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How about this one? AGS0 2.03 ct H SI1... You guys have been so patient!

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dcsearcher

Rough_Rock
Joined
Dec 11, 2008
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46
Folks -

Thanks again for the last thread... I will let you know how the Mervis visit goes.

But, I just found this on Blue Nile and thought it was worth a look (I have it on hold):

http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-2-carat-ideal-cut-h-color-si1-clarity_LD01297649?filter_id=0

AGS0 2.0 Ct - H - SI1 for under $16k?

I called and they said it eye clean from both the top and the side, though I will want to see that myself.

Thanks for your patience!! What do you think compared to the GOG 1.72 and the Mervis''s?

Best.
 
It looks great. Check if the diamond is eyeclean at close scrutiny to make absolutely sure. As to how the diamond compares with the others...It appears to be a well cut diamond, BN do not however offer any type of upgrade policy should that ever be a consideration, nor do BN offer any images such as IS/ ASET etc. Also if a h&a diamond is what you want then the GOG diamond is the one to go with. But you have selected some good contenders, it depends on budget and preference, size etc.
 
Numbers look good on this stone but it is my understanding that they don''t have all of these stones in their possession so I''m not sure how they are determining the eye cleanliness of the stone.

In order for it to be somewhat on par to the GOG stone, I think it would have to fall under their Blue Nile Signature Ideal stones. If you do a search for those stones, you''ll see the prices escalating due to the cut quality.

It is a higher color and clarity than the 2 carat Mervis stone for less money. The drawback there is that Blue Nile does not have an upgrade policy. For comparison sake, I would print this one out and take it with you to Mervis tomorrow. Who knows - in this market you may be able to bargain with them a bit!
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Thanks! I will print this out and bring it to them. I may have the BN stone sent to me so that I can take a look - I''m calling a few independent appraisers now.

Interestingly, I asked why it wasn''t in the signature collection at BN. The answer back was that they only contract with a few suppliers to give them the signature stones - thus, when a stone arrives from a different vendor but fits into the signature parameters (which this one, according to them, does), they cannot brand it signature because only the special vendors get that desingnation.

I hope that''s true - if so, perhaps I have finally contributed a tiny bit of useful information to pay this whole forum back! (ok, probably not, but I am indebted to you all!).
 
Date: 12/29/2008 4:43:53 PM
Author: dcsearcher
Thanks! I will print this out and bring it to them. I may have the BN stone sent to me so that I can take a look - I''m calling a few independent appraisers now.

Interestingly, I asked why it wasn''t in the signature collection at BN. The answer back was that they only contract with a few suppliers to give them the signature stones - thus, when a stone arrives from a different vendor but fits into the signature parameters (which this one, according to them, does), they cannot brand it signature because only the special vendors get that desingnation.

I hope that''s true - if so, perhaps I have finally contributed a tiny bit of useful information to pay this whole forum back! (ok, probably not, but I am indebted to you all!).
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Keep us posted!
 
Hey searcher, I''ve been listening in to the good advice you''ve been getting.

Will be interested to hear back about which appraiser you go with, and why...I''m in DC, too (and with limited actual experience...just lots of posts...I don''t have a strong basis upon which to make a recommendation).
 
Date: 12/29/2008 4:37:51 PM
Author: MissGotRocks
Numbers look good on this stone but it is my understanding that they don''t have all of these stones in their possession so I''m not sure how they are determining the eye cleanliness of the stone.
They will call and discuss with the person who has the stone in house and relay questions and answers. This is similar to how any other retailer prescreens stones from another vendor prior to having them sent to them (example a stone that WF did not have but had listed in their virtual database that you were interested in - they would call the person with the physical stone and discuss it with them first to thus determine if it is one worth bringing in for them to examine to potentially offer for sale.)

In order for it to be somewhat on par to the GOG stone, I think it would have to fall under their Blue Nile Signature Ideal stones. If you do a search for those stones, you''ll see the prices escalating due to the cut quality.
Signature Ideal only means that those are the ones that BN owns and has in house - they offer some additional paperwork on these (hence the increased cost), but it does not make those stones any better. A stone does not have to be Signature Ideal to be on par with a GOG stone. This stone is an AGS with a 0 for cut.

