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Am I nutz?

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clubrosey

Rough_Rock
Joined
Feb 11, 2004
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8
I am about to make a huge purchase, but I don''t want to make a huge mistake. I have done all the research I can on picking out a diamond; sometimes I think I over did it. Personally I do not want to purchase my diamond from an online dealer, I just don''t feel comfortable and being comfortable making a purchase is most important to me.
Here is what I need help with:
I am looking at a local higher end B&M shop for this engagement diamond. I have looked at most of the mall stores, only to find they don’t carry a lot if ideal cut diamonds and the sales people are pushy.
At this B&M shop, they sell Lazare diamonds. I have read up about them, knowing they usually carry a higher price because they are a better quality diamond.
The diamond I’m looking at is:
Round
67 point
Ideal cut
Color: E
Clarity: VS1
Certified.
(I don’t have all the rest of the numbers, but Lazare’s all have ideal symmetry, etc.)
The lowest price I was given was $5250 without the setting.
It is a little higher than what I wanted to spend, but is it worth it? Am I nuts for thinking about this? Please help.
 
I too paid for a premium cut. I knew going in that I would be paying a premium, but I took one look at the stone and knew that this is what I wanted to get. As far as pricing is concerned my suggestion is below.




Take the specs of the diamond you have below and price out an ideal cut generic stone with the same specs. There's plenty of online vendors out there that you can get prices from. Next discount those prices by around 2%. This is the amount you can probably get off by bargaining with them. Finally figure out how pricey your stone is in comparison to the generics. If it is within the 10-15% range, then yeah I think the price they are asking for should be acceptable
 
No, you are not crazy! The price is
sad.gif


Twice crazy
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http://www.goodoldgold.com/_71ct_d_vs2_h&a1.htm
Look at that one. 5.2 K you can do a lot better. Talk to some vendors and see how risk free the process is. I saved a lot of $ buying online and now would not even think of buying from a B/M store. The vendors live in a fish bowl here and would be sunk if they were shady. Still educate yourself , don't rush and have fun.



I'm not a diamond expert but a happy consumer who held onto a lot of hard earned money by shopping online
 
You're looking at a branded diamond with a branded price.

I'm assuming your budget is limited, so I'd suggest that if you still don't trust online jewelers to go to a local small B&M armed with the AGA chart and an Idealscope.
 
You know, you could get a very nice 1ct stone for that price, which I would suspect your intended would really like. I know everyone gets their panties in a wad about buying over the internet, but realistically, it nothing to fret about -- all the reputable vendors people rave about on this site have generous return policies, and you can have the stone sent to you for independent appraisal. If you don't like it, no loss. I'd go the internet route for sure!

Also, I'm sure you'll hear this, but drop clarity to VS2-SI1 and color to G or so and you'll save tons of money. Keep the ideal cut though.

I just got an ideal cut I, SI1 stone, 1 ct for less than 4k. Granted, I did buy from a local B&M, but only because he had what I wanted. It's eye-clean and beautiful, extremely white, and is a good size at a good price.

Most girls prefer size over Lazare Kaplan .6 ct E VS1. That is, most girls that I know. Yours may be different.
 
Actually, I know she would like something around a .75. She has looked at 1ct. before, and said they are way too big for her fingers.
All of the mall shops don't have anything close to an ideal cut diamond. I am still left searching the B/Ms to find something. Yes I know the internet would save up to 30%, but for me, I would rather have someone face to face sell me the diamond.
 
Then where are you at? That would help.
 
AT that price its almost worth flying out to meet you in person with one.
Put it this way, mall and retail stores have to pay between 3K to 25k A month in rent, then there are the sales people, commisions, advertising ect...what you need to ask, is if you willing to help fit a stores bill for rent or not at that price? thats just a personal choice. Depending on where you are in the Country...it may be worth it for either you or a dealer to meet with you in person to help you feel comfortable making the purchase.
 
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On 2/11/2004 3:16:16 PM clubrosey wrote:

Actually, I know she would like something around a .75. She has looked at 1ct. before, and said they are way too big for her fingers.
All of the mall shops don't have anything close to an ideal cut diamond. I am still left searching the B/Ms to find something. Yes I know the internet would save up to 30%, but for me, I would rather have someone face to face sell me the diamond.----------------
Click to expand...


I hear ya, Club, about seeing the diamond in person first. I started out that way, but after buying on the Net, I'd go Internet purchase any day of the week. You have to pull meaningful information out of locals most of the time just to make an informed buying decision. Many times, the locals don't have the info or don't have the ability to get the info for you. And then theres the money factor to consider. Just based on price difference for the stone alone, you could buy an elaborate setting, and have money left over for the honeymoon.

Reputable Internet Vendors are honest. Their word is their bond. If their word has no meaning, they loose business in a hurry. That's the way the diamond business works behind closed doors, among wholesalers and buyers. The Reputable Internet companies have brought that level of integrity to the retail world. I wish local B&M's could catch on to the same concept.
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Wow, YOU'RE NUTS! Sorry to be so blunt, but I too purchased a WELL cut diamond at a B&M and overpaid and had I known about the internet, I would have been able to purchase a stone TWICE as large for the same price, so I guess this experience is something I can closely relate to. Don't make a mistake! In your position, I'd seriously reconsider the internet and check out how much more your dollar can get you here (or how much you can save on the same sized stone w/the same specs). Look for an appraiser in your area to check out the internet stone you buy.

Michelle
 
I wanted to say thank you to everyone for your help. I have decided not to go with that diamond.
Tomorrow I am going to look at another B&M store that has a really nice diamond from canada. I will post the specs tomorrow to see what you guys think. I will also take your advice and look around online. I am located near Springfield, Massachusetts. Thanks again.
 
Lazaare Kaplan diamond are very nice. They do carry a premium. But, your pretty much guaranteed a very nice make on the stone.

If you do not want to consider buying on-line (you could get a similar non branded stone w/ a very nice make as a significant savings), then I would suggest you ask the LK store to send in a stone more in the G/H VS2/SI1 range.
 
Okay, I went and looked at the canadian diamond. Let me know what everyone thinks. Here are the specs:

.826ct.
vs2
H color
AGS 0
table - 57%
crown angle - 33.8%
pavilion angle - 40.9%
total depth - 60.2
crown 14.4 %
pavilion 42.9%

AGS cert and laser inscribed.
Price $4200
 
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