How to hunt for 0.49 ca. stone?

[Pecel]

Hi!

For some time I've been looking for a 0.48-0.49 stone. And find it quite difficult to locate. There are plenty of 0.50 ca. stones with every possible cut, clarity and colour grades. Are the less-than-perfect-carat diamonds really so saleable? I thought it is quite opposite.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

If a cutter knows he is near the .5 range, he is not going to cut the stone to end up at .49 since there is a price jump at .5. Just like you won't find many stones in the .95-.99 range, etc.

 

[babydoll_mini]

Hi!

For some time I've been looking for a 0.48-0.49 stone. And find it quite difficult to locate. There are plenty of 0.50 ca. stones with every possible cut, clarity and colour grades. Are the less-than-perfect-carat diamonds really so saleable? I thought it is quite opposite.

Yes, for example in China, where the diamond market is still young and customer still unexperience, perfect cutting are not really saleable. Because people just don't see the value in good cutting.

 

[denverappraiser]

Superb cutting is still a very specialized marketplace. Most customers give lip service to cutting these days but, at the end of the day, they'ld rather buy a 0.50 than a 0.49 because of the bragging rights that go with owning a half a carat rather than almost half a carat. That's why there's usually a price bump at that point. A 'very good' 0.51ct will bring more than an 'excellent' 0.48ct and the cutters know it. Just out of curiosity, why is 0.48-0.49 your spec?

 

[Pecel]

A 'very good' 0.51ct will bring more than an 'excellent' 0.48ct and the cutters know it. Just out of curiosity, why is 0.48-0.49 your spec?

You actually answered your question 0,48 ct is still over 5mm and it is far more cheaper. I prefer 'superb cutting' in 0.48 ct than very good in 0.5 ct. If I cannot afford neither D colour nor IF clarity, all I can do to take her breath away is to buy ex/ex/ex H&A All this because of my limited budget, of course... Besides, as I can see, 0.48-0.49 is quite a rarity. She should be over the moon

 

[diamondseeker2006]

What is the budget for your stone? And what color/clarity? I really think you'll be looking at the .4-.45 range or go up to .5.

 

[HopeDream]

This one is .44 G VS2:
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2544639.htm

here is a .49 D VS2:
http://www.eternitydiamonds.com/diamond_detail.php?id=477009&ref=pricescope

They might be nice? (not sure)

Good luck

 

[denverappraiser]

A 'very good' 0.51ct will bring more than an 'excellent' 0.48ct and the cutters know it. Just out of curiosity, why is 0.48-0.49 your spec?

You actually answered your question 0,48 ct is still over 5mm and it is far more cheaper. I prefer 'superb cutting' in 0.48 ct than very good in 0.5 ct. If I cannot afford neither D colour nor IF clarity, all I can do to take her breath away is to buy ex/ex/ex H&A All this because of my limited budget, of course... Besides, as I can see, 0.48-0.49 is quite a rarity. She should be over the moon

Yes, I knew that was the answer. You're looking for a cutter who is an expert and highly experienced in cutting but who is foolish in business and who will give a deep discount for 0.49cts but not charge a premium for their excellent cutting work. Best of luck with that. In reality, although rare, there really are stones like you are describing, but they cost about the same as a comparable 0.50ct. through the same channel.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

I have stones just under the range you're looking and YES it's nearly impossible to find .48-49 b/c the cutters want the extra $ to reach .50

The best luck is looking around .40-.45. I bought three in that size from WF, all superb cuts!

 

[Luminous-MB]

In reality, although rare, there really are stones like you are describing, but they cost about the same as a comparable 0.50ct. through the same channel.

This is true. In the end, because of all the reasons stated above (and specially the reason you want to buy one, along with everyone else trying to stay right under the whatever "carat" mark), 0.47 - 0.49ct (or 0.97- 0.99ct, etc...) will still basically carry a little premium to them.