Help! I am a first time visitor and need advise. I found a diamond we really like and want to purc

[kbrad4duh]

 

[oldminer]

You have the unviersal set of problems. Many people who are on this site have had the same issues. There are others here who assist folks who need and want help with the job of properly buying a diamond or a nice piece of complete jewelry.

Tell us the details (not just in the title line next time, and someone will give you some better help. Do a pricescope search to discover what your budget will buy you in a competitive market. Then ask us what we think on any actual stones you may see. It is not so difficult, but it is somewhat complex.

 

[kbrad4duh]

Thanks for your reply! I have been reading alot about the stone and cut and feel I have chosen a good stone with our budget in mind. It is a 2.03 carat princess VS2 H (7.43x6.87x4.95) 72%- depth 82%-table exc-polish good-sym and no flor.

My problem is.... I do not know the guy I am buying from. He claims to be a dealer but, I can only hope the diamond is what he says it is. Is there any way I can check his background or is the some sort of credentials he should have? Insurance or guarantees??

 

[Nicrez]

When dealing with a stone broker, I always test his ability to get me a competitvely priced stone, and sometimes, when shopping around a bit, you start to find the SAME stones he shows you...

You can easily identify stones by their GIA lab report number. Borkers are great if you need assistance in shopping, but you can never trust anyone not related to you. If they stand to make money off this transaction, they will most likely have their paycheck in mind, not your wallet....

SO, the best protection is to do your OWN homework as David says. Check PriceScope for your stats on a stone and then determine the competitive prices, and the prices your borker gets for you. Considering it's a service, you have to determin how much more you are willing to pay for their service. Trust is earned in my opinion, so talk to them, explain your search, your budget, your needs, and also find out about them. Where they learned about gems, how they are connected, how long they have been doing it, etc...

With the advent of Internet, it's by far easier to price out stones from the comfort of your own home in MINUTES, than to traise around the world looking for prices on diamonds all over jewelery stores...

Good luck!

 

[kbrad4duh]

btw.... I forgot to metion he is asking $9000 for his stone.

 

[Nicrez]

Yes, but what are the specs of the stone? Have you compared it to others with the same specs here on Price Scope.

Honestly, I can't say I have ever found more competitive prices than here on Price Scope. I scoured the NY Diamond District for months, and the prices here are startling CUT RATE...

 

[pqcollectibles]

You might wanna check out the Princess Cut Charts at

www.gemappraisers.com

Also, if you get enough info you can use the DIY (Do It Yourself) Cut Grading system at Gem Appraisers as well. You can also compare pricing on the PS homepage by searching for diamonds with similar table, depth, carat weight, color, clarity, etc.

Fancy cuts, like Princess diamonds, cannot be judged on specs alone. They must be seen and evaluated in person. Just on the specs you've posted here, the table on the diamond you are considering is on the large side. Typically, better performing princess diamonds have a table and depth in the 70%-72%, or lower, range. Not too shallow so as not to get a washed out look. So, the depth looks OK, on the diamond you are considering. Also, the length to width ratio should be in the 1:1 to 1:1.05 range, and your diamond is 1:1.08. A tad off square. Not a really big deal, but it affects the grading, and therefore the pricing structure.

Just for comparison,...... Here's a really well cut, 2.10 carat, H, VS2 available at Good Old Gold:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/princess_2_10ct_h_vs2.htm

Here's a 2.15 carat, F, SI2 available at White Flash:

http://www.whiteflash.com/princess/Princess-cut-diamond-645727.htm

And, Dirt Cheap Diamonds has:

http://www.dirtcheapdiamonds.com/diamond_detail.cfm?did=6999863

and

http://www.dirtcheapdiamonds.com/diamond_detail.cfm?did=6999864


A quick check of PS inventory and I found this diamond:

http://search.virtcert.com/cgi/u/1012/v.cgi?stock=2081214&_s=1012&_p=sdf348gd743&_c=&_fs=1&prestock=&_ln=ps

Very similar to the diamond you are considering, yet the price of the USA Certed diamond is around $3K more. Something surely does not seem quite right with that. Has the diamond you're considering been set in another ring before, possibly???

You might check for an Independent Appraiser in your area and arrange with the gentleman to meet you at the Appraiser's office. The Appraisal would be at your expense. If the gentleman is on the up and up, he shouldn't mind at all. Have the Appraiser evaluate the diamond for quality and performance, and give you an opinion on the value.


Good luck with you purchase decision.

 

[kbrad4duh]

Thanks for the great input! The stone supposedly has been out to a dealer for some time. Does anyone have a good appraiser in the Dallas area?