Where can I find a specific stone-- requesting help from those who''ve made a purchase

[fisher_price]

Hello. I''ve been lurking for about two months now and am appreciative of all the great information on this site.

I''ve been reading and researching like mad-- and have decided to buy a diamond (for an engagement ring) that is in the following range:

Shape: round
Weight: 2.0 to 2.1 carats
Color: F or G
Clarity: VS1 or 2

...and the most important C is where I get stuck. I have been thrown out of one shop near Union Square (in San Francisco) for repeatedly asking for cut information-- the owner kept insisting that all his diamonds were ''ideal cut'' despite no information besides GIA certs (faxed at that-- I doubt he had the diamonds on hand).

I''ve been using "search by known HCA" here and haven''t seen too much come up. I''ve tried varying my criteria a little and still haven''t found more than ten stones.

I spoke with a B&M jeweller who discussed certs with me and took a week to obtain a Sarin report for me on a diamond that initially seemed right... till the HCA came back at 6 (I was surprised to see how large the effect of culet % is).

To get to the point: am I missing a shortcut? Should I pick a vendor (B&M or internet) and ask them to find me a diamond I want, based on the above criteria, and specify that they need to find one with a certain HCA score, letting them do the sifting? Should I continue looking for myself, understanding that obtaining a Sarin on each diamond that appears to fit my criteria make take a while (vs. the fact that AGS certs seem rare)?

I am hoping to make a purchase soon-- any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance for any advice--

f_p

 

[Gordie]

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On 5/10/2004 5:33:28 PM fisher_price wrote:


Hello. I've been lurking for about two months now and am appreciative of all the great information on this site.

I've been reading and researching like mad-- and have decided to buy a diamond (for an engagement ring) that is in the following range:

Shape: round
Weight: 2.0 to 2.1 carats
Color: F or G
Clarity: VS1 or 2

...and the most important C is where I get stuck. I have been thrown out of one shop near Union Square (in San Francisco) for repeatedly asking for cut information-- the owner kept insisting that all his diamonds were 'ideal cut' despite no information besides GIA certs (faxed at that-- I doubt he had the diamonds on hand).

I've been using 'search by known HCA' here and haven't seen too much come up. I've tried varying my criteria a little and still haven't found more than ten stones.

I spoke with a B&M jeweller who discussed certs with me and took a week to obtain a Sarin report for me on a diamond that initially seemed right... till the HCA came back at 6 (I was surprised to see how large the effect of culet % is).

To get to the point: am I missing a shortcut? Should I pick a vendor (B&M or internet) and ask them to find me a diamond I want, based on the above criteria, and specify that they need to find one with a certain HCA score, letting them do the sifting? Should I continue looking for myself, understanding that obtaining a Sarin on each diamond that appears to fit my criteria make take a while (vs. the fact that AGS certs seem rare)?

I am hoping to make a purchase soon-- any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance for any advice--

f_p----------------

Hi

I am not an expert, but I recently purchased a diamond from an internet vendor (and recently got engaged). Save yourself some time and use an internet vendor and select a diamond with a AGS certs to make you feel better(smart decision). As many people have indicated, get the diamond sent to an independent appraiser in your state before you send any cash....this website gives recommended vendors and independent appraisers. I was really nervous about using the intranet...but you can get really good quality and save yourself a lot of money (I am now pricing out the cost of a wedding and a new house and trust me, I am glad I saved a few thousand dollars). Best of luck...I was in your same shoes not that long ago....

 

[solange]

I bought a beautiful ring from Whiteflash last week. I had certain specifications and I told Lesley what I wanted. They have access to stones that might not be listed on their site or on the web. Lesley located a stone she thought I would like. It was sent to them and then Brian, who is a diamond cutter, got on the phone with me and described the stone.They sent me a Sarin and the cut ranked AGS 0. The HCA is .7. I specified that I wanted an Ideal cut. I had the stone sent to an appraiser of my choice and he agreed that it was as described and very beautiful. His Megascope OGI was also a 0 proportion. I then had it sent back to Whiteflash for setting and did not have to pay until the ring was ready to be shipped to me.
If you are interested, you can see my ring on Show Me the Ring,4+ Whiteflash Great Experience. I wish you luck. I had similar experiences to yours when I went to the Diamond District and tried to get any information other than a GIA report. All I was told was every stone was Ideal with nothing to verify it.
Best of luck.

 

[Nicrez]

Actually, I recommend internet vendors on PriceScope totally. I however got one in the Diamond District of NYC, and sadly, it was too difficult to find on-line. Some advice when shopping at B&M stores:

Go in knowing what you want. Get approximate numbers (carat, color, clarity, table percents and depth percents). Make a chart of every stone that you find online that fits your parameters. Try the PS search engine on the home page. Once you have narrowed down your color to two shades, and your clarity to two variables, specify your cut type, and how far or close you want to be to an "ideal" cut.

Just note that ideal here tends to be a table of 55-57%, and a depth from 60-61%. This is all rough estimates, of course. Note that angles have MUCH to do with optics as well.

Then you can plug each internet stone into the HCA and get a number for your reference. When you head over to your B&M, have your homework done, and your chart (with prices) with you. You will ask for specs they may not carry. You may give them prices on carat weights they can not match. You may request information on stones they have no idea how to get (sarins, brilliant Scopes, etc.) I say do your business with any B&M who after all that helps you out, doesn't patronize or bad mouth your techniques or diamond preferences. If they try too hard to sell you to their methods and stones, go to another vendor who will treat you better, and provide better information for your purchase.

I haven't had the opportunity to buy from these guys online, but when I can, I will, as there are a few people her I trust with my time and money, and that is hard to say about many of the jewelers I know in NYC! But good B&Ms are out there, it's just harder to find...

Good luck and I wish you well!!!

 

[niceice]

Aljdewey hit the nail on the head, the easiest way to do this is to contact one of the vendors here on PS and let them embark on the quest for you... Approximately 40% of the diamonds that we sell result from specific searches conducted on behalf of clients just like you. If you don't see what you're looking for on the inventory lists here on PS, ask a dealer to find it for you... Most of us have a pretty good idea of what is coming off the wheel and clearing the labs

 

[pqcollectibles]

Spend some time reviewing the various Vendors websites. Check out their return, refund, upgrade, and buy back policies. Call and chat with a few. Find one your are comfortable working with and let the Vendor do the searching for you.

Vendors like White Flash, Good Old Gold, Nice Ice, Dirt Cheap Diamonds, physically stock diamonds. If they don't have it in their inventory, they will source for you, bring the diamond in, and give it a thorough, professional evaluation. They will tell you truthfully if the diamond is a keeper or if it's a dud.

 

[fisher_price]

Thanks to all of you for the advice. It sounds as if the consensus is that at this point I should be discussing my purchase with a vendor/vendors I trust.

I'll do that in the next few days and keep everyone informed-- I hope to be in Show Me The Ring like solange is in a few weeks : ) .

...and I will definitely run with a third-party appraisal. It was my insistence on that point with the B&M guy I talked to in Union Square that led him to stand up and say "I can't do business with you." Grrr.

f_p

 

[valeria101]

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On 5/10/2004 5:33:28 PM fisher_price wrote:




I've been using 'search by known HCA' here and haven't seen too much come up. I've tried varying my criteria a little and still haven't found more than ten stones.

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Ten stones... and the HCA would narrow down even the AGS0 already narrow range. Chances are a few of those would make great pairs