Too good to be true?

[PortlandKelly]

New Pricescope member! I''ve been lurking for the past year and am excited that I finally have a reason to post!

A local guy is selling a diamond ring due to an engagement gone bad. It looks like a fantastic deal, but I need your expert opinions!

EGL
1.79 carat round brilliant
clarity: VS2
color: G
60.9% depth
59% table width
13% crown height
43% pavilion depth
0% cutlet
girdle: slightly thick, faceted
polish & symmetry: very good
florescence: none

The Holloway Cut Adviser gave me this:
Light Return: Very Good
Fire: Excellent
Scintillation: Excellent
Spread: Very Good
Total Visual Performance: 1.5 - Excellent

He bought the ring for $18,000 and is selling it for $10,000. We would meet at the jewelry store where he purchased the ring so they can confirm it is the same ring.

I did a Pricescope diamond search and found the prices for a similar stone to be in the $18,000-$20,000 range.

PLEASE help me! Is this deal too good to be true? Would I be crazy to pass it up?

 

[stone-cold11]

From the cut numbers, with crown and pavilion depth being more approx in nature for HCA, the stone is a BIC and in the older person ring range so the cut most likely is rated vg or gd. Checking with other EGL stone of the same grade, the price is about there, EGL stone 1.8 G VS2 cost USD 11622-11828. I would say, get it appraised, you pay for the appraisal and purchase it only if it is of the correct dimension, color and clarity grades and maybe the expected value?

 

[neatfreak]

Is it the deal of the century? No. But is it a tad cheaper than you could buy on your own online? Probably. But then you wouldn''t have a vendor to back you up if you have problems.

I second having it appraised BEFORE purchase to make sure it is what he says.

 

[PortlandKelly]

Thank you for responding Stone-cold! Can you explain what you mean by "older person ring range"? I don''t want to blow $10,000 on something that isn''t really all that good. Thanks!

 

[stone-cold11]

It is stated in how to use the HCA. http://diamonds.pricescope.com/ideal.asp

Basically, it is a stone that on closer inspection, putting your head nearer to the stone, it will become dark because most of the light return from this kind of stone is obstructed by your head. It is named such because older person usually are far-sighted so the few things from afar rather than like young people who have better near-field eye-sight. It will look just as well as a young person ring stone when viewed afar.

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 10/5/2008 1:00:44 PM
Author: Stone-cold11
It is stated in how to use the HCA. http://diamonds.pricescope.com/ideal.asp


Basically, it is a stone that on closer inspection, putting your head nearer to the stone, it will become dark because most of the light return from this kind of stone is obstructed by your head. It is named such because older person usually are far-sighted so the few things from afar rather than like young people who have better near-field eye-sight. It will look just as well as a young person ring stone when viewed afar.

To follow on this, this type of stone is a great earring or pendant stone because they are usually viewed from further away.

 

[sparxs111]

As for meeting at the store I wouldn''t bother. As stated earlier, go to an independent appraiser and spend the 80 to 100$ to get it appraised. You need this for insurance purposes anyway so if you like the ring, that will already be done. That is the safest way to do it, as sales people in jewlery stores, ''sometimes'' aren''t the most knowledgable about diamonds, and all they could maybe say is it looks like a style we carry, put a loop to it, and maybe confirm it is a diamond. Appraiser all the way, and an appraiser not from the store the ring was bought at.

GOOD LUCK!!!

 

[mrsv]

P&K- Love your dogs they are over the top cute! Could you give the mm measurements of this stone? Size of stone is more then weight as I am sure you know and doing a quick search on here and blue nile I found a number of GIA and AGS stones near the same ct weight, same price, but differing mm size.....so if you gives us those number we may be able to help you even more.
That said just becuase another man over paid at 18k and would be losing doesn''t make it any better of a deal for you.
Lastly you referred to it as a ring, what setting was involved, is it an expensive designer one, the one your girl would like?

