What''s this Diamond worth?

[Zola]

I purchased a diamond from a Jewelry store 6 months ago and I thought I got a good deal, but competing jewelry websites price this size/quality at a much lower price. Did I get taken to the cleaners or what?

Princess Cut solitaire diamond
1.55 Carat
SI 1
Color: H
Designer: David Weinger (sp?)
Paid: 17,500

Also, is there an appraiser you would recommend.

Thank you.

 

[Jonathan the Jeweler]

You didn''t get taken to the cleaners. You paid a fair market price for high quality diamond in a pretty setting. Had you gone to Tiffanys you would have paid much more. The customer service that a retail jeweler provides, is very important, and he will stand behind his diamond in a way that no website can. You can always pay less, but jewelry is one of those things where sometimes it is good to pay a little more than the rock bottom. The service that a real store provides is worth the marginal cost difference. Also next time you buy jewelry at that store, ask for a significant discount because you are a repeat customer.

 

[gtn]

Without more information, there is no way to say if your diamond was worth the purchase price or not.

Have it appraised and they could tell you what it''s worth. Try looking for one in your area here

 

[Gypsy]

1. Date: 12/20/2007 5:55:01 PM
   Author: Jonathan the Jeweler
   You didn't get taken to the cleaners. You paid a fair market price for high quality diamond in a pretty setting. Had you gone to Tiffanys you would have paid much more. The customer service that a retail jeweler provides, is very important, and he will stand behind his diamond in a way that no website can. You can always pay less, but jewelry is one of those things where sometimes it is good to pay a little more than the rock bottom. The service that a real store provides is worth the marginal cost difference. Also next time you buy jewelry at that store, ask for a significant discount because you are a repeat customer.

There's not enough information to substantiate the first. And the second is just BS, frankly.

 

[fleur-de-lis]

Date: 12/20/2007 5:55:01 PM
Author: Jonathan the Jeweler
You didn''t get taken to the cleaners. You paid a fair market price for high quality diamond in a pretty setting. Had you gone to Tiffanys you would have paid much more. The customer service that a retail jeweler provides, is very important, and he will stand behind his diamond in a way that no website can. You can always pay less, but jewelry is one of those things where sometimes it is good to pay a little more than the rock bottom. The service that a real store provides is worth the marginal cost difference. Also next time you buy jewelry at that store, ask for a significant discount because you are a repeat customer.

Jonathan K
Bailey Banks & Biddle
G.D. GIA

Though I suppose one would expect an answer like this from an employee of Bailey Banks & Biddle, to me this answer seems very biased.

Zola, though it''s hard to make a definitive reply without knowing the cert. or the specific setting, I will say that similar size/color/clarity stones are available from online dealers for about $8000 for GIA stones. If your stone is EGL or something else, it would be less. To that figure you''d have to add in the cost of the setting, and if you purchased it from a brick and mortar stone, it''s fair and reasonable to have *some* overhead... but since there''s an unaccounted 9000+ dollars there and most settings are between $500-$4000, well...

Though it''s dependent on knowing those answers, I would hazard a guess that you paid a few thousand dollars for the storefront. Of course, to a certain extent, it''s water under the bridge now. Enjoy the ring, and if your future wife begins hinting about an upgrade or other diamond jewelry in the future, be sure to check out the internet options before you buy something from a mall or B&M store if getting the best deal is a concern.

 

[JohnQuixote]

Date: 12/20/2007 5:15:51 PM
Author:Zola
I purchased a diamond from a Jewelry store 6 months ago and I thought I got a good deal, but competing jewelry websites price this size/quality at a much lower price. Did I get taken to the cleaners or what?

Princess Cut solitaire diamond
1.55 Carat
SI 1
Color: H
Designer: David Weinger (sp?)
Paid: 17,500

Also, is there an appraiser you would recommend.

Thank you.

Hi Zola. We don''t have enough information to know.

What lab graded the diamond? Do you have any cut quality performance information? ...Cut quality plays a significant role in a diamond’s value. The only major lab grading cut in fancy shapes is the AGS. Otherwise you would need to provide an ideal-scope or (better) ASET image for us to give meaningful input.

Under the link gtn provided you can check to see what appraisers are in your area. Appraisers are like sellers though; you will find that some give only basic services at high prices - others give plentiful services at competitive prices - and all in-between.

