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GeorgeT

Rough_Rock
Joined
Apr 25, 2012
Messages
15
Okay guys, let me start off by saying Pricescope and all of its members are really awesome and the most hepful people. I have been in the search for an E-ring for about 6 months (ridiculous, right?) now and Pricescope is the place that I have done 90% of my research. I decided to finally join today after coming to a near decision. I will refrain from putting the setting that I am getting because, unfortunately, my significant other likes to look around on Pricescope as well. So I have about a $6000 budget and the setting I am getting is listed pretty pricey (around $3000). This jeweler, however, is very flexible on settings if you buy the diamond from them. This is a name brand setting. I wanted a CERTIFIED (GIA or AGS) quality princess cut diamond somewhere around a carat. This particular jeweler found me a princess cut with the following specs (listed below) and the setting for $5750.

The diamond:
Princess cut
GIA Certified
1.00 Carat
F/SI1
5.14x5.13x4.42
Polish: Very Good
Symmetry: Very Good
Fluorescence: None
70% table
85.9 % depth (this seems higher than what I have seen online)
Slightly thick to extremely thick girdle (also a little skeptical about this)

I got all of this straight from the GIA report that he pulled out for me.
Please let me know your thoughts on this diamond and if this seems like a fair price for the diamond and setting. I am very surprised with the deal and figured there has to be some kind of flaw with this diamond's specs for that price. What do you all think?

Thanks in advance!
 
That's a pretty ridiculous depth for a princess - and while it's a 1 carat, it won't "face up" like a 1 carat. So if the setting is $3000-ish, does that mean this stone is $2250? Or more and he's cutting you a break on the setting? Once we have your true stone budget we can help you select something better.
 
I'm pretty sure he is cutting me a break on the setting. The "list" price on the diamond was 6100 but I figured that was obviously a mark-up. I have the deminsions for the stone listed. It was a 5.14x5.13. Most one carat princess stones I've seen online are 5.3x5.24 or in that range. I am not too concerned with a .2 mm difference. This price just seemed almost too good to be true.
 
GeorgeT|1335392241|3180803 said:
I'm pretty sure he is cutting me a break on the setting. The "list" price on the diamond was 6100 but I figured that was obviously a mark-up. I have the deminsions for the stone listed. It was a 5.14x5.13. Most one carat princess stones I've seen online are 5.3x5.24 or in that range. I am not too concerned with a .2 mm difference. This price just seemed almost too good to be true.
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It's not the actual size I'm worried about it's that its not cut well. Can the jeweler provide you with an ASET? A princess can't be critiqued or purchased by numbers alone, fancies must be seen (in good pictures, with ASETs).

Without seeing the setting or understanding what you're getting, I also can't speak to the value of what he's giving you. I, however, am wary of people who "cut me a deal" unless I can compare apples to apples. I'm assuming you've comparison shopped this setting around and $3000 is the average price? Ritani?
 
I see. And no, they do not to all of the fancy light tests. I wish GIA provided a cute grade for Princess stones. It would make this a lot easier. Setting is Verragio.
 
GeorgeT|1335392998|3180819 said:
I see. And no, they do not to all of the fancy light tests. I wish GIA provided a cute grade for Princess stones. It would make this a lot easier. Setting is Verragio.
Click to expand...

1. Contact some trusted PS vendors who carry Verragio to get their price on this particular setting.
2. Without those fancy light tests, it's like buying a princess cut blindfolded. Unless you purchase an ASET and go in person, or have him ship it to an appraiser (which in this case, I don't think is worth it).

Honestly, anyone presenting you with a diamond like this - unless you insisted on a 1 carat - is not someone I'd take diamond recommendations from.

Until you get the true price on that Verragio, you don't have your true diamond budget. Then you can decide if getting a 1 carat or getting that specific setting (instead of one almost exactly like it) is most important to you. It's always give and take when selecting a ring on a budget...
 
Yes, you should worry when the stone appears smaller than a 1 ct! I'd rather get a .80-.90 that is excellent cut at the same size than a 1 ct that looks like a .80! This stone is too deep and faces up way too small. Take a look at what measurements should be close to...like 75% depth and it should face up close to 5.4-5.5mm!:

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2763535.htm

Here is a beautifully cut .80 that faces up right at 5 mm ($2700):

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9334/

The price of the stone you are looking at is low because the stone faces up so much smaller than a carat and is not well cut.

Nice one at .94, 5.35mm ($4653): http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9336/
 
Webdiva, I actually did insist on a 1 carat. But I do understand wher eyou are coming from. I want to buy from this Jeweller because I know that is where I will get the best deal. He will match anything I find online. I also want to avoid buying online because I want the free lifetime cleanings, rhodium plating, upgrades, etc.

Is there any way of me knowing how well the cut is without the light tests? How do I know what to look for when I am not shopping online?
 
