$250K to spend - please help

[Acinom]

I don't have suggestions... The DBL EC was pretty fabulous! I do have a request... Please come back and post pictures after your purchase!

+1! Love that EC!!

 

[yennyfire]

I don't have suggestions... The DBL EC was pretty fabulous! I do have a request... Please come back and post pictures after your purchase!

+1! Love that EC!!

+2....that's been on my drool list since it was first posted!! I puffy heart it!!

 

[WillyDiamond]

Hey OP, if you want a large stone, try Graf in NYC, I think they are on Madison Ave, their stuff will blow your mind

 

[diamond14]

Hey OP, if you want a large stone, try Graf in NYC, I think they are on Madison Ave, their stuff will blow your mind

Checked them out in SF. Their prices are quite high [probably to support their fancy brick and mortar locations].

 

[sparkle_more]

For that kind of money, I'd want to see all diamonds in-person and have a good, long chat with a jeweler. Therefore, I'd probably make an appointment at BGD, WF, GOG, etc., have them find some diamonds that meet your requirements and then fly out to see them (if you are in the US). The cost of a plane ticket is only a small fraction of the cost of your diamond.

 

[ariel144]

Here you go...I'm sure the experts at Sotheby's can help you pick the best ...
The prices are their estimates for what they will sell for at auction (depths are approx. based on my math):

GIA 5.02c F VS1 11.28x 9.63 x 5.68 (59% depth) med blue flour. GIA# 1152584306 $90-130,000
http://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2013/magnificent-jewels-ge1305/lot.124.html

GIA 6.18c E VVS2 12.4 x 8.9 x 6.15 110-140k (69% depth) 100-135k

http://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2013/magnificent-jewels-ge1305/lot.242.html

According to the GIA report the diamond, measuring 12.98 x 10.38 x 6.02 mm and weighing 7.00 carat, it is of F colour and VSI clarity with no fluorescence (58% depth) $95-145k

http://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2013/magnificent-jewels-ge1305/lot.243.html


GIA report, stating that the diamond measuring 11.27 x 8.70 x 6.04 mm, weighing 5.48 carats, is E Colour, VS1 Clarity, together with a working diagram stating that the diamond clarity may be improvable after repolishing; for further information on the diamond, please refer to the GIA report (depth 69.4%) $100-140k

http://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2013/magnificent-jewels-ge1305/lot.254.html


Got $1m? 9.38c
Accompanied by GIA report no. 7016152, stating that the diamond is D colour, Internally Flawless.

http://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2013/magnificent-jewels-ge1305/lot.252.html

14.83 x 10.35 x 6.94 mm
Carat Weight
9.38 carat
Color Grade
D
Clarity Grade
Internally Flawless

proportions
Depth
67.0 %
Table
57 %
Girdle
Extremely Thin to Medium
Culet
Small

 

[distracts]

re: discount/negotiation - most online stores have razor-thin margins on diamonds, so there is usually only a little bit of wiggle room. Many offer a discount for paying by wire transfer rather than credit card. BUT I have no experience with diamonds of the size/price/rarity you're looking for, so I don't know what the situation is with those. It wouldn't hurt to ask.

I bet shopping for something like this is really hard since there are so few comparisons out there that it's tough to know what is fair pricing and what isn't!

Also, be sure to get it appraised and insured! I know some ladies with big diamonds who don't wear them or who wear fake replicas because they're afraid of losing them, but that seems kind of pointless to me. If you have good insurance she can wear it in her daily life without worry.

 

[ariel144]

My advice have nothing to do with any fluorescence...just look for a good clarity diamond.

Fluorescence is not usually bad...it can give the diamond a blue hue in some lighting which gives it more personality. Blue diamonds are the rarest and most expensive next to red diamonds...thus a blue hue is really a cool feature.

Rarely does fl. cause a cloudy or milky stone...99% of the time it does not according to Jon at GOG. Watch the GOG video on Fl.

The Brian Gavin Blues are to die for with strong and med blue fl. Do your research...med/strong blues are prized by most long time PSrs.

Good luck on your search...would help if you could narrow down your shape though. Has she tried on the diff. shapes?