 

[Gypsy]

Date: 12/20/2007 6:27:45 PM
Author: JohnQuixote

Date: 12/20/2007 5:15:51 PM
Author:Zola
I purchased a diamond from a Jewelry store 6 months ago and I thought I got a good deal, but competing jewelry websites price this size/quality at a much lower price. Did I get taken to the cleaners or what?

Princess Cut solitaire diamond
1.55 Carat
SI 1
Color: H
Designer: David Weinger (sp?)
Paid: 17,500

Also, is there an appraiser you would recommend.

Thank you.

Hi Zola. We don't have enough information to know.

What lab graded the diamond? Do you have any cut quality performance information? ...Cut quality plays a significant role in a diamond’s value. The only major lab grading cut in fancy shapes is the AGS. Otherwise you would need to provide an ideal-scope or (better) ASET image for us to give meaningful input.

Under the link gtn provided you can check to see what appraisers are in your area. Appraisers are like sellers though; you will find that some give only basic services at high prices - others give plentiful services at competitive prices - and all in-between.

Case in point. Whiteflash is an internet jeweler who stands behind their product, IMO, MUCH BETTER than most 'real' jewelers out there. And they aren't ignorant, and they don't lie.

As for an appraiser... where are you located Z? We'd be happy to recommend one near you.

 

[Kaleigh]

Date: 12/20/2007 5:55:01 PM
Author: Jonathan the Jeweler
You didn''t get taken to the cleaners. You paid a fair market price for high quality diamond in a pretty setting. Had you gone to Tiffanys you would have paid much more. The customer service that a retail jeweler provides, is very important, and he will stand behind his diamond in a way that no website can. You can always pay less, but jewelry is one of those things where sometimes it is good to pay a little more than the rock bottom. The service that a real store provides is worth the marginal cost difference. Also next time you buy jewelry at that store, ask for a significant discount because you are a repeat customer.

PS vendors stand behind their diamonds 100%. You''ve got that part wrong!!!

 

[emeraldlover1]

Date: 12/20/2007 6:22:25 PM
Author: fleur-de-lis

Date: 12/20/2007 5:55:01 PM
Author: Jonathan the Jeweler
You didn''t get taken to the cleaners. You paid a fair market price for high quality diamond in a pretty setting. Had you gone to Tiffanys you would have paid much more. The customer service that a retail jeweler provides, is very important, and he will stand behind his diamond in a way that no website can. You can always pay less, but jewelry is one of those things where sometimes it is good to pay a little more than the rock bottom. The service that a real store provides is worth the marginal cost difference. Also next time you buy jewelry at that store, ask for a significant discount because you are a repeat customer.

Jonathan K
Bailey Banks & Biddle
G.D. GIA

Though I suppose one would expect an answer like this from an employee of Bailey Banks & Biddle, to me this answer seems very biased.

Zola, though it''s hard to make a definitive reply without knowing the cert. or the specific setting, I will say that similar size/color/clarity stones are available from online dealers for about $8000 for GIA stones. If your stone is EGL or something else, it would be less. To that figure you''d have to add in the cost of the setting, and if you purchased it from a brick and mortar stone, it''s fair and reasonable to have *some* overhead... but since there''s an unaccounted 9000+ dollars there and most settings are between $500-$4000, well...

Though it''s dependent on knowing those answers, I would hazard a guess that you paid a few thousand dollars for the storefront. Of course, to a certain extent, it''s water under the bridge now. Enjoy the ring, and if your future wife begins hinting about an upgrade or other diamond jewelry in the future, be sure to check out the internet options before you buy something from a mall or B&M store if getting the best deal is a concern.

There are a lot of "website" diamond dealers/jewelers that have storefronts. Most of these places have good upgrade policys. Granted there are some that you can not visit...but to say that a website will not stand by their sale is pretty rediculous if you ask me.

 

[JohnQuixote]

Hey all, I think Jonathan's comments are likely offered in good faith - though I cannot agree with some of them. Like many working in common commercial markets it is possible that he is not familiar with some of the customary questions we would ask here (like more cut quality info, etc). Very few jewelers in commercial markets are familiar with methodology we take for granted. It's also true that most "website sellers" are not much like the primary PS sellers... In any event I hope no one would hold their past experience with someone else against him. I think it would be nice to see more pros, not less, participating here.

