Recently been ripped off - so want your opinion

[chuffaker]

I recently got ripped off by a jeweler in the area, luckily got my trade in diamond back and everything taken care of. A sister store of the jeweler has a diamond I''m highly considering.. I don''t have the measurement''s YET.. But it is an AGS 000 diamond.

1.055 Carat
G
VS2

What do you think a good price on it is? I will get measurements later and post. They actually have two AGS 000 1 Carats that I can choose from, the other:

1.051 Carat
G
SI1

Price on both is the same for some reason.. What do you think the price should be. I believe they are pricing them the same because they know my situation, but I''m not sure of that.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks...

 

[mrssalvo]

you can do a search on the home page..pricescope your diamond and enter in the specs you have and check the AGS box and similar stones and prices will pop up. Without all the numbers the range may be broad but you can get an idea..

 

[chuffaker]

I did this & it''s saying around $7700 - $7800

So if I''m getting a price of $6700.. That''s pretty good huh..

What does everyone think of Jared?

Let me know if you would please. Have a viewing scheduled for 6 p.m. tonight.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Date: 4/12/2006 2:31:17 PM
Author: chuffaker
I did this & it''s saying around $7700 - $7800

So if I''m getting a price of $6700.. That''s pretty good huh..

What does everyone think of Jared?

Let me know if you would please. Have a viewing scheduled for 6 p.m. tonight.

hard to give an opinion with no information on the measurements.

 

[Kaleigh]

Date: 4/12/2006 2:39:42 PM
Author: Dancing Fire

Date: 4/12/2006 2:31:17 PM
Author: chuffaker
I did this & it''s saying around $7700 - $7800

So if I''m getting a price of $6700.. That''s pretty good huh..

What does everyone think of Jared?

Let me know if you would please. Have a viewing scheduled for 6 p.m. tonight.

hard to give an opinion with no information on the measurements.

Ditto. You can type in Jareds in the search box, they have been mentioned many times on here.

 

[Paul-Antwerp]

For that price, you better double-check whether these really are AGS-0-diamonds. I mean with the AGS DQD-report.

That price is so low, that something is bound to be incorrect.

Live long,

 

[Small]

I don''t know about the price but I have bought from Jareds in the past. I was provided really good service but did end up finding what I was looking for at another store for about half the price...ofcourse that''s after I already bought the merchandise

. I did go to look at ideal cut diamonds there knowing they sell them. I found them to be anywhere from 3-5k more expensive than online vendors. They were not hesitant to show me the AGS certs and show me everything I wanted to see. I had a good experience there but if the price is lower than what''s shown online I think you should be weary! Good luck!

 

[chuffaker]

See I have the same feelings but....

I called a jewelery store I always deal with in Minnesota that has never steared me wrong and asked them to price similar stones, and they came in at $6725 for a 1.04 H VS2. So I''m like hmmm, it''s not worth the 4 hour drive to the cities to look at that when I have the same thing of higher quality here.

How can the AGS report lie if it matches the number on the stone? There are stones I found through the pricescope now that range $6100 - $6800 so maybe they are really close, and the market isn''t as good in this area for Ideals.. They are both Ideal, Ideal, Ideal. I''ve seen the one stones cert multiple times..

I don''t understand how they can lie about a stone if it''s on paper.. You know what I mean? I did get screwed by Kay Jewelers. They sold me an IGI Ideal Cut Grade report diamond. 1.08C E SI1 which retailed for $9000, and they came down to $7000, and I still took it back. These Triple 0''s blew that stone out of the water....

What are we thinking now?

 

[jasontb]

Date: 4/12/2006 3:28:14 PM
Author: chuffaker


What are we thinking now?

I think what people are essentially saying is that $7k for an 1-ct, ideal cut, G-color, eye-clean RB from a brick-and-mortar store is a great deal. Perhaps too good to be true.

 

[chuffaker]

Measurements:

$6700.00

1.055 Carat
VS2
G

Girdle - Faceted 1.1 - 1.8%
Diameter - 6.51 x 6.56
Total Depth - 62.6%
Crown Angle - 35.3 Degrees
Crown Height - 16.0%
Pavil. Angle - 41.2 Degrees
Pavil. Depth - 43.7%
Culet - pointed
Table - 54.9%

Proportion - 0
Sym - 0
Pol - 0

 

[mrssalvo]

unless I miss calculated that stone scored a 4.1 on the HCA. most people prefer stones that rate 1-2..

