Buying Through a Family Friend Now Second Guessing

[RingBuyer444]

Hello,

I am looking to purchase an e-ring and am going through a good family friend. I just opened up a dialogue with our friend with what I was looking for and he got back to me with some prices of what he has in inventory with the understanding that anything else more to my liking can be obtained. Based on specs and prices of what he has in inventory I am now doubting if I will actually get a good deal.

First what I am looking for is a ~1.0 carat that will look very impressive. I gave these rough specifications but deferred somewhat to his knowledge of what I was looking for.

Shape: round
carat 1.0
cut - excellent
color H or better
clarity - vs2 or better

Does the above sound good? My budget is 5k - 7k. Is that an acceptable budget for the above and what would you recommend with such a budget? I am open to changing any/all of the four Cs.

Now on to the main question, based on some of the prices he quoted me I am second guessing the advantage of going through this family friend. Here are two examples of diamonds that he has on hand and the price.

GIA certified - .89 ct., F, VS1, very good cut, $4,500
GIA certified - 1.07 ct. H,VS2, good cut, $6,500

The second diamond in particular does not seem to be a good deal at all. I have been able to find almost identical specs online with an excellent cut for nearly the same price. Am I correct in thinking that excellent cut is the most important and that I can step down the other Cs some if the cut is excellent?

Anyways long post, sorry for that, please let me know your thoughts on all of my info. I know my gf will be happy no matter what which is a good boat to be in but I still want to get the best I can.

Thanks!!

 

[webdiva]

You are correct - those are not good deals for mediocre diamonds. You've come to the right place!

Is that your budget with the setting? What setting were you thinking of?

You go down in clarity on a well cut diamond - the most important C is cut. Your main criteria should be that it's "eye clean". In a round brilliant, anything up to an I should face up "white" to the average person. Only GIA or AGS certified.

Some selections 1.012 I SI1 - $6800
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2782670.htm

1.12 G SI2 AGS000 (ideal light performance) - $6200 - http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1480286.asp

1.1 H SI1 AGS0 - $6250 - http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Very-Good-Cut-Round-Diamond-1498580.asp

1.08 I VS2 AGS - $6000- http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1485563.asp

 

[Dancing Fire]

Hello,


Shape: round
carat 1.0
cut - excellent
color H or better
clarity - vs2 or better

GIA certified - .89 ct., F, VS1, very good cut, $4,500
GIA certified - 1.07 ct. H,VS2, good cut, $6,500


Thanks!!

a good cut = poorly cut. a top cut GIA 1ct H VS2 H&A stone will go for $7800-$8,000

 

[2023]

Don't get a 'good' cut!

 

[move1986]

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.820-G-VS2-Round-Diamond-AGS-104057253028

u should consider buying online instead for better value.

This is one of the diamond that i think suit what you have outline and within budget.

0.820 G VS2 Hearts and Arrows Round Brian Gavin Signature $5091 wire price.

 

[wordie89]

I'm not usually in this forum but saw this thread. First of all, congratulations! Next, here's a ring that could be an option:

0.75 ct Round
VS1 Clarity, F Color
Diamond Solitaire Ring
Only One Available
18kt White Gold
IGI Value: $10,370
Item # 607851
$5,399.99 (I think it includes certificate, insurance and s/h)

It's from costco. I thought you might like to look since diamonds are standardized and you can compare stats. Of course, it's kind of funny that you can buy a $58,000 yellow diamond ring at the same time you check out with that double package of ketchup

I recall an article about Tiffany value vs Costco value for diamonds and latter did surprisingly well.

Here is the link for the article. http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Business/story?id=2731353&page=1#.UAgJx5FXNj4

Its an option if she does not care about the brand.

As for buying from a friend, if it's going to bother you then I would get it elsewhere. If the friendship is more important, than accept it. Your friend may not have much wriggle room in profit margin if he doesn't deal in some volume.....

Good luck !