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 10/5/2008 1:55:56 PM
Author: mrsv
P&K- Love your dogs they are over the top cute! Could you give the mm measurements of this stone? Size of stone is more then weight as I am sure you know and doing a quick search on here and blue nile I found a number of GIA and AGS stones near the same ct weight, same price, but differing mm size.....so if you gives us those number we may be able to help you even more.
That said just becuase another man over paid at 18k and would be losing doesn't make it any better of a deal for you.
Lastly you referred to it as a ring, what setting was involved, is it an expensive designer one, the one your girl would like?

Welcome!

It appears to be a decently cut diamond, not to superideal standards but could be a nice make. I would want to know the diameter as above and also which branch of EGL graded the diamond. But an independant appraisal is really a no brainer if you want to buy this stone, here is a tool you can use to find an appraiser in your area and make the sale final on it checking out.

https://www.pricescope.com/appr_list.aspx

I would much rather have this diamond, it comes in at a bit under 12k with bank wire payment, you know what you are getting with this one,

http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-1181460.htm#

 

[Fly Girl]

Definitely pay for an independent appraiser to appraise the ring. What you give up by purchasing privately is there is no vendor or store to return to should you have problems of any kind in the future. So this is a "Let the Buyer Beware" situation of the first order. Since you aren't a diamond expert, you need a diamond expert to evaluate the ring. The savings could be substantial, but you are taking on a lot of additional risk as well. An independent appraiser allows you to make an intelligent decision about this purchase.

 

[kcoursolle]

For about $100 I''d take it to an independent appraiser before purchase to verify the color/clarity of the stone. A slight variation in these parameters can make quite a big difference in pricing and EGL is known to be a bit softer than GIA/AGS. If things check out then you can feel confident in going for it. It''s a well cut diamond, but make sure you like the look of the slightly larger table, this is momstly a preference issue. If the diamond checks out to the specs you are getting a good deal, but not an amazing deal in my opinion for a second hand diamond. Usually diamonds sell for about half or less of retail when they are re-sold in these types of circumstances. If the diamond turned out to have slightly lower specs, you may want to try to gently and politely price negotiate a little.

 

[PortlandKelly]

measurements: 7.54-7.78 x 4.76

The ring is currently in a plain white gold setting. We would have it reset into the Sholdt semi-bezel setting like Elle_Chris & Heyeliza. (ring size 5.5)

You guys are absolutelly correct-- I need to take it to an independent appraiser if we decide to move forward. Looks like there is one just 2 miles away (Thanks Lorelei!).

Keep the opinions coming! I never really thought about which EGL, table size, etc, etc. And I have no idea which mm sizes are ''good''!

 

[stone-cold11]

Looking at the spread in price comparison, I am guessing an ideal should be around 7.85mm, and by you measurement, the round is not even a good round, L/W ratio is 1.03. I think that is a little too off.

 

[risingsun]

Could you recheck the diameter, please. That's a pretty large variance in the numbers you posted. It would seem out of round. I suspect the second digit on the first number is a 7.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 10/5/2008 6:08:46 PM
Author: risingsun
Could you recheck the diameter, please. That''s a pretty large variance in the numbers you posted. It would seem out of round. I suspect the second digit on the first number is a 7.

You are most welcome Kelly! And ditto Marian if you could check the diameter please.

 

[PortlandKelly]

Well, my photocopy of the EGL report was fuzzy and the seller never confirmed the dimensions for me. The diamond is now sold. Let''s just hope it wasn''t my boyfriend who bought it.

...unless he got it independently appraised and it turned out to be a fab diamond afterall.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Date: 10/5/2008 5:33:03 PM
Author: PortlandKelly
measurements: 7.54-7.78 x 4.76

The ring is currently in a plain white gold setting. We would have it reset into the Sholdt semi-bezel setting like Elle_Chris & Heyeliza. (ring size 5.5)

You guys are absolutelly correct-- I need to take it to an independent appraiser if we decide to move forward. Looks like there is one just 2 miles away (Thanks Lorelei!).

Keep the opinions coming! I never really thought about which EGL, table size, etc, etc. And I have no idea which mm sizes are ''good''!

this is an oval