Shared inventory between JA and BGD?

[axiochris]

Hi Everyone,

First time poster here. I have been browsing around for a couple of weeks now. I am in the market for a 1.50 carat F SI1 ideally cut diamond. I have been browsing through all the suggested vendors.

I just noticed that one of the potential diamonds i am considering is on both the JA and BGD online inventories.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1256511.asp

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond/diamond-details/?product_id=23364806

Whats the explanation with this? How does this affect any price negotiations?

I actually called JA and they said the diamond is in their NY office. I requested an Idealscope and real pix of the diamond. It scores a 1.1 on the HCA calculator. I think it looks good on paper. Is there anything i am missing? i think the 33.5 degree might be a tad smaller. what does that mean?


Thanks everyone.

 

[stone-cold11]

It is a virtual inventory stone, probably neither vendor owns it, own by another vendor or cutting house and advertised on both vendors'' site.

Looks promising from the numbers. 33.5 CA is not too small. I would go with JA too as BGD''s upgrade policy only applies to their own stones not virtual stones. Also ask JA if it is eye-clean if that is important to you.

 

[axiochris]

Thanks StoneCold

I had gone with JA originally just because I noticed the diamond on their site first and asked for real photo as well as the Idealscope image. Little did i know that it was also listed on BGD.

So JA said it was in their NY office which might not be true. Can i even trust the IS image?

 

[stone-cold11]

Most of the stones JA listed are with vendors based in NYC, JA is also based in NYC, they will run down the block to pick up the stone you requested to get an idealscope image of, take a look at it by their gemologist, etc. Although some stones might be from further away and then they will say idealscope image is not available unless you are committed to buying from them. At least that is how I understood it.

JA has earn themselves a good name here and is unlikely to mess that up just for a sale. If you are worried that the stone does not match the images given, send it to an independent appraiser of your hire and have him review it with the loupe and idealscope image.

 

[Lula]

Date: 4/9/2010 12:58:03 AM
Author: Stone-cold11
Most of the stones JA listed are with vendors based in NYC, JA is also based in NYC, they will run down the block to pick up the stone you requested to get an idealscope image of, take a look at it by their gemologist, etc.

Ditto this. JA is based in NY, so they have the ability to do this. BGD is in Texas, so the stone would be shipped to them.

Since this is a virtual stone available to several vendors, go with the one who offers the best price. Both JA and BGD have good reputations.

However, make sure that this stone qualifies for the vendor's return and upgrade and warranty polices -- some vendors do not apply the same policies to stones from the virtual list that they do to their own in-house stones.