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Union Diamond

peterspixie

peterspixie

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Oct 27, 2009
Messages
111
I have never tried to order a diamond online yet, but I notice a huge difference in price when it comes to union diamonds and the other vendors when I made my search. Is this normal? Is union diamond a good place to purchase? Why the big price difference?

Thanks.
 
Are you comparing same exact diamonds to another? Same exact means same specifications, same report number. Generally, prices vary depending on different overheads and margins.
 
Not the report numbers, but same specs. I just think it is odd to find a stone over 1CT and have awesome cut color and clarity for under 4000. I just wonder if there is something I am not seeing.
 
Is it clarity enhanced? I'm no expert, but those are much cheaper (I think due to the integrity of the stone structure being compromised?)
 
Who graded the stones?
 
They list a lot of EGL stones.
 
Yes most are EGL. Is this bad? I know from what I have read here on the forums that EGL can be a little lenient on their grading, but how much so?
 
EGL International is hogwash.

EGL USA is generally one color grade softer. AGS provides cut grading, so that makes it a very good choice for online shopping. GIA is the industry standard.
 
I would say yes, it is bad. Personally, I'd rather have an uncerted stone rather than one that was "loosely" graded. I've heard different things about the level of discrepancy with EGL (anywhere from 2-5 grades off, usually). EGL USA NY and LA, I believe, are a little better, but EGL International (especially Israel) is terrible. It all comes down to what's more important to you. Do you care more about getting the cheapest price and having a piece of paper that is probably inaccurate or do you care more about quality? I think you're better off getting a lower graded GIA/AGS stone and paying the same amount as a higher graded EGL. At least you can be confident in the accuracy of the report.

Edit: Wow. I guess I'm a really slow poster, lol.
 
I care more about quality. My current diamond is EGL certified, but I can see nothing wrong with it other then I would like it to be bigger. I am so confused ;(
 
there's nothing wrong with your diamond. Some labs are more reputable than others, but you don't go around wearing the lab report on your finger.

Start a new thread asking for help finding a diamond and list the qualities that you want. Also if you have an upgrade policy on your current stone, specify the vendor.
 
Sorry. I didn't mean to imply that your diamond is of poor quality. It's all relative, anyway. Whatever looks beautiful to you is what you should go with. Some people like the stark white Ds and some like the warmer Ms. It's just preference. EGL is simply known to be inconsistent in grading. That doesn't necessarily mean that the stone was "up-graded", but it's possible. But like JulieN said, you aren't wearing the cert.
 
I would love to know the margins on diamonds - probably minimum is 20%.

So consider a $10,000 diamond has a dealer cost of $8,000.
The dealer can try to sell one stone for $10,000 per day or
they can try to sell three stones for $9,000 per day

The first scenario nets the dealer gross profit of $2,000
but the second scenario where he sells for less gets gross profit of $3,000

Plus some places might get the left-overs that the bigger brand names do not want.

In my searches - I seem to have seen a trend that B2CJewels has some of the lowest prices
especially with the PS member discount
 
I know PS vendors, such as IDJ will price match the same exact diamond. And if you want to trade in your current diamond, I know idj will offer a trade-in price, even if you didn't buy your diamond from them.
 
My diamond is from Union Diamond, but it is GIA. Tony at Union Diamond is just awesome. And while I would shy away from EGL, ask Tony if he can check the one out for you and take photos and give his opinion. He gives excellent recs, and if you give him your budget, he can find one fairly quickly. That's basically what I did, I said, 'find me the best in this budget range' and he did just as instructed, in fact, he came in under budget so I am always quick to recommend him.
 
I will also second a recommendation for Union Diamond. I worked with Leah Cawley for a couple of months before finding my perfect stone. Great customer service and amazing pricing. Leah was able to secure a deeper discount than the typical PS discount and as a result my diamond came in under budget. I gave her my preferred specs and she got back to me the very next day with options, one of which is my current stone, and happened to be GIA certed. I probably wouldn't have said no to an EGL if I had found one and it looked quality to me but I am always investment-minded "just in case" so going with a GIA certed stone made the most sense for me.
 
I purchased from Leah at Union a few years ago, marquise cut. She was great, price was great, love the diamond.
 
silly question but your trade right?
 
A few years ago, I made my very first online diamond purchase via Union Diamond - a 2.03 carat radiant G colour diamond. A lot of money and a terrifying process but Leah made it so easy. I have since bought a number of other diamonds from her and have always been delighted with the service and the stones.

Oh - and all the stones I have purchased have been GIA graded.
 
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