4.1 - Good - Only if price is your main criterion

that said, if you''ve seen the stone and you love it, eyes trump paper IMO

 

[Paul-Antwerp]

Your stone is a classic example of an old-style AGS-report, which offered the possibility of steep-deep stones with clearly lower light performance.

In the new AGS-system, which works on light performance, this stone would probably be an AGS-2, and very close to the AGS-4-area.

This is confirmed by the HCA.

Live long,

 

[Rod]

Date: 4/12/2006 3:50:10 PM
Author: mrssalvo
unless I miss calculated that stone scored a 4.1 on the HCA. most people prefer stones that rate 1-2..

4.1 - Good - Only if price is your main criterion

that said, if you''ve seen the stone and you love it, eyes trump paper IMO

Not sure why you were told this stone is truly AGS 000. Run the numbers through the HCA and like mrssalvo commented, this stone doesn''t score too well. Perhaps why the price from Jared (who by the way has never impressed me - at least I''ve never seen an AGS graded stone in our local Jareds) is low.

 

[Small]

Date: 4/12/2006 4:10:03 PM
Author: Rod

Date: 4/12/2006 3:50:10 PM
Author: mrssalvo
unless I miss calculated that stone scored a 4.1 on the HCA. most people prefer stones that rate 1-2..

4.1 - Good - Only if price is your main criterion

that said, if you''ve seen the stone and you love it, eyes trump paper IMO

Not sure why you were told this stone is truly AGS 000. Run the numbers through the HCA and like mrssalvo commented, this stone doesn''t score too well. Perhaps why the price from Jared (who by the way has never impressed me - at least I''ve never seen an AGS graded stone in our local Jareds) is low.

Rod,
I don''t think they have the ideals in every location. I was just out trying to get setting ideas while waiting for Wink to get back to me when he got the diamond from Paul...I went to heltzberg then Jareds. I was shocked...fully expecting the GIA stones like I saw at Heltzberg but in fact I did get to see the grading report from AGS which was dated 2006 and had the 000. I saw virtual stones that were AGS they could bring in too. LOL...I would say to the lady,"I don''t like the depth on that one or the table is too high...she would say it''s still ideal though...and I''d tell her it may be but it''s not my preference LOL." She told me she was impressed with my knowledge but I know she knew I wasn''t buying anything from her LOL. It was a good experience though and she was very, very accomodating and nice. Even had my platinum setting on my original e-ring polished for free

My only worry with them is that they are higher priced...not as high as heltzberg but still higher than what you can get here. 3-5k is quite a difference. It was 5k+ for Heltzberg

While these stores definitely have their place in the market I wouldn''t buy an ideal cut diamond from them. But that''s just me and my 2c worth!

 

[Rod]

Thanks Small,

The local Jareds certainly doesn''t carry any AGS (000 or otherwise) stones. The stones they proudly display were IGI and from what I saw, all were pretty poorly cut. They looked lifeless in their plastic white bottomed sad little homes. The salesperson who was trying to get my attention gave up quickly when he noticed my ring and how much life my diamond had. He even asked if my stone was Moissanite. It was pretty pathetic.

Perhaps there are Jared''s who carry higher quality, but this store just reminded me of a free standing Zales.

 

[chuffaker]

Here is the specs on the other diamond..

$6900.00

1.056 Carat
SI1
G

Girdle - Faceted 1.2 - 2.0%
Diameter - 6.51 x 6.54
Total Depth - 62.0%
Crown Angle - 34.7 Degrees
Crown Height - 14.9%
Pavil. Angle - 41.1 Degrees
Pavil. Depth - 43.3%
Culet - pointed
Table - 57.0%

Proportion - 0
Sym - 0
Pol - 0

Which comes to a 2.8 HCA.. Right? But this is with a Very Good polish, and this diamond has Ideal Pol/Sym....

Let me know what you think Please.. I'm trading in a GIA .72C E VS2 Princess, and they give 12mo. 0% finance remaining 6 mo. 9.9%

 

[Dancing Fire]

Date: 4/12/2006 5:29:34 PM
Author: chuffaker
Here is the specs on the other diamond..