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond/brian-gavins-blue-diamonds-with-fluorescence/

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/4.090-h-vs2-round-diamond-ags-bl-104065989001

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I agree that Blue Nile, being a drop shipper, certainly doesn't have a lot of mark-up on their stones. But in the case of one in this price range, I might offer 10% less than asking price and see if they come back with a counter offer. You need to request to speak to a supervisor because I can't see a regular salesperson handling this sale.

 

[arkieb1]

I agree since your purchase is so high, 10% maybe 15% if you really haggle is possible from one of the retail stores, if they want to win your business, unless the price seems low to start with in which case the vendor might not have room to haggle and you would be looking at closer to 5%.

Blue Nile is one way to go. I actually agree with the person who linked you to Sotherby's, some of the great auction houses have amazing rings and diamonds that sell for good prices. Christies also has an amazing "Magnificent Jewels" auction coming up in a few weeks time;

http://www.christies.com/salelanding/index.aspx?intSaleID=24332

There are a number of diamond rings in that auction that I consider both true "investment pieces" and I would personally purchase if I had your budget. Most come with full certificates and appraisals, if you see anything you like email them they will send you a copy of all of the paperwork that goes with each piece before the auction.

 

[The sun is shining]

My experience with Sotheby's and Bonnham & Goodman's is their estimates are usually pretty accurate. Just remember to add the buyers premium at the hammer!

 

[diamond14]

For that kind of money, I'd want to see all diamonds in-person and have a good, long chat with a jeweler. Therefore, I'd probably make an appointment at BGD, WF, GOG, etc., have them find some diamonds that meet your requirements and then fly out to see them (if you are in the US). The cost of a plane ticket is only a small fraction of the cost of your diamond.

I don't know what those acronyms stand for.

 

[arkieb1]

For that kind of money, I'd want to see all diamonds in-person and have a good, long chat with a jeweler. Therefore, I'd probably make an appointment at BGD, WF, GOG, etc., have them find some diamonds that meet your requirements and then fly out to see them (if you are in the US). The cost of a plane ticket is only a small fraction of the cost of your diamond.

I don't know what those acronyms stand for.

All of them are trusted & popular vendors that stock a number of top cut stones. You will have to ring and speak to most of them to see if they can find something in that range, some might have something that might suit you in stock.

Brian Gavin Diamonds - give Brian or Lesley a call

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/

Whiteflash - I have dealt with Lisa but someone else might suggest someone else to speak to directly

http://www.whiteflash.com/

Good Old Gold will find you something - talk to Jon directly;

http://www.goodoldgold.com/

I would also add Engagement Rings Direct;

http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/

James Allen;

http://www.jamesallen.com/

Victor Canera;

http://www.victorcanera.com/

People on here also recommend IDJ;

http://idjewelryonline.com/index.php

 

[Smith1942]

I just want to say that I am a long-time customer of Blue Nile and I have nothing but praise for them. They answer the phone immediately 24 hours, and their customer service is flawless. I've bought around 40 items from them and they always over-deliver. Even the melee in their pre-set diamond jewellery is magnificent.

I have also bought diamonds from them without pictures, using specs and the HCA, and it's worked out beautifully. Blue Nile's business model can be very cost-effective if you are careful about what you pick from their huge inventory. A diamond from BN can be thousands of dollars cheaper than a specs-equivalent diamond from a small vendor. Yes, BN is a drop-shipper. Their diamonds are located all around the world, and Blue Nile doesn't buy the diamond until you buy the diamond. Therefore they have no outlay costs and are not sitting on capital inventory, storing it, bearing delivery costs back and forth themselves, etc. Assuming you choose wisely from the inventory, those savings are passed on to you.

I have been able to go up in size or colour with the savings I've made buying at Blue Nile instead of at smaller places with lots of pictures of the diamond, like Brian Gavin or Whiteflash. And also, you will pay for the brand name if you buy at a designer like Graf. I always have this urge to put as much of my budget as possible into the stone, and you can achieve that optimally with Blue Nile. You don't pay for the name or the pictures.