To Jonathan (welcome to PS btw

) This a nice community of extremely well-informed consumers and dedicated pros. I hope you'll read on a bit and get a feel for the symbiosis of the place. As you will find, we're pretty detail-intensive here.

 

[Jonathan the Jeweler]

Well an Internet Site can not literally stand behind their diamond like a jeweler in a store. Think about it.

 

[Gypsy]

Date: 12/20/2007 7:17:06 PM
Author: Jonathan the Jeweler
Well an Internet Site can not literally stand behind their diamond like a jeweler in a store. Think about it.

Can you please explain it to us?

 

[JohnQuixote]

How so Jonathan?

If you are talking about standing, physically, behind our diamonds we have daily appointments with clients. We like it when they come play with the jewels... In fact, a number of regulars on this board have been in the offices to finger the blingers. Check this thread.

If you're talking about standing behind them, figuratively, in the short term how is a 10, 14 or even 30 day no-questions-asked return period?

If you're talking about standing behind them, figuratively, for the long-term, how do various 100% lifetime trade-up policies strike you?

The primary sellers here offer all the above.

Or did I misunderstand?

 

[Kaleigh]

Date: 12/20/2007 7:17:06 PM
Author: Jonathan the Jeweler
Well an Internet Site can not literally stand behind their diamond like a jeweler in a store. Think about it.

WHY?? Guessing you''ve never bought from one, so perhaps you don''t know the great experiences many of us have had....

I am a repeat customer to www.whiteflash.com and www.goodoldgold.com Check them out before you claim something about them that you don''t know.....

Think about it.

 

[dolphingirl22]

Do you mean stand behind the counter and ignore people as they come in?

 

[tberube]

There is no information about the cut on here, but it does sound kinda high to me...

 

[iheartscience]

Date: 12/20/2007 7:25:34 PM
Author: dolphingirl22
Do you mean stand behind the counter and ignore people as they come in?

Hahaha! Hilarious, dolphingirl!

Really, Jonathan, you should do a little research here before you start flapping your lips. (Keys, really!) I went to many, many B&M shops while I was shopping for my diamond engagement ring and none of them treated me as well as Whiteflash.com treated me.

Plus, I got the exact setting, way more information and an even better diamond for literally half as much money as I would have paid if I had gotten the ring from a B&M store.

Furthermore, Whiteflash.com offers a lifetime upgrade policy, so when DSS hits and 1.5 carats just isn''t big enough anymore, or if I want to change shapes or whatever, I can with no loss of money.

And I''m sorry, but as for your comments to the original poster, I don''t think that possibly overpaying by literally thousands of dollars is marginal at all.

 

[Steel]

Date: 12/20/2007 5:15:51 PM
Author:Zola
I purchased a diamond from a Jewelry store 6 months ago and I thought I got a good deal, but competing jewelry websites price this size/quality at a much lower price. Did I get taken to the cleaners or what?

Princess Cut solitaire diamond
1.55 Carat
SI 1
Color: H
Designer: David Weinger (sp?)
Paid: 17,500

Also, is there an appraiser you would recommend.

Thank you.

Hi Zola,

Welcome

.

Indulge me, if you will, for taking a different tact...

It has been said that a product or service is only worth what the customer is willing to pay for it.

You bought the ring (I assume as an engagement or anniversary ring). Ergo you paid for its'' worth (to you at that time).

I wonder if there is any material gain in flogging a dead horse here, if you paid for it and it is outside its'' return policy then this is all academic. And while academia is not without merit, it is, if it makes you feel bad.

We don''t always get the best (deal) from life, it is how you deal with it...

If you feel like posting pics, I for one would love to see your ring!

 

[HPLouis]

I think I know what Jonathan (sp?) means when he says a store can stand behind what they sell. Take for example the ring I purchased at Kay''s. With it I''ll get a warranty that covers if I lose the diamond or chip it (my regular insurance will cover the loss of the center stone too though but what if I don''t want to carry insurance?). I also get free resizings, free rhodium dippings, upgrade policy etc. I''ve already has the damond resized 3 times (due to my not being able to size her finger properly), I had it polished and rhodium dipped because I scratched up the ring and I had the head changed to platinum. All this was free and covered under warranty. All this is for the life of the ring. I also get free cleanings for life. If I were to move, another Kay''s can service my ring.

