Chain Store Crap

[soulsis]

Okay...I know that I am not close to being the expert on diamonds here..but I am glad that at least my BF has some sense!

We went into a major chain store (in Canada, at least)on Saturday and was looking at Canadian diamonds. I tried on a 1 carat RB and it was very sparkly. I held it up to the light to look at it and it was very visibly included. There were at least 3 large carbon spots that were visible from at least 5 inches away. They wanted $9999 for it. They said it was an I2 and an H clarity. It seemed to be extremely overpriced. My BF was like "that didn''t look like a great diamond for that money...did you see the carbon?"

I was FLOORED!!! He actually knew what that was. Maybe he is getting an little insight on his own already

I thought that Canadian diamonds were supposed to be the cream of the crop? Maybe that just means "well cut"?????

 

[Regular Guy]

Soulis,

As they say at the "Canadadiamonds" web site: When how your diamond is mined is as important as its beauty. The only choice is a Canadian Diamond...."

I think the feature that''s been notable about Canada diamonds are their non-conflict origins...that you can understand that the workers used to extract the diamonds have not been mistreated.

Other threads will reveal more about this, including debate as to the uniqueness of this value added feature.

 

[codex57]

Yeah. The only real advantage to a Canadian diamond is that it was mined in Canada. Basically, you know it''s not a conflict diamond. Other than that, you can find good ones and bad ones just like any other diamond.

$9999 for that stone? That''s hilarious. Did your b/f laugh? I woulda laughed out loud. And yes, it is encouraging that he knew about inclusions. He''s done some research.

 

[Kaleigh]

$9999???

 

[valeria101]

Date: 4/11/2005 11:34:16 AM
Author: Feydakin


As for the price, the search up above has similar stones for roughly $5000 USD which is about $6100 Canadian..

I found just one H/I@ for about 2k.... which is already not a bargain if that stone doesn't stand being looked at. Anyway, 2k sounds better for the kind than 5k

Color doesn't make much of a difference: G-I, I2 are still about 2k. I could not immagine why five times that ! Canada or no Canada...

Glad to hear you guys stand your ground, Soulsis ! If origin is important to you beyond grades, cut and looks, perhaps it is worth tracking down Australian goods. I don't think those are priced five times market price just because they come from down under.

 

[diamondsbylauren]

I Agree with Ana here. $2000 could be expensive for an H/I2- very much so. Or it could be a good price if the stone is attractive

 

[soulsis]

Hahaha...I told the jeweller after she bragged about it being a Canadian diamond that I didn''t care if it came from the jeweller''s tight a@s at that price. It doesn''t matter to me in the least where it comes from.

 

[Regular Guy]

Well, you know the old saying...two hands are better than none.

Just a point about language, perhaps. I had not been looking for non-conflict diamonds, either, but when I read that DCD''s offerings were non-conflict ones, it was good to know.

 

[zdrastvootya]

Well, when I was looking at Birks (higher end Cdn store), I was looking at .80 ct H SI1 for $9175 cdn. This was not a Cdn diamond - seems to be ~10% premium on Cdn diamonds, from what I''ve seen. Not sure whether your chain store is at the level of Birks. With Birks, you''re paying for the name.

Z.

 

[ICAA]

You should mention whether that is Cdn dollars. Most people on here are from the US.

Avoid the chain stores. Its a fact they carry substandard product (when compared to the standards on this forum) at inflated prices. My jeweller operates out of a mall but it is his only location. That doesn''t bother me. I know that being a B&M, he has certain costs that he needs to recover and that may be reflected in his prices, depending on who you are.

I too live in Canada. I purchased a 1.0 carat RBC Cdn that is F/VS2, ideal cut for $12,500 Cdn. I know that I might of been able to buy on the internet cheaper but I also got a custom platinum design and matching pears from the same jeweller. It was a real pleasure being able to directly discuss with the jeweller, the stone, side stones, ring design whenever I wanted. I was very specific and gave him tight tolerances. He took his time and found me the right stone. I approved the centre stone, the side stones, the renderings and the final product all on different visists. As well, I visited him a number of times for various other reasons such as the three different iterations of renderings and other times just to ask questions. He would readily sit down with me for 30 minutes and not care that it wasn''t "adding value" to his sale. I know not everyone attributes value to that but I do. Also, I am willing to support the locals if the prices are comparable. In terms of what else is on the market, there were no stones being offered by any local store that, in my opinion that were comparable. They also gave a "free" appraisal which was sufficient evidence for my insurance company.

In my research, Canadian diamonds often carry anywhere from a 10-20% premium over non-Canadian stones.

 

[valeria101]

Date: 4/12/2005 1:14:47 AM
Author: ICAA

It was a real pleasure being able to directly discuss with the jeweller, ...

How did the ring turn out ? I can''t seem to find the final pics anywhere

 

[zdrastvootya]

Hey Onewake,

All your posts are exactly the same! Cool!

Z.

 

[valeria101]

Date: 4/14/2005 1:19:44 PM
Author: onewake

I was searching thourh these posts and felt compelled to share something ...

Hi! PS is small... there''s no need to post the same messahe 10 times

Everyone reads pretty much everything. If you tell the shopping story and show the ring

(that''s what the "Show me the ring" forum is all about) it will definitely be noticed. And most likely believed too !

Hope this helps

 

[Reisen]

Date: 4/14/2005 1:38:43 PM
Author: valeria101

Date: 4/14/2005 1:19:44 PM
Author: onewake

I was searching thourh these posts and felt compelled to share something ...

Hi! PS is small... there''s no need to post the same messahe 10 times

Everyone reads pretty much everything. If you tell the shopping story and show the ring

(that''s what the ''Show me the ring'' forum is all about) it will definitely be noticed. And most likely believed too !

Hope this helps

They''re getting deleted as we speak. Nice work mods. Onewake almost looks like a bot, someone should follow that link and complain.

 

[pricescope]

Date: 4/14/2005 1:38:29 PM
Author: zdrastvootya
Hey Onewake,

All your posts are exactly the same! Cool!

Z.

Onewake promoted his own site

 

[MissAva]

Someone else is doing this on the Are we there yet....advertising their jewlery....not classy. (Fingerprint rings)