GeorgeT|1335395022|3180859 said:
Webdiva, I actually did insist on a 1 carat. But I do understand wher eyou are coming from. I want to buy from this Jeweller because I know that is where I will get the best deal. He will match anything I find online. I also want to avoid buying online because I want the free lifetime cleanings, rhodium plating, upgrades, etc.

Is there any way of me knowing how well the cut is without the light tests? How do I know what to look for when I am not shopping online?
Click to expand...

Many online stores offer upgrades. Cleanings are nothing - any jewelry store does them free. Rhodium dipping is $30-50 tops, every few years. I understand the warm, comfy feeling of getting something locally - but that only makes sense if you're benefiting overall. What city are you in? How do you know you'll get the best deal? Would he be ok with you purchasing the diamond elsewhere? Or can he pull in a diamond from a wholesaler and match the price from another vendor (eg. James Allen)? If so, the folks here can find you a fine diamond.
 
Didn't realize rhodium plating was that reasonable. And yes you hit it on the head with the comfy feeling of a local jeweller. I am located in Atlanta. I do want to buy the diamond and setting from the same company, whether it be local or online. I want to avoid any mounting fees. I wonder if this jeweller has ASET capabilities?
 
webdiva|1335395255|3180862 said:
If you need a 1 carat:
1.010 G - $3700 - http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/Diamonds/diamond-details/1.010-G-VS2-Princess-Diamond-GIA-37714060
1.030 J - $3500 - http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/Diamonds/diamond-details/1.030-J-VS1-Princess-Diamond-GIA-31083311
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Yikes weddiva, that first stone is awful! It doesn't have a picture, it is 5.0mm and is only "good" for symmetry. This is not better than the stone he has, really! This is a virtual stone. We have to find him one with pictures and a better cut. You've given him a lot of good advice, but that stone is not acceptable.

Second stone could have potential, but it is a J and you'll see some color in a J princess, I am afraid.
 
GeorgeT|1335396944|3180888 said:
Didn't realize rhodium plating was that reasonable. And yes you hit it on the head with the comfy feeling of a local jeweller. I am located in Atlanta. I do want to buy the diamond and setting from the same company, whether it be local or online. I want to avoid any mounting fees. I wonder if this jeweller has ASET capabilities?
Click to expand...

Your other option is to narrow down your choices and have him take your top choice to an independent appraiser. However, unless he can get diamonds shipped in from the larger markets like NY and LA - your choices may be limited in your local area. Give him your list of wants - 1 carat, plus color range, plus depth, diameter range, etc and see if he can find something suitable. Use those guidelines I posted.
 
Okay, thanks so much for your help. I am open to online options as well now. As long as I can purchase the stone and setting from the same dealer. So if you run by anything that seems like a quality stone at a fair price (keep in mind by budget is $6000 total) send it my way.

Thanks guys!
 
Bottom line is that you are unlikely to get a well cut 1 ct. stone and the Verragio setting for $6000 unless you either sacrifice on color and clarity (J and/or SI2). I am seeing 1 ct. I SI1's running close to $5000. Or you can go under 1 ct. and get a well cut .85-.95.

Honestly, that .94 G SI1 I posted from Good Old Gold is a good buy because it is just under a carat but faces up at 5.35mm. It is a beautiful stone for the money. They are the only PS vendors that I know of who carry Verragio. You could call them and tell them your budget and see how close they can come. Tell them you found out about them from PriceScope. They won't sell you a bad stone!
 
I have worked with Rhino at GOG, and will continue to do so. I will probably go the .85-.95 route, as the face up size difference is minimal.
 
GeorgeT|1335398499|3180920 said:
I have worked with Rhino at GOG, and will continue to do so. I will probably go the .85-.95 route, as the face up size difference is minimal.
Click to expand...

Sounds like a super plan! I have bought two diamonds from him and he is wonderful!
 
diamondseeker2006|1335397385|3180894 said:
webdiva|1335395255|3180862 said:
If you need a 1 carat:
1.010 G - $3700 - http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/Diamonds/diamond-details/1.010-G-VS2-Princess-Diamond-GIA-37714060
1.030 J - $3500 - http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/Diamonds/diamond-details/1.030-J-VS1-Princess-Diamond-GIA-31083311
Click to expand...

Yikes weddiva, that first stone is awful! It doesn't have a picture, it is 5.0mm and is only "good" for symmetry. This is not better than the stone he has, really! This is a virtual stone. We have to find him one with pictures and a better cut. You've given him a lot of good advice, but that stone is not acceptable.

Second stone could have potential, but it is a J and you'll see some color in a J princess, I am afraid.
Click to expand...

Hehe, I didn't say they're good. :) I assumed BGD would only mark better ones as BGD "select".

He definitely needs ones with images and ASETs.
 
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