Need some advice on Crisscut, Please

[meursault33]

As a newbie/fiance-to-be, the PS forum has been an invaluable source of information on the process of evaluating engagement rings. I've enjoyed all the informed opinions and straight talk! I would appreciate some advice regarding a ring that my girlfriend and I saw at a local jewelers:

Christopher Designs, Crisscut Emerald Halo (model G52a-EC200)
Center stone: 2.08c, IVS2
8.47 x 6.68mm
67%T, 60.2%D
Setting: 1.24 tcw IVS2, 18kt WG
Price: $27,500 (after much haggling)

I'm getting estimates of about $3500 for the setting alone, putting the center stone price at $24,000. I know you pay a premium for a branded cut, but this seems exorbitant to me for an I color stone. Am I off base?

It's a beautiful ring and faces up quite white. Furthermore, it has a somewhat unique appearance for this setting in that the halo has rounded corners and "bowed" sides, giving a softer look to the emerald cut. Sadly, we haven't found a comparable Crisscut ring allowing us to compare and price-shop.

So, long story short, we love this ring, but I can't shake the feeling that this price is out of line. Am I getting taken to the cleaners?

Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[webdiva]

There are very few vendors who carry that cut, so it's difficult to compare.

User my-ashoka has a similar ring and said this about the ashoka vs criss cut - so I suspect they're very similar. "The Askoka is similliar to a Crisscut and to be honest I''m not sure the exact difference. Our jeweler pulled out almost everystone and showed us the difference between them and the Ashoka. If I''m not mistaken, the corners of the cut are different as well as some of the facets."
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-new-ashoka.74508/page-2']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-new-ashoka.74508/page-2[/URL]

However, Engagement Rings Direct, one of the PS approved vendors has been able to source the Ashoka for others - you'll definitely want to contact them: www.engagementringsdirect.com

 

[distracts]

I actually don't think that price is totally crazy. It's a 2 ct stone of a specialized designer cut. In a round brilliant with an ideal cut, for those stats you'd likely be paying a bit under $20k, so it's likely between a 4-7k difference due to the designer cut, which seems reasonable. You know, reasonable in the world of diamonds.

 

[derbygal]

A jeweler near me carries Crisscuts. On their website they have a 2.09 E SI2 for $24,450 and a 2.19 H SI2 for $18,395. I tend to think the prices are quite inflated there, so I would also call ERD for prices.

This cut also faces up whiter than other cuts, I think they claim at least 2 shades whiter. They seem to charge just as much then for lower colors. (I was quoted almost $20,000 for a 2 carat L color this spring).
http://www.borsheims.com/DiamondSearch.aspx?s=Crisscut

 

[meursault33]

Thanks very much for all the input. I've been on the phone over the past few days with Crisscut dealers in the region and am getting the impression that although you do pay a substantial premium for the Crisscut brand, there are likely rings out there with a bit less retail mark up...I'm going to continue to hunt around, but any additional advice would be appreciated.