$6900.00

1.056 Carat
SI1
G

Girdle - Faceted 1.2 - 2.0%
Diameter - 6.51 x 6.54
Total Depth - 62.0%
Crown Angle - 34.7 Degrees
Crown Height - 14.9%
Pavil. Angle - 41.1 Degrees
Pavil. Depth - 43.3%
Culet - pointed
Table - 57.0%

Proportion - 0
Sym - 0
Pol - 0

Which comes to a 2.8 HCA.. Right? But this is with a Very Good polish, and this diamond has Ideal Pol/Sym....

i''m confuse

how can this stone make AGS 0 with only a VG polish?

 

[chuffaker]

Sorry...

Pol - Ideal
Sym - Ideal
Proportion - 0

I have no clue why I said this stone have very good polish...???? I'm confused myself..

 

[chuffaker]

Went and looked at the diamonds, and the HCA 2.8 diamond is beautiful but, they would only give me $2200 for my .72C E VS2.. So I said NO to the trade.

But they have a 3/4 Carat....

.758 Carat
D
SI1

Table - 56.1%
Crown Angle - 34.6 Degrees
Crown Height - 15.3%
Pavillion Angle - 40.9 Degrees
Pavillion Height - 43.1%
Culet - Pointed
Total Depth - 61.1%
Girdle - .8% - 2.9%

Pol - Ideal
Sym - Ideal
Prop. - Ideal
HCA - 1.5

$3500.00

What do you wall think?

 

[Small]

Date: 4/12/2006 5:25:07 PM
Author: Rod
Thanks Small,

The local Jareds certainly doesn''t carry any AGS (000 or otherwise) stones. The stones they proudly display were IGI and from what I saw, all were pretty poorly cut. They looked lifeless in their plastic white bottomed sad little homes. The salesperson who was trying to get my attention gave up quickly when he noticed my ring and how much life my diamond had. He even asked if my stone was Moissanite. It was pretty pathetic.

Perhaps there are Jared''s who carry higher quality, but this store just reminded me of a free standing Zales.

LOL Rod...I know I saw those as well. My sales lady wanted to show me the difference between the ideal cuts and the regular IGI or GIA (the location I was in had both) and I was like no thanks

At least the ones that are around me (south suburbs of chicago and northwest Indiana are brand new stores and they are trying to compete with the free standing Heltzberg stores so they are more upscale than the regular Zales/Kays/JB Robinson mall stores of the world. While I wouldn''t buy my diamond there they had some other things that I could see my husband buying as a last minute gift for me, and I wouldn''t mind it

My husband is a last minute shopper kind of guy so I get all kinds of mall jewelry in the form of earrings, necklaces, and such...all very nice and it''s really the thought behind it that counts. But I told him no more diamonds from the mall LOL...he needed to let me do the diamond purchases from now on

 

[Small]

Date: 4/13/2006 12:09:17 AM
Author: chuffaker
Went and looked at the diamonds, and the HCA 2.8 diamond is beautiful but, they would only give me $2200 for my .72C E VS2.. So I said NO to the trade.

But they have a 3/4 Carat....

.758 Carat
D
SI1

Table - 56.1%
Crown Angle - 34.6 Degrees
Crown Height - 15.3%
Pavillion Angle - 40.9 Degrees
Pavillion Height - 43.1%
Culet - Pointed
Total Depth - 61.1%
Girdle - .8% - 2.9%

Pol - Ideal
Sym - Ideal
Prop. - Ideal
HCA - 1.5

$3500.00

What do you wall think?

http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/diamond_Details.aspx?itemcode=AGS-5506510
Here is something similar and the price is still higher...I'm wondering about this from Jareds. Honestly I looked at an H SI2 1.03 AGS0 ideal for $8900 and that was almost double the price online

Specs were good as I saw the report. Now I wasn't seriously considering the purchase but I wouldn't at that price anyway when I could get it online for ALOT less. The depth and the table look good. I'm not sure about 34.6 and 40.9...I'll let someone else chime in. 1.5 on HCA is excellent! I can't really say to buy it just because I can't believe they'd sell a D SI for so low compared to WF and some other vendors.

Ok...is that price 3500.00 what you are paying after your trade? If so that would make more sense to me. But just 3500???

Got to wonder about that...sorry to be skeptical it's just since I've shopped there and shopped the ideal cut RBs and know the costs I'm leery. Maybe you are getting a good deal...I hope so

 

[TBeck2000]

Date: 4/13/2006 12:36:04 AM
Author: Small
they are more upscale than the regular Zales/Kays/JB Robinson mall stores of the world.

