Down to 2 Stones Now...

[GDTRFB]

Sorry for all the hoopla lately from me, but I sure appreciate everyone''s feedback, advice, and knowledge.

Here are two different stones from 2 different retailers with a pretty big price difference. What do you think between the two?

.71 F VS2 $2775
5.72-5.76*3.5
Depth – 61.0
Table - 58.0
Crown – 34.0
Pavil - 40.8

No images available - checking to see if my retailer will be able to verify them when the stone arrives (although payment is required to get the stone)


.725 F VS2 $3100
5.82-5.83*3.56
Depth - 61.1
Table - 54.8
Crown - 34.7
Pavil - 40.7

Images in next two replies for this stone...

 

[GDTRFB]

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[GDTRFB]

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[GDTRFB]

The images look awesome to me, but the difference is more than 10% (~$325). The other stone needs to be purchased to be brought in just to get the images...

Is it worth the risk and time to do that, I don''t know. How do you think the second stone is for the price?

I need to weigh my options here - not only whether or not the second stone is a better purchase and a good price, but I am giving up the benefit of a local retailer (the first stone).

 

[stone-cold11]

Thw WF stone looks good to me. Will wait to see what terms your local vendor comes back with.

 

[Lorelei]

Looks like a very nice example of an Expert Selection diamond, thumbs up!

 

[jet2ks]

Agree that the WF stone looks good.

What benefits of the local jeweler would you be giving up if you purchased from WF?

 

[GDTRFB]

Lifetime cleanings and re-sizing in my backyard. All else is equal. So, not sure how many times people need re-sizing or cleanings, so it might be all that much of a benefit after all.

 

[stone-cold11]

Cleaning is free in most brick store anyway.

 

[GDTRFB]

Alright, making the jump today! I will for sure be posting a ''Purchase Report'' with my journey and pics of the final ring and all the crap along the way.

Thanks again all!

 

[GDTRFB]

Alright, well...local retailer just said they found the perfect stone for me - just came back from the AGS lab, cut in Belgium, .74 F/SI1...images will be in on Monday or Tuesday.

Shall I wait?

 

[stone-cold11]

Is WF is willing to let you hold the stone till then?

 

[GDTRFB]

Whiteflash will hold it for me.

Just talked to Whiteflash regarding their stone versus the Infinity. They said considering that the stone is similar to theirs in size and color, generally the drop in clarity level for each carat is about $1K. So in this case (.75 or so), about $700. They were saying that with cut being similar, color similar and 1 drop in clarity level, the Infinity shouldn''t be priced that high.

Should there be a significant price difference between these two (Infinity being lower with the drop in clarity)?

.74 F SI1 $3185
.73 F VS2 $3087

I know the B&M has more overhead, and I know WF is trying to make a sale as well, but is their statement true with all things considered?

 

[stone-cold11]

So you sure it is going to be an Infinity stone?
If it is, Infinity will have your first year stone insurance covered. http://www.craftedbyinfinity.com/index.php?pid=72&lang=eng&sid=71

 

[Paul-Antwerp]

Date: 9/18/2009 5:24:51 PM
Author: GDTRFB
Whiteflash will hold it for me.

Just talked to Whiteflash regarding their stone versus the Infinity. They said considering that the stone is similar to theirs in size and color, generally the drop in clarity level for each carat is about $1K. So in this case (.75 or so), about $700. They were saying that with cut being similar, color similar and 1 drop in clarity level, the Infinity shouldn't be priced that high.

Should there be a significant price difference between these two (Infinity being lower with the drop in clarity)?

.74 F SI1 $3185
.73 F VS2 $3087

I know the B&M has more overhead, and I know WF is trying to make a sale as well, but is their statement true with all things considered?

Excuse me?

Live long,

 

[Lula]

Date: 9/18/2009 5:35:55 PM
Author: Stone-cold11
So you sure it is going to be an Infinity stone?

If it is, Infinity will have your first year stone insurance covered. http://www.craftedbyinfinity.com/index.php?pid=72&lang=eng&sid=71

The year''s worth of insurance coverage is well worth the small difference in price between these two stones. Plus, it''s easier to pick out a setting at your local B&M, and they''ll set the Infinity for you.

If the Infinity is eyeclean to your eyes, and you like the idea of working with your local B&M, I think the price diff. is a wash.

Sales are down across the country; jewelers seem to be a bit more "pushy" for business!

 

[30yearsofdiamonds]

All due respect but I will always take a 58% table over a 54%,(actually a 55%) with everything else equal, yet a better price.

Ammonia, soap and water with a toothbrush will sufice to clean it and it will not cost you much!

 

[stone-cold11]

Date: 9/19/2009 9:15:47 PM
Author: 30yearsofdiamonds
All due respect but I will always take a 58% table over a 54%,(actually a 55%) with everything else equal, yet a better price.

Ammonia, soap and water with a toothbrush will sufice to clean it and it will not cost you much!

And with all due respect, not everyone prefer a 58% table over a 54%. Also, read what the OP is looking at before you make the comment.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 9/18/2009 10:15:45 AM
Author: GDTRFB
Lifetime cleanings and re-sizing in my backyard. All else is equal. So, not sure how many times people need re-sizing or cleanings, so it might be all that much of a benefit after all.

