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About to pull the trigger

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RHStansbury

Rough_Rock
Joined
May 3, 2007
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Hello,

I am about to pull the trigger and buy a diamond. I think I have found a pretty good deal, but I am not sure about the table. I thought it was a beautful stone, but I am not sure about such a small table. Please tell me what you think.

Shape: Round
Carat: 1.51
Clarity: Si1
Color: G
Polish: VG
Symmetry: VG
Depth: 62
Table: 52
Flourescence: No

Out the door price with 14K mount: $8900

So what do you think?
 
Need crown and pavillion angles. Do you like fire?
 
Don''t have crown and pavillion angles unfortunately. Fire was good. I spoke with another jeweler who said that 52 is extremely small. Is this really the case?
 
it is small, but not so small you need to find something else. with the small table, you may run into some spread issues, so whwat are the dimensions?
 
Unfortunately my notes are at the office, so I don''t have those with me either. Is the price for that stone on par with what I should be paying? I know I have not posted all of necessary info, but am I at least in the ballpark of a deal?

Also, if I get the GIA number is there a site that I can plug it in that will allow me to view a certificate or is that wishful thinking? I should have asked to see the certificate while I was there but it completely slipped my mind.
 
Yes, you can go to www.gia.edu and plug in the certificat number and carat weight, and voila!
 
Looks like a call to the jeweler will be made first thing in the morning to get that number. Thanks for the tip!
 
Okay so here is what I have from the gia report that I just pulled online. This is everything I know about the stone. As you can tell this is my first diamond purchase so I am a bit nervous. Is 8900 a decent price for this, or should I keep shopping. I thought it was a very pretty stone.

Report Type: GIA Diamond Grading Report

Date of Issue: April 01, 2004


Round Brilliant


Measurements: 7.30 - 7.41 x 4.61 mm


Carat Weight: 1.51


Color Grade: G


Clarity Grade: SI1


Proportions:


Depth: 62.7 %


Table: 52 %


Girdle: Thin to Medium, Faceted


Culet: None


Finish:


Polish: Very Good


Symmetry: Fair


Fluorescence: None


So what do you think? As Howie Mandel would say...Deal or No Deal?

 
Prices for diamonds with a finer cut are in the region of 8500k and up, so you could find something else with a better cut online and still be in budget with the setting. That being said, if this diamond is attractive to you then that is the main thing. I would wait and shop around and compare, you say it is your first purchase, maybe compare some prices and other diamonds. Don't rush into anything, plenty of lovely diamonds in your price range out there.
 
I wouldn't by a diamond for that much w/out either seeing tons of diamonds in person to compare or asking them to get a Sarin report & idealscope image on the diamond. (Unless it was a H & A diamond, which are AGS 000 and will definitely shine better than 95% of diamonds out there). So you could ask them to get you an H & A, then you wouldn't have to worry too much bout looking at it.

Table and depth alone really tell you almost nothing about light return, how good the patterns are etc. for us to evaluate.


There's tons of round brilliants out there, so don't feel you're letting something amazing slip through your fingers without the info above. If you're time pressured I completely understand, but it's a big purchase to make without seeing it first. (Kinda like buying a car based on specs alone w/out ever test driving it)
 
Unfortunately for me I have shopped around a good bit, and so far that is the best deal I can find. That is even including the jeweler my family has used for years. My search continues...
 
If you saw it, and you have the experience of seeing tons and loved it, then go for it. We just can''t help you without sarins, idealscopes etc.....but we''re not that important =P

I would compare that diamond to a H & A diamond just to see if there''s a light return difference etc. And if you love that stone totally snatch it up!
 
Date: 5/4/2007 10:20:23 AM
Author: RHStansbury
Unfortunately for me I have shopped around a good bit, and so far that is the best deal I can find. That is even including the jeweler my family has used for years. My search continues...
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Like I said earlier, if you have seen it and loved it then that is the main thing. If you have a connection with the jeweller, even if you pass on this one, he will probably be able to find you something else. To be quite honest, I and probably many of us consumer PSers haven't seen a diamond with such a small table to see how it looks and performs. Perhaps one of our vendor experts could advise you better....The point is if you want the best cut you can get, this isn't it, if the diamond spoke to you and you love it, then that is another thing entirely. It is best to be sure as once you have bought a diamond, particularly with no trade in policy, it can be a nightmare to even get back 50% of what you paid, so it is best to take your time and be as sure as you can be with your purchase.

Also when looking for a H&A diamond, it is best to make sure it fits the criteria to be worthy of the title, some diamonds can exhibit the pattern but not be true H&A cuts.

https://www.pricescope.com/hearts_phony.asp
 
That being said, are any vendors on the board in the Baltimore area?
 
If you go to the top right of the page under Resources, you will see a vendor list. I am trying to place Baltimore as I am not from the US...
emembarrassed.gif
 
Well, I found another for the same price. Held it side by side with the last one and I liked it even more! Same price (8900 out the door). It does not look as nice on paper IMO but it is a gorgeous stone. What do you think based on the stats below? Am I getting ripped off?

Report Type: GIA Diamond Grading Report

Date of Issue: August 19, 2003


Round Brilliant


Measurements: 7.47 - 7.51 x 4.29 mm


Carat Weight: 1.50


Color Grade: I


Clarity Grade: SI1


Proportions:


Depth: 57.3 %


Table: 61 %


Girdle: Slightly Thick, Faceted


Culet: Small


Finish:


Polish: Good


Symmetry: Good


Fluorescence: None



 
Date: 5/4/2007 10:39:26 AM
Author: RHStansbury
That being said, are any vendors on the board in the Baltimore area?
Click to expand...

