Confused on prices

[chill1986]

I went looking for diamonds yet again around the Toronto area. I started with the dealer that's close to home. He is offering me for around 7k a VS2 G colour, .7 carat excellent cut GIA certification. He keeps asking me to put down a deposit, I automatically decline. Ive become accustomed to vendors trying to gain leverage over me while we haggle. I went to another vendor called the Diamond Store. Theyre willing to offer me a .7 carate with G colour, excellent cut with vs2 for 6300 GIA cert. The fact that they lowered the price so much makes me wary of their offer, but in the same strand I'm wary of the first person. 700 dollar difference is a lot. I attended one other store that offered me the exact same stone for 5500. I refused it because of how it looked. It had a sort of milkiness to it.
My last store offered me this:

VS2, D colour, excellent cut. .7 carat for 5873 including the ring and taxes. 14k rose gold tiffany ring with 6 prongs.
GIA cert is unknown right now. I suppose they will only give it to me when Ive made my choice.

Another thing Im confused about is specific cut sizes for .7 carat and .9 carat. What would be good on the diamond? What about florescence.
The prices are so way off that I cant decide who is the one ripping me off. All of the stones included the ring.

 

[marymm]

As in every product, from store to store there can be vast pricing differences even on the exact same item - it comes down to store overhead, markups, etc. It seems like the places you've visited so far have high markups on their wares.

As a comparison, take a look at these Signature Hearts and Arrows round diamonds at highly-regarded Brian Gavin Diamond (BGD) - and these diamonds are super-ideal, meaning cut with extremely tight parameters to qualify for Ideal Light Performance, Ideal Symmetry and Ideal Polish from AGS Laboratory (http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond/brian-gavins-hearts-and-arrows/)

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/signature-diamonds/round [I tried to copy over the search link, but I don't think it worked]

Anyway, If you search Signature Hearts and Arrow rounds for D-G VS2/+ between 0.70-0.79 carats, the prices range from $3340 USD to $5298 USD.

And here are two 18kt Rose Gold 6-prong settings from BGD, both priced at $850 USD:
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/classic-style-half-round-18k-rose-gold-5478r18
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/tapered-classic-style-half-round-18k-rose-gold-5540r18

Let's say you went with the 0.718ct F-VS2 option listed at $3667 USD (http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.720-f-vs2-round-diamond-pags-104068590093) - which is a top-of-the-line diamond - and matched it with one of the 18kt RG settings above... that would be $4517 USD or $6048 CAD.

So, have you considered buying online?

 

[marymm]

Here's a link to more info on fluorescence - https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/diamond-flourescence

And, well-cut round diamonds would have the following diameter(s):
0.70ct = 5.7mm apx
0.80ct = 5.9mm to 6mm apx
0.90ct = 6.1mm to 6.2mm apx

 

[flyingpig]

This should give some idea.
http://www.diamondexchange.ca/
I do not know anything about this store. But they seem to have good reviews and provide grading reports online. Their pricing is very similar to some of US-based vendors (eg Bluenile and Jame Allen). According to this website, 0.7 G GIA Ex ranges from $3600 to $4600 in Toronto.

I would not deal with store 1 and 2. The last one is reasonable.

4631.12 CAD. Guaranteed Top Quality/Performing 0.7 G VS2
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.701-g-vs2-round-diamond-ags-c-104079827012

 

[chill1986]

Thanks for the replies.
I'll take a look at the sizing with the tools you gave me.
As for the online aspect, I'm very hesitant to buy online. I'm afraid of getting ripped off.
Fundamentally that's kind of what I'm afraid of at these stores. However it would be easier to hold someone accountable if I could see them in person. Do most online deals work out?

 

[telephone89]

If you stick with reputable online vendors, you'll be fine. What is your budget and priorities? I'm sure we could at least give you options. In general PS only recommends vendors with good to excellent return policies. That way, should you happen to buy a dud (which we would try our hardest not to let happen!) you can return it and get a full refund.

Buying online from a store like Blue nile, james allen, White flash, brian gavin, etc - I feel like you're less likely to get ripped off compared to some brick and mortar stores.

 

[kenny]

As for the online aspect, I'm very hesitant to buy online. I'm afraid of getting ripped off.

I feel WAY more likely to get ripped off at brick and mortar jewelry stores.

Just stick with online vendors who have lots of fans here on Pricescope and you'll do well ... WAY better than and almost all brick and mortar stores.

 

[alamana]

As for the online aspect, I'm very hesitant to buy online. I'm afraid of getting ripped off.
Fundamentally that's kind of what I'm afraid of at these stores. However it would be easier to hold someone accountable if I could see them in person. Do most online deals work out?

I bought online because I was concerned about getting ripped off in a brick-and-mortar store. Glad I did -- after buying online I know that what I looked at in the stores was jewelry that cost significantly more and was of much lower quality. If you stick with reputable online vendors there is nothing to worry about and lots to be gained.

 

[flyingpig]

1. Each stone is unique with a different combination of clarity, carat, color, cut, proportions, and inclusion distribution
2. A diamond grade report document all these.
3. Many diamonds are laser-inscribed with the diamond report number.
4. Many online vendors provide light performance images that are, again, unique to each stone.
5. Many credit card policies protect you against "fake" goods.

 

[Rockinruby]

Just wanted to add that you should compare b & m store or online vendor policies too. Make sure you know what their return policy, upgrade or buyback options are, etc. I definitely think you would get a better deal online. Plus there are people on here with a lot of knowledge who can help you with choosing stones. Several online vendors were mentioned that have great reputations here. Also, Wink Jones with High performance diamonds has a trustworthy reputation on PS. You could possibly call and see if he has something in line with what you are looking for.

http://highperformancediamonds.com/...ty=vvs2&max_clarity=vs2&cut_range_ideal=ideal

 

[chill1986]

Thank you all for your input. I've started looking through the online diamond profiles and will report back something I find interesting using the sites you linked over.

 

[chill1986]

How about this diamond here:http://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/lo...lor-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-440333[url]