Price discrepancies?

[MeghanKate]

My boyfriend and I have appointments set up next weekend with 2 different diamond dealers to view and choose between diamonds with the following specs:

2.00-2.30ct
G-J color
VS2-SI1 clarity
VG-EX cut

Clearly there are going to price differences amongst those that are GIA vs EGL, and frankly I'm not too hung up on the certification of the stone we ultimately choose. However, when comparing 2 very similarly graded EGL stones, one dealer's prices are considerably lower than the others'. The dealer with the lower pricing says that their pricing is more comparable to wholesaler pricing, while the more expensive dealer is open about the overhead they factor into their prices. But what I really want to know are opinions on why it is that a 2ct H SI1 EX at one place is nearly $13,000 while at the other it's only $9,000??

Someone enlighten me!

 

[WinkHPD]

My boyfriend and I have appointments set up next weekend with 2 different diamond dealers to view and choose between diamonds with the following specs:

2.00-2.30ct
G-J color
VS2-SI1 clarity
VG-EX cut

Clearly there are going to price differences amongst those that are GIA vs EGL, and frankly I'm not too hung up on the certification of the stone we ultimately choose. However, when comparing 2 very similarly graded EGL stones, one dealer's prices are considerably lower than the others'. The dealer with the lower pricing says that their pricing is more comparable to wholesaler pricing, while the more expensive dealer is open about the overhead they factor into their prices. But what I really want to know are opinions on why it is that a 2ct H SI1 EX at one place is nearly $13,000 while at the other it's only $9,000??

Someone enlighten me!

One of the stones might actually be close to the grade on the trash paper while the other one is further from the truth. You really have no way of knowing since there is no standard of how far off the grades on the trash papers are. Or it could just be that one feels he needs a 50% markup and gets it often enough to at least ask for it, while the other is working on a 5 - 10% markup.

There really is no way for you to know, unless both of the stones are actually the same stone with the same grading paper, such as the tens of thousands that are on virtual price lists all over the Internet.

The reality is that when you compare grapefruits and pineapples and grapes by weight, you really have no idea which has the best taste.

Just my opinion of course, but even if the EGL papers happen to be correct, they are the wrong paper for the job and it is going to cost you money and lost value to depend on them.

Period.

Exclamation pint!

Wink

 

[msop04]

My boyfriend and I have appointments set up next weekend with 2 different diamond dealers to view and choose between diamonds with the following specs:

2.00-2.30ct
G-J color
VS2-SI1 clarity
VG-EX cut

Clearly there are going to price differences amongst those that are GIA vs EGL, and frankly I'm not too hung up on the certification of the stone we ultimately choose. However, when comparing 2 very similarly graded EGL stones, one dealer's prices are considerably lower than the others'. The dealer with the lower pricing says that their pricing is more comparable to wholesaler pricing, while the more expensive dealer is open about the overhead they factor into their prices. But what I really want to know are opinions on why it is that a 2ct H SI1 EX at one place is nearly $13,000 while at the other it's only $9,000??

Someone enlighten me!

Hi MeghanKate!

I don't think you could get those specs in a 2 ct (GIA H, SI1, EX stone) for $9K - $13K, regardless lab... which leads me to believe the stones would be more like a J-K/SI1-SI2 if graded by GIA.

I did a quick search on JA for a 1.95 (and over), H/SI1 (or better), EX cut and the least expensive was $19,480 (it was not eye clean). Here is the search to show you the type prices you would be seeing (most likely even higher since at a B&M).
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-dia...00&PriceTo=20000&Sort=Price asc, DefaultOrder

I also did a search for: 1.95ct (and over), K (or better), SI2 (or better), EX cut -- the least expensive was $11,580 (not eye clean). There were 2 that looked okay (K,SI1 @ $12520 and K,VS2 @ $12,790)
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-dia...ceTo=13000&Sort=Price asc, DefaultOrder&ps=12

In order to get a 2ct in that price range ($11-13K), you are looking at J-K color range, unless you sacrifice on cut (which I wouldn't).