It is a higher color and clarity than the 2 carat Mervis stone for less money. The drawback there is that Blue Nile does not have an upgrade policy. For comparison sake, I would print this one out and take it with you to Mervis tomorrow. Who knows - in this market you may be able to bargain with them a bit!
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Hey folks - quick update here. I purchased the BN diamond today and it arrives tomorrow. I have an independent appraiser set up to look at it on Friday. I''ll let you know (do those that are interested
emsmile.gif
!) how it goes.

I''m excited, just hope that an AGS0, H color, SI1 2.03ct for under $16,000 is really a good deal and not indicative of there being something REALLY wrong with it.

Also, I bought my own idealscope - will have that on Friday as well and will try to send some pictures along for your opinions.

THANKS!
 
Date: 12/30/2008 12:47:25 PM
Author: dcsearcher
Hey folks - quick update here. I purchased the BN diamond today and it arrives tomorrow. I have an independent appraiser set up to look at it on Friday. I''ll let you know (do those that are interested
emsmile.gif
!) how it goes.

I''m excited, just hope that an AGS0, H color, SI1 2.03ct for under $16,000 is really a good deal and not indicative of there being something REALLY wrong with it.

Also, I bought my own idealscope - will have that on Friday as well and will try to send some pictures along for your opinions.

THANKS!
Click to expand...
YAY FOR YOU!!!! You BET we are interested, please let us know how it goes!
 
We''ll look forward to hearing how you like it!
 
Thanks all - just got back from Mervis. Saw a very pretty 1.71 ct H VS2 that was lovely. Price was about the same as the 2.03 ct from BN at about $15,800. All of the 2 cts at Mervis were over $22,000, which is more than I would like to spend.

Here''s the specs on the Mervis diamond:

Depth = 62.2
Table = 57
Crown angle = 36
Pav angle = 40.8
GIA triple excellent.
Doesn''t score great on the the HCA, only a 3.7


Couple things, though, were interesting and very nice:

1. She suggested that I bring the BN diamond in on Friday so that I can compare them side by side - I thought that was a generous and great offer and one that I am absolutely taking her up on. She said if I bought a stone from her, she would even ship the BN stone back for me... loved that!

2. She also said, very smartly at the end of our conversation "and, you know, we''re competitive, so if there is something we can do..." which sounds like she is open to a little negotiation.

She also showed me a very nice H SI1 2.17 ct stone that was gorgeous... $22,000, though. Maybe I will negotiate on that one! :)

I am worried about the BN stone and the fact that it has a crystal in the cert right beneath the table... have to see what it looks like I guess.

I think at this point, for the money, I would rather pay the $18,000 for that perfect stone at GOG than take the Mervis stone...

Anyway, sorry to ramble. will let you know where if goes...
 
I would avoid the mervis stone. 36 crown angle is going to take away alot of sparkle and is way too steep with that pavillion angle. As far as stones being gorgeous in stores, they all do.... The truth is only shown when you take a stone outside or are having a candlelight dinner when light is scarce... That is when a cut trully shows.. Spot lighting in jewelry stores is very misleading and not very applicable to every day wear and conditions. You have a very nice budget and I would not compromise here or be charmed by a salesman and comments like "we're competative"... Follow your gut and ask yourself if you really want to take a chance with the kind of money you are spending... Stay with Ideal specs and get the appropriate reprots and info... Don't let a salesman decide for you or your eyes be fooled by instore lighting and pitches... trust the numbers, ideal scopes etc... and your stone will be a stunner in several environments, lighting conditions, etc...
 
Date: 12/30/2008 3:02:22 PM
Author: dcsearcher
Thanks all - just got back from Mervis. Saw a very pretty 1.71 ct H VS2 that was lovely. Price was about the same as the 2.03 ct from BN at about $15,800. All of the 2 cts at Mervis were over $22,000, which is more than I would like to spend.

Here's the specs on the Mervis diamond:

Depth = 62.2
Table = 57
Crown angle = 36
Pav angle = 40.8
GIA triple excellent.
Doesn't score great on the the HCA, only a 3.7


Couple things, though, were interesting and very nice:

1. She suggested that I bring the BN diamond in on Friday so that I can compare them side by side - I thought that was a generous and great offer and one that I am absolutely taking her up on. She said if I bought a stone from her, she would even ship the BN stone back for me... loved that!

