Couple of questions before I buy

[stans]

Howdy, folks. I''ve been creeping around here for some time without posting and appreciate all of the insight. I think I have found the diamond for my engagement ring. I wanted to run this by the folks here for their opinion on price, quality, and appraisals. I''d really appreciate your help.

First, here is the stone as given by two reports I was given (GIA and MegaScope): [Note that this is a Canadian diamond carrying the CanadaMark symbol out of the Ekati mine]

GIA:
Round Brilliant - 6.32-6.34 x 3.83 mm, 0.91 carat
D: 60.5%
Table: 56%
Girdle: Thin to Medium
Cutlet: None
Polish: VG
Symmetry: VG
Clarity: VVS2, Pinpoint
Color: H
Flourescence: None

Mega Scope:
Diameter: 6.33 mm (6.32 - 6.34)
Crown Angle: 34.8
Crown Height: 15.9%
Pavil Angle: 40.7
Pavil Depth: 43.1%
Cutlet: 0.4%
Table Size 56.0%
Total Depth: 60.5%, 3.83 mm
Girdle thickness: .7-1.5
Proport: Excellent
Color: H(1)
Flourescence, clarity and weight - same as AGI above

And here are my questions:

1. Is $6600 a fair price for this stone? I know there may be a premium on Canadian stones bearing the CanadaMark (Canadian origin is important to me), but I find similar stones on Blue Nile for as much as $1,000 less (albeit not Canadian). What do you guys think?

2. The seller does not have a Brilliance Scope, Ideal Scope, or any of that. Ideally, I''d like to have this information, but I think the only way to do that is to get these after I buy the stone (the seller has a liberal buy back policy). Can I feel comfortable with this purchase WITHOUT that information? (The stone looked good in person, but I''m admittedly an amateur).

3. If I do buy this diamond, and end up getting the Brilliance Scope, etc. analysis, should I request the stone without the setting, or can these tests be done after it is set (I''m in a bit of a time crunch and don''t really have time for a lot of back and forth shipping)? Also, I''ve learned that most appraisers do not have these tools at their disposals -- would I have to take this diamond to a separate vendor after I''ve bought it, and then take it separately to an appraiser?

Thanks for any input!

 

[aljdewey]

Date: 5/24/2005 3:48:17 PM
Author:stonedrone

1. Is $6600 a fair price for this stone? I know there may be a premium on Canadian stones bearing the CanadaMark (Canadian origin is important to me), but I find similar stones on Blue Nile for as much as $1,000 less (albeit not Canadian). What do you guys think?

Whether or not the price is fair really depends on the venue you are getting it from. I think you could do better on the price if you went with online vendors, but I think it''s probably

2. The seller does not have a Brilliance Scope, Ideal Scope, or any of that. Ideally, I''d like to have this information, but I think the only way to do that is to get these after I buy the stone (the seller has a liberal buy back policy). Can I feel comfortable with this purchase WITHOUT that information? (The stone looked good in person, but I''m admittedly an amateur).

3. If I do buy this diamond, and end up getting the Brilliance Scope, etc. analysis, should I request the stone without the setting, or can these tests be done after it is set (I''m in a bit of a time crunch and don''t really have time for a lot of back and forth shipping)? Also, I''ve learned that most appraisers do not have these tools at their disposals -- would I have to take this diamond to a separate vendor after I''ve bought it, and then take it separately to an appraiser?

Thanks for any input!

1. Is $6600 a fair price for this stone? I know there may be a premium on Canadian stones bearing the CanadaMark (Canadian origin is important to me), but I find similar stones on Blue Nile for as much as $1,000 less (albeit not Canadian). What do you guys think?

Could you get a *comparable* diamond for less money? Yes.....I found two that break the carat mark here 1.02, H, VVS2 and here 1.037, H, VVS2 for less money. But, since there aren''t tons of Canadian origin stones available, they do command a premium, and it seems as though whatever price they are charging is what you''re going to have to pay if that''s important to you.

2. The seller does not have a Brilliance Scope, Ideal Scope, or any of that. Ideally, I''d like to have this information, but I think the only way to do that is to get these after I buy the stone (the seller has a liberal buy back policy). Can I feel comfortable with this purchase WITHOUT that information? (The stone looked good in person, but I''m admittedly an amateur).

We all have different comfort levels, so I can''t speak for yours. I can tell you that I would want an idealscope image at minimum......numbers tell you how a diamond *should* perform, not how they *do* perform, so the visual confirmation from an Idealscope is a must for me. But, if you''ve not left yourself enough time to get them, you may just have to go on a leap of faith.

3. If I do buy this diamond, and end up getting the Brilliance Scope, etc. analysis, should I request the stone without the setting, or can these tests be done after it is set (I''m in a bit of a time crunch and don''t really have time for a lot of back and forth shipping)? Also, I''ve learned that most appraisers do not have these tools at their disposals -- would I have to take this diamond to a separate vendor after I''ve bought it, and then take it separately to an appraiser?

These things really need to be done when the stone is loose. If you''re in that big a time crunch, then I think you''re going to have to go without those analyses unless you''re willing to have the diamond unset/reset later to get them. I personally don''t care that much about a B/scope, so I wouldn''t do it, but you may feel differently.

 

[JohnQuixote]

Date: 5/24/2005 3:48:17 PM
Author:stonedrone

1. Is $6600 a fair price for this stone? I know there may be a premium on Canadian stones bearing the CanadaMark (Canadian origin is important to me), but I find similar stones on Blue Nile for as much as $1,000 less (albeit not Canadian). What do you guys think?

2. The seller does not have a Brilliance Scope, Ideal Scope, or any of that. Ideally, I'd like to have this information, but I think the only way to do that is to get these after I buy the stone (the seller has a liberal buy back policy). Can I feel comfortable with this purchase WITHOUT that information? (The stone looked good in person, but I'm admittedly an amateur).

3. If I do buy this diamond, and end up getting the Brilliance Scope, etc. analysis, should I request the stone without the setting, or can these tests be done after it is set (I'm in a bit of a time crunch and don't really have time for a lot of back and forth shipping)? Also, I've learned that most appraisers do not have these tools at their disposals -- would I have to take this diamond to a separate vendor after I've bought it, and then take it separately to an appraiser?

Thanks for any input!

You're correct, it’s a bit high compared to available diamonds with similar stats. An advantage is that you’ve got a lot of information and, by the numbers, it has good proportions. You said origin is important, so the premium may come with the territory.

The most important thing you alluded to (I didn't note this the first time I read your post) is that you have seen it in person.

This is major: You are standing at the ‘end’ of the path many consumers here walk. They analyze proportions and ideal-scope images to determine sure-fire possibilities - and only then do they receive the stone to pass the final test (their eyes). You’re seeing it now. It has a GIA cert and good numbers. Does it speak to you? Is it a firecracker? Have you seen it next to other diamonds and in several lighting conditions? Your eyes trump all. Brilliancescope, Idealscope and 4 of a kind fold next to those wonderful peepers.

Now, if you decide you still want to shop around it wouldn't hurt to be able to do your own ideal-scoping. It can be fun and educational. I don't imagine you have enough time, but the hand-held version is only $25US. It's available at ideal-scope.com and through Dave Atlas' site stateside.

FYI, the diamond cannot be tested without unsetting it.