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Confusing Pricing - Need to Decide Soon! Help! Emerald Cut

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RoadChe

Rough_Rock
Joined
Dec 6, 2008
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Hi PriceScopers-


I had a previous thread around finding an Emerald Cut (https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/need-help-please-emerald-cut-20-25k-budget.101540/), and REALLY APPRECIATE everyone''s thoughtful insight. By the way, my budget referenced before includes the ring as well as the diamond (just FYI). I''m continuing to search through the channels that people have suggested (going with tried-and-true/trusted eyes), however, one stone from Angara continues to intrigue me... because of price. (see picture)


This stone is NOT available for viewing by Angara- it was explained to me that the supplier was overseas and Angara is not set up with the capability to provide many high-powered images, or videos; The business model of Angara seems to be built around providing the lowest cost service. In addition, I could not find the same stone on other vendors'' webpages- don''t most online vendors have access to the same "virtual inventories"?


Conversely, GOG can provide images and videos, while WhiteFlash and ERD can provide images- as well as an expert opinion on the stone.


The statistics on this stone are quite reasonable, but I understand that you cannot judge an EC by its statistics alone. However, given the price difference and the 30 day return policy, perhaps it''s worth even just pulling the trigger. Then if it''s not for me, I could return it and continue to pursue the higher priced ones through other channels. I feel a bit guilty even considering this, but if it means potentially missing out on a deal worth $5k+, then it would not be prudent of me to not consider it right?


I guess I would like to understand if the significant price difference a red-flag indicator for anyone. Is this one of those "too-good-to-be-true" situations? Or does my strategy just not make much sense?


Thanks again for all of the help so far.


-K


oddpricing_kjt_angara.JPG
 
One of the reason is the mb fluor, usually cause a significant mark down in price for a colorless stone.
 
Thanks- I think med-blue fluorescence is ok. But does that warrant a 15% discount on the stone? It seems high and am just wondering if anyone sees this as a potential red flag...
 
Will Angara be able to ask the source about pavilion issues? You wouldn''t want an EC with 4 breaks on the bottom (swindled pavilion alert).
 
Date: 12/12/2008 11:33:45 AM
Author: RoadChe
Thanks- I think med-blue fluorescence is ok. But does that warrant a 15% discount on the stone? It seems high and am just wondering if anyone sees this as a potential red flag...
Click to expand...

Probably not the full 15%. I seems to remember that 10-15% is only for very strong blue.
 

I will ask, but I''m not sure I understand what you mean by pavilion issues.



I asked for pictures (the supplier went out to buy a camera at my request), but they''re not very clear. Would you be able to see pavilion issues from this picture?



angara_pic1_kjt.jpg
 
I also requested a dark background on the second picture- I was told there are thumbprints and that the camera lights caused some discoloration. Does this sound like a reasonable explanation?

ang_pic2_kjt.jpg
 
Date: 12/12/2008 11:38:37 AM
Author: Mediterranean
Will Angara be able to ask the source about pavilion issues? You wouldn''t want an EC with 4 breaks on the bottom (swindled pavilion alert).
Click to expand...
Where in the word did you hear that?
That it totally false.
 
do you have a copy of the grading report?
I am not seeing any red flags in the pics.
The P3''s are good which is a good sign.
 
just be careful with the med blue fluor if you''re going to set it with side stones. my asscher has med blue fluro and it bugs me especially set against my non-fluro side traps.
 
Date: 12/12/2008 1:03:41 PM
Author: strmrdr
Date: 12/12/2008 11:38:37 AM

Author: Mediterranean

Will Angara be able to ask the source about pavilion issues? You wouldn''t want an EC with 4 breaks on the bottom (swindled pavilion alert).
Click to expand...

Where in the word did you hear that?

That it totally false.
Click to expand...

Wow, THANK YOU! I had heard it a LONG time ago, in the early phases of looking at stones (I hadn''t even narrowed the shape down yet, though I knew I liked square/rectangular type shapes) and a jeweler who had shown me a couple of emeralds mentioned it in an offhand way. Since I was more attracted to the princess shapes, I never really got any more into depth about the emerald cut''s particulars, but I remembered that one comment he made in passing. Good to to know that, though...they''re a beautiful shape stone, and I would have hate to continue limiting myself (or any future purchase) based on a falsehood!
 
