HELP! Newbie with nice budget looking for a stone!

[IceQueen2014]

Hello everyone.

I have been lurking on this site for years and am FINALLY in the market for an ER. I have learned so much but I still have so many questions (sorry) and hope you guys can help me find the perfect stone/ring!

What I'm looking for...

Diamond (not totally sure what shape yet...I am open to several cuts):
-Round (probably set with tapered baguettes, or a solitaire with a cathedral setting).
-Oval (LOVE Blake Lively's entire ring and also love Leanne Rimes original ER from Eddie C)
-Yellow Radiant with step cut diamond traps
-Emerald with step cut traps
Cushions (chunky/antique) used to be my all-time favorite (set with tapered baguettes like Jennifer Gardner or Giselle Bunchen) but they have become so popular that I think I'd prefer something a little more unique. I know rounds are the most common shape but I love the spread and look of rounds so I'm willing to overlook it's popularity. NO halo (they are so lovely but IMO they are too trendy and common today).

Setting: want something classic (don't want something that will go "out of style" soon) and delicate! Totally open to re-setting in the future but I'd love to have a ring that I'd wear for a very long time. Want to be able to wear other rings (have many stackables) with it.

Budget: max of 100,000...with this budget I am thinking I can get a stone between 4-5 carats (color: G (would prefer a G) or H, clarity: VS2 but willing to go with a SI1 as long as it is eye clean, excellent cut (I know a XXX GIA cut is not the only thing to look at).

I am looking to get a good price on the diamond and am totally open to a "previously loved stone!"

First Question...Vendor! Any recommendations?? I do not want to overpay for a stone (I'm not asking for them to give it to me by any means but I want to get a fair price)!! I haven't contacted anyone yet...but I've been looking at PS vendors (seems like there aren't many larger stones listed on their sites), estate sites (firstdibs, dover, lang, etc), and even ebay. I am open to it all, but would love to hear your recommendations for someone who will be patient, offer good customer service, and sell me a stone with a fair price.

Second Question: Who would you choose to create a custom setting?? I've always been a fan of Leon's work but it seems like VC has become the top choice of many of you on here. I'd love to hear your opinions on this!

Any additional musts as I start this "adventure"?? Ideally I would find something in 6-9 months but I know that this process can take a long time, and I don't want to miss out on "the one" so I'm going to start looking now!

Thank you all so much for any guidance you can give me!! I've learned so much from you already!

 

[RockyRacoon]

Here are a few stones at or around your budget, that are worth looking at more closely. I have stuck with round stones for these suggestions, and will leave the other cuts to folks with more expertise in that arena:

4.09ct, H, VS2
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/4.090-h-vs2-round-diamond-ags-bl-104065989001

4.1ct, H, VS2
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10169/

3.083ct, G, VS1
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3059430.htm

Out of those options, I would say the BGD stone looks to be the best option.

That being said, I would encourage you to reach out to Wink at High Performance Diamonds. He does not have any stones of this size/color listed on the site, but would be able to have one custom cut for you, based on the general parameters you are looking for. He may also have access to other stones, so I would suggest giving him a call or email to touch base on options available.

 

[IceQueen2014]

Thank you so much for your response!!

I will definitely contact Wink...I've read great things about him!

Out of these three stones, I'd say the BGis definitely my favorite but it does seem overpriced. Maybe I have completely wrong expectations (I know that the RAP prices can be deceiving and are merely a guide) but I was hoping if I was in the 4 range (G/H, VS2/SI1, XXX), that I could find a stone around 20K/carat. The WF stone is over 30K/carat...which is definitely more than I want to spend per carat.

Do you have any advice or additional information on pricing?? I recently found a 4.5 carat oval that was listed on a vendor website for 107,000. When I googled the GIA number, I found it listed with MANY other jewelers who all had different prices (most were between 98 and 103K) but and I found one seller that was asking 90,000!!! 17K dollars less for the exact same stone.

I really want to make sure I do not OVERPAY for a stone. How do I know if I'm getting a fair price??

 

[Diamond_Hawk]

When I googled the GIA number, I found it listed with MANY other jewelers who all had different prices (most were between 98 and 103K) but and I found one seller that was asking 90,000!!! 17K dollars less for the exact same stone.

I really want to make sure I do not OVERPAY for a stone. How do I know if I'm getting a fair price??

