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Newb: Evaluate My Robbins Bros. Purchase

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NoClassic

Rough_Rock
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Jan 3, 2009
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A family member just purchases a stone at a local Robbins Bros.

After doing some reading on here it seems they dont have the best reputation and one is often paying for the experience rather than stone quality.

I feel that their purchase was a bit uninformed and would like to get an evaluation of the purchase.

Let me know if we can do better or if other specs are required

Elexese Diamond

GIA Report:14723204
Square Modified Brilliant: 4.74x4.73x3.60
Carat Weight: 0.71 carat
Color: G
Clarity: Sl1
Total Depth:76.1%
Table Size: 71%
Girdle:MED to VTK
Culet:None
Polish: Very Good
Symmetry: Good
Flourescence: None
Comments:None

Price: $3150.00 Plus Tax
 
Of course you can do better...

How much better can you do? You could actually upgrade all 4 Cs while lowering the last C (cost.) I would actually feel a little ripped off if I were you...
 
I figured this was more than likely the case.

My family members are not being too receptive to my proposal of a return and full refund on the stone.

What would be a good vendor with stones of comparable or better quality at a more reasonable cost?

I am going to need some hard numbers to convince them they did, in fact, over pay.
 
Goodoldgold.com
whiteflash.com
jamesallen.com
engagementringsdirect.com

I don''t know the winkjones website but they are good too.
you''ll get more bang for your bunk...and honest vendors who know what they are talking about. not sales reps trained to take you to the cleaners and give you crap (not saying that you can''t get quality at a B&M you just have to know what you''re looking for, etc)
 
Whiteflash currently has about 4 or 5 stones that are .70-.75 F/G VS/SI.

But this is their purchase...not for you, or is it? I know in some cultures, it is common for the parents to buy jewelry for their son's future wife.
 
I''m lost- what shape EXACTLY is a square modified brilliant? Are you talking about a Princess cut here?
And there''s another question for you- were you seeking a princess cut or something else? I tend to thing rounds face up larger per carat...
 
My brother is making the purchase with our mother "advising".

I knew he was thinking about purchasing but did not expect it to be so sudden. I would have done the research for them if made aware of the urgency.

The stone is a princess cut, and this is what he wants to stay with.


I just found out they also purchased the ring/setting at the same establishment. How do you guys feel about this?

I just spoke with him and his budget is 7K for the whole deal.

What would you guys do with 7K?
 
I''m all for purchasing the setting and diamond at the same establishment, provided the establishment is a good one.
 
7k total for the diamond, ering, and wedding bands? Or 7000 just for the ering and diamond?
 
He wants to spend 7 on just the ering and diamond.
 
1.2ct G VS2 for 5500... Leaves room for a very nice ring
http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/5319/


Whiteflash.com has some princess cuts in his range but they have alot going on in the inclusion area so I would personally avoid them (laser drill holes, chips, etc...).... Others may disagree
Here is an example:
http://www.whiteflash.com/princess/Princess-cut-diamond-49250.htm#

Winfields is great too.. he can even make videos of the diamonds you are intersted in...
http://www.winkjones.com/specials/diamonds.php
http://www.craftedbyinfinity.com/index.php?pid=63&lang=eng&sid%5B%5D=140&src=loupe
http://www.craftedbyinfinity.com/index.php?pid=63&lang=eng&sid%5B%5D=140&src=loupe

GOG, Winfields, Whiteflash have upgrade policies as well....
 
Unless his GF has definitely picked her setting, and it costs 3500, I would probably devote more money to the stone, in order to get a bigger one.
 
She has already picked the setting.

Jeff Cooper R3146.

Robbins Bros want 3,005 for the ring. If we can do better that would be great, but I have not found many online retailers that have the particular model.

Judging by the prices you guys have posted it looks like he may be able to pick up a 1 carat of similar better quality while staying within his budget.

I may just be inept, but how do you view prices on the infinity site?
 
I went with a jeff cooper ring as well from my local jeweler (R2974 for the ering and also the wedding band and mens band). Here is a thread with the pic of the ering:

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/thank-you-whiteflash-and-richard-sherwood.102128/

Jeff cooper is pricey but well worth it in the end. You can call Wink, GOG and WF to see if they sell Jeff Cooper too. They do not list all of the people they are authorized dealers for. Ask for a bid on the same ring and who know they may surprise your brother with a nice ring and diamond package.... People may say that the jeff cooper setting can be copied for less but I would not go that route and just get the real thing.
 