What do you mean by P3's?
 

Thanks all. So what I'm hearing is- there are no red flags in my descriptions or pictures, or in the low pricing. The pricing is reasonable given the blue fluorescence, as long as I carefully consider the relative visual with side-stones.


In summary, this stone seems like a good viable options, Yes?

And of course, I will post other options up as I receive them (plan on receving more options' pictures today/tomorrow).
 
GIA attached

17470311_GIA.jpg
 
no red flags there.
Ask if they have a sarin or ogi machine and can get the crown height.
 
Thanks for the information. How can you tell that the P3''s are ok from the picture? The dark background picture concerns me...

I will ask for the crown height, but not sure the suppliers have the tools- they didn''t even have a camera until yesterday! (The vendor claims they are a no-frills, high-volume, low-margin supplier, but this one seems to be a steal...)
 
Date: 12/12/2008 4:03:55 PM
Author: RoadChe
Thanks for the information. How can you tell that the P3''s are ok from the picture? The dark background picture concerns me...


I will ask for the crown height, but not sure the suppliers have the tools- they didn''t even have a camera until yesterday! (The vendor claims they are a no-frills, high-volume, low-margin supplier, but this one seems to be a steal...)
Click to expand...
The center is going dark from obstruction not leakage in the dark picture im about 90% certain.
Im not finding a reason for the low price.
 
Here is what I would do, have it sent directly to an independent appraiser like Richard or Neil or Jeff or Dave if it don''t check out return it right away.
If it checks out get a full appraisal.
Your risking maybe $200
 
Ok, here''s my other option- from whiteflash

Slightly smaller (.2 carats less) and costs $2-3k more, but has more detailed pictures.

whiteflash_kjt1.jpg
 
table and crown height on the WF stone?
IS image?
It looks good so far....
 
Here are all the specs. Angara is about 3k (~15%) cheaper than the WF.

Angara:
2.21 F VS1
Table 64%
Depth 68.5%
Polish EX
Symmetry EX
Flourescence Medium Blue
Crown: N/A
Pavilion: N/A

WF:
2.04 F VVS2
Table 66%
Depth 64.4
Polish VG
Symmetry VG
Flourescence Faint
Crown: 10.8%
Pavilion: 50.2%

And of course, you've seen the pictures above.
 
hmmm tough one 3k is a lot of money.
The WF one is a good one and the other one might be a good one for 3k less....
I dunno....
 
Karl/strmrdr,

First off, thanks for all of your quick responses. I think what I''m hearing is that my strategy of going with the Angara one first (and returning it if it doesn''t meet appraisal and personal standards) seems to be prudent one for $3k.

Sorry for all the questions- just getting pretty stressed about this.
23.gif


Thanks,
Kelly
 
Date: 12/12/2008 7:02:08 PM
Author: RoadChe
Karl/strmrdr,


First off, thanks for all of your quick responses. I think what I'm hearing is that my strategy of going with the Angara one first (and returning it if it doesn't meet appraisal and personal standards) seems to be prudent one for $3k.


Sorry for all the questions- just getting pretty stressed about this.
23.gif



Thanks,

Kelly
Click to expand...
Your the one that will have to decide but it sounds reasonable to me to have it checked out.
 
If the discount from blue fluor should be 0-2%, then why the big price difference on this gem? Is this too-good-to-be-true (aka potential scam, or even potentially an immorally acquired stone)?
 
maybe, or maybe it is their inhouse stone and they are trying to recapitalize and not a virtual stone on a common database. So it might be a real deal. Up to you. Best way forward as I see is what karl has suggested, make the sale contingent to a good independent appraisal, you pay for the appraisal fee. That way, you only stand to loose the shipping and appraisal fees if it is a dud.
 
Hey there. This is totally personal preference but I like the one from Whiteflash soley because I perfer the "fatter" emerald. It looks as though the other stones'' extra carat weight is in the length. While its a good price I would probably make my decision based on how I would set the stone. As a solitare I''d prefer the Whiteflash stone. Again, just my personal opinion.
 
what are the measurements of each stone?
 
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