New York Diamond Brokers? Asscher cut diamond wanted

[TeacherLover]

Date: 1/9/2008 6:21:10 PM
Author: NewEnglandLady
Hi, Teacherlover,

Sorry you''ve gotten some negative responses on here--I know how overwhelming it can be to want a great diamond, but not know a ton about it.

I got my e-ring before I found pricescope, so I went through a very lengthy process of finding the color, clarity, depth %, table % etc. by seeing a whole lotta stones in person.

I would highly recommend seeing some stones in CA before you go to NY, that way you can find your own personal sweet spot for depth, color, size of windmills you like,3 vs. 5 steps on the crown, whatever is important to you.

I found that I was pretty color sensitve. I do like a little warmth in vintage settings, but it''s just a personal thing with everybody. Step cuts show more color than non-step-cuts, so if you see a few H-colored asschers in CA, that might give you a better idea of whether or not that''s what you want. I had a couple of Hs shipped in as well as a J and when I was looking--I also had a couple of Es shipped in. Long story short, I got an F color.

Clarity is really important as well. I noticed that many round brilliants were SI1s, so I had a couple of SI1s shipped in and I could see the inclusions in all of them. Step cuts allow you to see deep into the diamond, which I love visually, but unfortunately that means inclusions are more noticable. You might find that sticking to the VVS in EGL or VS in GIA is your best bet. I''m sure that eye-clean SI1 asschers exist, but I think that the process of finding one would be difficult.

As for cut, when you find a well cut stone, it will blow the others away. This is why I like the videos from GOG--you can really see how the different stones perform under different sources of light.

Unfotunately I think that to get a 1.7 well-cut, H-I color, eye clean asscher, you''d need to spend more than $9,000. Deals do pop up from time to time--Brown Eyed Country Girl recently got a 1.8 carat J, VS2, beautiful asscher from Leon Mege for under $8k (VG symmetry, EX polish) and I have a 1.5 carat F, VS2 ex/ex Lazare Kaplan that I got for under $7K (for stones only--also both are GIA graded). It takes a lot of patience and education so that you know you''re getting a great stone.

Good luck with the search and HAVE FUN!

Thank you so much NewEnglandLady! After a LOT OF Research, I three diamond dealers in NY that currently have inventory that meets my needs, a total of 6 diamonds. Hopefully they still will be there in a few weeks! I appreciate your very well written e-mail, it helps me understand what is out there. I, too, have not been able to find any eye clean SI1, but my best friend did get an asscher (her fiance asked me what she wanted, and I told him we both have always loved asschers) through her family''s diamond business that was 1.7 and totalled $7500 (that was her family price). It was a E, SI1 and looks absolutely beautiful, so I have hope! I have a call out to them, but since I''m not family, I don''t think I can get even close to the deal she was able to get.

I recently was referred to someone in town who is quite famous in the Diamond Business (I''ve actually heard seen him on TV!): Michael Greene. He was responsible for Paris Hilton''s 24 carat honker of an engagement ring and was on "The Apprentice" during one of their challenges. He seems like a very nice man with great credentials. I thought he was way out of my league and wouldn''t be able to find anything for me, but he personally called me today and told me he would love to help! He feels we can find something I will like that is within my budget.

Thanks again for all your help!