wonka27
Brilliant_Rock
- Joined
- Jun 22, 2004
- Messages
- 628
I''m going to copy and paste the first part of Scott''s response here to start a new thread, as the
original has flung way out of control.
Scott''s (yowahking)said:
"OK Wonka and KKeen, here goes a teaser. Let''s just put away comments that ruffle some for now. First decide what it is that you want. Do you want quality, price, flash, original design, quick, rare,? (many others but you get it) Let''s say that you want price, that is what is #1 for men. My first advise is not to be too focused on price that you get played, like the NY find the pea game. No matter whether it is local or internet, the more you know the better. So let''s say that you want to spend $5000. If you want to be really cheap, you could get a diamond that is clarity enhanced, there are new players in that field and prices have come down. Not my thing, but one of my friends does the new treatment in Isreal and can''t sell them fast enough. Next option if you don''t like doctored up stones is how many combinations are in your price range. You can print off price lists like Rap that you can see 15 different combinations of grades and sizes that puts you around $5000. If you don''t know how to use Rap, 5 min you will get it. What most consumers fail to grasp is how to use price sheets and how to add or subtract for cutting quality of each size and grade. Maybe 15min and someone could explain that to you. Now you need to see a few. You are armed with some basic knowledge that a 1ct whatever costs the same as a 1,25 ct whatever. Now time to see how they look to you. There are no shortage of diamonds in this country. If the list price is $5000 and a store is telling you $4000, $25% under Rap is on the low side, that is either good, or maybe the stone is not graded right or cut poorly. Make notes on anything you can. Now if the store tells you $8000, also make notes but unless it gently massages your finger while wearing it, problably not worth the extra $3000. Now look on line, again no shortage of sites. If confused, try to find an independent appraiser to ask a question to, they may also have a suggestion as to where to buy. Listen to everyone, someone is right. There are some sights that sound similar that offer advise. Findmyjeweler.com is pretty good at selecting a jeweler in each city that combines price, quality, service etc. Findajeweler.net (or maybe org)any jeweler can call up an list himself, No checking done. If you think that you have found a good deal, give all the specs to someone else, see if they can match it. Ask if they own the stone, some jewelers just borrow from dealers, some internet sites just post lists from dealers. If they own the stone, it will most likely be there again the next day. If it is borrowed, or on a shared list, things get moved around a lot. Once you find the one, pay the appraiser that you have now used for advise and have it appraised. Do not accept an appraisal from the seller. Do not accept an appraisal from someone who has no degrees next to the signature. A good appraiser will have several. A G.G. only learns about gems, not how to value them. Every state has good appraisers.
If you like any of this, I will give you more. If not, we will move on."
original has flung way out of control.
Scott''s (yowahking)said:
"OK Wonka and KKeen, here goes a teaser. Let''s just put away comments that ruffle some for now. First decide what it is that you want. Do you want quality, price, flash, original design, quick, rare,? (many others but you get it) Let''s say that you want price, that is what is #1 for men. My first advise is not to be too focused on price that you get played, like the NY find the pea game. No matter whether it is local or internet, the more you know the better. So let''s say that you want to spend $5000. If you want to be really cheap, you could get a diamond that is clarity enhanced, there are new players in that field and prices have come down. Not my thing, but one of my friends does the new treatment in Isreal and can''t sell them fast enough. Next option if you don''t like doctored up stones is how many combinations are in your price range. You can print off price lists like Rap that you can see 15 different combinations of grades and sizes that puts you around $5000. If you don''t know how to use Rap, 5 min you will get it. What most consumers fail to grasp is how to use price sheets and how to add or subtract for cutting quality of each size and grade. Maybe 15min and someone could explain that to you. Now you need to see a few. You are armed with some basic knowledge that a 1ct whatever costs the same as a 1,25 ct whatever. Now time to see how they look to you. There are no shortage of diamonds in this country. If the list price is $5000 and a store is telling you $4000, $25% under Rap is on the low side, that is either good, or maybe the stone is not graded right or cut poorly. Make notes on anything you can. Now if the store tells you $8000, also make notes but unless it gently massages your finger while wearing it, problably not worth the extra $3000. Now look on line, again no shortage of sites. If confused, try to find an independent appraiser to ask a question to, they may also have a suggestion as to where to buy. Listen to everyone, someone is right. There are some sights that sound similar that offer advise. Findmyjeweler.com is pretty good at selecting a jeweler in each city that combines price, quality, service etc. Findajeweler.net (or maybe org)any jeweler can call up an list himself, No checking done. If you think that you have found a good deal, give all the specs to someone else, see if they can match it. Ask if they own the stone, some jewelers just borrow from dealers, some internet sites just post lists from dealers. If they own the stone, it will most likely be there again the next day. If it is borrowed, or on a shared list, things get moved around a lot. Once you find the one, pay the appraiser that you have now used for advise and have it appraised. Do not accept an appraisal from the seller. Do not accept an appraisal from someone who has no degrees next to the signature. A good appraiser will have several. A G.G. only learns about gems, not how to value them. Every state has good appraisers.
If you like any of this, I will give you more. If not, we will move on."