Coming down to purchase: discussion of options?

[RScowboy]

Hello all, thanks for providing me and so many others with such great information over the past few months. I've learned alot right here, and now it's coming down to the big purchase, #1 of 2, the diamond (2 being the ring of course

).

I find myself very attracted to GoodOldGold's quality, service, and provided information. They leave no doubt in my mind that, upon buying from them, i will know exactly what i am getting. Specifically i have been looking at one of their for sale diamonds,
Carat Weight: .80
Clarity: VS2
Color: F
Shape: Princess
Cut External
Polish: GIA ~ Good
Symmetry: GIA ~ Good
Cut Internal
Light Return ~ Excellent
BrillianceScope
White Light Return ~ High-Very High
Colored Light Return ~ Very High
Scintillation ~ Very High
Price ~ $3,382.
However, a quick search for princess cuts on the pricescope search engine yields a number of serious competitors from similarly reputable (by word of mouth) dealers. Perhaps as much as $1000 less in price. (it should be noted that i'm ideally looking for a 3/4 carat weight, so that's what i searched for) For example:


0.76/E/VS2/73.60%(depth)/74%(table)/GIA/stk-/no/gd/vg/mb/4.98*4.92*3.62/$2153(P)

or

0.74/G/VS2/68.50%(depth)/75%(table)/GIA/xtn-m/no/gd/vg/no/5.16*5.15*3.53/$2055(P)

from Dirt Cheap Diamonds, written in standard pricescope search result format (minus the price per carat)

Also, i have found diamonds that seem to be classes of cut above, such as
0.75 D VS1 68.40% 64% GIA tn-m no vg vg no 5.17*5.16*3.53 $3,785 $2839*SP
0.75 D VS1 68.40% 64% GIA tn-m no vg vg no 5.17*5.16*3.53 $3,660 $2,745

from Abazias and Jewlery Zone, respectivly that are still less in price. Many others from White Flash, ect.

What's the skinny here on quality vs. price? I'm looking for honest down to earth opinions on whether the superior information and customer service of GOG is worth what seems like a comsiderable price difference, or if companring their diamonds to others found on search engines is even apples to oranges (i am aware that GOG's is .8 while many of the above mentioned are .75... could this be the reason for such a price difference?).
Basically, i would really like to buy from GOG, but am i being stupid ignoring all of the (often *much*) better prices from other companies, many of which have just as reputable around these boards?
Thanks for any an all input. It is, as always, appreciated.
Thanks,
RS






BTW, if i have overlooked something in regards to appropriate board use and should not be using companies names and posted prices, please let me know and i will promptly correct all issues.

 

[Giangi]

Hello RS! Sounds like you've done your homework.

Jonathan's stone sounds, indeed a bit expensive. BUT, you must consider that he hand-picks every diamond and provide you with lots of useflu (and expensive) tests and reports. If this service is worth the price gap, it's up to you. As you pointed out, you won't have many doubts or questions, should you decide to go this route.

In the same price range of that 0.80 F/VS 2 I found the following stones, hand selected by expert gemologists at whiteflash:

0.92 crt G SI2 Princess GIA
$2,860.00

1.07 crt F SI2 Princess GIA
$3,605.00

1.20 crt H SI1 Princess GIA
$3,700.00

Or on Superbcert's website:
0.90 SUPERBcert Princess SI1 H $3,240.00
1.09 SUPERBcert Princess VS1 J $3,815.00

As you see, there are many possibilities and, if you are willing to get an H-I color and/or an SI clarity, you can even reach the 1ct mark. Remember that size is VERY important and it's the firts thig that gets noticed.

 

[pqcollectibles]

While numbers can be a very big help in choosing a Round Brilliant, specs are just guidelines when considering Fancies. A princess diamond can match all the criteria for a Class 1 Cut and be a dud as a performer.

As Giangi mentioned, GOG and other companies hand select their diamonds for brilliance and performance. Vendors will sort thru many fancies to find the real dazzlers in a parcel. If you are comparing prices of Brokered diamonds "off the list" to known performers, it's like comparing apples and oranges. The list diamond might be "drop/shipped" direct to you without the Vendor ever actually seeing it. You won't truly know what you are getting until you receive the diamond or have it appraised. Even then, you should evaluate the diamond with an Ideal Scope to check for light leakage.

