Can this be done for less?

[jc321]

I saw this baby and am wondering if I can somehow get similar visual performance for less dollars. My girlfriend really wants an icy white rock. Is something in the 1.9 1.95 carats significantly smaller? I am assuming there is a $/carat savings before the 2 carat hump so to speak.

What do people think on the cost vs potential performance of this baby? Is it a "reasonable" price for the specs given?

A well know "branded" H&A
Price: $23,790
Carat: 2.054
Color: D
Clarity: SI1
Depth: 60.6
Table: 56
Crown Angle: 34.6
Crown %: 15.3
Pavilion Angle: 40.8
Pavilion %: 43.0
Girdle: 1.3% to 1.8% Faceted
Polish: Ideal
Symmetry: Ideal
Culet: Pointed
Fluorescence: Inert
Measurements: 8.25-8.30X5.02
Lab: AGS

thanks,

JC

 

[Colored Gemstone Nut]

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On 12/14/2003 2:54:02 PM jc321 wrote:





I saw this baby and am wondering if I can somehow get similar visual performance for less dollars. My girlfriend really wants an icy white rock. Is something in the 1.9 1.95 carats significantly smaller? I am assuming there is a $/carat savings before the 2 carat hump so to speak.

What do people think on the cost vs potential performance of this baby? Is it a 'reasonable' price for the specs given?

A well know 'branded' H&A
Price: $23,790

Numbers look Good. I did a quick search and came up with a couple ideal cut Hearts and Arrows Diamonds 2 + carats d/si-1 with similiar stats which is a couple thousand dollars cheaper.

Consider dropping the color to E or even F and you and your wallet will be happier....

You will save yourself some money by dipping under the 2 carat mark, but these stones are harder to find...

Do a pricesearch and check out similiar 2 carat stones in the E or F color range and I think you will be surprised at the savings

 

[valeria101]

savings on abranded cut.... did I miss something? After all, these small variations in size depend more on the depth of the cut than the weight. A search for 1.8-2 cts H&A, D-E (the color difference should not be visible), SI1, up to 60% both table and depth (keeping szie in mind) returned the following list. Other places to search for branded H&A would be Whiteflash (the H&A and "A cut above" brand) and the H&A search engine at GoodOldGold. Both should result in more reasonable premiums.

 

[Colored Gemstone Nut]

Did a quick check on the price stats function on the forum for the average price per. carat. on a 2ct. Hearts & Arrows cut diamond and this is what I came up with based on the color vs. the going average price..




Price is based on the current values for 2 carat H&A Diamond:




D/SI-1 = 9,744 per carat = (2 Carats = $19,48


E/SI-1 = 9,097 per carat = (2 Carats = $18,194)


F/SI-1 = 8,979 per carat = (2 Carats = $17,94





If you Drop your color to F your looking at potentially saving yourself $2-$3,000.00 vs. the D../idealbb/images/smilies/wavey.gif

 

[valeria101]

this is the list...

 

[Colored Gemstone Nut]

Hey Val,




This list does not represent stones which are the same cut quality and the branded stone the author is referring to, nor does it represent a comparison in value vs. other Ideal Cut Hearts and Arrows Stones...

 

[icelovr]

JC,
My Rule #1 - never pay for what you can't see...because I am assumming that your girlfriend isn't a certified gemologist nor does she own a master set, I would suggest considering an E or an F stone I think you will be visually surprised and will certainly be financially pleased. The stone will still be exceptional and so will the difference in $...just a thought....
Icelovr

These are from DirtCheapDiamonds.com The site offers a bit more info on cuts...
Signature Series Ideal Cuts
Carat Color Clarity Lab Cash Price Depth Table Polish Sym Flr Measure
2.00 F SI1 AGS $18,185 61.9 57 ID ID None 8.02x8.04x4.97


Learn more about Best Cuts
Carat Color Clarity Lab Cash Price Depth Table Polish Sym Flr Measurements
2.03 E SI1 GIA $16,780 62 58 VG VG N 8.19x8.14x5.06
2.00 F VS2 GIA $18,028 59 58 EX VG N 8.19x8.22x4.84
2.03 F SI1 GIA $18,064 60.7 56 EX EX N 8.17x8.28x4.99
1.98 F VS2 GIA $19,121 60 56 EX EX Ft 8.13x8.19x4.94
2.05 D SI1 GIA $19,303 61.7 56 EX EX N 8.16x8.22x5.05
2.01 F VS2 GIA $20,634 60.9 53 EX EX N 8.16x8.20x4.98
2.03 F VS2 GIA $21,178 60.7 56 EX EX N 8.19x8.24x4.99
2.01 F VS2 GIA $21,389 60.8 57 EX EX Ft 8.13x8.18x4.96

 

[valeria101]

There are not too many places where you will be able to get crown & pavilion stats without further inquiry. Niceice.com presents their H&A with all these specs, but you may have to contact them for a stone with your specs. the closest they have there is a 2.35 G color for about the same price as your starting choice (!). And speaking of G: this is the color range where PS posters usually find the least costly perfectly white stones.... Here are some more options:

From Here

Your stone has a 1.2 TIC (Ex-EX-EX-VG) on the same HCA toy, as you may know. Here is what this other stone looks like:

 

[phoenixgirl]

As others have indicated, you could get something similar for less money, but I don't think you could get a branded H&A D SI1 2ct. for much less, especially if you are getting this price from a local store where you can go regularly for service.

It does seem reasonable to me. I think the performance will be phenomenal.

If you are anxious to save $, you might consider dropping carat weight or color or go for a non-branded stone. However, it does seem to me like you've found a "winner" if you're happy with it.

 

[valeria101]

Some of the examples above are branded H&A (such as 'A cut above' of Whiteflash) after all, it is the quality of the cut, not the name that one buys. After all, any brand can charge as much as it wishes for it's name alone... problems start to appear when one actually wanders wether that name makes any difference once the tag is off: and there is no way to stanp it on a diamond, really.

 

[jc321]

Hi all thanks for your input and sorry for my delayed response. I would most definitely like to go with an Unbranded version of this diamond if possible. Who are the popular unbranded online sources? GOG? With virtually everyone mentioning "Hearts and Arrows" it is a little difficult to discern the "branders" from the non-branders.

JC

 

[aljdewey]

JC - just to keep things in perspective, know this: Nearly ANY of the "branded" H&A diamonds available through the online vendors are priced very, VERY competitively. They are priced in line with the other non-branded ideals in the same parameters. I know this first hand - I bought an "A Cut Above" from Whiteflash, and I got a better price from them than I could anywhere else, branded or not.




I know that the retail public is conditioned to expecting the "brand name" costs more.....but it doesn't always if you know how to shop smart.

 

[Mara]

Also..icy white--you can still go to E or F and get a super white stone. Add some fluor into there and that will make it even whiter. Then you can drop the $$ a bit and still get an almost 2c or similar....*swoon*