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Quote From Jeweler - Please Advice

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aelitasf

Rough_Rock
Joined
Mar 8, 2015
Messages
8
Hi,

I have been shopping for a little while for an engagement ring.

Today I finally got a quote from one jeweler that was kind of close to what I wanted.

Could anyone please post his/her opinion on the quote?

Ring: (quote ~$800)
- 14K white gold
- Custom Design. I'll start from this design and do several modifications: https://www.etsy.com/listing/162715033
- size 4.5

Diamond: (quote ~$4000)
- Princess Cut
- GIA Certificate # 17459989
- .90ct
- E Color
- VS2
- Cut: Very Good

He said if I get both from him, he could get down to $4,500 + tax.

What do you guys think?

Is it a fair price, or should I run away?

If I negociate, what kind of price should I settle with?

thanks!
 
Richardt|1426043920|3845357 said:
Hi,

I have been shopping for a little while for an engagement ring.

Today I finally got a quote from one jeweler that was kind of close to what I wanted.

Could anyone please post his/her opinion on the quote?

Ring: (quote ~$800)
- 14K white gold
- Custom Design. I'll start from this design and do several modifications: https://www.etsy.com/listing/162715033
- size 4.5

Diamond: (quote ~$4000)
- Princess Cut
- GIA Certificate # 17459989
- .90ct
- E Color
- VS2
- Cut: Very Good

He said if I get both from him, he could get down to $4,500 + tax.

What do you guys think?

Is it a fair price, or should I run away?

If I negociate, what kind of price should I settle with?

thanks!
Click to expand...

Who graded the cut on the diamond? The GIA doesn't give a cut grade for princess diamonds. Something smells fishy here..
 
thank you for your comments Medical and Texas Leaguer.

the cut grade was mentionned by the jeweler.

He showed me the GIA certificate, and I could see the flaws mentionned:
- Small cloud near center (I could see it under 10x)
- Natural Indent on one of the corner. Very slight. Can be seen with the naked eye but very very barely. Without knowing I'm not sure I would have seen it. The corner is instead of being a 90 angle, maybe an 85 degree angle.
- Feather (on same corner as the natural indent)

But with a 75 table and 70 depth the stone will have some light performance deficits
Click to expand...

what would be the ideal measurements for this?

According to the charts I could find, the depth is ideal, and the table is one grade below premium, which seems good performances for my budget (~ $3.5k for the diamond).

https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/diamond-grading-chart-princess
http://www.lumeradiamonds.com/diamond-education/princess-cut-diamond


What do you guys think about the pricing?
Is it correct, or should I find another jewler/ negociate lower?
 
Richardt|1426188227|3846176 said:
thank you for your comments Medical and Texas Leaguer.

the cut grade was mentionned by the jeweler.

He showed me the GIA certificate, and I could see the flaws mentionned:
- Small cloud near center (I could see it under 10x)
- Natural Indent on one of the corner. Very slight. Can be seen with the naked eye but very very barely. Without knowing I'm not sure I would have seen it. The corner is instead of being a 90 angle, maybe an 85 degree angle.
- Feather (on same corner as the natural indent)

But with a 75 table and 70 depth the stone will have some light performance deficits
Click to expand...

what would be the ideal measurements for this?

According to the charts I could find, the depth is ideal, and the table is one grade below premium, which seems good performances for my budget (~ $3.5k for the diamond).

https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/diamond-grading-chart-princess
http://www.lumeradiamonds.com/diamond-education/princess-cut-diamond


What do you guys think about the pricing?
Is it correct, or should I find another jewler/ negociate lower?
Click to expand...
Richard,
I would highly recommend you get an independent consultation before you proceed with that diamond. Because of the age of the cert and what you describe going on in the corners, there could be some issues.

