Need some advice on buying a stone!

[chendawg]

Hello all-

This is my first post on Pricescope, I've been trolling around on here off and on for awhile. I was wondering if anyone has dealt with a particular ebay dealer, or dealt with ebay transactions in general? Here are the links:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180448567108&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180448567108&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

My basic question is whether these prices for the stones are too good to be true? Is the stone going to be eye clean when I receive it? From my trolling around on the forum, EGL apparently can have a swing of several grades in any major category?

I'm basically looking for as large a stone(eye clean; SI1-VS2, H-I, VG-EX cut) as possible within my budget(7500 for everything). So far I'm looking on the internet for the best value because of my limited budget and because of my need for a 1.2+ carat stone; I don't want to also discount any B&M places that can service my needs as well(I'm in Philly).

Thanks in advance for any comments and help!

 

[slg47]

I would want more information than the ebay seller is providing.

ETA the seller is only providing certificate on request, so you really don't have a lot of information to go with. As you said EGL is considered 'loose' in grading, so I would stick with GIA or AGS

How about these?

not perfect IS but probably a very nice diamond, ask if eye-clean
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1360365.asp

request idealscope image from JA
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1370831.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1375272.asp


ETA another option
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond/diamond-detail/?product_id=BLAGS-104050981007

 

[minmin001]

since those are EGL graded diamonds, you are probably not getting what you think will be compare to GIA or AGS graded ones

 

[yssie]

You have a generous budget, you don't need to skimp on anything!


The issue with EGL isn't that the stones are necessarily of lower quality than those graded by other labs - the stone is that stone whether or not it's got an EGL, GIA, AGS paper, or any at all. The issue w/ EGL is just as you say - you don't *know* what you're getting, because the grading standards don't match GIA/AGS', and you should pay a price commensurate with that lack of certainty.

1.27 J VS2 $6600 http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1370831.asp (request IS)
1.22 H SI2 $6500 http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1338519.asp (request IS, check if clean to your specifications)

1.11 J VS2 $7000 ES http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2564450.htm
1.22 J SI1 $7200 Branded H&A http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2531896.htm (check if eyeclean to your specifications, would request hearts pic retake)

1.26 J SI2 $7000 Branded H&A http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond/diamond-detail/?product_id=AGS-104045953016 (check if eyeclean by your standards)
1.17 H SI1 $7000 Blue (sbf) http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond/diamond-detail/?product_id=BLAGS-104050981015

If you're looking for an older-type stone GOG has a K VS1 that fits the bill -
1.15 K VS1 Branded AVR $6900 http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8240/ (I believe you can ask them about cutting an open culet if you prefer the look)


ETA: I see I repeated some of slg's finds

 

[chendawg]

Thanks a lot for the helpful links! I really like the actual pics of the stones on James Allen....virtual loupe is great!