Newbie advice please - stat comparison

[Bafreb]

Hi,

Im in the market for an ering have come across two options which I really like. From reading the v.useful information on this website, I can tell one of the diamonds has better "stats" (both GIA). My question is, how much of a price difference should this make?

Stone 1:

Grade: F
Clarity: VS1
Cut: Very Good
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Depth: 63.9
Table: 57%
Crown Angle: 38.5%
Pavillion Angle: 40.2%
Star: 50%
Lower Half: 80%
Fluorescence: None

Stone 2:

Grade: E
Clarity: VS2
Cut: Excellent
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Depth: 61.1%
Table: 56%
Crown Angle: 34%
Pavillion Angle: 40.8%
Star: 50%
Lower Half: 80%
Fluorescence: None



Currently (in british £'s), the difference is £1.3k. That is for the whole ring, not just diamond price.

Are the stats alone enough to justify this?

Cheers

 

[centrifuge41]

The second one seems like the better stone. Make sure it's eye clean (Most VS2's are, unless a stone got a VS2 grade because of very concentrated black crystal inclusions).

What size are the stones? If you're hypothetically looking at 0.4 carat for example, then 1300 GBP is a lot of money. Whereas if shopping for 2.0 carats, then 1300 GBP isn't very much at all.

 

[Bafreb]

Sorry, not sure how I managed to exclude the carat!

Stone 1 = 0.81
Stone 2 = 0.71

The visual difference I noticed the most was Stone 1 was darker in appearance (that could just be down to the reduced number of lights in that store)

 

[E B]

Sorry, not sure how I managed to exclude the carat!

Stone 1 = 0.81
Stone 2 = 0.71

The visual difference I noticed the most was Stone 1 was darker in appearance (that could just be down to the reduced number of lights in that store)

So I'm assuming the first is the more expensive? It's really deep, and because of this I'm guessing not too much bigger face up than #2 despite it technically being larger. #2 has better numbers all around.

 

[Bafreb]

Nope, it's the second one which is more expensive. I'm hoping to haggle down but is this cost unreasonable to justify the better stats (TIC range)

 

[E B]

Nope, it's the second one which is more expensive. I'm hoping to haggle down but is this cost unreasonable to justify the better stats (TIC range)

What are the prices of each? Would you consider buying online?

 

[Snowdrop13]

Nope, it's the second one which is more expensive. I'm hoping to haggle down but is this cost unreasonable to justify the better stats (TIC range)

What are the prices of each? Would you consider buying online?

+1 to this. At least have a look online so you can see the choice available compared to a UK store jeweller! In my experience they always emphasise the importance of colour over anything else too.

 

[Bafreb]

Stone 1 is 4400 and 2 closer to 5800. Thats with a platinum band and 2x .15 pears either side.

Both very similar rings.

 

[E B]

Stone 1 is 4400 and 2 closer to 5800. Thats with a platinum band and 2x .15 pears either side.

Both very similar rings.

$5800 for the whole ring? That doesn't seem too outrageously high, given it's an E, VS2 3EX, but we can't say for sure how well it will perform without an IS image (or a photo at the very least), only that the numbers are a good start. If you want to stick with this shop, I'd first make sure s/he has a good return policy, and then take it home and make sure it performs well in all kinds of lighting before having it set.

 

[Snowdrop13]

Are the prices in GBP? I did a quick search on Blue Nile, just for comparison- E and F VS1/2, 0.7 ct plus, GIA 3x, prices start at around £2700, though you'd have to trawl through to examine angles in closer detail.

 

[E B]

Are the prices in GBP? I did a quick search on Blue Nile, just for comparison- E and F VS1/2, 0.7 ct plus, GIA 3x, prices start at around £2700, though you'd have to trawl through to examine angles in closer detail.

Very good point! I assumed USD- if it's in GBP, then yes, it's way too high.

 

[Snowdrop13]

Actually, just realised you said price includes the setting- on Blue Nile their setting with 2 pears is £1900, your costs don't look too different after all! (VAT and duty would be added if you bought from a US vendor).

 

[E B]

What would VAT/duty be on ~$5700?

 

[Bafreb]

Yes that's right, cost is in GBP £s and that's the total price with setting and side diamonds.

Sounds like it's not too unreasonable then??

 

[E B]

Yes that's right, cost is in GBP £s and that's the total price with setting and side diamonds.

Sounds like it's not too unreasonable then??

I guess it depends on the percentage VAT/duty adds. You could get a very similar ring online for ~£3950, but I don't know how much it'd be once it gets to you (I'm only working with online calculators, not sure how reliable they are). In any case, if you're comfortable paying it and are okay with any overhead being that it's local, I'd stick with diamond #2 or try to find something with similar numbers in a G color (GIA/AGS graded). Should save you some $$$.

 

[Bafreb]

I'm not overly keen on the online option, I was more interested in knowing if the diamond differences justified the jump in costs.

I like the idea of having a shop to visit if something happens and to be able to see and feel ring before purchase.

Agree going down a colour would be a nice option.

Regards online option.. Can't figure out vat and import either.. Can anyone shed a light?

 

[JDDN]

I cannot shed light on the VAT and import tax, but I will say that stone #2 is way better cut than stone #1. Stone #1 is deep and has a very uncomplimentary crown and pavilion angle combination. That is likely why it appeared darker as it is not returning the light in an optimal way.

Here are some proportions to aim for if you decide to keep looking:

Table: 54-58%
Depth: 59-61.9%
Crown angle: 34-35 degrees (can maybe go to 35.5)
Pavilion angle: 40.6 to 40.9 degrees (can maybe go to 41 degrees with a shallower crown angle i.e., 34 degrees)

I would also try and stick with an "Excellent" cut diamond and avoid "Very Good" cut stones.

 

[Snowdrop13]

VAT is 20% and duty adds 2.5% (I think). There is usually a handling fee- I'm sure FedEx charges about £10-20, plus fees from your bank or credit card to pay in a foreign currency. Many US retailers offer free P+P anyway. A lot to consider, I guess.