I own nine items from the PS vendors like WF, BGD, and JA, and their customer service was not better than BN; in fact four mistakes on four separate items were made, an item was refused for return until I got annoyed, and two of my custom projects were rejected - they are great jewellers with amazing products, but they are not better than BN in my opinion, (and usually more expensive) having bought many items from all these companies.

Some people think it's this terrible risk to buy from BN, but they have an easy no-questions-asked return policy. Regarding clarity, BN has always been honest with me about this and has, on occasion, recommended I buy the cheaper stone because the more expensive one was not eyeclean.

About wiggle room with prices on a diamond this size, I have no idea. There is a discount for paying with bank wire, and that lower price is on the Diamond Details section of each stone on the site. But regarding further discounts, I would think it's a case-by-case basis and not something they advertise. You'd have to have a conversation with them.

Good luck!

 

[Smith1942]

This is pretty nice. Great-looking cut specs, 4.76 carats, E colour, VS2 clarity. Price is $244,719 or bank wire price $241, 079.

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?pt=setform&track=NavDrawDia#diamonds_pid=LD03333896

It scores 1.7 on the Holloway Cut Adviser, which is below the magical 2 threshold. (Below 2 is what you want.)

 

[Smith1942]

Here is a 5-carat G VS1 emerald-cut diamond with Excellent symmetry for $151,244.

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?pt=setform&track=NavDrawDia#diamonds_pid=LD03742991

 

[diamond14]

Thank you everyone for all of the help so far!

 

[ariel144]

Here's one at Sotheby's NY that didn't sell in Sept. You should call them and the other large auction houses. They sometimes put buyers and sellers together outside of the auctions.

This emerald cut has med. blue fl. so be sure to ask if there is any cloudiness or milkiness in the stone.

7c D VS2 ($200-300,000)

http://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2013/important-jewels-n09016/lot.220.html

Diamond Grading Report
Emerald Cut

Measurements 12.57 x 9.77 x 6.46 mm
Carat Weight 7.06 carat
Color Grade D
Clarity Grade VS2

proportions

Depth 66.1 %
Table 65 %
Girdle Slightly Thick to Thick
Culet Small

finish

Polish Very Good
Symmetry Very Good

Fluorescence

Fluorescence Medium Blue

clarity characteristics

clarity characteristics Crystal, Needle, Pinpoint, Extra Facet

 

[zz00ter]

If you really have that much money then hire a diamond expert to act as your agent in this process. Spending $5k for the help to make such a large purchase will be money well spent.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Why would he waste $5k when he can get plenty of free help here?

 

[Polished]

Why would he waste $5k when he can get plenty of free help here?

Yeay. That brings the budget down to a dwindling $245K.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Why would he waste $5k when he can get plenty of free help here?

Yeay. That brings the budget down to a dwindling $245K.

+1

 

[Paul-Antwerp]

Hello diamond14,

I just saw this thread today, and must say that you are coming with a request, not truly common on this forum.

As I seem to notice, the 'investment-value' (I prefer the term store-of-value) is a factor in your decision, which has a few repercussions:
- To start, if your jeweler advises you to go GIA-only, I have to agree. Technically, I can argue that AGS is just as good in their grading, and their cut-grade is far superior than GIA's, fact is that if one needs to re-sell a diamond of such size, the GIA-report will be far more valuable than a potential AGS-report. This is not a factor in more common sizes.
- If you are considering various shapes, I would advise that round brilliant is far easier to sell if needed, thus your store-of-value is better with round brilliants.

Do realize that the distribution-channel, from cutting-house to the consumer, has a huge effect on price and as a consequence to store-of-value. The most common options at the retail-level are:
- Retail-operations, specializing in 'special' diamonds (Graff has been mentioned as an example). Because of their specialization, they have a variety of diamonds to choose from, but be aware that you will be paying for the overhead-cost of organizing such specialty.
- Standard retailers, and it does not really matter whether they are B&M, online-only or some mixture, will have access to such 'special' stones, but it will be difficult for them to offer a variety in choice. In reality, many cutting-houses nowadays do not allow such 'high-value-diamonds' to leave their offices, unless full payment has been received.

Hope that this gives you some perspective.

Live long,