Where to buy?

[gowz]

Like everyone else, looking for the best deal on a diamond. Been around the internet, to 47th st, and a number of retailers.

Where''s the best place to get a deal on this type of diamond?

Size: 1.7-1.8ct
Color: G
Clarity: VS2
Table: 53-58
Depth: 60-63
Girdle: Thin - Medium, Fct
Flr: None
Cert: GIA or AGS

Best deal I''ve seen so far is ~20-25% off Rap which means ~$12-13K

Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[aljdewey]

Gowz.....no disrespect intended, but it's a waste of time to try purchasing relative to RAP.

 

[pqcollectibles]

The Rapaport Report is a very complex pricing index GUIDE in the diamond business. There are many intricacies that come into play in the actual price of any particular diamond.

Read this:

http://www.niceice.com/raptrap.htm

It explains a lot about how the "Rap Trap" works.

On the Price Scope homepage is a diamond search engine. You can enter your color, clarity, carat weight, table, and depth parameters there and look at the possible candidates that are currently available. There are currently 97 diamonds matching your criteria, ranging in price from around $12K to nearly $19K.

You can also search among diamonds with Known Cut Adviser ratings by using this search engine:

http://www.pricescope.com/sift.asp

There are 2, G, VS diamonds currently available. Both in the $15K price range.

 

[gowz]

I would understand your criticism if I only told you I want a G, VS2 1.7ct diamond - but I didn't. I posted a fairly specific set of parameters for the diamond I would like. The Rap is simply a benchmark price. It is certainly logical to consider discounts off of a benchmark for a fairly specific stone.

Now, if you think the parameters I used are not specific enough that's a different story, and should be the basis of the discussion.

 

[gowz]

Anyone have any recommendations for 47th street jewelers?

 

[gowz]

Thanks very much for the help PQ!

 

[pqcollectibles]

You are most welcome, Gowz!! Good luck in your search for your fabulous diamond!!

Remember one key thing,...... Enjoy yourself!!

 

[elmo]

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On 4/27/2004 12:13:20 PM gowz wrote:

I would understand your criticism if I only told you I want a G, VS2 1.7ct diamond - but I didn't. I posted a fairly specific set of parameters for the diamond I would like. The Rap is simply a benchmark price. It is certainly logical to consider discounts off of a benchmark for a fairly specific stone.


Now, if you think the parameters I used are not specific enough that's a different story, and should be the basis of the discussion. ----------------

I agree with you 100%, and think Rap gets an unfairly bad rap around here when you're being very specific. You understand though that there are additional factors (fluorescence, proportions, finish, etc.) that will make one otherwise identical stone more or less expensive than another one.

I guess you also know that the best price isn't necessarily the best deal. Service isn't an abstract concept when there's a piece of jewelry that will accompany the gemstone.

 

[Nicrez]

Gowz, I sent you a PM, I hope you got it...
RAP has been my enemy for the first few searches I started on. Now, I hardly see too many people even use RAP, as keeping up with the price changes and shifts makes it just plain difficult to use for us laypeople...

I suggest that you make a chart of stone with prices for such a thing, and bargain down prices as best you can, or even have them throw in the band for free or whatever you can get haggled into the deal. The easier they are to work with, the more upfront they are with you, the easier it becomes to trust them and those are the people I like to work with.

On 47th street, you will meet too many people who think you are a wallet with legs. Remember that you must be serious, and KNOW what you are looking for, have set criteria, and demand their best products upfront. Say that although you want a quality stone, you will not pay street prices, and you are hoping to strike a relationship for the wedding ring and other future jewelery needs, or you can just get the best price on-line.

They are serious business men out to maximize their profits as MUCh as they can, and have no time for BS, generally. They seem to mostly think customer service is just SHOWING you anything, so demand more, and ye shall receive... stick to your guns and your budget, and don't let them tell you things you feel are not true, like hey a stone that has a big table over 62% will be "just fine, plus it looks bigger!" Buy after posting it here, and we can try to help you determine a good stone. Also, one day sales are scams. Tell them you want to think about it, as you are seeing other stones, but when you find "it", jump on it...

Good luck and God bless!

 

[aljdewey]

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On 4/27/2004 12:13:20 PM gowz wrote:





I would understand your criticism if I only told you I want a G, VS2 1.7ct diamond - but I didn't. I posted a fairly specific set of parameters for the diamond I would like. The Rap is simply a benchmark price. It is certainly logical to consider discounts off of a benchmark for a fairly specific stone.

Now, if you think the parameters I used are not specific enough that's a different story, and should be the basis of the discussion.
----------------

Weeeeeeeeelllllll.....no, you really didn't provide specific enough parameters. There is no crown/pavilion angle information, and that factors HEAVILY into the make of the stone. The make, in turn, affects the price of the stone. Please read this carefully: Rap doesn't account for the MAKE of a stone. It's possible for a hard-to-find stone with a great make to sell *above* Rap.

Rap is totally useless from a consumer standpoint. You would be much better served to compare diamonds of similar make by doing a PS search....that's a *far* better indicator of what you should pay than some arbitrary number back on Rap. Consumers who try to negotiate off Rap often get burned with a stone of lesser quality. I know it *sounds* cool, and like you know what you're doing, but if you're trying to negotiate with a vendor based on Rap, you've already lost.

 

[hoorray]

Glittergal found you a nice stone Gowz. also, check out this or this. They are one grade lower in color and clarity, but if they are eye clean, they could be beautiful stones, more in your price range. DCD has some really nice stones in their sig series, so give Jim Schultz a call if they look interesting to you and get more info!

 

[Dancing Fire]

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On 4/27/2004 5:38:12 PM aljdewey wrote:

----------------
On 4/27/2004 12:13:20 PM gowz wrote:



I would understand your criticism if I only told you I want a G, VS2 1.7ct diamond - but I didn't. I posted a fairly specific set of parameters for the diamond I would like. The Rap is simply a benchmark price. It is certainly logical to consider discounts off of a benchmark for a fairly specific stone.

Now, if you think the parameters I used are not specific enough that's a different story, and should be the basis of the discussion.
----------------

Weeeeeeeeelllllll.....no, you really didn't provide specific enough parameters. There is no crown/pavilion angle information, and that factors HEAVILY into the make of the stone. The make, in turn, affects the price of the stone. Please read this carefully: Rap doesn't account for the MAKE of a stone. It's possible for a hard-to-find stone with a great make to sell *above* Rap.

Rap is totally useless from a consumer standpoint. You would be much better served to compare diamonds of similar make by doing a PS search....that's a *far* better indicator of what you should pay than some arbitrary number back on Rap. Consumers who try to negotiate off Rap often get burned with a stone of lesser quality. I know it *sounds* cool, and like you know what you're doing, but if you're trying to negotiate with a vendor based on Rap, you've already lost.
----------------

aljdewey,
i have to disagree with you. the rap is not useless for the consumer.it's just that dealer don't want you to know, it can be used as a guideline to purchase your diamond. as long as the stone meets your criteria. you should be able to buy a top ideal cut, a little back of rap. heck, if you're willing to pay enough percentage over rap, Marcel Tolkowsky will probably come out of his grave to cut one for you. i asked one vendor about a stone that he had, and i asked him what rap was, and he replied "i don't know what rap price is for this stone." right there it tells me his stone is priced way over rap sheet. when a dealer claims he doesn't know what what a rap is, he's full of B.S. i bet you anything, when he's buying stones, he knows what rap is.