Help with a Leo Princess Solitaire

[buckeye]

Been hanging around here for a few months now but this is the first post. Here''s the situation: Have a trade in which gets me half off the retail price of any Diamonds the BM store has or can get, so I''m stuck with buying from them for $ reasons. Have my eye on a 1.01ct. F-VS2 "Leo" Princess diamond. I.G.I.''s numers from their appraisal card are: 5.80 x 5.50 x 3.81 mm, polish/symetry - good/good, treatment: none. These are all the numbers I have access to without paying for the full appraisal form. Their retail price is 6499 so I get it for $3250. I''m a little worried about the polish and symetry rating of good/good (from reading all of the informative posts about cut being the most important C). The best prices I''m seeing online are for about 4500 for the same qualities. Is this the best stone I can get for the price or should I look for a non-branded one from them with a higher quality of cut? The Leo''s are supposed to generate a higher level of fire and brilliance, but I''m just not sure. Size is important to me and I want at least close to 1 ct. and not too much more.

 

[laney]

I know it''s a BM store.

But, tell them to give you more numbers. If you are going to give them 3K. Or really with your trade in value 6K, they better darn well be able to tell you what you are buying.

You should not have to pay for an apprasial. They should be able to give you the full specs.

Would you buy a car without knowing if it was a 4 cylinder or 6 cylinder? Would you buy it if you were unsure if it was a 2 door or 4 door.

It is silly and ridiculous for them to ask you for your 6K,and tell you that you have to "pay" to find out more, before YOU give them MONEY?

I''m sorry, I''m ranting here and probably no help. But I would ask to speak to a manager and get that information.

Then you can make a more informed choice about how to spend your hard earned money!

 

[belle]

the polish/symmetry is not the most important factor, most all of the stones that you will find are in the good/good range. cut is referring to many factors that contribute to the overall quality of the stone. a well cut stone will show lots of sparkle. without having all of the numbers that contribute to determining cut quality, you simply cannot tell how well a stone is cut. if you don''t want to pay for the appraisal, maybe you should spend the $30 (i think) for an ideal scope, then you could see for yourself the quality and light return of the diamond. good luck!!

 

[buckeye]

Thanks for the tips, and any other advice would be greatly appreciated as well. I failed to mention it also has a "GEMEX" LIGHT PERFORMANCE ANLYSIS. It lists it''s light returns as follows: white light=very high (off the chart almost), color light=high, and scintillation=high/very high. On a "low, medium, high, very high" scale. I guess the real question I need to ask you guys is, are "Leo''s" really more fiery and brilliant compared to other stones? I know a princess is generally not as brilliant as a round brilliant cut, but she wants a square stone. And do you think I could do better at one of these BM stores (it''s a chain) by going with a non-branded stone? Again, any input is greatly appreciated. Thanks, buckeye.

 

[belle]

you will always pay less for a non branded stone. the best way to judge, would be to look at different stones in lighting other than those bright jewelry store lights, which she will never wear the stone in!! take the stone(s) outside in normal lighting and decide which one you like best.

 

[denverappraiser]

The Gemex report is what you see touted at www.goodoldgold.com. He has lots of information there explaining what the various numbers mean.

$3250 may be a fine price but this depends on what you''re trading in. Do you have the specs o that one?

Leo brand stones have a different facet pattern than some other cuts. There has been quite a bit of discussion in this forum about the merits of this particular cut. Use the search box at the top to look up ''Leo'' and see what you learn.

Getting an appraisal may not be a bad idea but if they are going to charge you for it, you shoud choose your own appraiser, not the one that they have a deal with.

Neil Beaty
GG ISA NAJA
Independent Appraisals in Denver