 

[RScowboy]

Thanks very much for the replies. That's pretty much what i figured; that you're paying more for the knowledge that they preform well, which in the case of fancy shapes, may be more valuable than with rounds when given the raw numbers of both. Ok, it's always good to hear what you (me in this case) as a novice are thinking confirmed by others.


In response to Giangi's comment on size, she's pretty set on 3/4 carat. Where we come from, a 3/4 carat diamond is really something. That's one thing i noticed here reading so many posts by diamond connoisseurs and enthusiasts: the scales we think on are slightly different. I'm not knocking an enthusiast's viewpoint or calling it extravagant. It's just that the size scale discussed on enthusiast internet forums and the scale among our peers and even parents as average "joes" is bound to be different. But i digress...

She's tried on 1 carat rings and just thinks they're too big (despite the recomendations of the salespeople).. she is a small girl with "dainty" hands. We both agree (with no prodding from me

) that 3/4 carat looks very lavish, but not overly so, on her hand. Anyhow, that's just where we're coming from on the set size. Within that, i'm looking for a very high quality diamond.




pqcollectibles, points well said and well taken.

Thank you both for the replies. Any other replies/discussion is of course welcome.


Thanks again,


RS

 

[Rhino]

Hi RS,




Good questions. Let me also state that we will match or beat any *drop ship* price on any given stone provided the playing field is leveled. If all we have to do is call a supplier and have them drop ship a diamodn to you there is no effort, work or expense on our part and we can pass that savings onto you but your purchase will be without our expertise, knowledge, experience and lab equipment. There are added expenses when we call in and examine a number of princess cuts only to keep the cherries. There is no crystal ball we can look into yet to determine before seeing it just how excellent the brilliance and fire will be on any given princess cut.




The comparison you need to draw is that between the services we offer from a real bricks and mortar store compared to other bricks & mortar stores. Not people who are sitting in a 2 x 4 office with no overhead and do not own or see what it is they are selling and have none to little gemological experience or the lab equipment to make the proper evaluation. We will sell diamonds to people at that markup and in that manner if they are comfortable purchasing like that but we will not back the stone with any policies more than a 30 day refund period. We have access to very cheap stones just like everyone else. There is a good reason they're not in our inventory though.

Hope to be of service.




Peace,


Rhino

 

[Summer]

RScowboy, it does seem Dirtcheap diamonds has a nice selection with good pricing and also I'd take a look at Whiteflash. Apparently from what I read here and on DT they have an excellent cutter, who I'm sure could review any stone with you that you may be interested in. I haven't used any of the internet vendors yet so I'm just encouraging you to shop for the best deal for you. (I'm a shopper)I think some other vendors probably could provide pertinent info too and have the stones in their inventory. I always end up going with my gut instinct in these type of situations and that always works for me. Good luck with whoever you choose.

 

[strmrdr]

I want to state my bias up front.
I dont like the looks of princess cut diamonds.

That said I wouldnt even consider one that didnt come with the level of information provided by GOG or superbcert.
Yes other dealers might be able to hand select a diamond thats just as good as one of their best but your at the mercy of the person doing the selection.
At times as demonstrated by a thread that got pretty heated here even the experts disagree on what is a great princess cut diamond.
With the information provided by GOG or superbcert there is no question if it is a good one.
ideal-scope images are a good indication but there are many variables involved in the images that can throw off any comparison.
For example the lighting, the camera, any image editing and the skill level of the person doing it can all have a huge effect on the images.
A poorly done IS image of a great diamond can look worse than a well-done image of a middling diamond.

 

[fire&ice]

I can not really comment on cut. Cut can & does impact price as does the level of service a vendor provides. Are you a high maintenance guy or a low maintenance guy? What makes you feel more comfortable? Is the price difference worth it?

That said, the E you listed has med blue fluor & thick girdle. The Med. blue fluor will discount a stone in the colorless range. The girdle will make the stone appear smaller & is less desireable.

A G is not an F. An F is a colorless stone. A G is a near colorless stone. Your eyes probably will see no difference; but, the F will command more money.