If it WALKS like a duck, and it TALKS like a duck . . .

[reena]

the dilemma is this. i think i''ve found THE stone (a 2.07c cushion). been in to see it about four times now. to my eye: the size is perfect, the color is great, the cut looks fabulous, it''s wonderfully brilliant, and every stone i''ve looked at since looks like you-know-what in comparison. it''s priced high for the specs, but (my very trustworthy) vendor tells me is attributable to the fact that it is very well cut.

SO: what ELSE if anything do i need to do to convince myself that this is a fabulous diamond? i''ve looked at the stone under a loupe, but i haven''t looked at it under higher magnification, seen a sarin report, or done any of those brilliance/light return tests everyone is always talking about. (i haven''t requested any of this from the vendor because my guy is a wholesaler, and he doesn''t exactly have all types of fancy diamond-testing gadgets in his office.) is it unwise of me not to do any of this before i buy?

oh, and i should mention that i do plan to have the stone independently appraised before purchasing. maybe the appraiser will do some of this stuff for me?

i don''t know! im totally clueless. two cents, please.

Thanks, REENA

 

[chrono]

Reena, I know a good appraiser will be able to help you out. I know that Dave Atlas and Richard Sherwood will run all those tests for you if needed (at a cost, of course). They are experienced and can tell you if it is a good cut or not just by eye-balling the diamond. The trick is to find a good and impartial appraiser in your local area I guess. Can this vendor ship the stone? Can the sale be contingent upon the results of the appraisal?

 

[jenwill]

...just my 2 cents, but if it appraises well, then go with it.

Like has been said on other threads, the alternate info provided should just be a 'helper', you really need to go with a stone that calls to you in person. You say that other stones look like you know what after seeing this one, you love the color, size, it look brilliant to you. That is what matters. If you pass on this stone that calls to you, and keep searching for one with more info, you may always think back to the one that got away.

You have been doing your research- it isn't as if you are being taken in- you know what you needed to do to get you to the level of weeding out the really crappy stuff. Once you get to a certain level of quality, it really is about which one you prefer in person.

 

[Lynn B]

I totally agree w/ the above post. Getting the stone appraised by an independent appraiser (with the sale contingent on that) should be exactly what you need to finalize (and feel totally comfortable with) the purchase. The diamond sounds GORGEOUS, and you have already seen it with your own eyes... (which is wonderful!) -- so if it checks out with the appraiser -- then, I say, you WIN, girl!

Yay!

Lynn

 

[oldminer]

Run a pricescope search for round and ovals of similar weight, color and clarity. See how it stacks up against them. You will gain some insight into the value. Cushions are neither round or oval, but they come from very similar costing rough. You don't need a degree from a university to compare reasonably similar things that came from identical sources.




If it seems okay, then it likely will be okay. Be sure that you have a period of time to check out the stone before your money is forever gone. If the seller won't agree to any verification period, this could be interpreted as a sign of doubt in their mind that you'll be happy. If they say, "No problem, get it checked out and we will hold your money for a few days", then I'd be a lot less worried.




These are two things you can readily do without going to any added expense. I think they are absolutely essential to making your decision.

 

[reena]

hi all, thanks for the good advice! i simply don't know what i'd do without this site.

my vendor has no problem with me having the purchase be contingent on appraisal, so i'm glad to hear you guys think that if the appraisal checks out, i'm good to go. may use David Wolfe as he is in the NYC area. yippee, im so excited!!!

in regards to your second point oldminer, fortunately the stone itself is listed with several vendors on pricescope--for about $300-800 more than i'm paying. so i feel pretty good about that. actually, as people tell me that YOU are the resident cushion expert on this board, i'd be ultra-flattered to hear your take on the specs (realizing of course that cushions are hard to judge by the numbers):

2.07 G VS2, 66.5 (d) 63(t), thin to med G, no cul, no flr, Ex Pol, VG Symm, 8.09x7.34x4.88. $16,200.

Thanks! REENA

 

[jenwill]

Just had to say WOWZA! that is going to be some kinda beautiful ring!

 

[Lynn B]

Yes, WOWSA is right! I forgot to mention that I am EXTREMELY ENVIOUS of the size!!!

I personally think two carats is absolutely the PERFECT SIZE diamond!

Lynn

 

[reena]

well thanks guys.

i'm excited about it--my main thing was that i didn't want to feel like i'd want to upgrade the e-ring down the road (im sentimental like that, i still have valentines from 3rd grade), and i think this size will definitely do it. ("honey, it will actually save you money down the road . . ."

)

 

[jenwill]

I am going to have to try that saving him money down the road thing! My honey is a bit frugal, so the initial outlay may seem overwhelming, but if I can develop a spreadsheet showing the investment ratio of putting the money into the ring now, vs. investing vs. rising costs of diamonds......

 

[glitterata]

One thing you might consider is getting hold of an ideal-scope (see the link at the top of the page). It's a simple hand-held device that's pretty easy for a consumer to use.

 

[reena]

that's the spirit jenwill! say it with me now:

"And, if you buy me these gorgeous 2 carat diamond earrings, the sparkle that they will create will reflect from the surface of the e-ring and immediately make it look 17% larger! Plus, the resale value of the ring and earrings as a set is exponentially higher than for each piece alone . . . "

just kiddin', i'd never want to trick my darling BF.

he is very good to me (and too smart to be tricked, unfortunately).

thanks glitterata, not to be totally dense but i have never been able to figure out whether the idealscope is really just for RBs?