Updating the PriceScope Search

[Rhino]

So ... Andrey and I were chatting today. As a participating vendor who lists diamonds for sale here I'd like to see my brands be included in the PriceScope search for those who utilize it. This would IMPO benefit any vendor who also features a brand and also give good exposure to products via PS that do not show up in the PS search. So, if you kind ladies and gentle would be so kind as to voice your input to these thoughts it would be appreciated.

I was thinking along these lines....

Idea #1: Say a person is searching for "Princess". There would be a field (like a check box) before or after the "shape" selector labeled "include brands" or "only brands" so if a vendor featured a brand of Princess Cut (like Infinity, Solasfera, etc.) the end user could selectively see those either included or exclusively in their search.

Also ... what do you guys & gals think for round H&A's?

Idea #2: Do you think individual vendors round H&A's should be listed like this too or do you think the current H&A (also a check box to either include like above) which is already in place is sufficient?

My thoughts on this when talking to Andrey was to leave it as is because consumers can already selectively search for H&A's for the PS search but include a "brand" option button for distinctively different round brands like Solasfera, August Vintage, Star129, Eighternity, etc.

What do ya'll think? Appreciate your thoughts on this.

Kind regards,

 

[ChunkyCushionLover]

Rhino,

This is an interesting idea and will make it easier for those who want to search but it needs some clarification:

1) What constitutes a brand in a fancy shape?
2) What level of HA in a round constitutes a brand? (Does the vendor inscribing HA on the girdle make it a branded HA?).

I can see this helping consumers find branded diamonds easier, and vendors get more exposure and differentiation for their branded lines over generics but the definitions need to be clear.

 

[Rhino]

I hear what you're saying. Anyone can take any kind of common diamond and "name" it and call it a brand (I've seen cases of this btw).

In the most simple of definitions I'd say it must have one or more of the following:

1. Must have a distinct facet pattern that departs from common or traditional cutting.
2. If cut to a more common facet design must have distinguishing features that separate it from from other diamonds within its facet design (ie. like branded Princess Cuts, Cushions, Asscher)
3. Must maintain a certain level of consistency within its product.

Having the above in place would prevent any yocal from trying to slip common diamonds into the branded sift.

My .02c

 

[Karl_K]

The biggest problem is I don't think it is PS's place to judge what is a brand and what isn't.
That makes drawing a line very hard.
While I see a huge advantage for me if someone searches for a branded asscher, I don't see it as a good thing for PS to go there.

 

[Rhino]

The biggest problem is I don't think it is PS's place to judge what is a brand and what isn't.
That makes drawing a line very hard.
While I see a huge advantage for me if someone searches for a branded asscher, I don't see it as a good thing for PS to go there.

I beg to differ friend. I think anyone with a little knowledge and some common sense can see through a fascade of false information if someone tried to just slap a name on a common stone.

But even so ... say PS owners choose not to be selective about brands their supporting vendors list. Consumers will want to learn what makes the distinctions between the brands and if there is no difference they'll go to the common anyway.

Ultimately I think its a good service for the consumer who desires to search for specifics brands within a shape and if the consumer is the one who ultimately benefits I don't see how this is a bad thing. At the same time vendors who are already paying for this service finally have the benefit of giving products they feature exposure they are not currently getting. Everyone wins.

 

[IceExplorer]

As a novice to this forum and the gem market I've got a few comments/thoughts.

1. When you are BRAND new to endeavoring a diamond search, the information is overwhelming!

-Adding the information will allow for the novice to recognize other cuts and allow them to research on price and the PS knowledge/resource base that will be developed.
-Adding the search would give consumers more choice
-Adding the search would prompt more discussion which would, in turn, enhance the industry information to consumers.
-Adding the search options could add to the confusion but that is readily over come by slightly more research.

2. The different cuts are very intriguing but when you search the internet, most of the information is marketing based and lacks objectivity.
-Other then a select few PS vendors, the information on them is one-sided (my opinion)
-Some consumers (me included) would never consider a 'hearts on fire' but thrive on the objective information pricescope had on H&A (which I bought).
-I think other cuts/facet pattern being scrutinized by PS would benefit both the consumer and the vendor
-Allowing PS'ers to voice their opinion on performance vs. cost is highly beneficial to the consumer and the industry. (Again, I'll compare the knowledge base that has been developed over time on an AGS 000 vs. H&A)

3. How to qualify a cut/facet design
-I'll leave that one to the experts but I don't imagine it would be any more subjective than color/clarity of a diamond.

