Advice on this ring - what is your price estimate?

[aussiediamond]

I'm looking around for an engagement ring and was fortunate enough to find this one in exactly the right style. I have done a bit of research but am far from an expert. While I know online is taken with a grain of salt, I'd be appreciative of any opinions on this stone and setting.

I'll deliberately omit the price for now (please let me know your best estimate) but here are the centre stone characteristics:

Photo: http://i.imgur.com/D2ITLWG.jpg

- 0.79ct (total weight including side stones is around 1.2 I think)
- SI1 (only inclusion is a small scuff on one end of the stone only visible with a loop)
- F-G colour (stone not yet certified, jeweller's best estimate, will get it GIA certified)
- Oval cut with halo
- 18ct white gold setting

 

[tyty333]

No one wants to venture a guess for an ungraded/uncerted stone because the F/G SI1 that the jeweler has told you is probably
off so no matter what price we give you it will probably be off.

 

[telephone89]

I'd doubt its f-g, there is some definite tint there. Similar (I went off H colour) can be found on JA for less than $2500, setting say $1000. So you can get something similar on JA for $3500. Since its uncerted it could come back as an I colour I1 which would be worth CONSIDERABLY less. Only buy this if you can return it should the cert not come back as the jeweller said.

 

[tyty333]

I'd doubt its f-g, there is some definite tint there. Similar (I went off H colour) can be found on JA for less than $2500, setting say $1000. So you can get something similar on JA for $3500. Since its uncerted it could come back as an I colour I1 which would be worth CONSIDERABLY less. Only buy this if you can return it should the cert not come back as the jeweller said.

Uncerted stones also cost less...plus this is an oval which from the side view no one can tell how good/bad the cut is.

 

[drruby]

just center stone rest doesn't matter IMO

it's a heavy 3/4 carat almost a 4th or 4/5th of a carat an 80%er.

Assume it is F and assume it's SI1

Wholesale value on a .79 cert that size, what a cutter would charge is 1200 bucks.

Low level jeweler pays 1400

Retail 2600 or so

Now for 105 bucks GIA gives it paperwork

IF it comes back

F SI1 GIA cert

Jeweler pays not 1400 but 2300

Retails moves from 2600 to 4400 bucks

so GIA paperwork has more value than the stone


PS

My example of values was based on round I didn't see oval until I did the above, but it's the same idea, it's a low clarity and color isn't worth much on SI goods.

Oval way less than round.

 

[VRBeauty]

Here's a comparable setting, $1650: http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-...-engagement-ring_41118?elem=img&track=product

Blue Nile search for diamonds ranging from .78 to .81 ct, SI1-SI2, F - I color brings up 10 stones costing from $1922 to $3047. http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?stockno=LD06218218

It's worthwhile to go through this type of exercise to see how the unknown variables - i.e, the actual color, cut, and clarity of the uncerted diamond, could affect price.

BTW drruby is right - the certification alone can up the price of the diamond well beyond the cost of the cert (which BTW is easily double the price he cited, once you add shipping costs etc.). But the certification also add certainty to the transaction which in some cases has a value of its own. You know what you're dealing with so you can make precisely the kinds of price comparisons you're asking about here. You also know more about what you're buying - and what you'll be giving your intended.

BTW I'm no color expert, but I agree that the center stone looks warmer than an F. Please do come back and let us know the results of the certification!