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Best Value Diamond under $10K

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ringshopper1988

Rough_Rock
Joined
Feb 21, 2012
Messages
2
I'm looking for the best value diamond with the most sparkle for under $10K. I found some EGL stones on abazias which look good. I know they say that the color is typically 2-3 grades lower than rated, and the clarity is typically 1-2 grades lower. Even then, these seem like a better deal then the comparable GIA.

Neither my girlfriend or I are diamond experts, so we don't notice things like inclusions, girdie, etc, unless its super obvious or reduces the sparkle of the diamond.

Here's what I think:

Shape: Round Brilliant
Cut: High as possible (VG or EX)
Size: High as possible (~2 Carat)
Color: Needs to look white
Clarity: Not that important, as long as its sparkles.


Here are someones which I've picked out. I'm a bit hesitant because I've heard mixed reviews on EGL stones.

Option A
Color: D
Cut: Excellent
Clarity: SI1
Weight: 2 Carat
Price $10,700
http://www.abazias.com/database/NewDiamondInfo.asp?stock=107494159&src=builder


Option B
Color: E
Cut: Excellent
Clarity: Si2
Weight: 2 Carat
Price: $9,600
http://www.abazias.com/database/NewDiamondInfo.asp?stock=108849421&src=builder
 
YOu cannot believe EGL's grades so you don't know WHAT kind of value they are.

Likely a poor value.
 
the problem with EGL is that you do not know if it is 1-2 grades off or more...so it is rarely a 'deal'. The dealer would have sent the stone to GIA if he thought that would get better pricing.

I do not think you can find a 2 carat in your price range...however I think you might be able to find something nice in the 1.4-1.5 carat range.

this one might work if you can ignore the inclusion?
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-I1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1463156.asp
 
EGL is a poor value for the consumer but a great one for unscrupulous jewelers. Unless you want a true antique/vintage stone I would stick to GIA or AGS.

We have had EGL stones come back SEVEN color grades off. SEVEN.

If you ARE set on EGL prepare to spend big money on an appraiser. 180 bucks for a good independent appraiser PER STONE. If I were buying anything with EGL, I would make the same contingent on an appraiser's confirmation that the color and clarity were at least within a reasonable GIA standard ball park of where the certificate claims it is. And ultimately, WHY put yourself through that hassle and expense when you can just get a GIA or AGS stone out the gate.

There are no 'steals' in retail jewelry pricing. EGL is a terrible value. If you want a good value, look to second hand pieces. That's where you'll find some value to be had (and you still need a GIA or AGS certificate there too).
 
I just got a 10K J-SI2 (AGS) Med Flour that is 1.86, so I think with a 10K budget it is possible to get something just under 2ct.

The two stones you posted are 7.85ct and 8mm, the 1.86 ct I got was 8mm. My feeling is for low priced 2ct you are basically paying extra for weight you don't see. So to get Best Value under 10K your best bet is to go just under 2K.

I was in same boat as you looking for best "value"

My conclusions where:
1) Go as low as clarity as while still being resonably eye clean.
2) Go as low as color as your comfortable with
3) Work with a vendor who can call in stones to insure the stone has good light performance and is eye clean (I found ID Jewlery great for this).
4) If possible get something with med/strong flourecence to make stone look whiter.

If you can do each of those to things you will find plenty J-K SI2 great cut just under 2ct. There are 35 listings in the pricescope database for 1.75+, under 10K, I-J-K stones.

Have you looked at colors yet to get an idea of what you could bear? (for all of these if you link from pricescope search engine there is a ~3% discount)

- 1.76 I SI2 GIA ex/ex/ex HCA 2.5 Med Blue http://www.b2cjewels.com/Certificate.aspx?StockNo=2516269
- 1.83 K SI1 GIA ex/ex/ex HCA 2.5 http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-2628835-1.83-carat-Round-diamond-K-color-SI1-Clarity.aspx?sku=2628835&utm_source=pricescope.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pricescope.com
- 1.76 K VS1 GIA ex/ex/ex Strong Blue http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-2655901-1.76-carat-Round-diamond-K-color-VS1-Clarity.aspx?sku=2655901&utm_source=pricescope.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pricescope.com
- 1.75 K S1 GIA ex/ex/ex 8.8K (HCA 0.8) http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-2674342-1.75-carat-Round-diamond-K-color-SI1-Clarity.aspx?sku=2674342&utm_source=pricescope.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pricescope.com
- 1.8 K S1 AGS000 $9.6K http://www.idjewelryonline.com/diamond_details1.php?id=29743322&shape=&pricefrom=1&priceto=500000&ca
- If you can sacrifice color a lot: Here is an M 2.35 AGS000 10.6K http://www.idjewelryonline.com/diamond_details1.php?id=31554621&shape=&pricefrom=1&priceto=500000&ca

You need to check if those are eye clean, and you need to decide where you want to sacrifice, if you want to get close to 2ct with a 10K budget you need to go down in color and clarity.
 
