johnsmccoy
Rough_Rock
- Joined
- Apr 11, 2012
- Messages
- 11
Hello, all.
I am new to the forum (and to the expensive and often-confusing world of diamonds, more generally) and am hoping to get some much-needed assistance in my current search for a center stone for an engagement ring. I've done lots of research and have made two trips down to the diamond district here in LA to look at stones in person, so I'm pretty confident that I know what I'm looking for at this point, I just need to find it.
Here are the criteria I'm looking for:
Round
~ 4 ct.
~ 10 mm
G/H/I color
VS1/VS2 clarity
I'm looking to spend about $40,000 but could go up to $45,000 if need be. I realize that, at this price point, I'm probably looking at an I/VS2, but would obviously be happy to do better on either dimension. I'm also willing to go down to SI1, if it's eye-clean.
I'm ready to pull the trigger and am looking to purchase something ASAP - hopefully in the next week or two. I've looked on ebay (which I quickly discovered was just a bunch of different vendors selling the same virtual inventory for often significantly divergent prices), but am a bit stumped on where else I should be looking.
I will likely need to do this by internet/mail, as it's going to be nearly impossible for me to get back to the diamond district (or anywhere else) during business hours within the next month or so.
In terms of ebay sellers or other vendors who pull diamonds from the common database, are there any that stand out as having consistently better pricing / reputation / policies or being easier / more reliable to work with when purchasing from a distance?
What are some good online vendors who carry an "in house" inventory that's likely to have what I'm looking for? And what are the advantages of buying from this type of vendor (other than the fact that they currently have the diamonds in their possession and can more quickly provide you with additional information about any stones you might be interested in - e.g., IS, ASET, etc)?
Are there any vendors of either type that I should steer clear of?
Also, I'm going to be purchasing two 0.75 - 1.0 ct. side stones for the ring, as well. Is there a benefit to buying all three stones from the same vendor? Am I likely to get a better price by bundling them? Are there any vendors who would be particularly good to work with in putting together this type of three-stone package (i.e., can be trusted to match colors and willing to negotiate a good price)?
Many thanks in advance for your help. I've been impressed with the wealth of knowledge among posters during my short time lurking around here and would be thrilled to receive any advice you might be able to provide.
I am new to the forum (and to the expensive and often-confusing world of diamonds, more generally) and am hoping to get some much-needed assistance in my current search for a center stone for an engagement ring. I've done lots of research and have made two trips down to the diamond district here in LA to look at stones in person, so I'm pretty confident that I know what I'm looking for at this point, I just need to find it.
Here are the criteria I'm looking for:
Round
~ 4 ct.
~ 10 mm
G/H/I color
VS1/VS2 clarity
I'm looking to spend about $40,000 but could go up to $45,000 if need be. I realize that, at this price point, I'm probably looking at an I/VS2, but would obviously be happy to do better on either dimension. I'm also willing to go down to SI1, if it's eye-clean.
I'm ready to pull the trigger and am looking to purchase something ASAP - hopefully in the next week or two. I've looked on ebay (which I quickly discovered was just a bunch of different vendors selling the same virtual inventory for often significantly divergent prices), but am a bit stumped on where else I should be looking.
I will likely need to do this by internet/mail, as it's going to be nearly impossible for me to get back to the diamond district (or anywhere else) during business hours within the next month or so.
In terms of ebay sellers or other vendors who pull diamonds from the common database, are there any that stand out as having consistently better pricing / reputation / policies or being easier / more reliable to work with when purchasing from a distance?
What are some good online vendors who carry an "in house" inventory that's likely to have what I'm looking for? And what are the advantages of buying from this type of vendor (other than the fact that they currently have the diamonds in their possession and can more quickly provide you with additional information about any stones you might be interested in - e.g., IS, ASET, etc)?
Are there any vendors of either type that I should steer clear of?
Also, I'm going to be purchasing two 0.75 - 1.0 ct. side stones for the ring, as well. Is there a benefit to buying all three stones from the same vendor? Am I likely to get a better price by bundling them? Are there any vendors who would be particularly good to work with in putting together this type of three-stone package (i.e., can be trusted to match colors and willing to negotiate a good price)?
Many thanks in advance for your help. I've been impressed with the wealth of knowledge among posters during my short time lurking around here and would be thrilled to receive any advice you might be able to provide.