Quick questions on diamond choice

[gk172]

Ive started my search for my ideal stone and have a few questions which im hoping you can help me, ive came across a stone on one website classed as ideal cut and gia certified and upon looking on another site it seems they have either the same stone listed or identical stone, what im wondering is do abazias and whiteflash share the same lists of diamonds these 2 listings have the same size,colour clarity and numbers with about $40 of a price differance, what are the chances of them being the same diamond? and white flash have rated this stone as 4* which would indicte to me a really good stone and a slight step down from ags0 rated stones would that be right in my assumption and would you buy a 4* stone?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Lorelei]

These are what are known as virtual diamonds. It is impractical for vendors to carry a multi million dollar inventory, so many have access to the same diamonds which are listed on cutting house databases. Usually the vendor has to call the diamond in to give you an opinion. Some vendors have in house diamonds that they can pull immediately if someone enquires. Regarding the *'s, each diamond needs evaluating on it's own merits and that includes checking out it's proportions, Idealscope Images and a Sarin if needed, however vendors such as WF have everything to make choosing much easier.

 

[neatfreak]

1. Retailers do share stocks of diamonds, but WF does have many of their diamonds in house. Best to call and ask.

2. You can tell for sure by getting the GIA report # for both and seeing if it''s the same.

3. I would really want to see all the numbers, plus images before I would buy ANY stone. Just because it got a certain number of stars doesn''t mean it''s a step down from AGS0 to me.

 

[Regular Guy]

See here for background.

That WF gives it 4 stars is broadly encouraging, but not nearly definitive enough to make a purchase by. Now that you've found Pricescope, read the tutorial, and apply your own criteria.

Typically, you'd want to consider a combination of a) data (proportion info from the cert), visual (things like reflector pictures), and vendor comments...meaning that it would have left the virtual list, come into the dealers hands, and be available for their professional judgement. Further, your being able to see it always helps.

 

[gk172]

Thank you all, i should have posted more of my situ, im coming from uk to florida and will be buying from abazias and in 2 weeks will need to narrow my choice down to 2 stones this is one ive been looking at and went on to compare prices on whiteflash and found the same stone, abazias says the stone is available just now but i cant request stones till end of next week, ive gone by pricescopes figures for looking for a princess and it falls into the ideal cut figure range but whiteflash have the rating of 4* above ideal cut ranking. So if the stone is still there in about 10 days i can then request abazias get it in and get more info on it.

 

[Regular Guy]

A couple thoughts...

I don''t think WF would want you to think they either regard 4 stars...or anything they would designate to be above ideal. Without question...they are speaking with both sides of their mouth in setting up a star designation...avoiding having to assume responsibility for an ideal designation, but also, wanting to not give up entirely the idea of categorizing diamonds...thus...stars.

Also, you''ll read a lot here about quality princesses...including this. The least contested approach is to a) buy AGS, and failing that (or adding to it...), b) work with a vendor with experience comparing these, coupled with c) use of imaging strategies like employing ASET viewers.

 

[kcoursolle]

Usually I just search for "in-house" diamonds. They include more information about the stone and sometimes upgrade policies only apply to them and not virtual diamonds.

 

[gk172]

I wont be looking for an upgrade policy, this is for keeps and i did try a 2 ct solitaire on and i didnt like it on my fingers, but i have asked for it to be brought to abazias and fingers crossed it will be really good, i will post more when i find out more.

 

[gk172]

Date: 5/31/2007 12:18:44 PM
Author: Regular Guy
A couple thoughts...

I don''t think WF would want you to think they either regard 4 stars...or anything they would designate to be above ideal. Without question...they are speaking with both sides of their mouth in setting up a star designation...avoiding having to assume responsibility for an ideal designation, but also, wanting to not give up entirely the idea of categorizing diamonds...thus...stars.

Sorry ive re read what ive typed and meant to say that abazias have it listed as an ideal cut princess but whiteflash have it also rated as ideal but including a 4* rating, not meaning that this stone is above thier ideal cut really meaning its a tiny step down from thier perfect cut and hopefully making it a nice stone without the cost factor of ags0

 

[gk172]

Just had a quick look at a copy of the gia report and its listed as vs1 and what looks like 'not potential/improvable' but its a bit blurry so cant be 100% does anyone know what that would mean? Ive checked on gia site with the cert number and no mention just that its vs1.