My girlfriend is very picky and she would find one nick or scratch on the setting when we picked it up, it would get sent right back for polishing or whatever to fix it to her liking. Kay''s never argued or complained. They just did it.

 

[Jonathan the Jeweler]

I was being a smart ass, Jeesh... I meant to literally stand behind the Diamond at the counter. I don''t deny that you can provide good customer service. Only that a face to face experience is much more personal, and some people may feel more comfortable doing business that way.

 

[KtIceRN]

Jonathan, I think you need to read more about what goes on around here and think before you say anymore.

This is a wonderful place to be a part of and I believe you could learn alot from us.

I have bought many things from Whiteflash.com and have also had the privilage of going to Houston to meet with them. Even before I had meet them I felt like I got better sevice there than anyother jeweler I had ever been. They are very promt with emails and phone calls, and their attention to detail is second to none. Not to meantion that I get some really great deals on super ideal stones!

I do not feel that a B&M like BBB would give me any better service because I could go there and be face to face with someone. Infact my last trip to BBB was a nightmare. My self and a couple other PSer overheard a sales person telling a poor young man that anything below an H was WAY TOO YELLOW! Well mabye in the not so well cut stones offered in alot of these types of B&M''s but not our ideal cuts stones. Myself and one of the other PSer there had J color stones 1.76 and 2.36 cts and there was no yellow to be found in them! I really do think that there is a lack of education for sales associates in B&M''s. I am sure that alot of the regular PSers could walk into most B&M''s and know a heck of a lot more about diamonds than the SA behind the counter. So I strongly urge you to educate yourself but reading the knowledge section on here and do some searches on cut. Please do this before you give anymore advice to posters. The answers you have given to people so far are I am sure in good faith but they are not correct.

 

[Jonathan the Jeweler]

I can not speak for the ignorance of other salespeople. I know that a J isn''t always yellow, it can be grey or brown and even other stranger hues with saturations too low to be fancy. I am not a veteran, but I am educated, thanks.

 

[Rabe2000]

Everyone...Please do not stoop down to the level of Jonathan the Jeweler, this whole posting seems strange from the start. If he "Jonathan the Jeweler" is truly in the Jewlery business I hope he sells CZ''s and not Diamonds!! I just know I wont be purchasing anything from him, he types as if he is upset image him in the B&M he would be screaming.

There is only one original Jonathan AKA Rhino around here!!

 

[KtIceRN]

Date: 12/21/2007 5:23:03 AM
Author: Jonathan the Jeweler
I can not speak for the ignorance of other salespeople. I know that a J isn''t always yellow, it can be grey or brown and even other stranger hues with saturations too low to be fancy. I am not a veteran, but I am educated, thanks.

I give up.....you are hopeless.

 

[HPLouis]

Isn't J still considered a "colorless" grade or are you saying that J is too yellow (or any other color) to be considered colorless?

 

[dolphingirl22]

I have a question for you Jonathan the Jeweler:

If I were to call BBB right now and tell them I''m looking for a diamond. I want to go with lets say an SI1-SI2 clarity, but I want it to be completely eye clean. Will they know what I''m talking about? And would they bother to actually look through their inventory and find me one that is eye clean?

 

[denverappraiser]

Jonathan,

Welcome to Pricescope.

You are serving as a representative of your company here. If you wanted to be seen as just some guy with another opinion you could have done so by registering without using the company name or claiming an educational title. By identifying yourself as an employee of BBB and by singing the praises of shopping at a ‘real store’, presumably including your own and other BBB outlets, you have invited discussion and criticism of those very areas. Your thoughts are valuable and you come from a position that is not well represented in the community here but you should choose your words carefully.

As you point out, the basis of BBB’s approach is that you can have a face to face relationship when you shop there. Most people agree that this is a nice way to interact but this means the basis is the training and behavior of those very salespeople you seem unwilling to defend. If you are conceding the point that the sales experience is unreliable or even bad, how can you present this as a feature of shopping at your store? How should a prospective shopper identify which employees will give them good service and accurate information?

A note to everybody else: Bear in mind one of the weakness of these forums. Jonathan is presenting himself as an employee of BBB although he has surely not been authorized by his employer to speak on their behalf. He may not even actually work there. Although his thoughts are welcome and even encouraged, you may get a different experience at a store in your own neighborhood. He’s correct when he says that he cannot speak for his coworkers.

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver