Thoughts on price 1.43ct round

[mike185]

New to forum, looked at diamonds today and actually put a deposit down on one to hold while I decide. I've been reading on here for a few weeks and doing internet research. Went to local diamond wholesaler here in NC and put the following on hold. I thought it was a pretty good deal based on what I have seen.

Specs:
EGL Cert
VS2
Color F
Size 1.43 CT Round
Cut: Excellent

I did not look at the cert, and I'm having it emailed to me to review. Started at $11,900 we negotiated to $10,900 incl tax and they also include a 14k 4 prong tiff setting which I plan to propose with and then let her choose a different setting if she wants one.

Does this seem like a good deal? It was really hard to find stones just under 1.5 CT, this was the only one they had between 1.4-1.5 (out of 40M in inventory) that met my color/clarity critera (F-H (needed to be F for EGL, G/H for GIA, really could tell a diff) VS1-SI1).

So, what do you think, deal or no deal?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

We'll have to wait and see about the cut when you get the copy of the cert. It's good you know the color and clarity are inflated. I'd compare it to an H SI1 for price comps.

This one is 1.38 H SI1 AGS0 (ideal cut) at $11,416 with pricescope/wire discount. I think it is going to be a superior stone to the one you are looking at, but again, post the numbers and we'll compare.

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2680536.htm

By the way, I am in NC, too! Probably know the store you visited, but they are not really wholesalers since they sell to the public. I have bought a setting there but I found MUCH better diamonds from some of the vendors here. They just didn't have a selection of GIA or AGS Excellent/Ideal cut stones when I shopped there.

 

[Diamondhk]

I just saw an i color gia diamond and compared it to a g color egl and the egl was wayyyy warmer than the gia i color. Id give that egl prolly a k or lower.

 

[goodgal]

I am from NC too (The triad area) Anyone checked out Schiffman's in Greensboro or Baily's in Raleigh? Can you recommend any appraisers you have used in the NC area (preferrably in the triad)? There is one in Chapel Hill that is rated good by a friend but other feedback appreciated!

 

[mike185]

Got a copy of the EGL cert. Specs are as follows
Depth 62.5%
Table width 60%
Crown height 14%
Pav Depth 44%
Girdle thickness; Thin, faceted
Poish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Clarity VS2
Flourence; None
Cutlet; None
Graining; Nil
Color: F

Thanks for your comments!

 

[LJL]

comes back as a 5.4 on the HCA - you should reject it and take a look at that whiteflash one posted for your earlier.
Light Return Good
Fire Fair
Scintillation Fair
Spread Very Good

 

[tyty333]

Got a copy of the EGL cert. Specs are as follows
Depth 62.5%
Table width 60%
Crown height 14%
Pav Depth 44%
Girdle thickness; Thin, faceted
Poish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Clarity VS2
Flourence; None
Cutlet; None
Graining; Nil
Color: F

Thanks for your comments!

Sorry, this stone is not looking good. Here is how HCA grades it. We normally look for stones to score under 2.

Factor Grade
Light Return Good
Fire Fair
Scintillation Fair
Spread
or diameter for weight Very Good
Total Visual Performance 5.4 - Good - Only if price is your main criterion

Here is the HCA if you want to learn more about it.
https://www.pricescope.com/tools/hca

 

[Dancing Fire]

Got a copy of the EGL cert. Specs are as follows
Depth 62.5%
Table width 60%
Crown height 14%
Pav Depth 44%
Girdle thickness; Thin, faceted
Poish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Clarity VS2
Flourence; None
Cutlet; None
Graining; Nil
Color: F

Thanks for your comments!

the bottom half is too deep. i'd prefer it to be closer to 43%.

 

[mike185]

Thanks for the help. Fortunately the sale is not final and I can consider other options.

Diamond Seeker - would you recommend avoiding this store or do you know any others in the area? They had a lot of selection and were very helpful. I also like the 30 day money back policy, lifetime upgrades, cleanings, accent stone replacement ect and the prices seem fair.

 

[mike185]

Went to get my deposit back on this stone and they offered to lower the price to 9900. Now it seems like a pretty good deal for the size and being a egl xxx.

Is there really that much difference in appearance to the naked eye between this and something with a lower HCA score?

I want to make sure I get something that really lights up, but not too familar with what the HCA score really means in terms of apperance..

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Mike, all I can tell you is that after looking in the same area as you, I ended up buying from Good Old Gold for my ring diamond and WhiteFlash for diamonds for earrings. My daughter got engaged last fall and her diamond came from WF. I hate to see you overpay for an inferior stone. That one just isn't even close to being ideal cut. I advise you to return it and start over. That price does not tempt me at all because I'd rather have a reliable cert and a better cut stone.

All of the vendors I mentioned have return periods and lifetime trade-in policies. You can take a ring anywhere to have it cleaned or checked. Most of us clean our rings at home most of the time anyway.

What is your maximum budget for the stone?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

comes back as a 5.4 on the HCA - you should reject it and take a look at that whiteflash one posted for your earlier.
Light Return Good
Fire Fair
Scintillation Fair
Spread Very Good

What is posted above interprets the HCA score for you. You want excellent on the first 3 areas and very good on the last. This stone scores very low on the first three areas. What is the diameter of this stone? It is also a little deep.

 

[mike185]

My budget for the stone is 10k. I'm planning on a simple setting.

My req's are
round
F-H
1.2-1.4 ct
VS2-SI1


I found this one on WF, has a 1.6 HCA.

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2728382.htm

 

[OCgirl]

My budget for the stone is 10k. I'm planning on a simple setting.

My req's are
round
F-H
1.2-1.4 ct
VS2-SI1


I found this one on WF, has a 1.6 HCA.

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2728382.htm

That looks like it's from their virtual selection. They'll have to call in the stone to evaluate it for you.
James Allen has some stones that fall under your criteria:

1.31ct G SI2 $9850 (need to see if it's eye clean)
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1395825.asp

1.22 ct H VS2 $9900
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1395821.asp

1.21 ct H SI1 $9820
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1436392.asp

Hard to get to the 1.40 ct mark without dropping the color or clarity:
1.41 ct H SI2 $9,710 (need to see if it's eye clean)
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1425620.asp