 

[webdiva]

While some Costco diamonds do have GIA certs and Costco certainly has a fantastic return policy, I would advice only choosing GIA excellent, running the angles through the HCA and then doing an idealscope yourself to see the light performance. If a diamond JUST has IGI certification, I would run away.

 

[Haven]

While some Costco diamonds do have GIA certs and Costco certainly has a fantastic return policy, I would advice only choosing GIA excellent, running the angles through the HCA and then doing an idealscope yourself to see the light performance. If a diamond JUST has IGI certification, I would run away.

So would I.

I remember reading that Costco only provides GIA certs for their stones that are 1.0 or 1.25 cts and up. This may be outdated info, but I read it after the last Costco diamond thread here in RT.

 

[Enerchi]

I would just add to the "run away from a family friend" situation. There are so many threads on PS where it does NOT end well....

Just my opinion, but I would follow up on some of the incredible online PS suggestions made above. Go with a 'sure thing', one that you know there are several PSers who have purchased from and the quality, reputation and return or upgrade policy is clear, concise and guaranteed.

Friends/connections are still in business - its all about the money, not about the quality, regardless of what they say!

 

[wordie89]

Webdiva, Haven and Enerchi have all made good points about Costco diamonds. I checked and indeed gia is available for larger stones or one of a kind (the one I referenced was one of a kind). Anyway you are in a good place to get some direction and help.

 

[TitanCi]

Everyone is mentioning don't buy JUST a "good cut" stone; you want nothing but GIA excellent or AGS ideal ONLY.

 

[Haven]

Webdiva, Haven and Enerchi have all made good points about Costco diamonds. I checked and indeed gia is available for larger stones or one of a kind (the one I referenced was one of a kind). Anyway you are in a good place to get some direction and help.

If you post the GIA cert # we can look at the numbers and give some feedback about the cut quality.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

You are correct - those are not good deals for mediocre diamonds. You've come to the right place!

Is that your budget with the setting? What setting were you thinking of?

You go down in clarity on a well cut diamond - the most important C is cut. Your main criteria should be that it's "eye clean". In a round brilliant, anything up to an I should face up "white" to the average person. Only GIA or AGS certified.

Some selections 1.012 I SI1 - $6800
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2782670.htm

1.12 G SI2 AGS000 (ideal light performance) - $6200 - http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1480286.asp

1.1 H SI1 AGS0 - $6250 - http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Very-Good-Cut-Round-Diamond-1498580.asp

1.08 I VS2 AGS - $6000- http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1485563.asp

We rarely EVER see these buying from friends situations work out well for the buyer. So it is good if you can cut that off now before it is even more awkward. Someone is not looking out for YOUR best interests when they show you "good" and "very good" cut diamonds. GIA Excellent cut is a broad range, and there are some of those that are better than others. AGS Ideal cut is also great. webdiva has posted some good choices. I find it quite puzzling that James Allen classified an AGS Ideal cut stone as "very good"! (oh, and I would personally stick with VS2 or SI1)

 

[RingBuyer444]

Thanks for all the helpful information everyone. I did find that the prices given to me where what he normally sells them for not including the discount I would be receiving. So I have just asked for some specs and prices ranges (for me) on only Excellent cut diamonds he has in inventory to get an idea. If I don't like what I hear I'll be done with it. Conveniently I am going out of the country for 10 days so I can just let the discourse die that way if I want.

So it looks like I will be going the online route. I am more thinking my specifications to be the following...

round
1.0 ct (+/- .1)
cut: excellent
color: I
clarity: SI1

As far as setting I am thinking of going the something like the French Cut Pave on James Allen website. Budget max is 8k including setting. Thoughts?

 

[webdiva]

My choice would be the 1.1 H I posted. Hopefully it's still available!

 

[wordie89]

Haven and other interested readers

This is the gia number for the costco diamond, 1136265743 . I looked at the certificate and it says cut is excellent. I looked for rings under one of a kind, solitaire, round as that's what RB444 mentioned.

