In desperate Need of Help

[ThompsonTOT]

Please help me with some general guidelines.

My budget is $26,000. The diamond must be 3 carats or more. The number 3 is a psychological cut-off. My girl wants a 3 carat, and I love her so I will oblige her. I don''t care how valuable the rock is, as long as it looks good. What I mean by that is I am willing to go down to an SI1 because it looks as good as a VVS1 (who cares if it is less valuable, it looks just as good, right?). Same goes for color. I am willing to go down to an I color because it is still nearly colorless and looks the same for all intents & purposes as a D.

Is my analysis and approach right so far?
Given my parameters, am I in the 8 star league?
Am I in the HoF league?

And here is the most important question:
WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU WERE ME?

Final question:

Is it true that I pay no sales tax if I have rock shipped out of state?

Thanks much, Tony

 

[finchuck]

I'd go for something like this, its actually larger than your 3ct mark and is just a tad over your budget. This stone has to be a beauty: http://www.goodoldgold.com/3_34ct_h_si1__h%26a.htm

 

[strmrdr]

another possibility

Would need a ton more information before id consider it but its a possibility.

If your not in a big hurry Id wait a couple weeks and keep an eye on what comes up.
A lot of vendors are down on stock from Christmas and should be putting up more soon.

 

[strmrdr]

Is my analysis and approach right so far? YES
Given my parameters, am I in the 8 star league? NO
Am I in the HoF league? NO

And here is the most important question:
WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU WERE ME?

Take the time to find an unbranded h&a with a ton of information available.
In general that means www.goodoldgold.com and www.superbcert.com
I wouldnt drop 26k with any less info than they provide.
Then again I would never drop 26k on a diamond :}
However I am willing to help you do so and help you get the best diamond for your budget.


Is it true that I pay no sales tax if I have rock shipped out of state?
Yes and No.
If the dealer isnt in the same state then no tax.
Ship it to yourself out of state if the store is in your state and its tax evasion in some states and on a 26k purchase would likely be a felony.
Same goes for having it shipped to a relative out of state.

 

[Stephan]

Wow, Giangi!
4 EX on the HCA with a score of 0.3 (TIC)!
With such a low score, isn't there a problem with the contrast?

 

[Giangi]

Mmmmmm.... Maybe... But I wouldn't feel bad if I received it!

Just kidding, from the numbers, it looks like a real winner!

 

[ThompsonTOT]

Thanks everyone so far for the helpful hints. I have a couple more questions.

If I drop down to 2.5 carats, in the SI1 and H-I color, with $26K am I in Eight Star league?

To the eye of a LAYMAN (or a LAYLADY), does an 8-Star look any better all-around) than a high quality unbranded H&A?

For that matter, if I don't care about the hearts (which can't be seen once mounted anyway), does an unbranded H&A look any better to the eye of the layperson than a say an AGS 0 that is not H&A?

Thanks for the help very much.

-- Tony

 

[strmrdr]

This thread has some info on 8*
pricescope

While they are nice I wouldnt pay the added price for one.
It is hard to say if they are better just different.

Yes a good quality h&a will look better than the non-h&a ags0 in my opinion.

 

[Giangi]

8* prices are not available on the net, but I highly doubt you could be able to get such a stone in that price range.

In the 2 1/2cts range I could find a 2.34 H&A H/IF (not sur if you'd like it) and a very pretty 2.74 I/VS 2 (about $21K) on www.goodoldgold.com or a very beautiful 2.48 E/SI 1 & 2.65 H/VS 1 in the $24K range on www.superbcert.com

 

[aljdewey]

Hi, Tony:

"To the eye of a LAYMAN (or a LAYLADY), does an 8-Star look any better all-around) than a high quality unbranded H&A?"

No, it doesn't to most people. What they notice is sparkle....does a diamond sparkle well or not. Sparkle is dependent on cut.

"For that matter, if I don't care about the hearts (which can't be seen once mounted anyway), does an unbranded H&A look any better to the eye of the layperson than a say an AGS 0 that is not H&A?"

Honestly, Tony....it doesn't matter if the stone is branded or not.......most of branded stones cost no more than unbranded ones. For example, GOG and NiceIce both carry unbranded stones, and their prices are comparable to that of Whiteflash, who sells branded stones.

----------------

 

[pqcollectibles]

Here is a 3.3 carat to consider.

White Flash cuts their own Hearts and Arrows diamonds. A Cut Above New Line H&A's are very similar in performance to 8*. If you contact White Flash about this diamond, you might ask if it's New Line. ACA's are cut in 2 styles. New Line and Classic.