Please help value diamond

[ebony1]

Hello,

I am hoping someone can give me an Idea for how much I should pay for this diamond. This is a huge purchase for me so I appreicate your assitance.

Cheers,
Josh


Shape and Cut: Round Brilliant
Measurements: 7.30-7.39 x 4.55m
Weight: 1.50 Carats

PROPORTIONS
Depth Percentage: 61.9%
Table Diameter Percentage: 60.0%
Girdle Thickness: Medium to SL. Thick/FAC
Culet Size: Very Small

FINISH
Polish: Very Good
Symmetry: Very Good
Clarity Grade: VVS2
Color Grade: H
Flourescence: NONE

I am a little concerned about the H color grade. I originally wanted to stick with a G or higher grade. Do you think I will be disappointed?

Thanks again!

 

[Mara]

Hi Josh--




You may not be disappointed with the color, but you may be disappointed with the cut. This diamond has some potential, but you need get a Sarin on the stone to get the all-important crown and pavilion angles in order to find out more about the cut. The table is pretty large at 60% but that doesn't mean it automatically is an ugly stone. However since depth is close to 62%...this diamond may be carriyng some extra weight in the pavilion hence why the diameter is a little small for a 1.5c stone.




Also why are you going with VVS2? That is a huge price jump for a clarity you can't even see to appreciate. I would suggest looking for something more like G or F VS and pocketing the savings or putting it towards a better cut.




If you are buying this offline, I would roughly estimate, depending on the brick and mortar store, maybe around $10-12k? It really depends on the markup--some stores will charge more for the same thing, etc.




Please let us know how we can help, would you consider buying online? There are some excellent vendors with great cuts, and great combos of color/clarity for less than you can find offline, most of the time anyway.

 

[ebony1]

First, thank you for the quick and thorough advice. I agree that the clarity rating is higher than I need but I am looking at a particular used diamond/setting that I found for sale. It is a used tiffany solataire setting. I expect to pay around $8000-$9000, which from your comparables seems to be a pretty good deal. Considering the circumstance, would you recommend that I keep looking and find a better color/clarity/cut combination?

Also, what additional information do I need to do a Sarin rating?

Finally, If the setting is a particular size, how many sizes can I reasonably size the setting before I have problems? For example, the current setting is a 3.5 and I need a 5.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Roxy]

I think you should look a little further for a better combination, and you might want to read through the tutorials on this site (if you haven't already) to get a better idea of just how important the cut of a diamond really is.

The crown and pavillion angles that you need to know, in order to even BEGIN determining whether you have a well cut stone, can be obtained from the Sarin report that Mara referred to.

If you find a stone that has an AGS cert, those angles will be listed on the cert for you.

Armed with that info, you can enter the diamond's stats into the Holloway Cut Adviser and see what type of score it gives you for the cut of the stone.

Good luck with your search!

 

[ebony1]

I absolutely agree that I could find a better combination in a diamond if I keep looking. Ideally I don't need VVS2 and I would like at least a G color rating.

However, that being said it appears that this ring is a very good deal. I am expecting to pay around $8000 for the a tiffany & Co. six prong setting with the diamond described above. Even without the setting I am not finding comparable diamonds close to that price.

That being said, I guess the question is whether or not this particular diamond/setting is a good enough deal that I don't mind not having my ideal diamond. Or, if it is just an okay deal maybe I should keep looking.

Any thoughts would be helpful?

 

[Mara]

Ebony...I think it sounds like a great deal, IF the stone is well cut. Any way to get a Sarin report on the stone from the person? Or to buy the ring with a guarantee that if it doesn't check out to your satisfaction within 10 days, you can return it? If you can a) get a return policy on it or b) get it checked out beforehand then I would do it.




Then take it to an independent appraiser who can run a Sarin (you may have to call around a bit to find this in your area), or send it to someone like Rich Sherwood or RocDoc for a complete workup. If it comes back with a very good or great cut, it was indeed an excellent deal for a real Tiffany stone + the famous setting. But if the cut is not good, then you've got a branded, famous name icky rock.




Now technically, we have not seen alot of crappily cut Tiffany stones on this forum--but make sure that its a REAL Tiffany stone. Sometimes on eBay we have seen people take a real Tiffany setting, plunk a non Tiff stone into it and sell it as the real thing. This means that you probably get a crappily cut stone. Tiffany stones for the most part are pretty well cut, but be sure this is what you are getting.




The 'deal' is really based on how good the cut of the ring. If its not well-cut, its no deal at all. So I would see how much leeway you have with this seller, and what they are willing to do to be sure you are happy. Try to get them to either let you get a workup BEFORE you buy, or if you buy, get a return policy in writing. Also don't let them convince you to just take it to some random person. You need a Sarin on this stone to get more information--not all jewelers or appraisers have a Sarin machine.




Good luck!

 

[aljdewey]

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On 11/21/2003 11:57:31 AM ebony1 wrote:




However, that being said it appears that this ring is a very good deal. I am expecting to pay around $8000 for the a tiffany & Co. six prong setting with the diamond described above. Even without the setting I am not finding comparable diamonds close to that price.
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Well, that's hard to say because you don't really know what constitutes a *comparable* diamond until you know what cut quality the above diamond actually is.

If the above diamond is indeed an ideal cut (or even very well-cut) diamond, then yes, perhaps it represents an excellent deal. On the other hand, if the diamond above is a mediocre cut, then it's not a "deal" at all.

You said you "found it for sale". If you think the possibility of the deal is worth it to you, then negotiate a generous return window and terms (doesn't have to be a grading disparity to warrant return, etc.). If successful in this, set an appt with an *independent* appraiser, buy it, and have it fully appraised. If it doesn't meet with your satisfaction for any reason, return it.

Otherwise, I'd pass. Buying something without KNOWING what you're buying is just asking for regrets later.