Buying Large Diamond - How does it work?

[Alexiszoe]

We are thinking of something between 5 to 7 carats, G or H color, VS quality. Not partial to Rounds so looking more for Pears or Ovals. Given the size and shape of the stone though, it's not like we can just walk into a store to buy one, or there's a ready inventory to choose from.

Based on this, what is the best one to find one? Auction Houses? work with just one jeweler? Or a few different vendors? Do certain vendors get exclusive access because of their relationship with the cutters? Also, how much time should we factor in to find a stone like that?

 

[ac117]

I would pick a vendor that can call in stones for you and provide images for them. They can all see the same virtual inventory so we recommend sticking with one since there will be limited inventory at that size.

Someone recently was looking for a large stone and IDJ helped them with an AMAZING asscher. He then wanted another stone and IDJ was providing options but he decided to go with a custom cut AVC at Good Old Gold, which ended up not working out well for him at all.

Let me see if I can find the thread...here it is...[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/help-with-a-5ct-ring.217769/page-5']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/help-with-a-5ct-ring.217769/page-5[/URL]

 

[bunnycat]

agree with ac. Figure out which vendor you want to work with, so they can call in stones if there is none in their inventory and provide plenty of imagery and metrics for it. Choose a reliable vendor....there are several big ones common on PS that can surely help you.

 

[denverappraiser]

Auction houses can be entertaining but they tend to be expensive and they have a selection problem. The problem is that there’s a ‘buyer premium’ that’s more than a lot of jeweler’s markup on this sort of thing. More importantly, they typically only have one thing at the moment that fits your specs. It's more a matter of what they have than what you're looking for. You can buy it, or not, but you’re hard pressed to be picky. Enlisting a jeweler in the hunt widens the options considerably. You’re right, they are unlikely to have something like this in stock, but they probably have better resources than you to find one. In terms of fees, ask them. Not all work on the same procedures but they should be willing to explain what they're doing and how they're doing it.

 

[whitewave]

Call Wink and see what guidance he can give you: highperformancediamonds.com

Or victor: victorcanera.com

 

[whitewave]

Just for fun I checked a few places:

Blue Nile goes up to 23 carats in their searchable inventory: (cut and paste BN links)

5 carat emerald cut: https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?stockno=LD06778418

5 carat asscher: https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?stockno=LD06556169 (I think the camera was too close, givng the black reflection)


I know you don't care for rounds... just showing this round from whiteflash: http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3600672.htm

That was fun, thanks.

 

[rubybeth]

Just for kicks, I looked on James Allen. Apparently, if you spend at least $30k on a stone, they offer a free setting up to $1,500!

A couple options:

Pear: https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/pear-shaped/5.01-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-sku-2136587

Oval: https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/5.14-carat-f-color-vs2-clarity-sku-209485

If I were going to do this, I'd probably call a vendor that has the setting style I want, and work with them. It's such a high dollar purchase and I wouldn't want to faff around with getting stone and setting from different places.

 

[whitewave]

That oval is nice...

OP, you MUST come back after you get your ring and show us a hand shot! Go to the "show me the bling" forum and post it there.

 

[distracts]

Just for kicks, I looked on James Allen. Apparently, if you spend at least $30k on a stone, they offer a free setting up to $1,500!

A couple options:

Pear: https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/pear-shaped/5.01-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-sku-2136587

Oval: https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/5.14-carat-f-color-vs2-clarity-sku-209485

If I were going to do this, I'd probably call a vendor that has the setting style I want, and work with them. It's such a high dollar purchase and I wouldn't want to faff around with getting stone and setting from different places.

I agree - any of the hand-forged vendors would be able to find a beautiful large diamond, I would think.

 

[Alexiszoe]

I would pick a vendor that can call in stones for you and provide images for them. They can all see the same virtual inventory so we recommend sticking with one since there will be limited inventory at that size.

Someone recently was looking for a large stone and IDJ helped them with an AMAZING asscher. He then wanted another stone and IDJ was providing options but he decided to go with a custom cut AVC at Good Old Gold, which ended up not working out well for him at all.

Let me see if I can find the thread...here it is...[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/help-with-a-5ct-ring.217769/page-5']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/help-with-a-5ct-ring.217769/page-5[/URL]

Thanks ac117 for the advice and digging out that thread! The asscher seriously looks droolworthy. IDJ's rep on the boards seems to be they pick stunning stones at very reasonable prices!

 

[Alexiszoe]

Just for fun I checked a few places:

Blue Nile goes up to 23 carats in their searchable inventory: (cut and paste BN links)

5 carat emerald cut: https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?stockno=LD06778418

5 carat asscher: https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?stockno=LD06556169 (I think the camera was too close, givng the black reflection)


I know you don't care for rounds... just showing this round from whiteflash: http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3600672.htm

That was fun, thanks.

Thanks for going through the search, whitewave! I didn't know Blue Nile's inventory was that extensive, this is not good for my DSS...

I love emeralds and asschers, but if only they did not face up so small...my girlfriend's 4 carat emerald faces up like a 2 carat plus pear!

 

[Alexiszoe]

Just for kicks, I looked on James Allen. Apparently, if you spend at least $30k on a stone, they offer a free setting up to $1,500!

A couple options:

Pear: https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/pear-shaped/5.01-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-sku-2136587

Oval: https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/5.14-carat-f-color-vs2-clarity-sku-209485

If I were going to do this, I'd probably call a vendor that has the setting style I want, and work with them. It's such a high dollar purchase and I wouldn't want to faff around with getting stone and setting from different places.

Thanks for searching for me, rubybeth! I have to say I love both stones - if only I could get both We might just decide to fly in and take a look for peace of mind since it's a fairly large purchase!

 

[rubybeth]

Thanks for searching for me, rubybeth! I have to say I love both stones - if only I could get both We might just decide to fly in and take a look for peace of mind since it's a fairly large purchase!

Please reach out to the vendors before planning a trip; sometimes these stones are virtual inventory and not actually in NY or LA.