Is it worth ordering one of these EGL stones from abazias just to check it out? They have a 10-day return policy.

From what I have seen, I cannot go lower than I on GIA rating.

I find it unlikely that EGL could grade something as a "D" when it was really lower than an "I"? Even if they are loose by 2-3 color grades. Could they really be off by 6 grades on average? Most reviews I have read have said to expect 2-3 color grade difference, which still makes the rock a MUCH MUCH better deal than a GIA stone.

Can somebody explain this to me?

Also, I went to Robbins Brothers. They had a 2 carat, F color, I1 clarity, IGI certified stone that looked beautiful. It was only $10,400 with a lifetime replacement warranty if lost. I saw this with my own eyes.


The prices quoted here seem offly high.
 
Only consider GIA or AGS-graded diamonds.

Others are for people gullible enough to think they are getting a good deal or a value, and that GIA and AGS stones are more expensive.
Both are a lie that only suckers buy, to the delight and profit of the vendors who sell such "generously"-graded stones.

There are plenty of those folks, but we try to help them.
We are trying to help you.

Sure, you will get advice from a few here who say, "All that matters is if your heart goes pitter patter when you see it."
"Buy the diamond, not the paper".
"Trust your eyes"
"Trust your vendor."
. . . or other such rubbish.
Take that "advice" for what it's worth.
 
the stone is priced like a GIA H I1 stone so that might be what it is.
also, the first one is likely cut deep to get to the 2 ct mark...you could get a ~1.8 with the same diameter.
 
The reason why the GIA stones seem like more money is because those stones are actually what they say they are. The EGL stones are that far off, otherwise they would cost more money. Think of it this way. You are a diamond dealer, you have a D VS1 stone. You can send it to EGL to get it graded and it will sell for 10K or you can send it to GIA to get graded and it will sell for 20K. Why would you send it to EGL? The EGL stones will be stones that get much worse grades from GIA, and thus sell for a higher price with the uncredable EGL grade.

Her is a GIA ex/ex/ex G I1 2.03ct for 9.6K.
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-2535867-2.03-carat-Round-diamond-G-color-I1-Clarity.aspx?sku=2535867&utm_source=pricescope.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pricescope.com

An IGI F I1 will be lower by GIA standards. Furthermore there is no hint to what the cut of the stone is. This is very important part of the stone.

I think you need to find this out for yourself though. Why don't you contact a trustworthy vendor who can pull in GIA, EGL and IGI stones and then you can compare what a 10K GIA stone looks like versus a 10K EGL stone and a 10K IGI stone. That is your best bet.

You can also get an idea of what color you are willing to accept. You are not going to get an I stone a 2 carats for 10K.
 
ringshopper1988|1329945275|3131875 said:
Also, I went to Robbins Brothers. They had a 2 carat, F color, I1 clarity, IGI certified stone that looked beautiful. It was only $10,400 with a lifetime replacement warranty if lost. I saw this with my own eyes.


The prices quoted here seem offly high.
Click to expand...
now you need to go and look at some real diamonds .. ;)) like some well cut GIA/AGSL graded stones.
 
Love the Old European cuts. Here is one that has the video on www.jewelsbyericagrace.com
You can go to www.goodoldgold.com and educate yourself on the old cut diamonds...they are amazing. Watch his videos and the videos on erica graces site. She finds some really nice stones. The older stones are usually the lower colors but the light return makes them great sparkle and face up white or bright and warm.

Note the beautiful high crown on this diamond. It is a great make.

http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.com/Jewelry/Loose-Diamonds/196ct-Loose-Old-European-Cut/20930461_PfJ8tF#!i=1662614472&k=Qx2KHC7

1.96ct Loose Old European Cut Diamond, EGL 

Bright and white facing loose Old European Cut diamond, great make and face up size. What a pretty stone! A perfect "value" diamond in that it's an eyeclean SI2 and a hair under the magical 2ct mark which = savings you can't see! And it doesn't hurt that it's gorgeous to boot!

EGL Report pending, J, SI2 (completely eyeclean).

Measures 8.08 x 7.92 x 4.75mm. 

Additional photos and video here

PRICE: $10,400

EGL stones if graded by EGLUSA are usually off one color grade compared the GIA and AGS. Most of the Old European cuts are sent to EGL because if sent to GIA they can just get the "Round Brilliant" designation. If you find the right stone they can be a good diamond if the cut is good. Cut is king. Watch the GOG videos on cut, clarity and color and you will begin to see that the cut is what makes the stone. Good luck!
 
