Feedback on this Diamond, Part II

[apianoman]

Thoughts on the following diamond, folks?

Square Modified Brilliant (Princess)
5.84 x 5.64 x 4.01
Weight: 1.10 carat
Depth: 71.1%
Table: 81%
Girdle: Med to Thick
Cutlet: None
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Very Good
Clarity: VS1
Color: G
Fluor: None

$6000 from B & M jeweler

I''m pleased with the depth, but have serious misgivings about the extremely large table. When I viewed the stone, it did not perform well as far as fire, although the stone did display nice brilliance (all to be expected with a large table). I''m leaning towards not taking this stone.

As an additional discussion topic: How do you let a jeweler know that you will not accept poorly cut stones. They seem not to pay attention when I ask for only "well cut" stones. They always deliver as far as the more obvious features (color, clarity), but I''m continually disappointed regarding cut. (Note my previous post). I keep putting deposits on diamonds and when I get back home and away from the pressure of the situation, I find I''m very disappointed with the stone as far as both measurements and the performance I remember at the store. Do you think it''s wrong of me to keep putting deposits down and then changing my mind a day or so later. I try not to let the matter remain unsettled for more than a day or so. Am I right in thinking that''s a fair amount of time for both parties?

Thanks again for your time and feedback everyone!

 

[researcher]

I would DEFINITELY pass on this stone if I were you. As for asking for "well-cut" stones, try giving the jewelers specific parameters (such as the first 3 grades developed by Dave Atlas). If you say that you only want to consider stones with tables less than or equal to the depth (with both numbers falling in the mid 60's to mid 70's), and stones that are completely eye-clean and face up white etc., there will be no misunderstandings about your definition of well-cut. As for putting down deposits, I wouldn't do it unless you're in love with the stone. If the salespeople you're working with are so pushy that you feel you must put down a deposit, I would consider finding another jeweler. There are so many patient people out there who are more than willing to help you find the stone of your dreams!!!

Good luck with your search!

 

[moremoremore]

A pianoman: #1- You're leaning towards not taking the stone...keep leaning...your way out the door to another vendor.

OK- HELLO!!!! You sound just like me- I had the SAME problem....I purchased my original princess from a jeweler...who said, oh yes, this is ideal...OK- since when is a 77 depth, 74 table ideal?....WELL, when it came time to trade in, I made it clear I wanted "ideal" stones...OK- all he had was carp. He showed me stones with 81 tables. I even saw some rounds with 64 tables. GIVE ME A BREAK. I got fed up and had to sell my old stone outright. NOW, I deal only with Good Old Gold. And I always will. I will NOT give a vendor my business when he takes me for a fool. I came to terms that my old jeweler only dealt in poorly cut stones (well, there was one exception, but that's a long story)....Get another vendor. Once you get a good vendor, you will see that finding a good stone is easy.

 

[apianoman]

Have any recs for vendors in the northern NJ area? Good Old Gold, out on Long Island, is pretty inconvenient for me.

 

[moremoremore]

Don't know any in Jersey...but I think a drive is worth it. I can't believe how understanding they all are with me at GOG...and I'm a total psycho.

 

[researcher]

You are not, MMM! Although, with enough postings saying you are you may sway me to change my mind...

LOL

Listen to MMM, pianoman. GOG is a GREAT vendor, Jonathan an extremely wonderful person who gives honest advice. I purchased my stone online from White Flash and they were also spectacular to work with (yea Denise!); you really can't go wrong with PS vendors! Although it may seem odd to purchase a stone online (I was warned about it from everyone), with all the reports, pics, and analyses the top online vendors provide (those who don't just drop ship stones to you) you're actually going to know as much or more about your stone than if you walked into the local B&M. And with the stones you're being shown from your local store at present, you seriously can't do worse! The best thing about the PS vendors is they will ship stones to your local appraiser so you can see them in person and have them appriased independently BEFORE purchasing. That honestly takes a lot of the stress/anxiety out of online buying for most.

So consider online shopping, 'kay? At least look use the price stats link on PS and get a better feel for the stones that you can get online. You will most likely be surprised at how much better the quality is!

 

[apianoman]

Researcher, MMM, etc., thank you for reply. I do agree with you regarding the pros of using one of the PS vendors. My two major concerns with this approach are:

1) Settings: Can't judge quality of workmanship online, more importantly, pictures of settings never look the same as setting do in real-life.

