Should I gamble on a stone unseen?

[PleaseSayYes]

Alright, so I was shopping GoodOldGold and Whiteflash for some AGS Ideal Princess cuts, and I came across this at GoodOldGold:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4199

I love how they have a video of the diamond (it''s the 3rd in the video), the BrilliantScope seems to be superb (although some say this isn''t a good indicator) and the ASET and IdealScope seem pretty good. It''s a nice, safe bet, and there is no tax for me so it comes in at $6,313. I''ve called and verified it''s eye clean so I''d be very happy with it.

So I tell the Whiteflash sales guy I think I found one, and he e-mails me some that they do not have in house, but they can get in for me to come look at. Here are the two highlights:


Style: Princess
Carat: 1.21
Color: G
Clarity: SI1
Cut: AGS 0 (Ideal)
Polish: Ideal
Symmetry: Ideal
Fluorescence: None
Table: 61%
Depth: 73.4%
5.89 x 5.83 x 4.28
Ratio 1.01:1
Price $4846 + Tax

and

Style: Princess
Carat: 1.207
Color: F
Clarity: VS2
Cut: AGS 0 (Ideal)
Polish: Ideal
Symmetry: Ideal
Fluorescence: None
Table: 61%
Depth: 75%
5.82x5.79x4.34
Ratio 1.01:1
Price $5915 + Tax

The problem with these is that all I have to go on is the (poorly) photocopied AGS reports. They say they can bring in the diamonds for me to check out at Whiteflash, which is fine because I live right by them, but if I do not like the diamond they make me pay the shipping back, which is ~55 dollars per diamond.

So what should be my plan of action? Should I pay for both to be sent to whiteflash, should I go ahead and get the GoG one, is one of these clearly better than the other, or none of the above?

Also, if I do have them come to WF to look at, what tests should I ask them to do to compare?

Thanks

 

[JulieN]

how mch $ is the GOG stone?

 

[PleaseSayYes]

6,313 total (no tax since its out of state)

 

[JulieN]

ok, so I finally saw the video.

I really liked the 4th stone in the video. More than the third. But I may have come into the video with a bias, because I was probably trying not to like the third (your) stone. What do yo think?

So the 1.21 G SI1, with 8% tax wold be 5233.68. The F is 6388 with 8% tax. Not sre how mch it is in Houston.

Say shipping it back to GOG is also $55.

One potentially scenario is to order the 1.21 and the 1.20 G SI1. Then compare in person.

 

[PleaseSayYes]

I agree I liked the 4th stone better. It''s not available anymore tho

In the scheme of everything, 55 bucks per isn''t much to get the perfect stone. The only problem is I can''t get the GoG stone shipped to me without fully buying it, and then I have to go through the refund thing, etc. It''s going to be hard to get that stone in the same room as the other two.

What about the F VS2? Should I get that one shipped as well? That way I can at least compare the two WF ones. And can they do idealscope/Aset tests on the spot while I''m there, or would they take time?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I see zero gamble in an AGS0 princess stone! You know what they say about a bird in the hand? I wouldn''t be calling in virtual stones if a vendor has an in-house AGS0. I''d say the same thing if WF had the stone in-house, because I like both vendors.

 

[PleaseSayYes]

So are you saying that because of the quality of the specific stone at GoG, or the inherent quality of an AGS0. If it''s the later, wouldn''t it be prudent of me to at least have the F VS2 shipped in, to see if I could bump up both grades for the same price, or ship in the G SI1, the same grade as the GoG, for 1100 bucks less, since I''ve seen both the AGS reports and they are AGS0?

If you mean my GoG stone is specifically impressive in scopes however, I do definately see your point, I''m just not sure if it is.

 

[PleaseSayYes]

Also, does anyone know if James Allen typically does or can have made ASET or Ideal Scope images made? I''m considering saying to hell with my budget and going for a 1.7ct they have that looks nice, as long as the scopes look ok. Here is the diamond for ref: http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Premium-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1125622.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131

 

[arjunajane]

I agree with DS - if you have found something that matches your criteria and price, I wouldn''t pay to have other stones shipped that are potentially duds..As you know its virtually impossible to judge a princess by the report only.
just my 0.02c

 

[JulieN]

Date: 5/29/2008 9:23:15 PM
Author: PleaseSayYes
I agree I liked the 4th stone better. It's not available anymore tho

Ok, that says everything. I'm not blind!

Alright. What we know: 1.20 G SI1 is AGS0, but doesn't seem to be quite tickling your fancy. Frankly, the ASET isn't super impressive. It is also 6300.

Expected cost if you bring in the 1.21 G SI1, ASSUME equal chance of being picked.
.5(5200)+.5(6300+55)=5800

If you put the F into the equation, let's just ASSUME that it goes equal chance for each stone that you will pick it. Remember you have to send two stones back.
.33(5200) +.33(6400+55) +.33(6300+55) =5950

So in both scenarios, it is less than 6300. And you'll have peace of mind that you got to choose between 3 reasonably good stones.

Of course, I'm taking wide liberties, but considering they are all AGS0, and probably none of them are SUPER SUPER princesses (thus they are bounded above and below) I think these are reasonable assumptions.

I hope you get my drift...?

 

[purrfectpear]

I''m always a little surprised when I read posts that indicate a reluctance to "pay" $50-$100 to see a stone? What the heck? After you get over the idea that you''re about to spend $5000-$10000, people hesitate to spend $50

That''s how you snag a sweet deal from time to time.

 

[PleaseSayYes]

Now you are speaking this nerd''s language Juile

Although I think the third equation is .33(5200+55) + .33(6400+55) + .33(6300 + 110) As I''d always have to send 1 stone back at least, but that still comes out to 6040.

I agree PP, I''m more than willing to spend 50 bucks, esp if, like Julie said, the GoG diamond isn''t that special. That''s I guess the key issue I wanted to find out, if the ASET and everything from that one was good enough to warrant passing over other possibilities.

 

[JulieN]

Something like that!

 

[Rhino]

Date: 5/30/2008 12:54:07 PM
Author: PleaseSayYes
Now you are speaking this nerd's language Juile

Although I think the third equation is .33(5200+55) + .33(6400+55) + .33(6300 + 110) As I'd always have to send 1 stone back at least, but that still comes out to 6040.

I agree PP, I'm more than willing to spend 50 bucks, esp if, like Julie said, the GoG diamond isn't that special. That's I guess the key issue I wanted to find out, if the ASET and everything from that one was good enough to warrant passing over other possibilities.

Having observed many varieties of AGS Ideal princess cut from 2 - 4 chevron, larger tables - smaller tables - and many proportion combinations I will tell you beyond a shadow of a doubt that this 1.20ct we're talking about has optics that are among the rarest you will see within the realm of AGS Ideal princess cuts in case there is any doubt.