Where is the cheapest reliable place to buy GIAs online?

[abefroman]

Where is the cheapest reliable place to buy GIAs online?

TIA

 

[stone-cold11]

I would say JamesAllen.

 

[danrts]

I''ve just ordered from Union Diamond and I''m in Australia. I''ll let you know how it goes.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 6/30/2009 8:29:21 PM
Author:abefroman
Where is the cheapest reliable place to buy GIAs online?

TIA

Hi abe

It depends on what you want and for colour and clarity, either Blue Nile or James Allen are probably the cheapest but you can order any diamond from the virtual listing and have it called into one of the other vendors if you wish who provide ASET images. James Allen provide Idealscope images which many discerning buyers want and photos of the diamonds, BN do not offer such services.

This page explains if you are unfamiliar with Idealscope and ASET

http://www.highperformancediamonds.com/index.php?page=education-performance

 

[phoenixgirl]

Ah, Abe Froman, the sausage king of Chicago?

I would second BlueNile and James Allen, and also Mondera. I''d go with James Allen out of the three because they have images of many of their stones and can do IdealScope images for you.

But just like with cars or anything, it really depends on who has exactly what you''re looking for at the lowest price. Do you have carat weight, clarity, color, and cut in mind?

 

[jill_s]

I just purchased some diamond stud earrings from Brian Gavin Diamonds, and they have access to the entire virtual inventory so they can get you basically anything you want. Their customer service was top notch - just shoot them an email with what you''d like - and you will get a very quick response. They will bring the stone in-house and make sure it''s a great stone before they sell it to you. They also price match, so if you see that same stone somewhere else for a little less, they will match it. It''s a win-win in my opinion, because you get great service, Brian Gavin the master cutter looks over the stone for the final ok, and they will price match. I was thrilled with my recent experience.

 

[sarah95]

When I was searching for a diamond, usacerteddiamonds.com had the lowest price on the stone I wanted. Nobody could beat Martin's price. I don't know if its still the case, but it's worth looking into.

 

[chrono]

It depends on who has what available, the amount of information you need, testing for light return and diamond performance. The cheapest would be a drop shipper like Abazias who provide nothing but the most basic of the GIA cert information and may not even have all the diamond stats. It does not necessarily mean that you will have a good looking diamond just because GIA rated it as being a very cut stone.

 

[Sugardiamonds]

Abe;

Just because its GIA doesnt'' mean its great. Take a little time(if you have the time) and
learn about cut. You can find out what ASET scopes mean.

Basically ASET is a way to measure "light return" from a diamond. You want very little
leakage and lots of light return. In other words, sparkle!

You want the following: 1. good light return 2. Big size.

If your diamond has good light return, it will look a. whiter b. bigger c. livlier.

The only lab that grades cut or give ASET infomation is AGS, not GIA.

Dollar for dollar they are about the same price, give or take.

Infinity diamonds, or hearts on fire are all AGS certified.

Hope this helps!

Sugardiamonds

 

[Serg]

Date: 7/1/2009 4:37:51 PM
Author: Sugardiamonds
Abe;


Just because its GIA doesnt'' mean its great. Take a little time(if you have the time) and

learn about cut. You can find out what ASET scopes mean.


Basically ASET is a way to measure ''light return'' from a diamond. You want very little

leakage and lots of light return. In other words, sparkle!


You want the following: 1. good light return 2. Big size.


If your diamond has good light return, it will look a. whiter b. bigger c. livlier.


The only lab that grades cut or give ASET infomation is AGS, not GIA.


Dollar for dollar they are about the same price, give or take.


Infinity diamonds, or hearts on fire are all AGS certified.


Hope this helps!


Sugardiamonds

1) re:The only lab that grades cut or give ASET infomation is AGS, not GIA.
GIA does cut grade. I do not see principle difference between ASG Gold cut grade system and GIA Ex, AGSL introduced Gold system( parametrical) much later than Platinum( 3D) AGS cut grade system .
2) WhiteFlash sells nice GIA diamonds with ASET images

see example http://www.whiteflash.com/round/Round-cut-diamond-2106432.htm#

If WF sells it may be you can find it from other PS vendors too

 

[Regular Guy]

Date: 7/1/2009 5:31:20 PM
Author: Serg

2) WhiteFlash sells nice GIA diamonds with ASET images

see example http://www.whiteflash.com/round/Round-cut-diamond-2106432.htm#

If WF sells it may be you can find it from other PS vendors too

Serg,

Maybe I''m missing your point, or one of us has a misunderstanding?

If JA, this might be the case, just to pick one vendor as an example we know here.