2. She also said, very smartly at the end of our conversation 'and, you know, we're competitive, so if there is something we can do...' which sounds like she is open to a little negotiation.

She also showed me a very nice H SI1 2.17 ct stone that was gorgeous... $22,000, though. Maybe I will negotiate on that one! :)

I am worried about the BN stone and the fact that it has a crystal in the cert right beneath the table... have to see what it looks like I guess.

I think at this point, for the money, I would rather pay the $18,000 for that perfect stone at GOG than take the Mervis stone...

Anyway, sorry to ramble. will let you know where if goes...
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The crown angle itself of 36 deg is not so much the issue, but coupled with that pavilion angle it isn't the best fit - however you are really looking and comparing now so when the BN diamond arrives you will have a good idea of which one appeals to you the most.

Do you have the proportions of the 2.17 diamond so we can take a look?
 
Second, here is a 2.080 ct stone:
color: I
clarity: SI2 (all twining wisps)
AGS - 0 cut
Depth: 61.4
Table: 56.6
Crown angle: 34.3
Pav angle: 40.9
HCA score = 1.4
PRICE = $18,700 (much bigger than the GOG stone, same price, less color & clarity)

This is the Mervis stone that I thought you were really interested in seeing today. I would most definitely pass on the 1.7 that Mervis had.

Did you see this 2 carat stone? The numbers are good but the color and clarity are below the GOG stone (course the GOG stone was smaller as well).

Interesting about her offer. . . I would certainly try to bargain at bit with them!
 
It was sold... so I couldn''t see it today.
 
That''s too bad. It would have been interesting to take a gander at.

Good luck to you - keep us posted and let us know how your comparison goes!
 
Great find! Almost exactly what I''m looking for. I want same specs, but am willing to look at SI2s as well to help with cost (would like it to be below $15K), but haven''t found one I like yet.
 
I bet that yur BN stone is going to be gorgeous, but it doesn''t hurt to take it back to Mervis to compare. It''s too bad the 2.08 was gone. Just so you know, I was aboe to negotiate 10% off my diamond at Mervis, so you may have that option as well, but I think you would be hard pressed to beat the price of the BN stone if you like it.

Either way, I can''t wait to see pics of the finished ring! :)
 
Hey folks,

So, the BN stone arrived today. It''s pretty incredible and I am very pleased. I took it to the independent appraiser today as well, and she thought it was an excellent stone and a great buy.

The crystal is there, but is vitually impossible to see from the top. From the bottom (looking through the pavillions) it is much more visible, but I don''t think anyone will ever see it that way.

Sparkle, brillance, brightness are crazy.

I will have the idealscope on Friday and will send some pictures along for the group to judeg. thanks!
 
Date: 12/31/2008 1:44:29 PM
Author: dcsearcher
Hey folks,

So, the BN stone arrived today. It''s pretty incredible and I am very pleased. I took it to the independent appraiser today as well, and she thought it was an excellent stone and a great buy.

The crystal is there, but is vitually impossible to see from the top. From the bottom (looking through the pavillions) it is much more visible, but I don''t think anyone will ever see it that way.

Sparkle, brillance, brightness are crazy.

I will have the idealscope on Friday and will send some pictures along for the group to judeg. thanks!
Click to expand...
Sounds like you might have your diamond!
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36.gif
36.gif
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DC, congrats on what seems to have been a successful purchase.

Any more feedback on your appraiser...who it was and what you thought of her, what she did, etc.

Regards,
 
I have really no way to judge her, but I thought she did a really nice and thorough job. She seemed very well qualified (about 15 different certificates from GIA and AGS on her walls) and she seemed very knowlegable. She answer all of my questions and was thorough in her examination of the stone - she spent a good 45 minutes with me.

At the end, she gave me an appraisal value of $26,000 for a stone I paid $15,800 for. She was shocked by what I had paid and was very clear that she was not trying to give me an "ego" appraisal in any way - she said it was a conservative estimate based on her professional judgement of wholesale per carat cost from my stone (just over $9,000) and based on a conservative retail markup of about 30%.

From my experience, I would definitely recommend her!

Her contact info is:

Sherlene Bradbury
(301) 335-6687
[email protected]

Also, she''s in Rockville - easy to get to!
 
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