same stone, different prices, what''s up?

[gbreaux]

I''m trying to find a very well cut 1 carat round brilliant to put in a center setting and also two very well cut .25 to .28 or so rounds to set as side diamonds in the same verraigio setting. When trying to compare apples to apples, ie. same cuts and measurements, why are some vendors on this site cheaper than others?

Is it that some vendors have better quality than others? I''m trying to just look at ideal cuts and excellent symmetry and so forth.

 

[chrono]

There are many reasons for the difference:
1. Certification: AGS costs more than GIA, which costs more than EGL which costs more than.... you get the picture
2. Accuracy of grading (related to #1): the colour and clarity of some stones aren't really as stated on the certs
3. The cut of the stone
4. Overhead costs of vendors
5. Cost of their services (tests like Idealscope, Aset, Sarin, etc)
6. Expertise (some do not dropship - they will view the stone and give you their expert opinion if it is a dog or not)
and more...

 

[gbreaux]

thanks,
that''s kinda of what i was wondering about.

why some vendors give so much info and some don''t. the ags gives way more info as far as pavillion spread and crown angle spread.

and then the hearts and ideal scope and light pictures are great (i think) for deciding on the quality of one stone from another.

do the pictures ags give a real difinitive answer as to how the diamond will pop when purchased if all the pics and numbers are "rock" solid?

 

[belle]

Date: 10/8/2007 9:00:34 AM
Author: gbreaux

do the pictures ags give a real difinitive answer as to how the diamond will pop when purchased if all the pics and numbers are ''rock'' solid?

what pictures?

 

[chrono]

I don''t understand your question: AGS does not provide a real picture of the stone on their certs.

 

[MWG]

My suggestion is to stay with Pricescope vendors who give this kind of information "freely."

Nothing wrong with B&M, but the prices are usually much higher and the quality is lower.....just my opinion about the stores in my area.

Good Luck
MWG

 

[gbreaux]

the pictures i am referring to come from the same vendor that is supplying the ags. i didn't say the ags report supplied pictures.

it does, however, supply the inclusion diagram. (very helpful).

the pictures:

1) ideal scope - shows light leakage
2) aset - appears to be a table top view looking down
3) hearts - appears to be looking at the diamond as it sits on its table. the view is from the point looking down thru the pavillion at the pavillion facets.

i was just saying i found these pictures very interesting. if a diamond has incorrect pavillion or crown angles or is otherwise poorly cut, the pictures do seem to reflect that with light leakage or inconsistent star patterns and such.

i am new here and looking for a very well cut 1 carat or a little bit larger center diamond as well a two well cut side diamonds and i don't know who is who and what are their differencies.

i certainly appreciate all who are responding.

thank you all.

 

[chrono]

It's looks like you've been doing your homework.

Yes, if the stone is poorly cut, sometimes, you can see it in the pictures, but not always. The reason for this is that the picture is static and diamonds in person, never stays still. It is always moving on the hand, where it'll catch the rays and reflect it (or not). Hence, I like the additional tests to back up the stone's performance, like the Iscope, Aset, and H&A viewer (if you are looking for H&A, and depending on how true/picky you are on it).