Loose Diamonds vs. Harry Winston or Cartier ?

[Pen K]

My bf and I are picking out an engagement ring together after saving forever. We looked at some loose stones, thinking that it may be cheaper. Of all the stones I looked at, a 2 ct ex-ex-vg (for cut), vs1, f color was the best one of the lot.

I wonder if this is a reasonable price and what other high-end stores (harry winston, cartier, graffs) carries and charges. Looking for loose stones is a lot of work and I''m no expert. And I wonder if I''m getting a "fair" deal. If I go to Harry Winston, will I be getting an expert opinion, in addition to the same price range?

The diamond I''m looking at will probably hit around 35K, after the ring mounting . Does anyone have a good idea of the price points for Winston or such for a 2 ct?

 

[RaiKai]

You will find you will get more for your dollar at most of the PS vendors - better specs and so forth, and/or a larger stone and/or save money. If you are not sure what you are looking for, stick around and read some of the sticky threads and info in the above tabs about the 4 C''s and so on. Look through SMTR threads and ask questions.

People here will also be more than happy to help you locate diamonds in your budget and review images and so on. There are experts, tradespeople and consumers around here who know their stuff (I am not one of them, ha!).

Nothing wrong with Cartier or HW as long as you recognize you are paying for a brand and they are still salespeople - not necessarily diamond experts!

 

[tyty333]

If you want an opinion on whether the stone will be a good performer or not you need to post either the GIA/AGS number
or
depth
table
crown and pavilion angle to start wtih. I think it is important to make sure it is a good stone first or it wont be comparing apples
to apples. Sorry, I cant tell you anything about the high-end stores.

Do you have any pictures /images of the stone? Post those too if you have them.

Here are some similar stones for comparison.
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2275580.htm
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2275576.htm
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2262599.htm
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2275577.htm
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2275579.htm
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/7281/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4884/
EDIT
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond/diamond-detail/?product_id=AGS-1040397620036 (here is a D color)
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond/diamond-detail/?product_id=AGS-1040399230008

I didnt find any higher colors that fit into your specs but I didnt do a complete search

 

[elle_chris]

35k in nowhere near enough to get a 2ct F, VS1 stone at any of the retailers you mentioned.

If you''re not set on name brand, you''re looking at around 34-38k for a true VS1, F excellent cut stone. This does not include the setting.

 

[crisnpearl]

here''s a F VS2 AGS ideal cut, click on virtual loupe for pic


http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1279568.asp

 

[Pen K]

Thanks for the replies!

The details for the stone are:
Depth: 63.8% | Table: 55% | Crown: 16.5% | Pavilion: 44%
Very-Good cut, 2 ct., F.

We''re willing to shell out 40k although we''d prefer to stay around the 30-35k mark. I guess, according to replies here, that a Harry Winston (or Cartier, De Beers, etc.) would be way out of my price-range for a great quality diamond (and ring). The salesman said the price point is 30.5k for the current stone only.

And if I do go through the loose-diamonds route - is it "customary" to negotiate? Or are these prices set in stone? (no pun intended!)

As a side-note, I''m shocked at how much the prices vary, even for stones that seem to have similar stats. The intricate details that make one diamond different to another escapes me!

 

[Dancing Fire]

Date: 6/9/2010 1:41:47 PM
Author: Pen K
Thanks for the replies!

The details for the stone are:
Depth: 63.8% | Table: 55% | Crown: 16.5% | Pavilion: 44%
Very-Good cut, 2 ct., F.

too deep for me.

VG cut with a depth of 63.8% ?

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 6/9/2010 1:41:47 PM
Author: Pen K
Thanks for the replies!

The details for the stone are:
Depth: 63.8% | Table: 55% | Crown: 16.5% | Pavilion: 44%
Very-Good cut, 2 ct., F.

What lab graded this stone?

It is not very well cut in my opinion, I would prefer a nicer cut.

 

[yssie]

Date: 6/9/2010 1:41:47 PM
Author: Pen K
Thanks for the replies!

The details for the stone are:
Depth: 63.8% | Table: 55% | Crown: 16.5% | Pavilion: 44%
Very-Good cut, 2 ct., F.

Yikes!

 

[Pen K]

GIA graded this stone.

I''m surprised because the jeweler said the cut was extremely close to a triple-ex and was off by only 0.2 degrees from being an excellent cut. Of course, I don''t know what this really means!

I''m still far from understanding what makes a truly wonderful stone, even though I''ve been doing a bit of research. My concern is that 20 years down the line, as I become more "comfortable" and knowledgeable with my diamond, I don''t want to look and see flaws or be disappointed in its sparkle. I truly want a lifelong investment. Maybe something to pass down one day.

 

[Pen K]

And I doubt this makes much of a difference but the difference between facetware and gia:

Facetware Calculations:
Crown Height: 16.3%
Pavilion Depth: 44.1%
Total Depth: 63.4%

The same but GIA Calculations:
Crown Height: 16.5%
Pavilion Depth: 44.0%
Total Depth: 63.8%