FYI, Jared is owned by the same company that runs a number of other mall jewelry stores. LINK

The following are all owned by Sterling Inc.:

American Brokers Insurance Group
Belden Jewelers
Friedlander''s
Goodman Jewelers
J.B. Robinson
Jared The Galleria of Jewelry
Jared-The Galleria of Jewelry
Kay Jewlers
Leroys Jewelers
Mark & Morgan Jewelers
Osterman
Rogers Jewelers
Shaw''s
Sterling Inc.
Weisfield Jewelers

Just something to keep in mind if you are shopping at the mall jewelers. Even though they may have different names, they may still be run by the same people.

 

[chuffaker]

No, that price is outright.. I''m not going to loose $1695 on a E VS2 3/4 Carat..

They are low, because I usually buy diamonds in Minnesota and she said a "000" 1 Carat up there will be above $8K for sure. I''m not sure what is going on. I''ve seen the AGS certs on all these diamonds, and the .758 Carat one has the newest AGS Cert.

I really don''t know what to be thinking at this point.

Any input is greatly appreiciated.

Thanks...

 

[Rod]

Date: 4/13/2006 10:14:44 AM
Author: TBeck2000

Date: 4/13/2006 12:36:04 AM
Author: Small
they are more upscale than the regular Zales/Kays/JB Robinson mall stores of the world.

FYI, Jared is owned by the same company that runs a number of other mall jewelry stores. LINK

The following are all owned by Sterling Inc.:

American Brokers Insurance Group
Belden Jewelers
Friedlander''s
Goodman Jewelers
J.B. Robinson
Jared The Galleria of Jewelry
Jared-The Galleria of Jewelry
Kay Jewlers
Leroys Jewelers
Mark & Morgan Jewelers
Osterman
Rogers Jewelers
Shaw''s
Sterling Inc.
Weisfield Jewelers

Just something to keep in mind if you are shopping at the mall jewelers. Even though they may have different names, they may still be run by the same people.

Can you say Monopoly???????? LOL.......perhaps this is why many of them have the exact same brochure at the holidays and sell the same low quality crap!!!

 

[Small]

Date: 4/13/2006 10:31:43 AM
Author: Rod

Date: 4/13/2006 10:14:44 AM
Author: TBeck2000

Date: 4/13/2006 12:36:04 AM
Author: Small
they are more upscale than the regular Zales/Kays/JB Robinson mall stores of the world.

FYI, Jared is owned by the same company that runs a number of other mall jewelry stores. LINK

The following are all owned by Sterling Inc.:

American Brokers Insurance Group
Belden Jewelers
Friedlander''s
Goodman Jewelers
J.B. Robinson
Jared The Galleria of Jewelry
Jared-The Galleria of Jewelry
Kay Jewlers
Leroys Jewelers
Mark & Morgan Jewelers
Osterman
Rogers Jewelers
Shaw''s
Sterling Inc.
Weisfield Jewelers

Just something to keep in mind if you are shopping at the mall jewelers. Even though they may have different names, they may still be run by the same people.

Can you say Monopoly???????? LOL.......perhaps this is why many of them have the exact same brochure at the holidays and sell the same low quality crap!!!

LMAO...mall store monopoly!
I was aware that Jareds and Kays were affliated but I had no idea that Jared was affiliated with all of those other stores

YIKES. Well at least the two that I''ve shopped in are better than some of the other ones that are being described on here. I am encouraged that they at least sell GIA and AGS stones LOL! I don''t buy diamonds from them but they are very helpful when I need something cleaned/looked at/serviced AND they will let you watch while they fix/clean/look at whatever problem you are having! That was a nice feature (the watching) that I liked when they offered to polish my platinum setting for free.

 

[Small]

Date: 4/13/2006 10:18:32 AM
Author: chuffaker
No, that price is outright.. I''m not going to loose $1695 on a E VS2 3/4 Carat..

They are low, because I usually buy diamonds in Minnesota and she said a ''000'' 1 Carat up there will be above $8K for sure. I''m not sure what is going on. I''ve seen the AGS certs on all these diamonds, and the .758 Carat one has the newest AGS Cert.

I really don''t know what to be thinking at this point.

Any input is greatly appreiciated.

Thanks...

Well I"m in the Chicago market but I really didn''t realize that Jareds marks their diamonds based on their market place...I''d be suspicious with that price just my 2c though. Why are your trading your original anyway???

