The never ending diamond search

[allygirl]

Okay, I found a diamond on line and a diamond at the jeweler. Which of the two do you like better and which appears that it would be more MoneY?

1.521 GVS1 AGS triple 000

7.43 x 7.51 x 4.53

table 56%

crown height 15.1%

pav depth 43.0%

total depth 60.7%

crown angle 34.4%

pavilion 40.9%



OR

7.32 - 7.34 x 4.51

FVS1 1.505 ct

table 57

cr ht 14.5

pav depth 42.9

total depth 61.5

crown angle 34.5

pavilion 40.7

Which is better measurement wise? A higher number or lower number? I know the depth one does not want high but how about the other numbers? THANK YOU ALL FOR ALL OF YOUR HELP IN THIS NEVER ENDING SEARCH. I''m curious to see which one you think is better without seeing the pricing.

 

[mrssalvo]

I like the first diamond better. the second has a 57% table which is on the large side for me personally. i like the depth better on the first stone too.

 

[whatmeworry]

For me, I''d pick the F color between those two. If they were both the same color, I''d pick the first one just because it''s a hair larger.

 

[belle]

hairsplitting....the angles are better on the second one. that''s my pick.

 

[mrssalvo]

Date: 9/8/2006 4:49:52 PM
Author: belle
hairsplitting....the angles are better on the second one. that''s my pick.

I agree with belle on the hairsplitting. I''d guess both to be beautiful stones and it would be interesting to see if you could even tell them apart when next to each other. Is one priced better?

 

[Regular Guy]

Really close.

If they were at the same location, I''d really like to blind pepsi test them against each other.

Or, if not, could you get one (by first buying it, with return privelidges) to the other?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Ally, you have to list the price for people to give you a fair opinion on which is the better value. They may both be fine as far as numbers go, but one may be overpriced, for example. The first one has a lot of variation in the diameter, so I'd want to see it's Sarin or Helium scan.

ETA: I know the second diamond is about $18,000, so you have really raised your budget from yesterday!

 

[allygirl]

DS---

I posted the specifics to see what everyone thought BEFORE i posted the prices. The first one is $14, 873 and the second is more than $18 thousand! Much much more than I wanted to spend. I did like the one that the jeweler had for $14,000 .It is a lazarre. Unfortunately, I was honest and told her that I was looking on line and let''s just say...it did not go well. I will probably have to start all over for the setting at this point because after the few words that we did have today (the jeweler and I) , she did not seem happy with me. I feel badly because I feel that she really put alot of time into helping me, but the last e-mail that I received was not pleasant.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Ally, if that first diamond was only $14,800, you should call her first thing in the morning and tell her it is a better deal than you could find online and give her a deposit! Seriously!!! That is a great price!

 

[allygirl]

DS--

It is a LAZARRE....she said $14,835 . I would like to snap it up, but the last e-mail that I received from her was odd. I know that I have asked alot of questions, but it''s just the questions that everyone on these boards has told me to ask. I don''t think I''m being too extreme...just that $14 grand is alot of money and to add in the setting...imagine the commision that she''s making.

AGGHHH!! She finally finds me a decent diamond and now I''m torn between being loyal and saying I''m glad it worked out or saying , I donl''t appreciate your rudeness. Help!!!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Well, truthfully, she must be giving you a good deal if that is really a 1.5 G VS1 AGS000. From all my searching, those are almost always over $15,000 and usually $16,000+. I think if you told her you were sorry if what you said hurt her feelings and that while you really valued her help, you felt it was important for you to at least compare prices of quality diamonds but that ultimately you want to buy from her..then hopefully she''ll get over the frustration. I think it''s that she has spent a lot of time and money on bringing in stones for you to see and for her to think you aren''t really serious about buying from her would no doubt upset her. I think when we aren''t serious about buying from a local jeweler and plan to buy online, we shouldn''t take much of their time. I''ve gone to jewelers to try to see size and color, but I wouldn''t take a lot of their time because I knew I wouldn''t be buying a diamond from them.

So I would pursue this stone if you think it is beautiful. The jeweler will hopefully change her attitude once you tell her you want the stone! (I''m not sure if you''ve seen this one, though. You should see it first before committing.)

