Cushion Cut Pricing

[spencerogden]

I''m looking at a cushion cut for an antique setting. I was referred to a local jeweler by a friend who got a similar ring in a custom setting. I''m am having trouble figuring out whether I am being charged reasonably for the setting and stone. I guess an advantage of buying separately is that you know what you are getting. As it is, I am being quoted a "package deal", whoopee.

So here are the detail on the stone:
Cushion Cut Brilliant
1.2 Carat
SI1
E
Table 58
Depth 68
Good Symmetry
Good Polish
Crown 13%
Pav 47%

Lab is EGL.

The setting is a custom hand engraved platinum setting, with melee stones surrounding the center stone and going half way down the band.

They are asking $9,500.

What I am worried about is that the most expensive stone I can find with similar characteristics on Pricescope and elsewhere online is about $6000, with $5500 being more average for the size. They showed me a Rappaport report (is this a well known report) in the store, which showed this type of stone going for 5800 per carat, so this would be a $7,000 stone by that measure.

I''ve also heard not so good things about EGL in briefly reading this forum.

So, my question, given a $10,000 total price, are they overpricing the diamond, or are they charging $3,500 for a custom platinum setting, and is that reasonable?

Thanks for any help from a nervous first-timer,

Spencer

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 6/5/2009 3:33:57 PM
Author:spencerogden
I'm looking at a cushion cut for an antique setting. I was referred to a local jeweler by a friend who got a similar ring in a custom setting. I'm am having trouble figuring out whether I am being charged reasonably for the setting and stone. I guess an advantage of buying separately is that you know what you are getting. As it is, I am being quoted a 'package deal', whoopee.

So here are the detail on the stone:
Cushion Cut Brilliant
1.2 Carat
SI1
E
Table 58
Depth 68
Good Symmetry
Good Polish
Crown 13%
Pav 47%

Lab is EGL.

The setting is a custom hand engraved platinum setting, with melee stones surrounding the center stone and going half way down the band.

They are asking $9,500.

What I am worried about is that the most expensive stone I can find with similar characteristics on Pricescope and elsewhere online is about $6000, with $5500 being more average for the size. They showed me a Rappaport report (is this a well known report) in the store, which showed this type of stone going for 5800 per carat, so this would be a $7,000 stone by that measure.

I've also heard not so good things about EGL in briefly reading this forum.

So, my question, given a $10,000 total price, are they overpricing the diamond, or are they charging $3,500 for a custom platinum setting, and is that reasonable?

Thanks for any help from a nervous first-timer,

Spencer

Hi Spencer

I had a look for you, a cushion of similar size came up on the search tool with an EGL report and the same colour and clarity, the price is a lot lower....$4,435 wire price.


EGL are usually priced lower than GIA, also brick and mortar stores typically charge more than online vendors. RAP pricing can't always take into account various factors concerning diamonds, but I think suffice to say in this instance the price is high whichever way you look at it - although it is hard to say about the setting without seeing it and more details on the accent diamonds etc.

If you are unsure and aren't tied into this deal, you could get a quote from one of the trusted online vendors to see what they can come up with, if you like this idea try

www.goodoldgold.com

www.engagementringsdirect.com

Both vendors have an excellent rep with cushions and are great to deal with.

 

[spencerogden]

Thanks for the leads.

GOG has a 1.21 Cushion Cut F SI1 for $6,804 here http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/5556/

and

EngagementRingsDirect has an E SI1 for $6,135 here http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/loose_detail.php/id/21777335/sz/150/premium/premium

So, assuming it is reasonable for the stone to be in the $6,500 range, does $4,000 seem appropriate for a custom platinum setting with engraving and melee stones? Think similar to a tiffany''s Legacy setting, with more detailing and a more delicate design.

Thanks for any feedback,

Spencer

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 6/5/2009 4:39:14 PM
Author: spencerogden
Thanks for the leads.

GOG has a 1.21 Cushion Cut F SI1 for $6,804 here http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/5556/

and

EngagementRingsDirect has an E SI1 for $6,135 here http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/loose_detail.php/id/21777335/sz/150/premium/premium

So, assuming it is reasonable for the stone to be in the $6,500 range, does $4,000 seem appropriate for a custom platinum setting with engraving and melee stones? Think similar to a tiffany's Legacy setting, with more detailing and a more delicate design.

Thanks for any feedback,

Spencer

What I would so Spencer, give Jon a call at GOG - he is a SUPER guy and you will have a blast speaking with him. He has some gorgeous new cushions now available, so ask him what he can recommend that might suit you. The one above is a nice cushion but ask him what others he can show you.

Mark at ERD can provide photos of the cushions on request so he should be able to email you some pics of this one or suggest some others.

The setting prices I am not well up on but I would think you could get a custom setting for that which is similar.