Wow, the things I learn by hitting that post a reply button!

Anyway, RB444, sounds as if you have it well in hand, er excuse the pun, so enjoy the gem hunt!

 

[E B]

I like the look of this one a lot:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1507985.asp

with this setting (http://www.jamesallen.com/engagemen...ut-pave-diamond-engagement-ring-11005w14.html) total is $7995, a little less if you pay by wire.

 

[E B]

I find it quite puzzling that James Allen classified an AGS Ideal cut stone as "very good"! (oh, and I would personally stick with VS2 or SI1)

I ran it (the 1.1) through the HCA and it came up 3.8?

 

[webdiva]

I find it quite puzzling that James Allen classified an AGS Ideal cut stone as "very good"! (oh, and I would personally stick with VS2 or SI1)

I ran it (the 1.1) through the HCA and it came up 3.8?

That's maybe how they classify them in bulk - since they post up so many stones!

It's AGS cut grade 0 - so it should be stunning. The picture looks pretty nice, too.

 

[Christina...]

I find it quite puzzling that James Allen classified an AGS Ideal cut stone as "very good"! (oh, and I would personally stick with VS2 or SI1)

I ran it (the 1.1) through the HCA and it came up 3.8?

That's maybe how they classify them in bulk - since they post up so many stones!

It's AGS cut grade 0 - so it should be stunning. The picture looks pretty nice, too.

The AGS0 hasn't been graded for light performance ...it's a new report too. I'd ask for an idealscope.

 

[Haven]

Haven and other interested readers

This is the gia number for the costco diamond, 1136265743 . I looked at the certificate and it says cut is excellent. I looked for rings under one of a kind, solitaire, round as that's what RB444 mentioned.

Wow, the things I learn by hitting that post a reply button!

Anyway, RB444, sounds as if you have it well in hand, er excuse the pun, so enjoy the gem hunt!

Wordie--The stone you are recommending scores a 6.0 in the HCA. Most PSers would advise against pursuing a stone that scores above a 2.0. (There has been much discussion lately about HCA parameters, but the HCA score would make many here pass on this stone.)

So, this makes me curious: What is it about this stone's specs that make you such a fan of it?

Here's a screenshot of the HCA results:

 

[wordie89]

Haven, I didn't mean to sound as if i was pushing it. actually just offered it up as an option and since people asked questions I looked it up some more to provide answers. As I said, Icontinue to learn

 

[Haven]

Haven, I didn't mean to sound as if i was pushing it. actually just offered it up as an option and since people asked questions I looked it up some more to provide answers. As I said, Icontinue to learn

I just thought you could add something to the current conversation that's going on about cut quality and the ideal range of specs people typically advocate here on PS. There's been some talk about using the HCA as a weed-out tool, and whether the parameters were too narrow and if they ruled out stones that are actually worth considering. I thought that by posting a stone that scores a 6.0 on the HCA (a score that many PSers would typically see and say "Run far away! This stone is not worth consideration!) you were saying something about its particular cut quality even though the specs aren't what the HCA tool would consider worth pursuing.

It sounds like you were just going off of the fact that it says it's an excellent cut on the cert. One thing I do know for sure is that it's not safe to rely just on that one bit of information to judge whether a stone is well cut. Well, well cut enough for a PSer, that is.

 

[wordie89]

Oh yes, I'm getting an inkling of the knowledge and discerning taste of the ps-ers.
Even though I have wandered into the deep end of the pool I appreciate the life lines Haven

 

[Haven]

Oh yes, I'm getting an inkling of the knowledge and discerning taste of the ps-ers.
Even though I have wandered into the deep end of the pool I appreciate the life lines Haven

Don't worry--I've been here for years and the water is still too deep for me when it comes to discussing the merits of certain RBs vs others. I was hoping you could teach me something!