Sparkles-B&M vs Online!

[MJ]

Hi everyone, For the past couple of weeks now I''ve been doing a search for a .50 loose diamond or wg pendant. sizes measured from .47-.55. My ideal diamond would be F-H maybe I, clarity as low as SI1, 14k or 18k white gold pendant 18" chain. As long as it sparkled and didnt show any yellow. Im looking for the diamond with the most sparkle.

I''ve looked at I think all the B&M stores and none had sparkled more than D&L in VF, but ran a bit pricey $1700 G SI1 .55., but wow, I could see why they were a recommended B&M store. Outside of that I had gone to Shane Co. just to see what they''d offer and I was shown a .54 that really shined, even more than all the B&M stores I''ve went to, but that showed a BIG Inclusion with the naked eye, she saw I was concerned about that and showed me a .53 which was dull. They both were $1075, and the only two for that price. I knew my BF would have bought that one in a heart beat. I think he is even still considering it. especially for that price and size and the sparkliest, prior to D&L. Would that be worth getting as a Pendant? Then we went to and came across Dynasty at Oakridge, wow for a .55 F was almost $4000, but it was so georgiously clear, I asked him what would be a diamond like that in the $1000 range and he only had a .43 H or I SI1 ideal cut loose stone, for $1200 w/wg pendant.

I know online prices are cheaper, to some extent, but how do I tell or can I tell, what I should look for, for that sparkle. I''ve been telling my BF, how there are a lot of great deals online, but his concern is, the sparkle. He rather just buy one, he sees, then and there, that has the most sparkle and get it over with. He''s scepticle about the whole online thing. What if it doesnt sparkle? How do you know? I guess he doesnt want to waste his time.

I know I could look at the cut adivsor to get that, but which one are more important out of Light, Fire, Scint, or spread? H&A or not H&A? what total should I look at 0.xx-1.xx, 1.xx-1.xx? I''ve also done the "Search cut quality" here on PS they all looked great averaging 1.4 to 2.2. and $716-$2500. But how do I know the Brilliant sparkle is there, What if one sparkled more than the other. I''d want the other, but I need help to figure it out.

I want to buy online but I also need to know what I''m looking for? Any suggestions, also are there any other Retail stores, outside of the mall, that I can take him too? He wants to stay under the $1000 mark but wont go pass I think $1200 or $1300 if it is really worth it. I want him to enjoy it as much as I do, for the right price he''s paying for.


Please help,

 

[kevinng]

You can work with an online retailer, who also owns a B&M store. Then you can pop by.

If you live too far, like myself, just make sure the refund policy is all right. You can then return it if you don't like it. I think it will still be cheaper after bearing the cost of returning a few diamonds. However, I don't think the online retailers want to sell you duds because they have to bear the cost of the 'free shipping' too, if you are living in the US.

btw, don't be fooled by the lighting in the B&M stores. Some B&M stores install halogen spotlights. Even averagely cut diamonds sparkle under those conditions. To simulate the effect, take a small halogen spotlight/torch and shine it over the diamond.

 

[Split Rock]

Hello MJ and

, First thing you should do is read the tutorial at the bottom of the front page. It is wise to read to read all the tutorials on each diamond vendors site.Canfnd these also on the front page under featured vendorbtton.Once you have read these tutorials, you will have a good idea of what to look for to get the maxium sparkle. That would be cut and cut alone.

Also you will note Every diamond on here has a certificate, AGS and GIA being the two best labs to certify diamonds worldwide. Shane Co. sells a lot of uncertified diamonds, you are taking their word as to cut, color and clarity. They make their money on buying average cut diamonds and selling at a lot higher price. Nothing wrong with that if you are the uniformed and don't care and looking only at the price. But for the same money, you can get a certified diamond with known crown and pavillion angles and from those a known HCA number. An easy way to shop for the nicest sparklie is hit the known HCA button on the front page, put in the size, colors, and clarity and start shopping. All venders are willing to ship a diamond to a local appraiser, so that you can see it with your own eyes and get an expert opinion by an independent diamond appraiser. Some offer free shipping, others do not. If you decide to use a credit card, you have the legal assistance of that credit card company. All the vendors here are very upstanding, so I would not be too worried. There are many diamond vendors here that can help you find a diamond that really sparkles. They specialize their business to this end and not throwing you some dull lifeless stone that is best suited for cutting concrete! So shopping online I think is the best way to go as far as quality for the price. If you find a particular diamond online that you are seriously considering buying, post all the stats and a few diamond hounds will give you their honest opinions free of charge. You can't go wrong unless your BF buys at the mall!

 

[pqcollectibles]

If you live near a Price Scope approved appraiser, you can select a few diamonds to be shipped to the appraiser's office. Vendors will ship to approved appraisers without requiring payment in advance. Then you can view the diamonds side by side to make your selection. You will be responsible for shipping charges to return diamonds you decide you do not want to purchase. Return shipping charges run about $25/stone in the USA.

 

[MJ]

Thanks, I called up my BF and told him to read this thread. Hope he learns something. If not, I know that Willow Glen, Derco, and Joe escobar is near to me. Or is Willow Glen and Joe's more of a place to get settings done. In a previous thread I read, about there diamonds, could I trust there diamonds more than a B&M store, even though certified or not? Like the one's Mikkimouse was refering too.

You've all been great, to help me. I'll post what I find. Thanks much!

 

[quaeritur]

Wow, for a while there, I was thinking you and MikkiMouse were one and the same... your posts were so very similar and you were looking for the same thing in the same price range. And now it turns out you live in the same area too. Must be some karmic connection for there to be so many coincidences... I find it amazing

!