 

[allygirl]

I have no intention on apologizing. I have done nothing to apologize for. I was straight forward with her. I told her from the begining that I wanted to see several stones at a time. Only after a month and a half had gone by and I had ONLY seen 5 stones, did I tell her my frustration. Funny how all of a sudden she came up with something! I do not know what I will do, but I do appreciate all of the hard work that she has put in (believe me, she has gone far and beyond). HOWEVER, I do not appreciate the unkind words that I received in an e-mail from her. It was a little insulting. I did write her asking her if we could still have a comfortable relationship in finishing the purchase of this....we'' ll see. I think this is the stone. I have NOT seen it. She is supposed to get it in by Tuesday. WISH ME LUCK!!!! Otherwise, I''ll buy from GOG. Jonathon personally contacted me and he seems really really helpful and nice!

 

[whatmeworry]

Hope this is the one and you two can work it out. Good luck!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Ally, I didn''t necessarily mean that you had done anything wrong, but sometimes I think it is the humble thing to do to say I am sorry if I have said something that upset someone. Just from shipping stones back and forth a couple of times, I imagine it is costing her $50 to $100 or so each time she has brought in a stone for you to see and then return it. Of course, I wasn''t there and have no idea about the exchange of words and whether the relationship can be repaired. Only you and the jeweler can determine that.

On the other hand, I think Jonathan is more than wonderful, and I would love to see you buy from GOG. My stone came yesterday and it is just perfect!

 

[allygirl]

DS--

I thinkthat the issue with the jeweler may have occurred because we were corresponding by e-mails for a week or two and sometimes things said in e-mails can be taken the wrong way. I was just honest with her. When she brought one in every other week for me to see, I got frustrated and expressed my frustration of wanting to find a diamond faster. Then she told me that she could now set the diamond when initially she said that she couldn''t if I purchased elsewhere. So I asked her about it. Then no response for days so I asked her if she thought that my search was too specific for her . In the end, I think it annoyed her because I told her that I did find a stone elsewhere (GOG-but I didn''t tell her where) and that I needed to make a decision. Hubby wanted a decision made and felt that I might go look elsewhere and see if someone else could make the entire procedure go faster. I guess she didn''t like my honesty because before I knew it I got an e-mail about their policy and how when I ordered , if I didn''t like it , they couldn''t give me my money back because it was custom, etc. , etc., etc. I knew that, I wasn''t expecting it. I just feel like I annoyed her when I was honest. I really need to be able to ask questions (as you know) because I''m really just learning about diamonds. Thanks to everyone here I''ve come a LONG WAY.

NOW, as far as you just getting your diamond yesterday. I thought you already had it??? Didn''t you keep that one when you had two delivered several weeks ago? Did you pick your setting yet?

I thank you again for your help. I may call the jeweler today and just chat to her.

Oh, it''s a Lazarre and the number is inscribed on the girdle. I thought Lazarre''s were inscribed on the table. On their website it says that they''re inscribed on the circumference (which I would assume IS the girdle, right?)

 

[allygirl]

DS--also, I did tell her upfront that I''d purchase from her. I guranteed her that IF in fact, she couldn''t find a diamond that at the very least (and I say the very least--Verragio is not inexpensive) that I''d purchase the Verragio setting from her.

 

[mrssalvo]

Ally,
it's obviously up to you whether you want to work with your local jeweler or not. I will say that a lot of local jewelers are threatened or intimidated by the internet. they get scared b/c the general public is becoming knowlegable about diamonds and want to know specifics and are not just buying on blind jeweler trust. They will soon learn that they will have to start being able to compete with the internet world if they want to stay in business. Pearlman's is a great example of a local family owned business who has taken it to another level to be able to makes sells nationally as well as internationally yet still has a gorgeous B & M to walk into if you made the trip to battlecreek. anyway, it's up to you who you want to reward with your business. Based on hearing your side of the story, It would personally make me nervous at this point to work with her if she's saying it's custom, no refunds etc. Even if you order a custom setting from a store, if it's not acceptable the jeweler should be willing to go to bat for you and have it fixed or offer a refund. it's not like they are making it from scratch at their stone and you're approving the whole process along the way. Even companies like Wf will give some refund even on custom peices. The lazare does seem like a fair and good price so if you still feel comfortable going with her, It's a nice stone. As for the inscribling, I have no idea.