Date: 1/3/2009 8:00:02 PM
Author: NoClassic
She has already picked the setting.

Jeff Cooper R3146.

Robbins Bros want 3,005 for the ring. If we can do better that would be great, but I have not found many online retailers that have the particular model.

Judging by the prices you guys have posted it looks like he may be able to pick up a 1 carat of similar better quality while staying within his budget.

I may just be inept, but how do you view prices on the infinity site?
Click to expand...
Look at the first link for Winfields site (infinity is the same site as winfields). It is just the name of their cut. They are on the spreadsheet...... Or just call him up. He is a nice guy
 
Found it.

I saw that you had your stone appraised privately. Was its value in line with what you gave to whiteflash?
 
Yes, it appraised very well
1.gif
Independent appraisors tell you like it is for better or for worse.... I have sent diamonds back to jewlers after meeting with Rich and getting his expert opinion... He has trully been such a help in the process. Rich had nothing but nice things to say about this stone and the setting. He was impressed with how well Jeff Cooper made the ring and set the center and channel stones..... I had Jeff Cooper set my Whiteflash stone after the ring was made..... He did a wonderful job and would personally avoid having the jeweler set it... have Jeff Cooper do it for sure! if a jeweler says Jeff Cooper will not, that is a lie because I have had Jeff Cooper set other stones in the the past as well... Jeff notches the prongs just right and knows how to safely set diamonds for his settings.


This is what I did...
So I got the stone first while the ring was being made
Then had it appraised.
Then had the jeweler send it to jeff Cooper (took about 1 week turnaround to set)
Then got it back and had it appraised again in the setting to look for chips and setting quality etc...

You really cannot beat internet pricing when it comes to diamonds and for peace of mind get it independantly appraised.
 
As others have pointed out, you can do a lot better diamond shopping online. When I was starting I went to Robbins Bros and tried on a ton of rings. I got home, found PriceScope, and it was downhill from there. I was hooked and eventually made my purchase from WhiteFlash.
 
A lot of times people end with color, clarity, and carat. You can advise your brother that cut is what matters most. Just because the other 3 Cs are the same - the options provided here also include a much better cut that will make the diamond sparkle! On the other hand, don''t stress out if they don''t listen. I have learnt that some of my friends just wants the easiest route that is walk in a store and walk out.
 
I looked around some and found that Jeff Cooper setting at Solorman Brothers but they want $3600
39.gif
for it. Actually there is one
for sale on ebay right now with a round diamond in it. Wonder if the guy would sell just the setting? Of course it is used but it looks
like its in very good shape according to the pictures. Wouldnt bother me to have a slightly used setting (as long as it didnt look used)
for a reduced price so I could spend more on the center stone
9.gif
. I''m very pratical though. His GF probably doesnt feel the same.

http://cgi.ebay.com/PLATINUM-Diamond-Solitaire-w%2Faccents-Engagement-Ring-_W0QQitemZ300283759288QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ20090102?IMSfp=TL090102112006r35000

Here is the solomans link

http://www.solomonbrothers.com/jewelry_R3146_85517
 
I had actually found that ebay auction a couple hours ago.

I dont think he wants to go used, but the effort is appreciated.

That soloman brothers price isnt bad considering it is platinum. The Robbins price was $3k for white gold.

I have been talking with my brother for the last few hours and it really seems like he does not want to deal with returning the stone. I have convinced him to have a private appraisal done. Maybe that alone will change his mind in regards to an online purchase.



I also wanted to say that I had posted on ALOT of forums, mainly automotive, but other as well.

This forum has had the best response time and quality of posts than just about any I have encountered.

Thanks

-Ryan
 
Just make sure he goes to an Independant appraisor (someone who does NOT sell diamonds or have reasons to try and sell him something). You can go to the resources link above to find one in his area. Otherwsie, I recommend Rich Sherwood and he could just mail him the stone. Good luck!
 
www.geolat.com

They are local and listed on this site.
 
I noticed the shape was a modified square-

Here is one:
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4442/


It's over what he paid for the diamond, but he could buy a cheaper setting



If he doesn't care about the shape- this has better spec and is around the same price
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/5054/



As for the setting, try emailing several different stores about the same setting and ask them to quote you on price. Maybe try Pearlman's?
 
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