Heading to L.A. Diamond District!

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Today I'm taking the day off and I'll be checking out a few vendors, and looking at their sparkly stones!

I have my list:
1) Cushion Brilliant
2) Color: D-F
3) Carat: 3-3.5
4) Cut: Excellent/Ideal - brilliant cut with faces not crushed ice.
5) Clarity: SI1 or Better
6) Square stone with L:W ratio between 1 to 1.04
7) AGS 000 / GIA XXX
Depth 63% to 69% and greater and table mid 49% to 56%
9) Inclusion on side not under table
10) ASET

Am I forgetting anything?

 

[jlt23]

My experience when going to LA was overwhelming. Seems many of the places I went to only had egl graded stones. Probably so because EGL USA has office in LA, so many send stones to get a certificate there because it much closer. Also they always pull out there rapport sheets and try to show you a price and then will try and make you believe like they are going to give you a deal. I'm sure you can find great prices there but as the always say; buyer be ware.

Check out this video that may be informative to you. Well help you understand rapaport sheets. You may find that you are not getting such a good deal.
http://www.truthaboutdiamonds.com/truth-about/diamond-certificates-gia-ags-igi-hrd-egl/egl/

 

[madelise]

I wouldn't trust the GIA grade for cut on the cushion. You need an ASET.

I also agree with jlt. I went there, also looking for a cushion in your similar stats, about 2 years ago. Everything was EGL, some GIA. But everyone was saying theirs was the "BEST" and "we'll make your custom ring for you, WITH the price", and all these promises.. when it wasn't really the best. Then I found Pricescope. (and detoured 2 years + changed complete styles but that's another story). It is extremely overwhelming because there are tables EVERYWHERE, and they all try to grab you in for a sale.

Those vendors won't know what an ASET even is. They're all going to claim they have direct sources to diamond cutters when they don't. They're all going to claim they themselves will custom make your ring, but they have another vendor do it.

If you can purchase online, please do so from a PS vendor that can give you ASET images. Your budget is too huge to be buying junk.

 

[BigHenry]

My experience when going to LA was overwhelming. Seems many of the places I went to only had egl graded stones. Probably so because EGL USA has office in LA, so many send stones to get a certificate there because it much closer. Also they always pull out there rapport sheets and try to show you a price and then will try and make you believe like they are going to give you a deal. I'm sure you can find great prices there but as the always say; buyer be ware.

Check out this video that may be informative to you. Well help you understand rapaport sheets. You may find that you are not getting such a good deal.
http://www.truthaboutdiamonds.com/truth-about/diamond-certificates-gia-ags-igi-hrd-egl/egl/

I wouldn't trust the GIA grade for cut on the cushion. You need an ASET.

I also agree with jlt. I went there, also looking for a cushion in your similar stats, about 2 years ago. Everything was EGL, some GIA. But everyone was saying theirs was the "BEST" and "we'll make your custom ring for you, WITH the price", and all these promises.. when it wasn't really the best. Then I found Pricescope. (and detoured 2 years + changed complete styles but that's another story). It is extremely overwhelming because there are tables EVERYWHERE, and they all try to grab you in for a sale.

Those vendors won't know what an ASET even is. They're all going to claim they have direct sources to diamond cutters when they don't. They're all going to claim they themselves will custom make your ring, but they have another vendor do it.

If you can purchase online, please do so from a PS vendor that can give you ASET images. Your budget is too huge to be buying junk.

This sounds like most of the local places I went to in Vegas also

 

[madelise]

This sounds like most of the local places I went to in Vegas also

Poor you. I'm glad you found PS, just like I'm glad OP found PS.. and glad that *I* found PS! Purchasing an e-ring is a highly pressurized purchase enough, tied with many many emotions. Getting taken advantage of during such a sensitive purchase really sucks.