Overwhelmed newbie looking for advice

[james1234]

So, after a whole long time with the future Mrs., I am in the market for an engagement ring. I have read more things on the internet and talked to more jewelers than I want to mention, and it seems like the more I learn, the less I know.

I am looking for an asscher diamond, and hoping to get over 2.5c, maybe even low 3c if possible. My budget is $20,000, but for the right diamond could go up to $30,000 (need to set aside about $2-3k for setting I think). From what i can gather from knowledgeable people, I want to stick to G & VS2 or better, maybe an H. Also, its very important to the future Mrs james1234 that the asscher really shows the bottom cuts through the stone (whatever that means, lol). SO basically, need to stick to very good or better.

Now my problem with that is, I go online and find diamonds like: http://www.uniondiamond.com/diamonds/diamonds.php?context=&rb_flow_type=&rb_action_type_id=&action_type_id=7&item_id=AB951039&view_type=request_info&2.71ct-G-VS1-Asscher-Cut-Diamond

same diamond available here: http://search.virtcert.com/cgi/u/1012/v.cgi?stock=11243591&_s=1012&_p=sdf348gd743&_c=&_fs=1&prestock=&_ln=ps

so lets just round and say that diamond is 18k.

But then, I find something with almost the exact same stats and it will be twice the price. What gives? Is that stone flawed in some way I dont understand? Why do different online stores have such dramatically different prices, and why do some diamonds with the same "Cs" and proportions be priced at huge discrepancies (like double sometimes).

So i guess my questions are:

1. With that budget and the above guidelines for the "Cs", what should I reasonably hope for in size?
2. is it safe to shop online, or should i only stick to the BlueNile/Union Diamond type stores that seem more reputable, even thoguh I pay a premium
3. Why are some diamonds, literally with identical stats, priced so differently, and how can I figure out what the supposed "flaws" with a diamond might be?
4. What am i missing?

I must admit, this whole process is losing its fun as I stress about this daily.

thanks in advance

James

 

[JulieN]

EGL stones run cheaper. For a reason, usually.

With Asschers, pictures are of utmost importance, so Blue Nile isn't going to cut it. You should have good luck with Good Old Gold,though. You can call/email them and tell them what you are looking for.

 

[D&T]

try Jon at GoodOldGold.com

he doesn't have any 2-3 ct in his inventory online right now, maybe he has some in the works or not online yet. But do view videos as well, these are important on fancy cuts imo.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4599/

also I have looked at some with Jamesallen.com and they have pictures as well as ASET by request

 

[stone-cold11]

EGL is known to be more loose in color and clarity grading in the trade, so stones graded by them are discounted, usually to the correct color and clarity grade if graded accurately, for example by GIA/AGS.

Other factors affecting the price are the cut of the stone and what can of policies/services are provided by the vendor.

 

[tyty333]

ok, wow...lucky girl.

Your best bet is to work with a vendor that can bring in stones that match your criteria. Someone like GOG is great for
fancy cut/unusal stones because they can take all the pictures/images you need (ASET and ideal scope) and they
also do videos to help give you a good feel for the stone.

They dont have anything in your size right now but here is a pretty 1.93 G VS stone you can look at for an example of
what they can provide you (pictures and videos).
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4599/

They also sell the octavia which is a really cool assher cut. EDIt - Here is an octavia...
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/7584/

EDIT - oops, I see D&T already recommended GOG...well, then I second her rec

 

[james1234]

So it sounds to me like the diamond I linked to above is probably flawed in someway, so if the cert was GIA its really an H or an I, or VS2/SI1 instead of the G VS1 that is listed?

So any idea how to see what that diamond really looks like? For a comparable GIA certed G Vs2 it seems like they cost about 35-40% more

Edit: forgot to mention, thanks to everyone who has posted and provided some advice, its much appreciated. Thank you.

 

[stone-cold11]

So it sounds to me like the diamond I linked to above is probably flawed in someway, so if the cert was GIA its really an H or an I, or VS2/SI1 instead of the G VS1 that is listed?

So any idea how to see what that diamond really looks like? For a comparable GIA certed G Vs2 it seems like they cost about 35-40% more

Edit: forgot to mention, thanks to everyone who has posted and provided some advice, its much appreciated. Thank you.

Think about it, if the stone is going to be G VS1 if it is graded by GIA, there is nothing to stop the vendor from getting it graded by GIA and get an increase it selling price of 35-40%. Cost of GIA grading is around 300USD depending on the size of the stone, turn around time probably a month.

If the vendor has a good return policy, you could buy the stone, unmounted and have it send to an independent appraiser of your hire and have him look at the stone and give his opinion on the cut, color and clarity of it. If it turns out to be off, return it.

 

[JulieN]

you can ask Union Diamond for pictures of it. They will probably have it shipped from their supplier to the UD office, then UD staff will take pictures and email them to you.

 

[james1234]

ok, wow...lucky girl.

Your best bet is to work with a vendor that can bring in stones that match your criteria. Someone like GOG is great for
fancy cut/unusal stones because they can take all the pictures/images you need (ASET and ideal scope) and they
also do videos to help give you a good feel for the stone.

They dont have anything in your size right now but here is a pretty 1.93 G VS stone you can look at for an example of
what they can provide you (pictures and videos).
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4599/

They also sell the octavia which is a really cool assher cut. EDIt - Here is an octavia...
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/7584/

EDIT - oops, I see D&T already recommended GOG...well, then I second her rec

SO is Goodoldgold the only place that carries the octavia cut? It seems like that is sort of similar to a royal asscher cut with more cuts, etc? Been completely unable to find any places that carry Octavia or Royal Asschers, so curious if thats me not looking hard enough or are they very rare (or expensive?)

 

[antelope1]

Octavia and Royal Asschers are branded asschers. (GOG carries and advertises a lot of branded cuts.) Also, I don't see GOG listed in the list of Royal Asscher vendors (http://www.royalasscher.com/dealers.html) -- and do you really want the extra steps of the royal asscher? I think GOG's specialty ascher is the Octavia Asscher.

Have you and your GF viewed different types of asschers in person? With something like an asscher, I feel like the steps are the important thing, and the steps will look different in bigger diamonds (e.g., yours) than in smaller ones. Also, diamonds look different IRL than in photos because photos blow up diamonds so big that you're looking at things that you would not look at if you were viewing the diamond IRL. Just something to keep in mind...

 

[yssie]

technically the term asscher refers only to the RA - if you're looking for a 'generic' you'll find many under the correct name square emerald

 

[karl88]

Hope you have had luck with resolving your issue. I was in the same position back in May and ended up with Union Diamond in Atlanta. Several of the staff are GIA graduates or former employees and really are helpful and honest with their advice. I certainly understand much more about certifications and grading than I did before I dealt with them. In the end I bought the perfect diamond for my new wife and I must say that even if I had paid twice as much it would have been well worth it for the reaction it got from her.

Just give them a call and talk with them in detail about what you want and they will help, I am sure.

Good luck and God bless!