Help Please -- About to make e-ring/diamond purchase decision

[volatilis]

Hello PSers,

This site has been a tremendous resource as I''ve been looking at settings & diamonds over the past few weeks. I''m about to make my purchase, and I would really appreciate hearing your opinions on it. Here''s the scoop:

1) Setting

I went to a local B&M store (one of the few in the area that carry the ArtCarved line). They have the setting I would like on hand, but in size 7 (I need 6). It is a Palladium setting, but the manager says they can resize it down to a size 6 on-site. Is this a good idea? Or should I insist on having him order a size 6 from the designer? He says their resident jeweler is excellent (30 years experience), and has no problem properly resizing a Palladium ring. Also, the ring currently holds a 0.5ct CZ, but the jeweler says the prongs will accommodate a 0.75ct stone. Does anyone see any issues with this?

2) Diamond

After some negotiating (made easier due to the fact that I had copies of AGS certs from PS vendors with me), he came down in price significantly, and now I''m looking at $3000 for a stone with the following specs: 0.75ct GIA EX (cut) /VG (polish) /VG (symmetry), H, SI1. Is this a reasonable deal for a B&M store? Prices on WF are a bit better, but I don''t mind spending a little more at a B&M store, as long as it''s reasonable.

Also, there is the question of "eye clean". This specific diamond has one significant inclusion, just off-center. It''s a cloud, and fairly sizable. After looking at it under the scope, I had no trouble spotting it with my naked eye under the grading light (if I rotated it just right with respect to the light). However, I couldn''t see it out in sunlight or under incandescent light. So does this qualify as eye clean?

Thanks so much for reading -- I appreciate any input!

 

[Skippy123]

Welcome to Pricescope. Not sure on the 1st question. Well can you give us the numbers off the cert?? You said you could see a cloud so it may not be eye clean? I would keep looking if you can see the cloud right away and that it is sizeable.

eta: here is this stone from Whiteflash and much better clarity and a well cut stone, H&A http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-1148596.htm or this one http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4705/

 

[Gypsy]

The jeweler is trying to sell you his on hand stock with regard to the setting. The head is not the right size for the diamond, and the ring is one size to big. I would insist on one ordered from the designer, and I would make sure that if I did order from this person its written on my reciept that they are ordering a new one spefically for you from the designer. Also my fiance was considering one of the Artcarved bands for himself, and I found that there was a LOT of variation in price. Be sure you are getting a good deal.

 

[volatilis]

Thanks for the replies, Skippy & Gypsy!

I would definitely prefer to get my diamond from WF or GOG. I still need to check if they would be able to get an ArtCarved setting in, though that seems unlikely, since they aren''t authorized retailers for them.

So far the only place I found that both 1) carries ArtCarved settings, and 2) has reasonable AGS Ideal stones is seaofdiamonds.com. For example, they have (or have the ability to get) this stone:
http://www.seaofdiamonds.com/item_diamond.asp?invky=4760

What do you think of this stone? Any experiences with seaofdiamonds.com?

 

[marriedwithdiamonds]

i just wanted to add that i had a .48 SI2 -the only inclusion i could see was a tiny cloud. the ring had to be held just right in order for it to appear but it drove me nutty. i had to get rid of it

 

[dockman3]

I just wanted to say, in regard to the setting, I don''t think there''s a problem with buying the setting they have on hand. The sizing is definitely not an issue and a 0.75ct will look fine in the prongs. The prongs will be able to take a slightly larger stone. As long as they have a good goldsmith or other craftsman in the shop, you should be just fine. I bought a setting that the jeweler had in stock and didn''t have any problems with it. They sized it up for me and put a 0.82ct in the prongs that were holding a 1.0ct CZ for display. Moral of the story, as long as they guarantee their work, you should be ok with them altering the setting they have on hand.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 8/3/2008 11:47:25 AM
Author: dockman3
I just wanted to say, in regard to the setting, I don''t think there''s a problem with buying the setting they have on hand. The sizing is definitely not an issue and a 0.75ct will look fine in the prongs. The prongs will be able to take a slightly larger stone. As long as they have a good goldsmith or other craftsman in the shop, you should be just fine. I bought a setting that the jeweler had in stock and didn''t have any problems with it. They sized it up for me and put a 0.82ct in the prongs that were holding a 1.0ct CZ for display. Moral of the story, as long as they guarantee their work, you should be ok with them altering the setting they have on hand.

This situation is different from the OP''s dockman. A setting is normally made to hold a specific diameter, give or take a hair. You took a setting holding a larger stone, and had a smaller one set in it. Not a big deal, as there would be plenty of prong to work with. But the OP is talking about taking a larger stone (by quite a bit) than the setting is meant for, and it would be unlikely there would be the proper amount of prong to work with to hold the stone properly/safely.

I ditto Gypsy''s post.

 

[Lorelei]

Welcome Volatilis,

As to eyeclean, that is a very subjective question, this thread may give you some useful info on how a diamond is determined to be eyeclean and some of the variables that can affect it. Also is the cloud the actual grade setting inclusion in this SI1 clarity grade?

As to the diamond itself, if you could post the depth, table, crown angle, pavilion angle, girdle thickness, diameter measurements and fluorescence if applicable, then we will be able to help you judge this diamond for cut quality.

 

[volatilis]

Yes, I believe the inclusion in question is the grade setting one. Every other inclusion is rather tiny compared to it. I have decided against going with this diamond, and I am trying to avoid this particular local store altogether.

What I didn''t mention in my original post is that the general experience at the store was a bit shady. Examples:

1) The sales lady I first talked to was very helpful and it seemed she knew what she was talking about. She told me the specific setting I was interested in would need to be ordered from ArtCarved to get the right size, and they would include the specs of the stone I picked so ArtCarved can put the proper prongs on it, and possibly proportion the arrangement accordingly. When I later talked to the manager, he contradicted all this, saying they can re-size it, and that the current prongs on their in-stock setting are fine. I told him how this is isn''t what the sales lady told me, and he proceeded to tell me that she was plain wrong.

2) Initially I was quoted $4300 for one particular diamond. When I pulled out some printed certs I got from WF website, he dropped the price instantly to $3000 (which is still too much for that stone). I was quoted $2800 for the setting, but that price too dropped to $1900 as soon as I said that seemed high (but only for the in-stock model). Right.

3) Eventually the store owner joined the discussion, but he had not been filled in yet what prices I was offered by the manager. So he and the manager had a short "whisper session" in the corner to make sure they were on the same page. That seemed very unprofessional and makes me question their pricing strategy.

Anyway, based on the above combined with your feedback, I *really* hope I can avoid that place.

Thanks!