Opinions on pricing for a 1.51ct RB for 12-15K budget?

[Televari]

Hi everyone,
I''ve been lurking for a while around here, and have been totally convinced that it''s the best resource for anyone looking to buy a diamond.

That said, I was hoping to get some opinions on pricing for this stone:

1.51ct, F color, SI1
GIA cert ex-cut, ex-polish, ex-symetry
Table: 60%
Depth: 59.8%
Girdle: medium-thick (3.5%)
Pavillion: 80%
Crown: 13%

Price quoted: $13,000

When i was in the store, it outshone just about everything else i looked at; and i thought it was really beautiful. A few days before, i was quoted $16,500 for a 1.52 G VS2 GIA ex cut, ex polish, ex symmetry and felt I was being completely ripped off; especially since the salesman was so pushy.

Is the $13,000 for the first stone too much?

We''ve already settled on an amazing split-shank setting with pave diamonds and no halo (we both hate halos) for about $2100 from a local jeweler.

My gf''s ring size is 7.5-8 and has expressed concern about any stone less than a 1.75ct. With my budget (12-15K) i had hoped to get into the 2ct range but it seems that i''d have to go with a H-color or below, and compromise on cut quality to do it. In my searching I''ve learned that we both really notice color, and i was pretty sensitive to dull stones. I decided that a 1.51 that ''blinds'' is better than a moderate or dull 2.01. In any event, i know how important size can be, so i''d consider moving up.

All in all, I''d love to pop the question within 2 wks, as we''ve been talking about it and looking for about 3 months! Any help is appreciated!

 

[yssie]

Date: 3/30/2010 1:32:51 PM
Author:Televari
Hi everyone,
I've been lurking for a while around here, and have been totally convinced that it's the best resource for anyone looking to buy a diamond.

That said, I was hoping to get some opinions on pricing for this stone:

1.51ct, F color, SI1
GIA cert ex-cut, ex-polish, ex-symetry
Table: 60%
Depth: 59.8%
Girdle: medium-thick (3.5%)
Pavillion: 80%
Crown: 13%

Price quoted: $13,000

When i was in the store, it outshone just about everything else i looked at; and i thought it was really beautiful. A few days before, i was quoted $16,500 for a 1.52 G VS2 GIA ex cut, ex polish, ex symmetry and felt I was being completely ripped off; especially since the salesman was so pushy.

Is the $13,000 for the first stone too much?

We've already settled on an amazing split-shank setting with pave diamonds and no halo (we both hate halos) for about $2100 from a local jeweler.

My gf's ring size is 7.5-8 and has expressed concern about any stone less than a 1.75ct. With my budget (12-15K) i had hoped to get into the 2ct range but it seems that i'd have to go with a H-color or below, and compromise on cut quality to do it. In my searching I've learned that we both really notice color, and i was pretty sensitive to dull stones. I decided that a 1.51 that 'blinds' is better than a moderate or dull 2.01. In any event, i know how important size can be, so i'd consider moving up.

All in all, I'd love to pop the question within 2 wks, as we've been talking about it and looking for about 3 months! Any help is appreciated!

80 is LGF. what is pavilion? should be an angle around 40.8


for prices, you can use the PS search engine to search for similar stones by price.


If she wants a 1.75 I would seriously consider giving it to her - going down to an I or a J, keep an excellent cut, the slight colour tint will be negligible if you stick to well cut stones. Dull does NOT equal lower coloured - if you saw dull stones, it's because they were either poorly cut or I2s with cloud inclusions.



ETA: what are the mm measurements on the stone?

 

[cemrn]

I think you can find 1.75 in your price range. You will have to drop on color but not cut. I just got an 1.7 I SI1 hearts and arrows cut in the $12-13k range

 

[cecily]

Hi
I have a 8.25 finger and wanted a ring with good coverage. I got a 2.01 from James Allen with super excellent cut (H&A not branded)in J color and SI2 (twinning wisps, absolutely eye clean really close). I thought of myself as color sensitive, but once mounted, an excellent cut REALLY makes a difference in how color looks. When I got my ring (mounted) to local Bay Area appraiser to have it evaluated, she wrote on my insurance appraisal G-H color and agreed with SI2. When I look at my J close to some G-Hs with lower cut quality, it appears whiter. So you might get more carats for your $$$$ if you go a little bit lower in color.

 

[Televari]

Thanks for the responses! The stone is 7.4 x 7.4 I believe, but I''ll have to check with the jeweler to verify. I unfortunately didn''t get the pavilion angle, but I''ll check for that as well.

A lot of the B&Ms (in the Chicago area) I looked at quoted about 12K for similar stones, and anything 1.74+ was closer to 15-17K for a stone. In one case i was quoted 14.5K for a I SI1 2.0ct stone.

I don''t recall seeing a noticeable size difference between 1.74 and 1.51, and the 1.51 looked so much nicer... but is that because i simply was seeing what i wanted to see?

 

[yssie]

it''s very possible that the 1.75 you saw was poorly cut so it was A) dull and B) faced up smaller, making the 1.5 really shine. OR it''s very possible that you saw a wonderful 1.75 and still preferred the higher colour 1.5. We need more details to even begin to make assumptions.

 

[stone-cold11]

Ditto.

 

[Televari]

Ok, thanks. I''ll see what i can dig up

 

[NJDeac]

I''ve been stalking the following stone on BGD for a couple of weeks now, but since my girlfriend recently told me she definitely wants to stay below 1.5 carats I feel a bit better about "outing" it: 1.78 I VS2 BGD Signature H&A for ~$13500 with wire and PS discounts

Personally, I can barely see any tint in a loose I stone, let alone when its set without having another diamond to compare it to. However, if she''s particularly color sensitive then you may need to explore other options.

 

[Televari]

Thanks NJDeac, that''s quite a nice stone... but i think it would take a bit to get used to the color : )

I wish size wasn''t everything!

 

[stone-cold11]

How about this? If you do not mind the strong blue fluor.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/D-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1269454.asp

Ask if eye-clean and request for an idealscope image if you are interested.

 

[Televari]

A few more specs on the original stone:
Crown Angle 33%, Crown Height 13%, Pavilion angle 41%, Pavilion Depth 43.5%, Star Length 55%, and Lower Half 80%.

 

[stone-cold11]

Promising 60/60 stone from the numbers.

 

[Dreamer_D]

How does you gf feel about diamond color? noticing and caring are two different things

How about dropping clairty?

I think James Allen is a great online resource for deals.

Here are some to consider:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/7123/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/6980/ Only a little over budget with additional PS discount

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond/diamond-detail/?product_id=AGS-1040397620032
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2275591.htm

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 3/30/2010 11:25:25 PM
Author: Televari
A few more specs on the original stone:
Crown Angle 33%, Crown Height 13%, Pavilion angle 41%, Pavilion Depth 43.5%, Star Length 55%, and Lower Half 80%.

This one has potential, what is known as a 60 60 type ( 60% depth and table).

 

[Televari]

dreamer_d: noticing and caring are two different things <-- very true

I might have more luck with changes in color than changes in size.

Thanks everyone for all the responses and the additional diamond recommendations. I''m going back to the jeweler today to have a look at the original and additional stones, and hopefully I''ll find something that catches my eye again.