To WOOFMAMA person who is making these comments ... .. I dont believe we have done any business together????
It is astonishing how someone can just make a "Comment" about someones business WITHOUT dealing with them
to all me " unscrupulous " I can confirm that all the links and details from 2008 have been taken care of , A LONG TIME AGO...
I have 100% rating on ebay Over 300 Linked In Associates and OVER 40+ recent Customer references on Linked in WHO HAVE DONE BUSINESS with me , even sending wire payments from UK and Australia. I have also sold a ring to The A & E " STORAGE WARS" Owners Dan and Laura who paid by wire payment upfront....I would suggest not to make comments on people who you do not know ....http://www.linkedin.com/pub/anna-at-diamonddirectbuy-com/15/815/21a
 
In my opinion the only problem with EGL is that you cannot trust them if the diamond is 1 or 2 grades off or may be more at times. You can trust a GIA ‘ I ‘ colored diamond to have a white face up but, you still cannot trust an EGL F,G or H color. It is always safe to go with GIA certificate which will also give you a better price in future if you wish to upgrade your diamond.
 
DDB|1379601719|3523508 said:
To WOOFMAMA person who is making these comments ... .. I dont believe we have done any business together????
It is astonishing how someone can just make a "Comment" about someones business WITHOUT dealing with them
to all me " unscrupulous " I can confirm that all the links and details from 2008 have been taken care of , A LONG TIME AGO...
I have 100% rating on ebay Over 300 Linked In Associates and OVER 40+ recent Customer references on Linked in WHO HAVE DONE BUSINESS with me , even sending wire payments from UK and Australia. I have also sold a ring to The A & E " STORAGE WARS" Owners Dan and Laura who paid by wire payment upfront....I would suggest not to make comments on people who you do not know ....http://www.linkedin.com/pub/anna-at-diamonddirectbuy-com/15/815/21a
Click to expand...


Just in case anyone missed wolfmoma's link, I thought I'd post it again....

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/beware-of-image-theft.80308/page-4']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/beware-of-image-theft.80308/page-4[/URL]

...of course it's your own personal choice to do business with DDB or not, but since this is a CONSUMER forum, I thought it in the spirit of PS to make sure you had ALL the information before making that decision. We always recommend that people do research and due diligence before making the decision to make a large purchase online. It's always advisable to know who you are doing business with. :))
 
I actually stumbled upon this review after purchaing a ring from Anna at Diamond Direct Buy.

I thought it was interesting because I had a very different experience with Diamond Direct Buy. This jeweler is local to the northwest suburbs of Chicago near my home, which is what made them a viable option. Upon meeting Anna, I found that all the images on this site actual and real. If you do not believe that, in addition to images this store posts videos which is really useful in seeing the shape and size in real life.

The best part about dealing with Diamond Direct Buy is that I saved a lot of money and the diamond ring actually appraised out for a value greater than my purchase price. That was something I did not expect.
 
Now I see thisis a very old thread that was revived. I will let my comment stand because I think its worth mentioning.

ringshopper1988|1329857233|3131073 said:
I'm looking for the best value diamond with the most sparkle for under $10K. I found some EGL stones on abazias which look good. I know they say that the color is typically 2-3 grades lower than rated, and the clarity is typically 1-2 grades lower. Even then, these seem like a better deal then the comparable GIA.
Click to expand...

They seem that way. That is how EGL makes money -- they offer vendors a way to trick consumers into thinking they are getting a deal. The reality is the exat opposite -- the diamond is actually priced HIGHER with an EGL report than the same diamond would be priced with a GIA report. You cannot "adjust" EGL stats the way you suggest, there is too much inconsistency, which is also part of how the lab operates. If it was as simple as a quick adjustment, then everyone would know what GIA would grade the diamond and the ruse would not work! So, rule 1 of diamond buying -- look for GIA or AGS lab reports only. Don't be fooled by the seeming "deals" to be had with other reports.
 
This video explains perfectly why there is no "deal" with EGL. Watching this really helped me understand it.

http://youtu.be/rWud1lYE5VU
 
never mind :oops:
 
This thread was initially posted in 2012...
 
Mico|1394074581|3628394 said:
This thread was initially posted in 2012...
Click to expand...


HA! why does this keep happening?! seems to be tricking me constantly in the last few weeks.
 
Niel said:
Mico|1394074581|3628394 said:
This thread was initially posted in 2012...
Click to expand...


HA! why does this keep happening?! seems to be tricking me constantly in the last few weeks.
Click to expand...

Lol, I've fallen for a few that spambots revive - I guess we're just overly excitable?
 
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