SI2 and general questions

[Carats]

Hi everyone,

I''m looking to get engaged by the end of July and am thus trying to absorb as much information about the diamond buying experience as quick as possible. Last weekend I went to bailey banks and biddle just took look at some diamonds and saw an H SI2 1.02 round brilliant solitaire for 11k. I''m pretty sure these types of stores are way overpriced and i''m not planning on buying from them, i just wanted to see some diamonds in person - anyway, i checked online at some of the vendors associated with pricescope and i think (correct me if i''m wrong) a diamond like that should go for around 3-4k?? Is this correct?

Also, another issue that i am having is that the diamond i saw, despite being SI2, looked really clean. When i looked on james allens site for example, i really couldnt find a picture of an SI2 that didnt look inundated with black spots and inclusions? is this just how it appears in pictures or was the diamond i saw unique? there were feathers but no black spots in it - is it harder to find a clean SI2 online? Anyway, some help would be appreciated Thanks.

 

[kcoursolle]

1.02 H/SI2 for 11k???? Holy cow that''s expensive! 3-4k sounds a little low for a well-cut stone, 4k-5k sounds a little closer...still a ton cheaper than 11k. Focus on cut quality, this is what best determines a diamonds sparkle. As far as clarity goes for SI2''s some are very clean and some are not eye clean at all. You have to judge them on a case by case basis and contact the vendor about whether they are eye clean or not. Keep in mind that photos are often enlarged a great deal and the inclusions may be much much harder to see in person.

 

[luckystar112]

11 grand is ridiculous for a 1ct H SI2.

And SI2 has some inclusions, but you can find some that are eye clean. Have you tried looking at whiteflash?

3k-4k is the lower side of the spectrum for what you are looking for. I think for that type of diamond (a good one at least) you''re looking to spend around 5k. I''m sure others will chime in and give links to some better deals for you...including me. So stay tuned!

 

[luckystar112]

A 1.06ct H SI2 on whiteflash is going for $5500...granted, that is their ACA brand. I''ll keep looking!

 

[aljdewey]

Date: 6/11/2007 2:01:07 PM
Author:Carats

Also, another issue that i am having is that the diamond i saw, despite being SI2, looked really clean. When i looked on james allens site for example, i really couldnt find a picture of an SI2 that didnt look inundated with black spots and inclusions? is this just how it appears in pictures or was the diamond i saw unique? there were feathers but no black spots in it - is it harder to find a clean SI2 online? Anyway, some help would be appreciated Thanks.

There are many eyeclean SI2 diamonds; you just have to work with someone reputable to give you candid feedback.

I've purchased 3 eyeclean SI2 stones, and it's my preference.....great value and totally eye-clean.

Not all SI2s are eyeclean, but as long as you work with a vendor who will shoot straight with you -- coupled with a reasonable return policy if you don't love it -- it's really no risk and a great way to maximize budget.

Here are a few promising ones by way of example, all of which are about HALF of the $11k pricetag!

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-46307.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-48346.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-78273.htm


This one is almost 1.25 carats AND SI1, and it's still just under $7k for the PS price!....

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-273567.htm


Heck, for $11K, you could get a 1.5 carat H, SI1!.....
http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-231904.htm

 

[HappyAnniversary]

Aren''t prices of diamonds going to increase soon? I''d ask vendors if that''s true and if so, how much?

I just bought a .8 I si2 from WF and am very pleased. I think I got a great value, beautiful diamond and one I could afford. They checked it out for me before I bought it and said it was eyeclean and it was. My friend says it looks like an H. (sweet friend!) The inclusions are mostly light, and I could care less as long as I can''t see them. I would not have wanted dark black inclusions.

 

[katiedid]

I too just bought an H, SI2 .806 ct stone from WF. It''s gorgeous and although I know where the crystal is (I call it my "bubble"), I can only see it if I tilt the stone just right. I''m sure there are lots of good SI2s out there--you just have to look carefully and find an online vendor you trust (if you go the online route).

 

[snlee]

Wow, that's crazy - 11K for a H SI2 1.02 round diamond!?

Finding an eye clean SI2 diamond online isn't that difficult to do. aljdewey posted some great WF SI2 diamonds and if you call WF, they'd be able to tell you if those diamonds are eye clean. Good luck with your search!

 

[Finding_Neverland]

Date: 6/11/2007 7:07:20 PM
Author: HappyAnniversary
Aren''t prices of diamonds going to increase soon? I''d ask vendors if that''s true and if so, how much?

Strmrdr posted a thread about a coming price increase recently:

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/debeers-at-it-again-yet-another-price-increase.63189/

DTC to Raise Rough Prices at Sight 5
(May 29, ''07, 3:56 Edahn Golan)

The Diamond Trading Company (DTC) will raise prices on its goods next week. The hike will be a “low single digit percent,” according to De Beers. The market has expected the price increase, believed to be a response to high premiums on DTC boxes in the secondary market.

According to De Beers spokesperson Lynette Gould, “The DTC constantly reviews its pricing policy and has realigned some areas of its rough diamond pricing.”

“The overall effect of the price rebalance will be a low single digit percent increase which will take effect from the June Sight,” Gould added.

Sightholders said the hike, while inline with rough diamond prices, continues the separate path rough diamond prices and polished diamond prices are taking, an issue that has been worrying diamond polishers globally.

The next DTC Sight will be held June 4-8.

An eye clean SI2 can be a real budget expander. As Alj suggested,......... Work with a Vendor you''re comfortable with being your eyes for you and you can get some real bang for your buck.

 

[Jenn5504]

I''m a HUGE fan of SI2 diamonds. Work with a reputable online vendor to find an eye clean SI2 without dark inclusions and you''ll be getting a GREAT value! I had a 1.52ct H SI2 (EGL......so would have been WORSE if it had been graded by a reputable lab) and it had an obvious dark inclusion......did it bother me? Not really to be honest. But I wouldn''t go that route again. That being said, I just purchased a 1.59ct round from WF, J SI2! It should be arriving Wednesday! I''m so excited, such a great value when you find good ones, and they are certainly out there. This time I just wanted to be sure the inclusions were only white.