Also just to mention in case this might ever be an option for you, Whiteflash and Infinity ( if this Antwerp diamond is an Infinity) also offer upgrade policies which can be nice to have in case you decide to get a larger diamond eventually, does your brick and mortar store vendor offer any type of upgrade plan? Infinity and Whiteflash's upgrade policies are generous so even if your store does offer one, check the terms - for example some stipulate you have to spend 50% or more to upgrade.

 

[tallchickbarbara]

Date: 9/19/2009 9:15:47 PM
Author: 30yearsofdiamonds
All due respect but I will always take a 58% table over a 54%,(actually a 55%) with everything else equal, yet a better price.

Ammonia, soap and water with a toothbrush will sufice to clean it and it will not cost you much!

30yrs,

While there''s no rule here on expressing your opinion, Stone is right, not every 58 table is going to work better than every 54 or 55 table. Everything has to work together. A lot of people prefer higher crown heights and like the look of a smaller table.

And after 30 years in this biz, you would probably agree that while Ammonia, soap and water work out great for home cleaning, there really is no substitute for a good ultrasonic/steam clean that will almost always occur free of charge.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 9/20/2009 8:15:23 AM
Author: BarbaraP

Date: 9/19/2009 9:15:47 PM
Author: 30yearsofdiamonds
All due respect but I will always take a 58% table over a 54%,(actually a 55%) with everything else equal, yet a better price.

Ammonia, soap and water with a toothbrush will sufice to clean it and it will not cost you much!

30yrs,

While there's no rule here on expressing your opinion, Stone is right, not every 58 table is going to work better than every 54 or 55 table. Everything has to work together. A lot of people prefer higher crown heights and like the look of a smaller table.

And after 30 years in this biz, you would probably agree that while Ammonia, soap and water work out great for home cleaning, there really is no substitute for a good ultrasonic/steam clean that will almost always occur free of charge.

Welcome to Pricescope 30 years, its good to have you on board

I just wanted also to say I agree with stonecold and Barbara concerning the above, if you meant that as a personal preference then its best to make that clear

. As you are probably well aware due to your long experience, there are various proportion configurations to include different table sizes which can work very well together and result in a beautiful diamond, the key here is to try to consider everything together to help the individual poster find the best option for their needs.

Also as you are a new poster and I hope you stick around as professional input is always very useful here, you might find this article very helpful to explain how Pricescope works.

http://journal.pricescope.com/Articles/55/1/A-jeweler’s-guide-for-how-to-get-along-with-Pricescope.aspx

Once again welcome to Pricescope and I hope you enjoy it here!

 

[GDTRFB]

Also just to mention in case this might ever be an option for you, Whiteflash and Infinity ( if this Antwerp diamond is an Infinity) also offer upgrade policies which can be nice to have in case you decide to get a larger diamond eventually, does your brick and mortar store vendor offer any type of upgrade plan? Infinity and Whiteflash''s upgrade policies are generous so even if your store does offer one, check the terms - for example some stipulate you have to spend 50% or more to upgrade. .

Yes, they offer lifetime trade-up as well. AGS report coming first thing in the morning! Will be back soon!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 9/20/2009 11:35:33 AM
Author: GDTRFB

Also just to mention in case this might ever be an option for you, Whiteflash and Infinity ( if this Antwerp diamond is an Infinity) also offer upgrade policies which can be nice to have in case you decide to get a larger diamond eventually, does your brick and mortar store vendor offer any type of upgrade plan? Infinity and Whiteflash''s upgrade policies are generous so even if your store does offer one, check the terms - for example some stipulate you have to spend 50% or more to upgrade. .

Yes, they offer lifetime trade-up as well. AGS report coming first thing in the morning! Will be back soon!

Ok, if it is an Infinity you will be ok for trade up, if not check the terms of any upgrade policy carefully to be sure.

 

[30yearsofdiamonds]

Thanks for the info, Lorelei and everyone else. My expertise has heavily involved diamond grading.

 

[elle_chris]

As the WF image looks excellent, I don''t see the logic in paying more for a lower clarity stone. As for the insurance, if you buy it yourself, I''ll bet it will still be cheaper.

 

[strmrdr]

It is not an apples to apples comparison the Infinity is in a higher cut class.
An ACA would be a more fair comparison.
Insurance in Chicago is rather expensive, somewhere around 1.5% of the value a year so that should be considered also.

 

[Lula]

Date: 9/20/2009 12:36:17 PM
Author: strmrdr
It is not an apples to apples comparison the Infinity is in a higher cut class.

An ACA would be a more fair comparison.

Insurance in Chicago is rather expensive, somewhere around 1.5% of the value a year so that should be considered also.

Ditto. And the OP seemed interested in working with a local vendor, so there''s that advantage, too.

 

[elle_chris]

I don''t know about Chubb, but if i look at my Jewelers Mutual fee schedule for Chicago, the premium for that stone is much less.

If the local stone is an Infinity, then yes, it''s as true H&A with ideal light performance. As for the WF stone, is it an AGS or GIA? I''d also ask why it missed being an ACA. If it''s something that doesn''t affect the light performance, I still think it''s the better deal.

Unless of course you''re looking for a top H&A.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 9/20/2009 12:02:30 PM
Author: 30yearsofdiamonds
Thanks for the info, Lorelei and everyone else. My expertise has heavily involved diamond grading.

Most welcome! We look forward to interacting with you and hearing another professional''s ideas and point of view

 

[glitterata]

Why is this Infinity so much more expensive? Because of the VS1 clarity as opposed to VS2 or SI1?

I like it for the strong blue fluorescence.