Quantity vs quality

[niceguymr]

I'm close to pulling the trigger on a 10 Ct tw graduated diamond tennis necklace. It will be a 10 year anniversary present. I've only ever bought diamond jewelry being very scrupulous about the color & clarity, but I simply could not afford to do that with a piece of jewelry with this many diamonds. (About 120 stones). This piece is H-I, I2. There's actually 2 different nearly identical models I'm looking at - one at Bloomingdales, the other at Ross Simons - Both 'list' for around $30k but I can get either for under $10k. I Hage the idea of buying something of this price from a Dept store, but the price seems very reasonable for what it is. I also realize that the stones grading, not likely gia, is probably off by at lease one (so maybe I-j, I3). Overall, the pieces look very nice.

Should i be thinking twice?

 

[Austina]

Can you return it if it's not what you want, if so, it's worth a look?

 

[alene]

This doesn't sound like a great deal at all considering the poor clarity and most likely poor cut as well. For $10k you can get a 6ctw with ideal cut F/G VS clarity stones from White Flash for example http://www.whiteflash.com/diamond-bracelets/x-prong-diamond-tennis-bracelet-328.htm

 

[canuk-gal]

This doesn't sound like a great deal at all considering the poor clarity and most likely poor cut as well. For $10k you can get a 6ctw with ideal cut F/G VS clarity stones from White Flash for example http://www.whiteflash.com/diamond-bracelets/x-prong-diamond-tennis-bracelet-328.htm

The OP wants a necklace.

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

I think you should look around. You have a decent budget--call vendors to see what can be made for you.

e.g.

https://www.1stdibs.com/jewelry/nec...cklace-18k-white-gold-11-carats/id-j_2360723/

http://www.betteridge.com/betteridge-collection-classic-diamond-line-necklace-6-ct-tw/p/10494/

https://www.66mint.com/products/10-40ct-tw-diamond-line-necklace

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Estate-25000...105382?hash=item361137d3e6:g:1-MAAOSwofxUbkLf

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/14k-White-Go...220341?hash=item56860d84b5:g:ifkAAOSwKIpWAwzx

cheers--Sharon

 

[alene]

Oops, sorry, the tennis part threw me off! i still think the OP can do much better.

The OP wants a necklace.

 

[alene]

Here's one from IDJ, over 10 carats, still much better quality: http://idjewelry.com/diamond-necklace-n5198wd.html

 

[ringo865]

I3 is what you use for the stylus on your turntable, not for adoring your body. Please keep looking. Call IDJ.

 

[doberman]

That IDJ necklace would be a great choice. You don't want a necklace of drill bits. Ok, I'm exaggerating, but you get the point.

 

[Tourmaline]

I2?! Ugh!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Please rethink! I1 and lower would be totally out of the question, and I think that price is not a good deal at all for poor quality diamonds!

I'd far rather have a nice quality diamond solitaire pendant than a low quality tennis necklace. Did she tell you specifically that she wants a tennis necklace? I would agree with Sharon that finding a higher quality one second hand would be a better idea. I would never buy a significant piece of diamond jewelry from a department store or RS. Either change the gift, raise your budget, or find a nicer one second hand.

(P.S. Department store "list prices" on jewelry are totally meaningless. They were never worth the list price, ever.)

 

[niceguymr]

HI:

I think you should look around. You have a decent budget--call vendors to see what can be made for you.

e.g.

https://www.1stdibs.com/jewelry/nec...cklace-18k-white-gold-11-carats/id-j_2360723/

http://www.betteridge.com/betteridge-collection-classic-diamond-line-necklace-6-ct-tw/p/10494/

https://www.66mint.com/products/10-40ct-tw-diamond-line-necklace

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Estate-25000...105382?hash=item361137d3e6:g:1-MAAOSwofxUbkLf

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/14k-White-Go...220341?hash=item56860d84b5:g:ifkAAOSwKIpWAwzx

cheers--Sharon

I'm reluctant to make a purchase like this on EBay. Am I wrong for being skeptical about buying diamond jewelry on EBay? Anyone hear of bad return experiences?

 

[niceguymr]

Here's one from IDJ, over 10 carats, still much better quality: http://idjewelry.com/diamond-necklace-n5198wd.html

I agree that this is better quality but it's also $3000 more. I'm not ruling out spending a little more though.

 

[niceguymr]

Can you return it if it's not what you want, if so, it's worth a look?

Yes. A very easy & generously timed return policy.

 

[cmd2014]

I think $10k is a lot of money to spend on something that isn't great quality. Personally I would probably rather have something in a different style that is better quality. I might suggest calling some of the vendors with your budget and seeing what they can offer for that price. You might be pleasantly surprised.

 

[ac117]

If you're spending roughly $10k on a necklace, I would imagine you want those stones to sparkle. Don't compromise on cut quality...you don't want a line of glass around her neck! Call a few recommended vendors and see what they have or what they could make you.

IDJ in particular could use their PS quality stones to make you a stunning necklace. Even if it's less than 10 carats, I'm sure it would blow the options you posted here out of the water.