James Allen is in Maryland- but I don''t know if they have an actual store...

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/

Also maybe you should try pricescoping -fill in the little form at the top of the forum w/ the stone''s info to determine if they are good deals.

Can I ask where in Baltimore you are looking? I am from the area.
 
James Allen does not have a store front. They did offer to have stones shipped to their office for me to check out though so I may take them up on that. I have been dealing with Berman''s in Ellicott City.
 
I don''t like this stone... G/G in polish and symmetry is enough to keep me away... need crown/pavillion angles, pics for a better idea...
 
Date: 5/4/2007 2:05:17 PM
Author: RHStansbury
James Allen does not have a store front. They did offer to have stones shipped to their office for me to check out though so I may take them up on that. I have been dealing with Berman''s in Ellicott City.
Click to expand...

just in doing some general searches quite a few nice stones came up in your "ranges" from JA- I would make an appt w/ them.
 
I''m not loving either of these stones. The first faces up small, is a tad deep, and that with the small table makes it a "steep and deep" diamond.

The second stone is cut too shallow with a table that is too big.


Try keeping your depth to 60-62 and your table to 54-57. This is a good place to start.

Have you considered jamesallen.com, whiteflash.com, goodoldgold.com, etc.? These are all awesome vendors and have beautiful stones for reasonable prices.
 
I know that the best deals are to be had online, but I just hate the fact that I would be spending close to 10K on something I have never seen/held. Thanks for the advice though.
 
Date: 5/8/2007 12:00:56 PM
Author: RHStansbury
I know that the best deals are to be had online, but I just hate the fact that I would be spending close to 10K on something I have never seen/held. Thanks for the advice though.
Click to expand...
You are welcome! Buying online isn't the way for everyone, you do what you are most comfortable with! Superideal diamonds are not the right choice for everyone, there are many out there that don't have the tight cut proportions and are worn and adored for years! So good luck with your purchase and please come back and post some pics when you get your diamond! If you think the stone is gorgeous then that is all that matters! We are more used to seeing the Superideals around here, but equally we do have some posters just wanting a pretty and decently cut diamond, I hope we can help with either type of consumer.
 
If your own eyes are what''s most important to you here''s an idea:

If you feel comfortable: Go to Tiffanys, they have some of the best B & M selection. Look at a bunch of rounds, see if they''ll let you take them out of the store light into natural light. Figure out what you like, and then wander around to other B & M stores. (Or pay the 30% premium on a Tiffanys).

If you''re not worried about resale value, then you can go to any B & M store you want after that experience and pick out the diamond you want. You won''t have to worry about angles and certificates. Because you''ll have seen some awesome stones, and you''ll be able to find a stone that compares whether its GIA or EGL certified =).
 
RHS I take it you have decided and are going to purchase the I SI1 you mentioned above? Best of luck with that!
 
Date: 5/8/2007 12:28:28 PM
Author: peridot83
If your own eyes are what''s most important to you here''s an idea:


If you feel comfortable: Go to Tiffanys, they have some of the best B & M selection. Look at a bunch of rounds, see if they''ll let you take them out of the store light into natural light. Figure out what you like, and then wander around to other B & M stores. (Or pay the 30% premium on a Tiffanys).


If you''re not worried about resale value, then you can go to any B & M store you want after that experience and pick out the diamond you want. You won''t have to worry about angles and certificates. Because you''ll have seen some awesome stones, and you''ll be able to find a stone that compares whether its GIA or EGL certified =).
Click to expand...

I think he is like an hour from Tiffany- no Tiffany in Baltimore, have to go to Chevy Chase, MD- it''s a bit of a hike...

Have you been to Smyth? or tried Chip Smyth (who broke away and started his own business, I think he''s in Ellicott City?)
 
To answer the question about color, I was actually hoping to stay in the G-H range to be honest. Also, I will probably go to Smyth this weekend, I feel like they may be a bit high on prices from what I have heard though. I may have to swing by Chip Smyth''s place though. I am always a bit leery of the cousin that splits from the family business though.
 
Date: 5/8/2007 12:00:56 PM
Author: RHStansbury
I know that the best deals are to be had online, but I just hate the fact that I would be spending close to 10K on something I have never seen/held. Thanks for the advice though.
Click to expand...
Many online vendors will ship a stone to an independent appraiser in your area so that you can view the stone before purchase. You have to pay a fee for this, but it would still end up being cheaper in the end. Do what feels comfortable for you, but better cut diamonds for less expensive prices are out there online.
 
Date: 5/8/2007 1:40:22 PM
Author: RHStansbury
To answer the question about color, I was actually hoping to stay in the G-H range to be honest. Also, I will probably go to Smyth this weekend, I feel like they may be a bit high on prices from what I have heard though. I may have to swing by Chip Smyth''s place though. I am always a bit leery of the cousin that splits from the family business though.
Click to expand...

I wouldn''t be leery of Chip- it''s not like Smyth is the small town mom and pop shop it once was- I don''t think Chip poses much of a threat to them- based on his website he seems to speak "cut" and has HOF stones, and most of his stones are GIA or AGS cert''d- only ones that are not are his "value" stones- he has some of his inventory w/ a few measurements listed here
http://www.chipsmyth.com/bridaldiamonds.htm

I have to say that I was not that impressed w/ Smyth when I went in their to register... they are so large- there is no way that all of their sales associates could know what they are talking about.
 
I agree with not everyone knowing what they are talking about at such a big store. Luckily for me a close friend is buddies with a floor manager there. I have an appt. set up with one of his associates for Saturday AM. I will probably take a look at Chip''s shop as well.
 
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