Regarding cut quality, it's more complicated than looking at two data points and matching each to a column in a table and making assumptions on those two individual results. All of the diamonds proportions and angles work in concert. Not to overwhelm you, but if you are interested in how light performance grading is done at AGSL (GIA does not yet have a cut grading system for princess), you can scan this article:
https://www.pricescope.com/journal/ags-laboratories-diamond-cut-grading-princess-cut
 
I am not a princess expert. But a quick search showed that BN has signature ideal princess cut stones between .85 and 1ct with a price range starting around $4K (though slightly lower color/clarity). While I cannot specifically recommend those stones, it suggest that there are much better options out there than the pre-owned stone you are looking at. The pave-twist style setting you posted is very pretty but I think you could find a substantially similar version from a number of different vendors (plus I think you will want something with more protective corners for a princess cut stone). I'd keep looking, and at least do some online shopping for comparison. If nothing else you can tell a local jeweler what you want and the price you think is fair, and let them try to find you something that meets criteria YOU set, rather than letting them sell you the stone based on what THEY are trying to unload. Just my 2 cents.
 
thank you for your answers.

if you are interested in how light performance grading is done at AGSL (GIA does not yet have a cut grading system for princess), you can scan this article
Click to expand...

thanks, I had actually found that article yesterday and thought it was very interesting.
Unfortunately it's hard for the consumer (me) to be able to analyze a diamond's light performance without having the AGSL report.

Would you have any advice to give on that?
Like, bringing a flashlight or laser and looking at the overall brightness or something?

I think you've noticed that I am not trying to buy an exceptional stone here, but just buying something within my budget (~$3.5k) that would look beautiful at the naked eye.



you will want something with more protective corners for a princess cut stone
Click to expand...

The desired designed is all about round curves,so I'd like to have prongs that would fit in.

Are the following prong designs protecting the edges good enough?
http://static.mwsrc.net/articles/wp-content/uploads/cache/2014/12/radiant/401268242.jpg
http://www.internetstones.com/image-files/a-princess-cut-diamond-set-in-an-engagement-ring.jpg
http://www.overstock.com/Jewelry-Watches/Journee-Collection-Sterling-Silver-Princess-Bridal-Engagement-CZ-Ring/1004527/product.html

or do I have to go with something with sharp edges?
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/509329039081098944/
 
A reminder that trade members are not allowed to comment on stones under consideration. As a result a few posts have been deleted.
 
^I was thinking the same thing

Also, I have actually used that Etsy jeweler before (Rosadosbox). I purchased a rose gold, vintage-style diamond wedding band. It was nothing too significant (meant as a stacker). The quality/craftsmanship was fine and it shipped right on time.
 
JA can do something similar to what you are looking at. They also do aset images so you can check on the light return of the stone.

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/14k-white-gold-twisted-pave-shank-contemporary-solitaire-item-6859

I think you should drop the color down to a G to stay in your price range. G is pretty white so unless you are super color
sensitive it shouldnt be a problem.

Stone possibilities...
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/0.90-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-sku-324727
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/0.90-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-sku-456469

You can ask Gabriel and Co if they can do this for a princess
https://eshop.gabrielny.com/product/ER11794R3W44JJ
 
thank you all for your advice.

Regarding the band, I want to go custom. My girlfriend knows exactly what she wants. The local jeweler offered me $800 in 14k white gold or $950 in platinum. It seems to be a very fair price for that.


I've been looking at all the stones proposed and I like them a lot.
I'm going to drop my requirements to .8-.9 G / VS2 and in order to have a better light performance, aim for an ideal cut.

That probably means that I can only look at AGS stones, right? neither GIA, IGI nor EGL offers light return grading.

Does that also mean that I won't be able to shop locally for the stone?
All the diamonds I've been shown (and I've done a dozen stores) were either GIA or EGL
 
Richardt|1426266925|3846672 said:
thank you all for your advice.

Regarding the band, I want to go custom. My girlfriend knows exactly what she wants. The local jeweler offered me $800 in 14k white gold or $950 in platinum. It seems to be a very fair price for that.

Have they showed you some of their custom work with pave? Do they do cads? Just want to make sure they can do the quality
of work that you need.