But with WF...and the case of the diamond you give an example the narrow issue may be that they don''t have either an ACA or cherry on that particular graphic...but I think that''s trivial. I do think that if they have it available, usually, it''s in their stock, and not available to others, and really is either an ACA or Expert Selection. When it says not available, then, others might have it, but they will also not be able to show an IS or ASET, which is sort of the whole point here.

 

[abefroman]

Thanks! I''ll check all that out.

-Abe Froman
Sausage King

 

[Serg]

Date: 7/1/2009 6:19:11 PM
Author: Regular Guy

Date: 7/1/2009 5:31:20 PM

Author: Serg


2) WhiteFlash sells nice GIA diamonds with ASET images


see example http://www.whiteflash.com/round/Round-cut-diamond-2106432.htm#


If WF sells it may be you can find it from other PS vendors too

Serg,


Maybe I''m missing your point, or one of us has a misunderstanding?


If JA, this might be the case, just to pick one vendor as an example we know here.


But with WF...and the case of the diamond you give an example the narrow issue may be that they don''t have either an ACA or cherry on that particular graphic...but I think that''s trivial. I do think that if they have it available, usually, it''s in their stock, and not available to others, and really is either an ACA or Expert Selection. When it says not available, then, others might have it, but they will also not be able to show an IS or ASET, which is sort of the whole point here.

Ira, I want just show:
1) There are nice diamonds with GIA grade and ASET image on PS
2) for diamonds as ACA( H&A with good proportion) the difference between GIA and AGS cut grade is not important for consumers . If consumers wants buy nice diamonds he has real good choice between GIA and ASG. ( I am disagree with PS practice push consumers to buy only ASG diamonds, specially if we are speaking about "superIdeal" diamonds.
3) I gave example to one GIA diamond with ASET and told if one example exist you may be can find other such diamonds and vendors( I have not agenda push consumers to buy only WF if consumer wants GIA diamonds)

this diamond is in WF stock . I had not idea tell what anybody could buy this diamond from other vendor.
In my post "It" was = "GIA cut grade + ASET image"
Sorry for any misleading

 

[strmrdr]

The cheapest price does not always equal the best value.
You can find the cheapest price from a drop shipper that never sees the diamond, has no upgrade policy and offers no information other than a grading report.
In other words you can never be exactly sure what you are getting.

A good vendor adds value to a diamond with:
1> actually viewing the diamond and checking for several dozen things the report doesn't show
2> providing images
3> upgrade and buy back policies
4> peace of mind because you know what you are getting

edit:
JA was mentioned they do have highly competitive prices with full service available and in-house diamonds and since they were mentioned it would be unfair to give the impression that I lump them in with typical drop shippers.

 

[Regular Guy]

Date: 7/1/2009 5:31:20 PM
Author: Serg

GIA does cut grade. I do not see principle difference between ASG Gold cut grade system and GIA Ex, AGSL introduced Gold system( parametrical) much later than Platinum( 3D) AGS cut grade system .

Not intending to thread jack (even more in the other current thread on gold vs Platinum!), but...

has anyone seen an AGS gold cert anywhere? On this board, from an advertising vendor here?

Curious...

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 7/2/2009 10:01:35 AM
Author: Regular Guy

has anyone seen an AGS gold cert anywhere? On this board, from an advertising vendor here?


Curious...

yes and yes

 

[Regular Guy]

Date: 7/2/2009 10:25:03 AM
Author: strmrdr

Date: 7/2/2009 10:01:35 AM
Author: Regular Guy

has anyone seen an AGS gold cert anywhere? On this board, from an advertising vendor here?


Curious...

yes and yes

links welcome!

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 7/2/2009 11:02:18 AM
Author: Regular Guy

Date: 7/2/2009 10:25:03 AM

Author: strmrdr

Date: 7/2/2009 10:01:35 AM

Author: Regular Guy


has anyone seen an AGS gold cert anywhere? On this board, from an advertising vendor here?



Curious...

yes and yes

links welcome!

They have been sold and I didn''t keep the links

 

[abefroman]

Are you able to buy from BG? Does he sell to the general public?

http://briangavindiamonds.com/

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 7/2/2009 12:12:09 PM
Author: abefroman
Are you able to buy from BG? Does he sell to the general public?


http://briangavindiamonds.com/

yes he does, many people here have bought diamonds from him.

 

[abefroman]

How do I see his selection?

 

[stone-cold11]

He is still setting up his website. To know what is in his inventory, give them a call.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 7/2/2009 1:10:42 PM
Author: abefroman
How do I see his selection?

Call him and speak to Lesley, she is a darling and so helpful!