IceQueen2014,

There are a number of large suppliers who list the same stone with multiple vendors. The Vendors will price the diamond based upon an in-house policy which accounts for a number of things that might include customer service considerations, return policies, packaging, etc... Additionally some vendors carry a 'virtual' inventory where the stone is dropped-shipped from the supplier. In those cases the vendor never actually sees or handles the specific stone, but acts as a portal by which the consumer and supplier are connected. Other vendors will have the diamond delivered to their own gemologists to personally inspect the stone before delivery to ensure the consumer is getting all they anticipate. This policy typically minimize chances that the supplier and consumer could face the unpleasantness and emotional turmoil of a return.

It is also worth noting that many vendors have a price-match option for the same stone, so if you find a vendor you like who lists a diamond at a different price it is not unreasonable at all to ask about price-matching so you get the best of both worlds.

 

[Texas Leaguer]

When I googled the GIA number, I found it listed with MANY other jewelers who all had different prices (most were between 98 and 103K) but and I found one seller that was asking 90,000!!! 17K dollars less for the exact same stone.

I really want to make sure I do not OVERPAY for a stone. How do I know if I'm getting a fair price??

IceQueen2014,

There are a number of large suppliers who list the same stone with multiple vendors. The Vendors will price the diamond based upon an in-house policy which accounts for a number of things that might include customer service considerations, return policies, packaging, etc... Additionally some vendors carry a 'virtual' inventory where the stone is dropped-shipped from the supplier. In those cases the vendor never actually sees or handles the specific stone, but acts as a portal by which the consumer and supplier are connected. Other vendors will have the diamond delivered to their own gemologists to personally inspect the stone before delivery to ensure the consumer is getting all they anticipate. This policy typically minimize chances that the supplier and consumer could face the unpleasantness and emotional turmoil of a return.

It is also worth noting that many vendors have a price-match option for the same stone, so if you find a vendor you like who lists a diamond at a different price it is not unreasonable at all to ask about price-matching so you get the best of both worlds.

Icequeen,
I will echo what DiamondHawk has said about the "virtual" inventories which you see listed with multiple sellers. In addition to understanding the reputation and value added services and policies of the various merchants so that you can select one to work with, you also need to ascertain whether the seller has true access to the diamond. In some cases sellers will clone listings at or even below cost in order to attract interest and enter into a discussion with a potential client. They may not even have a working relationship with the supplier of the diamond. This can be somewhat frustrating. The good thing is you are planning ahead and have ample time for your due dilligence!

 

[RockyRacoon]

Thank you so much for your response!!

I will definitely contact Wink...I've read great things about him!

Out of these three stones, I'd say the BGis definitely my favorite but it does seem overpriced. Maybe I have completely wrong expectations (I know that the RAP prices can be deceiving and are merely a guide) but I was hoping if I was in the 4 range (G/H, VS2/SI1, XXX), that I could find a stone around 20K/carat. The WF stone is over 30K/carat...which is definitely more than I want to spend per carat.

Do you have any advice or additional information on pricing?? I recently found a 4.5 carat oval that was listed on a vendor website for 107,000. When I googled the GIA number, I found it listed with MANY other jewelers who all had different prices (most were between 98 and 103K) but and I found one seller that was asking 90,000!!! 17K dollars less for the exact same stone.

I really want to make sure I do not OVERPAY for a stone. How do I know if I'm getting a fair price??

I know that pricing can be confusing with diamonds, and everyone wants to walk away with a fair price and a product they're happy with. I hate overpaying, too!

This is why I would suggest partnering with one of the vendors here. They will be able to provide you unique options that aren't available to everyone else (unlike the stones you found listed at multiple sites) and will provide a fair price, with transparency.

If you decide the oval, emerald, or cushion route, I would suggest reaching out to Good Old Gold. They are well-equipped to help you with this type of search and can call in these stones and perform the subsequent light performance analysis.

If you decide to go the round route, I would suggest reaching out to High Performance Diamonds and Whiteflash. If neither vendor can get you what you're after, Wink also has the capability to work to have a stone custom cut for you, so you'll know the stone is something unique, one-of-a-kind and special.

If you decide to go the Yellow Radiant route, I would suggest Leibish and Diamonds by Lauren. They both have a great eye for fancy-colored diamonds.

Exciting project - best of luck!

 

[IceQueen2014]

Thank you Rocky!!! Great info!!