Does This Stone Check Out?

[Adam450]

Hey all,

I saw a stone today and hopefully am ready to make a deposit on it soon. It appeared to have a good spread - looked pretty big for its size of 0.55 ct. Graded as a GIA Excellent, F, SI1, with excellent polish and symmetry. We looked at the stone with a jewelers loupe and couldn't see anything wrong with it. The vendor said that he was surprised that it came back as an SI1 when he said it could easily be a VS2 or maybe even VS1. "Cleanest SI1 I've ever seen." Is that just a line to increase its value to me? I honestly couldn't see anything in the stone with the loupe - the GIA report just mentioned some cloud.

Depth: 58.9%
Table: 61%
Crown angle: 32.5
Pav angle: 41.0
Girdle: thin to medium.

The table is bigger than I would expect, and the crown lower, but is that what gives it a slightly larger spread? This is still OK right? The HCA came back as 1.7.

Is it bad etiquette on here to mention the price and see if others think it's fair? It's from a local shop I heard of via word of mouth, and while as an SI1 it seems a little high, compared to VS2s all seems great. I don't mind a little extra premium for the ability to see the stone in person.

Hope everything works out! *crosses fingers*

 

[Gypsy]

You can tell us what the pricing is. But we'll just tell you to use the Resources tab at the top of the page and search for diamond with the same specs on this page: https://www.pricescope.com/diamond-search-results/ and determine for yourself if the price is reasonable by comparing to see what else you can get with the same specs at other retail establishments.

Also Grade Setting Clouds at SI means the diamond may look... diffused or slightly fuzzy as a result. There won't be a black or white mark, but a the stone may have compromised light return.

What you need is an ASET. And ideal scope would be a good idea as well. And eventually maybe an appraiser (that doesn't work for the vendor) looking at it who is conservative and understands how clouds can compromise light return.

 

[Amys Bling]

Gypsy gave you great and thorough advice. The only thing I can add is to make sure you view the stone in various lighting, not just the store lighting which makes all stones look very sparkly. Bring the stone next to a window, cup your hand over the stone, etc.

 

[Adam450]

Just got a call this morning. We were hoping to get the stone for around 2400 (originally 3000) but the vendor said his wholesaler (he doesn't own the stone yet) would only sell it for as low as 2900. That seemed high to me. I'll check out the research tab. Thanks!

EDIT: 2900/.55 = $5273/ct. Prices on PS look like $3199/ct which would be $1760. That mark up looks higher than average to me, but what do I know

 

[centralsquare]

I don't mind a little extra premium for the ability to see the stone in person.

Most PS vendors have generous return policies so if the premium is substantial you can purchase from and take to an appraiser.

 

[ame]

Honestly I would pass on this. The table alone is just huge for what it is.

Are you locked into whichever vendor this is you're working with?

 

[Gypsy]

Yeah, the pricing is RIDICULOUS.

Here's a comparable stone. Plus it's an AGS 0 and handpicked by Brian Gavin and the listing already says it is eyeclean... for $900 less! http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond/diamond-detail/?product_id=AGS-104045361017 even if you add a mid-range setting (as opposed to a super inexpensive one) you are out the door spending less...

Gorgeous settings by BGD:
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/home/ring-details/?product_id=5369 Four prong
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/home/ring-details/?product_id=5540 Six prong

And even this designer Levi setting will put you right at the price they are offering just the diamond to you at!
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/home/ring-details/?product_id=5686


AND this .63 which in the sizes you are looking at means a nice size boost is still 300 less than the one you were looking at. http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond/diamond-detail/?product_id=AGS-104052896004

If you put the .63 in the least expensive BGD solitaire you are still spending less... and getting a much larger diamond PLUS a setting for what you would pay this vendor for that stone! Here's the inexpensive BGD setting: http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/home/ring-details/?product_id=5342

No way would I buy that stone.

 

[Adam450]

Hey thanks for the links Gypsy and all the advice everyone!

When using the HCA (as a rejection tool I know) I know that under 2.0 means you've eliminated known poor performers. But what is the difference between a 0.5 and a 1.9? Is one more fire and the other more brightness? It says it's a personal preference once it's below 2. So...what's changing?

Thanks!
Adam

 

[Gypsy]

Hey thanks for the links Gypsy and all the advice everyone!

When using the HCA (as a rejection tool I know) I know that under 2.0 means you've eliminated known poor performers. But what is the difference between a 0.5 and a 1.9? Is one more fire and the other more brightness? It says it's a personal preference once it's below 2. So...what's changing?

Thanks!
Adam

It's a pass/fail test. One number isn't better than any other. And you don't have to run it on anything with an AGS0 certificate (so any of the BGD Signature line stones) ... they are by definition under 2.

 

[Gypsy]

But since you asked... here are some links that will explain the differences of the scores under 2...

http://www.diamond-cut.com.au/23_bicfic.htm

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/bic-vs-tic-vs-fic.160884/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/bic-vs-tic-vs-fic.160884/[/URL]