DCI vs Blue Nile

[bcschile]

To all,

I''ve read some great posts and informative feedback on this forum. I am considering buying a diamond from Rick at Diamond Cutters International in Houston or Blue Nile. DCI''s claim to fame is that 88% of all diamonds on the US market are cut ''incorrectly'' - and their diamonds are cut ''correctly''. I have read most of Fred Cueller''s book - propoganda for sure.

I am trying to determine if I should buy this diamond from DCI (with a ''fully bonded appraisal'' (done by THEM) and no GIA report) or one from Blue Nile (GIA report, bigger, slightly less ideal proportions).

Diamond Cutters Int''l (appraisal done by DCI) - $7950
Princess
1.13 ct
VSI
H(1)
5.88 x 5.84 x 3.8mm
table: 63%
total depth: 65%
crown angle: 33.5%
crown height: 11.8%
pavilion angle: 44.6%
pavilion depth: 51.5%
polish: excellent
symmetry: excellent
girdle: med-sl thick 1.3-1.7%
culet: none
flour: none
treatment: none

Blue Nile (GIA & GCAL report) - $7814
Princess - Signature Ideal Cut
1.21 ct
G
VS2
6.18 x 5.94 x 4.04mm
depth: 68%
table: 68%
symmetry: very good
polish: very good
girdle: med-slightly thick
culet: none
flour: none
crown height: 10.1%

I want bigger - but is the Blue Nile listed above ''better''??

Thanks, Brian
San Diego

 

[neatfreak]

Just run a search here on PS for Fred and you will see what most of us think about him...

Out of those choices, I would stick with Bluenile. But you also might want to check out vendors like Good Old Gold or Whiteflash. Both vendors carry AGS0 princess stones which are the best of the best undoubtedly.

 

[Ellen]

Wherever you buy, go AGS0 on Princess.

 

[Lorelei]

Ditto NF and Ellen, the easiest way to get a cracking diamond is to stick to AGS0 Princess.

 

[denverappraiser]

The key question is to decide who you want to believe as a grader. Your choices presented are GIA/GCAL and DCI. I’m curious. Since you describe his book as propaganda, I can only presume that you don’t consider him to be a reliable source so why are you relying on his grading?

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver

 

[onedrop]

And to provide a layperson''s spin on what Neil said...look at the least for a grading report from a reputable institution. I''d be wary of a vendor only selling stones graded by that same vendor. I like the idea of a reputable and impartial grading report with regard to a stone I am buying.

 

[bcschile]

Date: 8/7/2007 11:54:57 AM
Author: denverappraiser
The key question is to decide who you want to believe as a grader. Your choices presented are GIA/GCAL and DCI. I’m curious. Since you describe his book as propaganda, I can only presume that you don’t consider him to be a reliable source so why are you relying on his grading?

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver

Thanks for all the feedback so far. Neil, DCI has me convinced that they have the best cut diamonds. But I am skeptical that the book, ''How to Buy a Diamond,'' is written by their owner. And I do not a warm an fuzzy feeling about the fact that this diamond has been appraised by the seller. So to answer your question, YES, I don''t fully trust their grading - so maybe I am answering my own question.

Thanks again, Brian

 

[denverappraiser]

As I recall, DCI has a fairly generous return and refund program and you have an opportunity to hire your own grader who is working for you, not the seller, to use as a double check on the grading of any and all of the attributes that interest you, including cutting and all of the traditional areas discussed on a GIA report. There are quite a few of us who offer this service and it may set your mind at ease to get an disinterested expert involved.

Make sure the get the details of the return program in writing before you commit to the deal with ANY seller.

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver

 

[bcschile]

Neil - Thanks I will consider a purchase from DCI, and if so, I will get the diamond independently appraised. Rick did send me an Official Diamond Bond/Warranty. See attached. Thanks.