2) Service: If I purchase a diamond from a PS vendor and they mount it, and the ring need service at a later date, there's no store to visit for assistance. I understand that GOG has a B & M store as well, but as I noted earlier, I'm not realistically going to travel to Long Island for repairs, etc.

Any responses to these two concerns?

 

[moremoremore]

They are valid points...yes, but in the 4 1/2 years that I've had my e-ring and band, I've never needed any "servicing"....Also, who says you have to buy the setting from them...the setting is secondary...you can find a setting anywhere and have them mount it...it's no big deal...No matter which vendor you pick- on ps or locally, first find the stone...then worry about the setting!

 

[solange]

I also purchased my ring from WhiteFlash and am extremely pleased.
They did not have exactly what I wanted in their inventory or on the multiple listing. But Lesley found me a stone that was perfect for me. You can see it on Show me the Ring: 4.10. Excellent experience.
Whiteflash does not drop ship. They had the stone sent to them. Then Brian, their ACA cutter, discussed the stone with me at length. At my request, the stone was sent to an independent appraiser who verified the Sarin, GIA report and everything Whitefash had told me about the stone.
I had the stone shipped back to Whiteflash to be set in their new Tiffany style platinum setting, custom made for my stone. I did not have to pay until the stone was ready to be over-night Fedexed to me.
I gave the matter a lot of thought before I spent this much money online but I feel I could not have done better.
Best of luck whatever you decide to do.

 

[researcher]

In regards to the setting, you can always buy a setting somewhere else and have the online vendor set your stone, or, you can get it set locally and buy your stone online. The other thing to keep in mind is that the online vendors carry many of the same designer settings as B&M shops (so you can see the settings there), and even send the diamonds to some jewelry manufacturers (e.g., Vatche) to have the stone set. Also, keep in mind that the online vendors want you to be 100% satisfied (the web is an easy place for customers to voice their complaints about the slightest things), so they will work with you until you're absolutely in love with the stone and the setting.

As for routine service, you can take the ring anywhere locally, or pay ~$30 and have your ring shipped (insured) to the vendor. I personally plan on having my ring cleaned at a local jeweler my family has been using for years (most good jewelers will clean your jewelry for free and even tighten things up if you've ever purchased something from them), but I like knowing that WF will be there to take care of me if anything major happens to my stone or setting.

In all honesty, you really shouldn't have many repairs etc. to worry about, and except for a good cleaning and having your prongs checked 1-2 times a year their isn't much you have to do as long as the ring is taken care of.

Does this help?

 

[apianoman]

You are all making logical, convincing points. And yes, it does help.

Do WF and/or GOG sell treated stones? Do they offer assurances against this and/or full-disclosure?

What are their money back policies? (If you happen to know off-hand. Otherwise, I will find out myself.)

 

[moremoremore]

Do I know off-hand...lol

GOG wants to shoot themselves b/c of me!

But here is the link to make it easier:
http://www.goodoldgold.com/refund_exchange_policies.htm


GOG (and I believe Whiteflash) sell NO treated stones....GOG is a very nice store on Long Island (I live about 30 minutes away) and they are busy busy busy. I've been there quite a few times

We're not saying you HAVE to buy from a PS vendor to get a great stone, but it sure as heck makes life easier!

 

[moremoremore]

And you'll get so much analysis on those stones, it'll be coming out of your ....ears....

Also, I believe both vendors can get you stones you see online...that aren't in their inventory...Jonathan up-charges a small amount (he also offers drop-ship prices) on those on-line prices so you get his policies which includes a lifetime upgrade when you only spend $500 more. That's awesome. Researcher and solange can tell you about WF's policies...

 

[researcher]

I'm almost positive that neither vendor would EVER sell a treated stone (in fact, when working with Denise from WF, she would tell me point blank if she didn't trust a particular supplier to be honest about a stone), and I know they both offer assurances against this--afterall, they both offer trade-in policies and lifetime guarantees and therefore would be stupid to sell you a treated stone. As for money-back guarantees, one of the nice things about WF (and probably GOG although I'm not certain) is they don't charge you until the 10-day trial period is over or you've stated that you do want to accept the stone. I went back and forth on a stone for a few days, and they were more than happy to refund our money if we didn't want it. Also, WF was willing to go above and beyond when I asked them if they could repolish a facet for me (it had an extremely tiny nick--not chip, but nick--and they said they would do it at no charge, and even stated that, if the stone went below the weight on the certificate or if they chipped it in the process, they would buy my stone back from me). I don't know about you, but I don't think many vendors would offer that sort of service and guarantee. They really were wonderful to work with!