I've been looking at all the stones proposed and I like them a lot.
I'm going to drop my requirements to .8-.9 G / VS2 and in order to have a better light performance, aim for an ideal cut.

That probably means that I can only look at AGS stones, right? neither GIA, IGI nor EGL offers light return grading.
Yes, only AGS and any jeweler should be able to bring in AGS stones for you.You just have to tell them you want
AGS000 stones. You could drop down to an SI1 but tell the jeweler it needs to be eye-clean.

Does that also mean that I won't be able to shop locally for the stone?
All the diamonds I've been shown (and I've done a dozen stores) were either GIA or EGL
Click to expand...
 
thank you tyty!

I've been shopping at lots of jewlers today but only found 2 that carry AGS. The others kept telling me to just use my eye to judge the cut...

I did find a nice .75 F VS2 tripple 0 (AGS 104051440026) for $2800+tax locally which I am leaning towards.
Then I'll just get the ring done somewhere else. The initial shop I went to asked for $800 in 18k or $950 in platinum which seems like a good deal.

I'll sleep on that for a couple nights and will probably pull the trigger unless I find any way to judge the cut on non-AGS diamonds.
 
Richardt|1426290354|3846871 said:
thank you tyty!

I've been shopping at lots of jewlers today but only found 2 that carry AGS. The others kept telling me to just use my eye to judge the cut...

I did find a nice .75 F VS2 tripple 0 (AGS 104051440026) for $2800+tax locally which I am leaning towards.
Then I'll just get the ring done somewhere else. The initial shop I went to asked for $800 in 18k or $950 in platinum which seems like a good deal.

I'll sleep on that for a couple nights and will probably pull the trigger unless I find any way to judge the cut on non-AGS diamonds.
Click to expand...

Sounds like you're figuring things out! Just going to echo tyty and remind you that if going custom for the setting do your due diligence and see their previous work/portfolio, and know the answer to things like "what happens if the ring doesn't turn out how you wanted it to?" before agreeing to anything. Like home contractors, there's a lot of variability in the quality of workmanship- and the cheapest offer sometimes doesn't end up being built to code.
 
great advice Medical!

this forum is a huge help
 
Went back today to the first jeweler to ask if he would set a stone if I buy it separately.

-> He offered me $4,000 for the .9 vs2 e gia #17459989 + setting.

-> My other option is $3.6k for .75 vs2 f ags000 + setting. (Report AGS # 104051440026). $2.8k stone & $800 setting.
(diamond sold on james allen, but I saw it in person and they charged me same price as online)

He really got me rethinking through the whole process. Maybe it's worth it to actually go with his stone. Price wise it's very attractive.

He basically kept telling me that a 63.8% table (ags) is not good. Closer to 70 is better.

What would you guys chose between these two options?

I would really appreciate your advice, I'd like to make a decision fast :)
 
aelitasf said:
Went back today to the first jeweler to ask if he would set a stone if I buy it separately.

-> He offered me $4,000 for the .9 vs2 e gia #17459989 + setting.

-> My other option is $3.6k for .75 vs2 f ags000 + setting. (Report AGS # 104051440026). $2.8k stone & $800 setting.
(diamond sold on james allen, but I saw it in person and they charged me same price as online)

He really got me rethinking through the whole process. Maybe it's worth it to actually go with his stone. Price wise it's very attractive.

He basically kept telling me that a 63.8% table (ags) is not good. Closer to 70 is better.

What would you guys chose between these two options?

I would really appreciate your advice, I'd like to make a decision fast :)
Click to expand...

It sounds to me like he doesn't know what he's talking about. The table size of a princess has no hard and easy rule, but if anything 62-68 tends to be the sweet spot for best optics. There are many princesses with great optics above 68 and even below 62 too, but his rule just doesn't make sense at all. You really need an ASET to judge for sure due to all the variables involved.

I foresee a high likelihood of you guys not being happy with this guy's final product based on his willingness to say things like that to try and convince you to purchase from him.
 
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