4. Pricescope is a leader in Consumer Advocacy.
-PS has accessible consumer knowledge for: Diamonds, gems, pearls, ring, engagements, weddings, cuts, grading labs etc... the more information you have available the better it is for: PS, the vendors and ultimately the consumer.


I don't know if this is good or bad for the vendors and/or Pricescope. I do think the customer would benefit if it can be rolled out in a organized fashion.

Perhaps add a couple of check boxes (solasfera / Octavia) and ask for feed back.

 

[bright&shiny]

I am in favor of searching by 'brand'. Once a reader begins to know the different cut patterns, it would be great to be able to find them.... Perhaps the issue about calling it a "Brand" could be solved by calling it something else. "Cut pattern" doesn't work, but I'm sure some of your fabulous minds out there can think of a better category name.

I don't have a strong feeling about the H&A.

BTW Rhino, it's good to see you back on the forum!

 

[JulieN]

I wish I could remember all the things I want for the PS search...

I wish we could input min and max l/w ratio parameters for fancy shapes.
I wish that I didn't have to click "Advanced" to open up everything, which was not that way on the previous version. I have to open up the Advanced parameters every single time, and I imagine most people do, too.

As for brand searches, I am indifferent. If I were going to specifically look up a brand, I would just go to the relevant vendor's site. Can you just include all of the 129s, Eighternities, Solasferas under the Round Brilliant shape?

 

[Rhino]

My thoughts are precisely in line with yours IceExplorer. I get the request personally for my own search and recently added direct links right from our home page.

Bright&shiny, thank you for your input. Also, it is good to post and start a thread again. I hope to be able to come on more often. I've kinda been in a sort of "seclusion" as I've been learning to wear a new kinda hat at GOG.

Hi Julie, I love your idea of inputting l/w ratio. In my own searches on the wholesale side it is a HUGE plus for me as its one of the criteria I typically like to get from the folks we are helping and searching for. Including the "brand" option would IMO enlighten people to the fact that they do have these options available to them. I just know if I were in the shoes of the consumer who visits this forum I would want to know all the options available to me via the search featured on this site. Currently I can think of at least 10 options in some of the most beautiful diamonds I've ever seen that consumers searching on this engine would not even be aware of because they are not listed on the PS search. I think that is a shame.

 

[bricklayer]

Idea #1: Say a person is searching for "Princess". There would be a field (like a check box) before or after the "shape" selector labeled "include brands" or "only brands" so if a vendor featured a brand of Princess Cut (like Infinity, Solasfera, etc.) the end user could selectively see those either included or exclusively in their search.


My thoughts on this when talking to Andrey was to leave it as is because consumers can already selectively search for H&A's for the PS search but include a "brand" option button for distinctively different round brands like Solasfera, August Vintage, Star129, Eighternity, etc.

I have been thinking about this since I noticed this post earlier this evening. I absolutely love this option above. I'd go so far as to say it's awesome. I am obviously someone who likes the Star129 and other modified or branded style diamonds, and not having to wade through thousands of H&A, which I am not interested in at all, to find ONE Star129 would be amazing. Being able to narrow the search down to just brands would be absolutely ideal for me.

 

[Regular Guy]

I wish that I didn't have to click "Advanced" to open up everything, which was not that way on the previous version. I have to open up the Advanced parameters every single time, and I imagine most people do, too.

I'll make a suggestion...

Keep advanced.

Include place of origin as a category under it.

Let Pricescope be a leader this way. Brilliant Earth includes it in their advanced search...despite having nothing show up from their 1500 diamonds from Nambia, although it is a category that could be populated on their site. Maybe we won't have much data to begin with.

But, I'd support making it a category to be desired.

Ira Z.

 

[JulieN]

Alright, but I want the price parameters and the grading laboratories to be under the basic search. I don't think they are advanced at all, the layperson knows how much they want to spend and have heard of GIA/EGL.

 

[Rhino]

I agree Julie. With the mixture of EGL etc. in there it can be really confusing for the consumer. Heck there is enough price differences amongst GIA graded diamonds alone to confuse ppl. Through the other labs in there and it really becomes a mess. What might be a negative though is that AGS or HRD would be left out eliminating a lot of other good diamonds but I agree that this option should be in the basic search and not advanced. Good point.

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

The biggest problem is I don't think it is PS's place to judge what is a brand and what isn't.
That makes drawing a line very hard.
While I see a huge advantage for me if someone searches for a branded asscher, I don't see it as a good thing for PS to go there.

I agree with Karl.

Rhino if you can get 80% agreement from 50 regulars on which of these hundreds of stones consitiute a 'branded' diamond, then I am all for it:
http://www.diamond-portal.net/eng/diamondsE.asp?nn=1&bukv=A