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Newbie needs help

E

ering_shopper

Rough_Rock
Joined
May 17, 2012
Messages
3
My gf and I recently started looking at engagement rings and loose stones in round brilliant, 2.5 to 3 carats, VVS to VS range, E to G color, and excellent cut. Prices we've seen typically range from 60 - 70k which is a little out of budget. I have a family jeweler who can get me wholesale prices and wanted to see if anyone knows the average markup for these types of stones. Your help is greatly appreciated, and if anyone has a similar story to share, even better.
 
Similar story: Family friends are usually a bad investment. Nothing good comes from those transactions. I've been on these boards since 2005. I've seen it work out well ONCE in all that time. And each week we get a couple people looking at family friend transactions.

You should only stick to GIA or AGS stones. Research Prices here (stick to GIA Ex/Ex and AGS 0 Ideal stones only):

https://www.pricescope.com/diamond-search-results
 
Thanks for the response. All of my jeweler's stones are GIA certified, but my gf is still a little skeptical and thinks it sounds a little too good to be true.
 
GIA is good. GIA Ex/Ex is what you want. See what he shows you (eyeclean SI1 is okay too) and see what you think of it. If you want to evaluate light performance of stone in person buy this for 30 bucks and learn to use it:

Here it is: http://www.ideal-scope.com/cart_zoom_item.asp?Id=2&ShowAdd=Y and here is the 5 dollar calibration stone: http://www.ideal-scope.com/cart_zoom_item.asp?Id=17&ShowAdd=Y

Here's how to use it: http://www.lexusindia.in/products/gb-ideal-scope.aspx

That way you'll know if you are getting a good stone or not.

Also read through this tutorial completely, and if you have questions we can help you with them:

https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds

https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/diamond-cut

https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/firescope-idealscope
 
I think the Ideal scope is a good investment if someone is not willing to buy online. I may just buy one for the heck of it!

OP, is there a reason why you won't consider buying online?
 
I just wanted to second the buying from a family friend thing. We see it all the time and it ends up with hurt feelings and broken relationships. Your gf is right to be skeptical because someone always ends up with hurt feelings and relationships suffer, it's not worth it just to perhaps,and that's really questionable. save a couple bucks. This is supposed to be a joyful occasion, you don't want to muck it up with resentment and animosity.

If you'd like to share your budget and what your you'd like to get for it, we could help make some suggestions for you.
 
Christina...|1337389845|3198834 said:
I just wanted to second the buying from a family friend thing. We see it all the time and it ends up with hurt feelings and broken relationships. Your gf is right to be skeptical because someone always ends up with hurt feelings and relationships suffer, it's not worth it just to perhaps,and that's really questionable. save a couple bucks. This is supposed to be a joyful occasion, you don't want to muck it up with resentment and animosity.

If you'd like to share your budget and what your you'd like to get for it, we could help make some suggestions for you.
Click to expand...

Well put, C.
 
Thank you everyone for your responses. They are much appreciated!

Just want to share a little more info about our situation. My family jeweler has said that we could get a stone that meets what we are looking for (round brilliant, 2.5 - 3 carats, excellent cut, VVS1 - VS2, E - G color) in the 20 - 25k range since I would not be paying retail prices. If anyone knows what the average markup is between retail and wholesale and if this sounds reasonable or not, please let me know. Does this sound possible?

Thank you!
 
I would bet money that there is way in NO WAY possible to get a VVS E-G excellent cut GIA or AGS graded 2.5-3ct diamond for 20k!! Online vendors have a minimal mark up on their stones and they are able to keep them this low because they have very little overhead, BM stores can't usually compete with them. A 2.5 ct E VVS1 is going for almost 100k on James Allen right now, so I would seriously doubt that your jeweler can offer you something similar for 20, there just isn't that much mark up. Of course there are other combinations and they are selling for as little as 50k at 2.5ct and then they will jump in price again at the 3ct mark. I smell something bad! :shock:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/E-VVS1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1361647.asp
 
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