 

[allygirl]

Was just sifting through old e-mails and realized I had made an error. The Lazarre that everyone seems to like (1.521 GVS1) is $15, 832....not 14,832

Does that make a huge difference to any of your opinions?

 

[mrssalvo]

Date: 9/9/2006 9:00:36 AM
Author: allygirl
Was just sifting through old e-mails and realized I had made an error. The Lazarre that everyone seems to like (1.521 GVS1) is $15, 832....not 14,832


Does that make a huge difference to any of your opinions?

well, it makes the price difference b/t the 2 stones is not as big so you''re talking only 2K for an F, plus GOG has all the info you''d ever need on the stone and more, no reason to get a new cert etc. and I''m pretty sure GOG will inscribe it for free. It''s up to you and your budget and if that would be worth it or not. The lazare still seems like a fair price.

 

[fire&ice]

I don''t blame the jeweler for being curt. She has done the best she can. You didn''t know what you wanted size wise, color wise or price wise. I''m sure she feels a bit like Don Quixote jabbing at unseen windmills.

I''d seriously consider the Lazaar stone. It''s 15% less expensive, it''s local & comes with the LK pedigree.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Date: 9/9/2006 8:33:23 AM
Author: allygirl
DS--

I thinkthat the issue with the jeweler may have occurred because we were corresponding by e-mails for a week or two and sometimes things said in e-mails can be taken the wrong way. I was just honest with her. When she brought one in every other week for me to see, I got frustrated and expressed my frustration of wanting to find a diamond faster. Then she told me that she could now set the diamond when initially she said that she couldn't if I purchased elsewhere. So I asked her about it. Then no response for days so I asked her if she thought that my search was too specific for her . In the end, I think it annoyed her because I told her that I did find a stone elsewhere (GOG-but I didn't tell her where) and that I needed to make a decision. Hubby wanted a decision made and felt that I might go look elsewhere and see if someone else could make the entire procedure go faster. I guess she didn't like my honesty because before I knew it I got an e-mail about their policy and how when I ordered , if I didn't like it , they couldn't give me my money back because it was custom, etc. , etc., etc. I knew that, I wasn't expecting it. I just feel like I annoyed her when I was honest. I really need to be able to ask questions (as you know) because I'm really just learning about diamonds. Thanks to everyone here I've come a LONG WAY.

NOW, as far as you just getting your diamond yesterday. I thought you already had it??? Didn't you keep that one when you had two delivered several weeks ago? Did you pick your setting yet?

I thank you again for your help. I may call the jeweler today and just chat to her.

Oh, it's a Lazarre and the number is inscribed on the girdle. I thought Lazarre's were inscribed on the table. On their website it says that they're inscribed on the circumference (which I would assume IS the girdle, right?)

Ally, I think talking to her is a good idea if you think you might want to pursue that diamond. I think most diamonds are inscribed on the girdle. It is only the ISee2 that I know of that inscribes on the table. That is microscopic and smaller than a girdle inscription. Of course, GOG does do girdle inscription of the cert # on any stone if you want it, and I am not sure of cost but it would be small.

Regarding your question about my stone, when I sent for the two diamonds to look at and chose my stone, I sent them both back to hopefully have GOG set it for me. But after searching for their settings brands everytime I travelled this summer in order to try some on, I was unable to find one I liked (or either I never found some of the brands to even look at and try on). For awhile I thought I'd get the stone sent to Lockes to set, but I have sort of decided against that because I can't try it on with diamond bands prior to ordering, and I have found that you are very limited in the bands you can choose depending on the size of the e-ring shank. So I am now getting it set at a very ncie jewelry store in a nearby city, and they are getting a couple of samples in for me to look at and try on prior to making a decision. So I had GOG send me my stone on Thursday, and it was fun to see it after about 2 months!!!