 

[jaz464]

Date: 4/12/2006 2:31:17 PM
Author: chuffaker
I did this & it''s saying around $7700 - $7800

So if I''m getting a price of $6700.. That''s pretty good huh..

What does everyone think of Jared?

Let me know if you would please. Have a viewing scheduled for 6 p.m. tonight.

I would never shop there

 

[chuffaker]

She said the diamond I get married with, is the diamond I''m keeping for life. She is a cosmetologist and her diamond is always getting dirty. The princess cut just doesn''t have the fire and brilliance to keep up with the how dirty the stone gets. The stone just hasn''t ever really flattered my eye the way it did in the store when we purchased it. The trade in price is exactly what we paid for it, so that is good. That is if we trade at the store where purchased.

Everyone is saying the same thing about the price offered at Jerads on the "000". But, how can lie about a diamond that is laser enscribed and matches the certificate? I don''t get it. It''s like it''s such a good deal, but then you step back and say why is it such a good deal. I just don''t want to get taken again.

But the diamonds they have there, are very nice....

But, it''s Jerads...

 

[Rod]

Hey........since you want to trade-up and you have the opportunity to do that with the store you originally purchased your stone from. And, it appears this Jareds will let you do that. And, they''ve got a stone that meets the criteria you''ve determined the next stone should be. And, that stone is inscribed and is accompanied by a grading report from a reputable lab. And you''ve seen the stone and it does all you could have hoped that stone could do. And, it falls within your price range for an upgrade.

Then I say, quit worrying about what any of us on PS have to say, and buy that puppy and enjoy life.

It sounds like a great opportunity to get a nicer diamond.

Good luck and show us pictures of the pretty new pet rock. THAT''S AN ORDER AND A REQUIREMENT for your membership on PS.

Best wishes.......

 

[GemView]

Date: 4/14/2006 3:29:21 PM
Author: chuffaker
She said the diamond I get married with, is the diamond I''m keeping for life. She is a cosmetologist and her diamond is always getting dirty. The princess cut just doesn''t have the fire and brilliance to keep up with the how dirty the stone gets. The stone just hasn''t ever really flattered my eye the way it did in the store when we purchased it. The trade in price is exactly what we paid for it, so that is good. That is if we trade at the store where purchased.



Everyone is saying the same thing about the price offered at Jerads on the ''000''. But, how can lie about a diamond that is laser enscribed and matches the certificate? I don''t get it. It''s like it''s such a good deal, but then you step back and say why is it such a good deal. I just don''t want to get taken again.



But the diamonds they have there, are very nice....



But, it''s Jerads...

My fiancé bought my diamond at a B&M, too. He bought an 1.04 F/SI1 for under 5K last August (not an AGS cert, but the specs check out to a 1.2 on the HCA). Although B&Ms aren''t generally regarded as the best place to get the best stones at the best prices, it worked out fine for me. Of course, it helped that I had already known the owner for a couple of years. Perhaps the same “relationship” is working in your favor. Some retailers DO work to keep your business, now and then.

Unless there is some sort of scam going on where they are duplicating laser IDs on inferior stones, I don''t see how you could go too far wrong (as long as the HCA checks out and you can verify the cert/laser ID with the AGS). You can also take a look at the plot and see if the inclusions match under the loop. You might even want to ask if they will allow you to get an independent appraisal for insurance value (and return if it doesn''t measure up).

I would also be curious to know how their chain works. If the staff works on commission or the store has a monthly sales quota issued by corporate and either the salesperson or the store is not turning over enough inventory, it may be possible to obtain a slightly better deal than average (like buying from a car dealer during a month when they fail to move enough cars off the lot).

You also brought up a question as to why the Internet prices do not seem to beat the B&M by a larger margin. This is just a guess, but perhaps as these Internet retailers build a reputation, prices will go up accordingly (supply and demand, not to mention the edicts of De Beers). As the Internet becomes regarded as a bargain hunter''s paradise, eventually etailers — not just jewelry per se — will realize that customers expect discounts and they''ll bank on that perception, even if the deals they offer aren''t all that much different than a local store. The same goes for chain stores. To compete against Internet sales they have to remain competitively priced. As a result, the difference in price between what a B&M offers and the same item online may begin to equalize — though I wouldn’t expect that to happen overnight!

Good luck!