Quck Input Requested on Potential Diamond Purchase

[emo6767]

As some of you know, I have been in the market for a 3ish caret diamond as an engagement stone. I have been working with great vendors so far, both online and B&M. My B&M person says she can get this diamond initially spotted for me by Ellen (even though it says no longer available):

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1087014.asp

The hitch is that it can only be obtained by them if I am committed to purchasing it. The numbers look solid (although an HCA is only in the VG range, I have been told tht in general that is a fine range, and that it is not necessarily precise once you get in the 2ish range) - it is AGS 000 Hearts and Arrows. From my lay-person''s perspective the idealscope looks very good (is that right??)

The price on this does seem to be extraordinary (7%ish below rap). So on one hand, I think if I do not move on it, I may not find a better alternative. On the other hand, the fact that this price is so much lower than other stones of comparable characteristics makes me think something could be wrong with it (maybe graded too loosely?), and hence committing to buy it sight unseen would be foolish.

Thoughts???

 

[JulieN]

That''s what your return period is for. If you''re worried about a borderline grade resulting in a lower price, take it to the appraiser of your choice.

 

[strmrdr]

IS looks exellent
Cant judge h&a without heart images but optical symmetry is at least on the vg/ex border and likely EX.
looks like a real nice diamond.

I''m confused by your hca comment while I didn''t run the Numbers that combo is under 2 on the hca.

 

[emo6767]

Julie - Thanks for the very practical advise.

strmrdr - You are right; overall the diamond rates a 1.9 TIC excellent, but none of the individual grades are above a VG. But I take it that should not concern me?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Are you saying that the B&M is offering the stone to you at less than the JA price? If so, that might be a nice deal. But under no circumstances should you feel obligated to buy the stone. At most, you could offer to pay the shipping for them to bring it in for you to see. Otherwise, if the price is not better than James Allen, I''d just call and ask them to send it to you, and then you''d have 30 days to decide. You need to be sure you wouldn''t want to ever trade it in, though, as they do not have a good trade-in policy.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

The James Allen site does say that the stone is no longer available. I wonder if your jeweler called the stone in?

 

[emo6767]

DS2006 - The price was a bit better than the wire price for JA, and I was wondering if they already called it in as well. Your suggestion to offer to pay for the shippping out is a good one!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Great! Let us know what happens!