This a good sale price? or should I walk away?

[new2rocks]

Was walking through the mall this evening and the wife said "ohh.. I like that" and points out a ring in the Whitehall store. Yes I know its a ''Mall Shop'' however.. in 12 years of marriage she has never commented on a ring in a shop! She wears her wedding ring and band and thats it. She just isn''t into jewelery that much so this comment tonight tossed me but good. lol

Anyways.. in we went and looked at it. Its of course one of their White Star ("top of the line / best in the world" per saleswoman) diamonds in an 18k white gold setting. She likes it quite a bit but we decided to ''think about it'' for the weekend. I have to admit it is a nice ring but I really know nothing about the value of diamonds.

I snapped a quick shot of the ''spec sheet'' with my camera phone. They were asking 8000.00 for it but said it was on sale for 6500.00. Below is the info on the rock. Is this ''sale'' price high for a stone of this type?

Carat Weight: 1.02
Cut: Modified Round Brilliant
Measurements: 6.33 - 6.39 x 4.00mm
Polish: Good
External Symmetry: Good
Optical Brilliance: Excellent
Optical Symmetry: Very Good

Color: I
Fluorescence: None
Treatments: None

Clarity: SI2
Treatments: None


Thanks for any comments

 

[snuggles1]

Was this it (the one in the center)?
http://www.whitehalljewellers.com/white_star2.html

 

[new2rocks]

Yes thats the one.. The center one.. Round cut.

 

[Kay]

Well, you can get a much better cut diamond for that price or less. The tricky part is recreating the setting if that is what she really loves. A well cut 1 carat diamond should be approximately 6.5 mm in diameter, so at 6.33 - 6.39 the stone must be cut a bit deep. What kind of certification does the Whitehall diamond have? Unless it is GIA or AGS, it might not really be an I, SI2 (other labs can be more lenient in grading).

Here is a super ideal cut, hearts and arrows diamond from Whiteflash (their "A Cut Above" brand), that is 1.073 ct I SI2 for $4,999: http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-260699.htm With the $1,500 difference in price (or less) Whiteflash should be able to custom design a setting like your wife likes. Several people here on PS have custom jewelery from Whiteflash.

Report: AGS
. Shape: A Cut Above H&A
. Carat: 1.073
. Depth %: 61.7
. Table %: 56.3
. Crown Angle: 34.8
. Crown %: 15.3
. Star : 51
. Pavilion Angle: 40.8
. Pavilion %: 42.9
. Lower Girdle %: 76
. Girdle: Thin to Medium Faceted
. Measurements: 6.55-6.58X4.05
. Light Performance: 0
. Polish: Ideal
. Symmetry: Ideal
. Culet: Pointed
. Fluorescence: Negligible
There are several A Cut above diamonds at Whiteflash in the 1.0-1.1 carat, H-I color, SI1-SI2 clarity range for under $5,800.
http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/Compare_Diamonds.aspx?idnos=540916,45607,179747,46307,540915

 

[new2rocks]

Hi Kay
The Whitehall White Star diamonds are certified by Gem Certification & Assurance Lab (GCAL). Thanks for your comments on the diameter and cut. Would Whiteflash be able to design a close copy of this setting and with the 2 small diamonds on front/back? One thing I found was that it sat a bit too high (IMO) on her finger. Her has small fingers and the store ring size was a 7 or 8 and she takes a 4 I think.

Thanks again.

 

[Kay]

You should call Whiteflash and ask what they can do. We bought my engagement ring from them (and have sent two friends there) and they were very nice. I would describe the Whitehall setting as a wide cathedral (the shoulders that curve up to meet the diamond) with "surpise" diamonds (the tiny diamonds on the front and back).

Whiteflash has two stock settings with surprise diamonds, and they should be able to custom design what you want. They are currently offering 10% off on settings with a diamond purchase by 12/31/07.

http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Solitaire/Comfort-Fit--Surprise--Diamond-Ring_765.htm#
http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Solitaire/U-Prong-Half-Round-by-WF_743.htm

Whiteflash also has "Expert Selection" diamonds that are less expensive than the branded A Cut Above diamonds but are still exceptionally well cut. Here is a 1.023 ct I SI1 Round Ideal Cut for $4,650: http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-358388.htm#

Have fun shopping!

 

[snuggles1]

This setting on WF is VERY similar:

http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Solitaire/-Flush-Fit--Cathedral-Style-Ring_1065.htm#

So, for price comparison, hypothetically, if you get this stone:

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-540916.htm#

which is a better stone since it is an ideal cut with polish = ideal, symmetry = ideal (from what i''ve learned, it''s a branded diamond...meaning it''s like the "hearts on fire" just every store has a different name for it). I color, SI1, AGA lab grading (best lab credentials).

5460 (stone)+ 695 (18kt white gold) = $6155 ( if you put it on your visa; also there are pricescope prices on WF and other vendors so as long as you pay cash, you can get it for less).

Meaning, you can find a better deal elsewhere, you''ll just have to take some time shopping around. But at least you''ve got some ideas that you know what your wife would like...

 

[snuggles1]

Btw, I think it''s beautiful that after 12 years of marriage you''re thinking of doing this for her, and especially since she''s not the type to mention it. Maybe it''s a nice wedding anniversary surprise?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Because that lab is not one of the known reliable ones, you very likely would not be getting an I SI2. It''s probably really J or K I1 if you''re lucky.

I do urge you to get a top quality diamond from somewhere like WhiteFlash. I am so thankful I came here almost 2 years ago when my husband said he''d get me a new diamond ring for our anniversary. I ended up getting my ring diamond from Good Old Gold and earring diamonds from WhiteFlash. Both offer top quality stones and have a lifetime upgrade policy. I''d never ever again buy a diamond from a mall jewelry store. I explored it fully, and the quality and value are not there.

 

[jayreneepea]

I wonder if it''s that particular ring that she wants or if she was taking the opportunity to bring up the fact that she would like a new diamond, sort of feeling you out to see how you feel about it -- you know?

If you do decide to get her a new stone, I think it would be great if you got her an awesome new diamond. Unfortunately, I don''t think the mall one is the one. You''ve gotten some great advice so far, though. Good luck.