Newbie various questions...

[Sharky]

Hello... Looking to purchase a loose diamond in the next few months, however I have some questions.

(1) What type of savings can be had by purchasing via the internet vs. through a retail establishment? I know there are a lot of variables, but any thoughts?
(2) Who are the reputable internet establishments that I can feel comfortable purchasing from?
(3) I''ve already purchased the setting (which she picked out) from a local jeweler and they want to work with me on the stone, but I''ve told them that I am also considering purchasing in NY or online to get the best bang for my $. Should I be sharing internet pricing with my local jewler, asking them to beat or at least price match?
(4) I''m looking at AGS and GIA cert''d diamonds meeting either Ideal or Excellent cut status. Do I need to pay close specs such as Crown Angle, Pavillion Angle, Star%, Lower Half%, depth%, and table% or do stones meeting ideal / excellent cut status fall within the "best" ranges for those measurement criterion?

I''m looking to purchase a loose stone that meets the following specs:

AGS or GIA Ideal/Excellent Cut
Round
1.5 ctw
G color
Girdle - Thin to slightly thick
Polish & Symm Ideal to Excellent
Culet none to pointed
Fluorescence none to negligible

What should I expect to pay? $10,000-12,000?

Thanks!

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Date: 10/27/2007 1:48:44 PM
Author:Sharky
Hello... Looking to purchase a loose diamond in the next few months, however I have some questions.

(1) What type of savings can be had by purchasing via the internet vs. through a retail establishment? I know there are a lot of variables, but any thoughts? Generally internet is less expensive, but 90-95% of diamonds are purchased in retail stores
(2) Who are the reputable internet establishments that I can feel comfortable purchasing from? the venodrs on this site - upper right under resources pay to be here - but they will leave if they behave badly and are "outed" by the people on this very active and uncensored board
(3) I''ve already purchased the setting (which she picked out) from a local jeweler and they want to work with me on the stone, but I''ve told them that I am also considering purchasing in NY or online to get the best bang for my $. Should I be sharing internet pricing with my local jewler, asking them to beat or at least price match? why not? You may even be prpared to pay them a little more for taking the risk of supplying a stone and covering damage while setting - which otherwise will be at your risk
(4) I''m looking at AGS and GIA cert''d diamonds meeting either Ideal or Excellent cut status. Do I need to pay close specs such as Crown Angle, Pavillion Angle, Star%, Lower Half%, depth%, and table% or do stones meeting ideal / excellent cut status fall within the ''best'' ranges for those measurement criterion? i would include GIA VG and definitely use HCA - in the tools in the upper right - to screen and reject crown, pav and table sizes. But I am biased.

I''m looking to purchase a loose stone that meets the following specs:

AGS or GIA Ideal/Excellent Cut
Round
1.5 ctw
G color
Girdle - Thin to slightly thick
Polish & Symm Ideal to Excellent
Culet none to pointed
Fluorescence none to negligible

What should I expect to pay? $10,000-12,000?

Thanks!

 

[Sharky]

Thanks!

Any thoughts on ball park pricing for what I'm looking at?

By not counting out GIA VG, that is an opportunity to get a very high qualit stone and save some money, correct?

Will the NY diamond district produce worthwhile savings?