 

[WinkHPD]

Good point msop04.

I did not even look at pricing just at the "discrepancy" mentioned. The fact that both of these diamonds are thousands of dollars below a reasonable price for what she is going to look at is proof at how misleading the trash papers are. I am guessing they must be from trash paper Europe or worse trash paper Israel to be so far off the mark.

No matter. If she buys a diamond with trash paper she will have the false impression that she is getting a "Steal deal" when, unfortunately, the reality is exactly the opposite.

I do not mean to be sounding disrespectful MeghanKate, but the trash paper that is put out by the second and third and fourth tier labs is put out with the primary purpose of taking YOUR money for something less, often FAR LESS, than what you think you are getting.

Wink

 

[WinkHPD]

By the way, those J-K colors can be absolutely stunning looking in a well cut diamond. Blazing sparkle and dispersion that really stands out against the warm buttery background.

Wink

 

[msop04]

By the way, those J-K colors can be absolutely stunning looking in a well cut diamond. Blazing sparkle and dispersion that really stands out against the warm buttery background.

Wink

I agree, Wink!! I love my J -- the last thing I think when I look at my stone is "yellow"... not even close!!

 

[pyramid]

I did wonder why a Whiteflash diamond, a F VVS1 2.07 ct went up $10,000 overnight about a month or two ago and is still at
that price?

 

[msop04]

I did wonder why a Whiteflash diamond, a F VVS1 2.07 ct went up $10,000 overnight about a month or two ago and is still at
that price?

Hmmm... sounds like the price may have been entered incorrectly the first time -- and has been corrected?? It happens...

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I did wonder why a Whiteflash diamond, a F VVS1 2.07 ct went up $10,000 overnight about a month or two ago and is still at
that price?

It is quite possible that the pricing had an error originally. (just saw msop said the same thing)

MK, please limit yourself to GIA Excellent cut stones only. You'll be looking at lower color and clarity for that budget, but honestly, as others have pointed out, at least you'd know what you were buying. You are far more likely to overpay for the EGL stone because it will probably be a lower grade than you expect.

 

[msop04]

OP, this is a nice stone within your budget @ $12,520. It also scored well on the HCA @ 1.8... If you are interested at all, I would put it on hold at JA right away. I would check to make sure it's eye clean, but it looks very pretty.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-dia...-k-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-224127

 

[msop04]

I'm not sure if you can stretch your budget this much, but this is a pretty stone (and an AGS 0)... the largest inclusion is white, but may be eye clean...
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-dia...-i-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-171546

 

[pyramid]

I did wonder why a Whiteflash diamond, a F VVS1 2.07 ct went up $10,000 overnight about a month or two ago and is still at
that price?

It is quite possible that the pricing had an error originally. (just saw msop said the same thing)

Not sure it was priced lower for about 4 months, then the nearest matching stone was sold and within a few days,
this one went up by $10,000. I wondered if it was because there was no other in that range or if there was a
rise in clarity as other stones that size stayed same as did color and cut.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I did wonder why a Whiteflash diamond, a F VVS1 2.07 ct went up $10,000 overnight about a month or two ago and is still at
that price?

It is quite possible that the pricing had an error originally. (just saw msop said the same thing)

Not sure it was priced lower for about 4 months, then the nearest matching stone was sold and within a few days,
this one went up by $10,000. I wondered if it was because there was no other in that range or if there was a
rise in clarity as other stones that size stayed same as did color and cut.

Are you interested in that stone? If so, I would certainly call them and tell them you saw the lower price and ask if they will negotiate. That is substantially higher than the non-ideal GIA XXX virtual stones listed. It should be higher, but I think that seems too high. If you are considering it, I would really suggest VS1 as a very clean option which will carry less of a price premium than VVS1.