numbers. If you relax each of your quantifiers one grade...i.e., go to .9 carats, H, and SI1...a field of diamonds become available...some of which are even G color, now meeting your numbers...but only one of which is actually under $4500...this one, at $4437 wire priced. But, there are other tools here you can use to increase your count, and again, using ''strategy B'' with that WF vendor, other options will no doubt become available as well...also being either GIA or AGS, should you choose to limit your search thusly.

Regards,

Love that .90 you posted...

 

[Lorelei]

The .90 could be a super choice if eyeclean!

 

[tyty333]

Date: 8/5/2009 5:01:47 AM
Author: Lorelei
The .90 could be a super choice if eyeclean!

That is a beautiful stone!

 

[Steve6716]

Thanks for the help everyone. So far I''ve only found a couple that seem to meet my criteria. I''ll post their specs below. Both are only EGL certified, which I guess explains the discount over GIA cert stones.

Diamond 1

1.08 ct
Depth - 61.2 %
Table - 55 %
Crown - 15 %
Pavilion - 43 %
Girdle - Medium, faceted
Polish/Sym - Ex/Ex
Culet - None
Clarity - VS2
Graining - Nil
Color - G
Fluorescence - None
Cert: EGL


Diamond 2

1.20 ct
Depth - 62 %
Table - 57 %
Crown - 15 %
Pavilion - 43 %
Girdle - Med, Faceted
Polish/Sym - Ex/Ex
Culet - None
Clarity - VS2
Graining - Nil
Fluorescence - None
Cert - EGL-O

I''ve requested the actual angle numbers for both stones, but have yet to get a reply. I''ll post as soon as I get them. What do you all think about these two? Both fall in my price range, so are they a good buy? What else should I look for before making a purchase?

 

[Lorelei]

Read this page on EGL 's grading standards, do you prefer to buy EGL graded diamonds rather than GIA or AGS?

http://diamonds.pricescope.com/grading.asp

Both diamonds appear to be well cut from the info given but think carefully how you wish to proceed.

 

[Steve6716]

I really don''t prefer one certification to the other, I''m just in search of the best valued stone in the 1 to 1.2 range that fits my budget. In many cases it seemed that EGL graded 1 level softer on color and clarity, so I guess the next question is would a 1.2 ct H SI1 (at GIA standards) be a good value at approx. 4500, assuming the cuts are VG or ideal? If I do end up purchasing an EGL graded stone I will be sure to have it appraised quickly to be sure there isn''t a huge discrepancy in the reports. lol... I can''t believe how complicated this all is for something so small.

P.S. Does anyone have any info on Solomon Brothers? Are they pretty reputable?