Diamond's Location Affects the Price? ($10k difference?)

[rockafella]

Why is there a $10,000 price difference between these two. Both are 2.5+ carat round brilliant, F color, GIA XXX, no flourescence

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?track=head#diamonds_pid=LD02624545

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?track=head#diamonds_pid=LD02119549


I learned that the first one, that is $33k is in India. Are India diamonds inferior quality? Its the same GIA that grades them, so I don't understand.

 

[stone-cold11]

The first one actually is a better cut, the 2nd stone is going to be leaky under idealscope.

As BN is a drop-shipper, basically just an advertising website for these stones, the prices are set by the owners of these stones. Maybe the additional clouds might be significant and actually makes the stone look cloudy in some lighting conditions. Just throwing out ifs.

 

[rockafella]

But that big of a price difference? $10k is huge! Just random searching on other online retailers, there was nothing of its kind in that $33k price. Something doesn't smell right.

Other forumers chime in your thoughts? Is BN safe?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

BN has a 30 day return policy right? In that respect, there is no risk.

 

[John P]

Why is there a $10,000 price difference between these two. Both are 2.5+ carat round brilliant, F color, GIA XXX, no flourescence

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?track=head#diamonds_pid=LD02624545
http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?track=head#diamonds_pid=LD02119549

I learned that the first one, that is $33k is in India. Are India diamonds inferior quality? Its the same GIA that grades them, so I don't understand.

The 2.54 for $33K has a number of red flags. The 41.6 average pavilion angle is a deal-breaker for me from the get-go. The SI1 is also a shot in the dark - there is no way to know if those crystals or feathers are eye-visible, but judging from the discount I'd say it's a good chance some of them are. The comment "Clouds not shown" isn't as negative as "Clarity grade based on clouds not shown" but it isn't as benign as "Additional clouds not shown," and based on experience I'd want to examine any SI stone with clouds, pinpoints or TW not-shown as a matter of course to understand the gemological as well as optical implications. The girdle natural on the lower break facet is something I'd wish to check out too; in terms of the diamond's future value.

By comparison the 2.57 seems far more promising. 58/41/35 as averaged primary angles are worth a further look. As with the other SI stone the clarity plot is a shot in the dark, but since it costs notably more it's likely to be cleaner to the naked eye. One cloud made it to the plot, which means the additional "not shown" are likely to be negligible - but with the pinpoints comment this is another candidate I'd love to get under my own microscope before making a commitment.

What we're missing for both stones is any indication whatsoever of cut consistency or precision. Remember the numbers on a GIA report are first rounded and then averaged. So the "41.0" is the average of eight different measurements. If those eight measurements are 40.9, 40.9, 41.0, 41.0, 41.0, 41.0, 41.1, 41.1 it's a whole different ballgame than if they are 40.4, 40.5, 40.8, 40.9, 41.1, 41.2, 41.4, 41,5...same with the crown angle...same with the minor facets. The implications from a 3D light return standpoint can be broadly different depending on that consistency. This is why ideal-scope or ASET images are typically requested here.

The Asia-Pacific region has been hot for diamonds in the last decade. Diamonds offered by the strongest internet dealer in Shanghai - comparable to BlueNile - typically sell for double-digit percentages over comparable BN diamonds here. The price escalation in that part of the world, which rose crazily in 2011, stopped at about this time last year and then softened as a result of the depreciation of the rupee in India. But, whether in Delhi or Nantucket, prices for diamonds are set by professionals who are heavily invested and understand all of the implications of what they're offering.

Mark UPS differ from place to place (a ski shop in Aspen will ask more for item X than Amazon.com will). But mark DOWNS occur because there is a lower baseline value. Put bluntly, if something seems outrageously low-priced in the diamond world there's a logical gemological or optical reason for it.

 

[DiamondBrokersofFlorida]

Actually the 2.57 ct. looks like it might be quite nice. It is also a better make. The fact that it is overseas has a play in the price. It is a new stone as well and may have come in at a better more up to date price than the 2.54 ct. which is older and may have been when the prices were higher. Prices did come down recently. However before I spent that kind of money, I would at least like to see the stone under the microscope and photos of the inclusions. SI1 clarities can be quite tricky in the size range especially.

 

[TitanCi]

Annnnddddd Mr. Pollard gave THE answer right there!