Question for the experts

[jragan]

Question for the experts

Hello all,
it seems like I''ve been researching for months, sending off countless emails to various retailers, etc. In my research I''ve read many a thread on the PS forums. Most recently I''ve been working with a local shop that my family has used for many years. We''ve spent hours going through stones, and they''ve even had stones "brought in" for me to look at. I wanted to run by the experts here the stone that has stood out to me so far. While quality is important, it does fall second to size/bling factor. I''m ok with settling a bit on color and clarity as long as they''re not horrible and, as a package everything looks good. So, that being said, here are the details:
Carat Weight: 3.42
Shape and Cut: Princess
Measurements: 8.56 x 8.32 6.01 mm
Total Depth: 72.2%
Table Width: 78%
Crown Height: 6%
Pavillion Depth: 64%
Girdle: Medium, Polished
Polish: Very Good
Symmetry: Very Good
Culet: None
Clarity: SI2
Color: H
Graining: Nil
Flourescence: None
Price: $21,600

I spent a long time with a 10x on the stone and there is one decent sized inclusion that falls near the center but, due to its placement in a "shadow(?)" is actually not very noticable unless you''re really looking for it. I was even allowed to take the stone outside and view it in the sunlight.

So I was wondering if the experts here had any comments as to whether the price is fair or not?

Pictures (the band is a not the band I''m getting):

Thanks very very much for any comments and opinions.

 

[jragan]

The forum software isn''t allowing me to post links to pictures...any idea why?

 

[Ali]

Please check the email account that you registered with, you should have a message.

All photos must be uploaded directly to the forums.

 

[pluck15]

The picture might be too big? There is a size limit.

 

[jragan]

Sorry for the confusion. Since I can't post links, I've attached some shots of the stone. Pay no mind to the band, it's just there as a "mockup". Thanks, again! - Jeremy

 

[stone-cold11]

Not liking it, mainly because the crown is too shallow.

 

[Dancing Fire]

not square and no crown height.

 

[jragan]

Date: 7/8/2009 7:30:53 PM
Author: Stone-cold11
Not liking it, mainly because the crown is too shallow.

Date: 7/8/2009 7:45:40 PM
Author: Dancing Fire
not square and no crown height.

Good observations on the shallow crown. I hadn't noticed that. I realize it's not square, but it seems to be much less un-square than others I've seen.

So when you guys say you don't like it, are you saying that "in general" or in regards to the price?

Thanks for the feedback so far!

 

[Dancing Fire]

tell your jeweler to call in a couple of AGS 0 cut princess for you to compare.

 

[Rockdiamond]

HI all!
jragen- in addition to what's already been mentioned, I'd add that making sure you get a GIA report is extremely important.
It's possible to buy a lovely diamond with an EGL report, however IMO a responsible seller needs to inform the buyer that the non GIA report is nothing like a GIA report.
Regretfully, there's many cases where people are not informed of the differences.
A stone getting SI2 from EGL may very well have gotten I1 from GIA.

 

[jragan]

It's an EGL-Israel cert... I know how much you guys and gals love those!

So given everything, I know that the diamond isn't perfect, but appearance wise it comes accross very nice. I compared it side-by-side to a GIA 2.5 VS1, and while there was a difference, it wasn't all that drastic, even under a 10x. (Granted, I'm no expert, but I am very OCD).

I've asked my person to find me other diamonds (3+ carat range) that either have much better characteristics and/or GIA certification. That being said, though, can anyone comment on the price of the original stone I asked about in relation to its flaws?

Thanks again,
Jeremy

 

[Lorelei]

Crown height is obviously much too shallow, also an appraisal would be most important and make any sale final on it checking out, you can do better.

 

[jet2ks]

Date: 7/9/2009 12:56:52 PM
Author: jragan
It's an EGL-Israel cert... I know how much you guys and gals love those!

So given everything, I know that the diamond isn't perfect, but appearance wise it comes accross very nice. I compared it side-by-side to a GIA 2.5 VS1, and while there was a difference, it wasn't all that drastic, even under a 10x. (Granted, I'm no expert, but I am very OCD).

I've asked my person to find me other diamonds (3+ carat range) that either have much better characteristics and/or GIA certification. That being said, though, can anyone comment on the price of the original stone I asked about in relation to its flaws?

Thanks again,
Jeremy

Use the "Pricescope your diamond" at the top of the page to compare prices for similar stones online. (I would lower the color and clarity in the search to reflect the EGL-Israel cert)

You are putting anyone who answers that question in a tough position, since we can't view the stone in person and have different preferences. Personally, if I were looking to spend 21K on a diamond, I wouldn't touch this stone, no matter how the price compares to another. I would rather spend my money on something with better cut quality, even if it is smaller.

EDT: The best example I can come up with is compring to a Ferarri with the engine only firing 6 of the 12 cylinders. Sure, you can brag you have an expensive Italian sports car, but it will never perform. Just like this diamond is BIG, but will not perform as a diamond should.

 

[Ellen]

Cut is what truly makes a diamond perform. And most notably over many different lighting situations. Most of us are in the camp of going with a smaller, better cut stone. But for some, size is most important. We understand. Not sure what camp you are in.

If it were me, I''d much rather have this one, and even though it''s not top cut, it''s undoubtedly cut better than the one you posted. One thing to remember, you do get what you pay for.

And the stone you are looking at is probably more like a J I1-I2. In squares of that size, warmth will also be more apparent....

http://www.whiteflash.com/princess/Princess-cut-diamond-2027415.htm#


Also, after seeing many posters over the years say they are "working with a family jeweler", rare have been the times that a truly decent stone was ever delivered....Just the way it seems to go.


One other note, any well cut stone in this size range will be rather rare to find.

 

[Lorelei]

Thats a nice find Miss and an excellent analogy Jet!

 

[jragan]

Well thanks everyone. I believe I''m sufficiently turned off now on this stone. The girlfriend would prefer size over anything else but I''m feeling like this stone is too light on the quality characteristics. Damn.

It''s interesting, I thought I had well-educated myself in all this, but having an actual stone to research (and you guys here) has enlightened me much more.

I guess the search continues. In my research weeks ago, the pricescope search results seemed on the high side...but now they''re not looking so bad...