I am hoping for your sake that you are close to a decision! I know how it feels to be tired of the search as fun as it can be!

(ETA: The $15,800 sounds more in line with what the price should be.)

 

[allygirl]

FIRE AND ICE--

Actually my jeweler knew from the begining that I wanted an AGS 000 and somewhere between 1.25 and 1.50. She said from the beginning that she''d be more than willing to get several of both sizes in with no problem. Then it turned into a problem.

If there is one thing that I pride myself on it is honesty. I was just being upfront with her about the search that I was doing on line for a diamond also. I didn''t want her to have me shock her if I purchased one elsewhere. Believe me, she knew from the beginning that I was searching out a diamond on line also!

 

[allygirl]

Mrssalvo

The jeweler just e-mailed me and said that of course if something was wrong with the ring, that they''d help to get the situation resolved. She explained herself as no money back simply because I didn''t like it after it was made! they just wanted me to know that because it was custom, that if I said all of a sudden when it came in that I didn''t like the setting that I couldn''t get my money back. That''s with all stores, isn''t it??

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Sure, that would be normal. Custom settings are almost never returnable. You would have to be 100% sure on the setting.

 

[allygirl]

I forgot to mention...this diamond scored a 9.2 on the isee2 scanner. Does that sway any decisions ?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I think anything over 9.0 is fine.

 

[allygirl]

HI AGAIN EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!!

More info...the jeweler called the other day and said that she had four diamonds for me to see. One of them that beautiful lazarre, two smaller lazarres and one other diamond.

I contacted her to tell her when I would be in to see them yesterday. I also asked her for specifics on the other diamonds and wondered if the two smaller lazarres were the two that I had already seen. She said that the two lazarres (the smaller two) were, in fact, the two I had already seen AND Today she sends me an e-mail telling me that one of the larger diamonds was sold last night. I''m confused. If she knew I was coming in to look at them, shouldn''t she have held them for me at least until I saw them? I mean, she got them in for me yet sold them to someone else?? Is that odd??? SHould I still go look at the lazarre? It sounds like it will be perfect but I don''t know if this is the way that jewelers do business. I just thought that those diamonds were there on hold until I could see them. I am surprised that they sold one of them before I could get in to see it.

 

[:)]

Date: 9/12/2006 4:39:26 PM
Author: allygirl
HI AGAIN EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!!

More info...the jeweler called the other day and said that she had four diamonds for me to see. One of them that beautiful lazarre, two smaller lazarres and one other diamond.

I contacted her to tell her when I would be in to see them yesterday. I also asked her for specifics on the other diamonds and wondered if the two smaller lazarres were the two that I had already seen. She said that the two lazarres (the smaller two) were, in fact, the two I had already seen AND Today she sends me an e-mail telling me that one of the larger diamonds was sold last night. I''m confused. If she knew I was coming in to look at them, shouldn''t she have held them for me at least until I saw them? I mean, she got them in for me yet sold them to someone else?? Is that odd??? SHould I still go look at the lazarre? It sounds like it will be perfect but I don''t know if this is the way that jewelers do business. I just thought that those diamonds were there on hold until I could see them. I am surprised that they sold one of them before I could get in to see it.

Hi Allygirl - the jeweler called the other day and if I am reading your post correctly you told her that you would be in yesterday - did you not go? Or did you go yesterday and then maybe give the impression that you were not interested in the diamond? If you did not go in when you told her you would be there, then she likely thought (as most people would) that you were not really interested, so she sold the diamond to someone that did want it. Or, if you did go in and indicated you were not interested, then she likely would release it to any sure sale. I think any business/industry would do that, so you should not feel that it was directed specifically towards you or specific to this jeweler.

 

[allygirl]

I''m sorry, that is confusing now that I read it back.

What I meant was I called her the other day to tell her when I would be in. I told her later in the week because of work. She was fine with that, yet the diamond is now sold....

 

[JulieN]

Well, you do seem to not be able to make up your mind about the stone. Which is fine. It''s a big purchase. But your jeweler has to eat in the interim while waiting for you to decide. A bird in the hand is better than two in the bush, I think is how the proverb goes.