Why the lack of larger stones?

[poorboy]

All,

I originally was planning on purchasing an e-ring at Tiffany''s, but after learning so much from the forum (though I still feel like an idiot compared to most of you) I am now leaning toward getting an ideal cut diamond from online - probably look mainly at WF and GOG. I am curious to learn more about Infinity and 8* (though 8* may not be worth the money from what I am reading). I just want to make sure I give my gf a diamond that performs as good if not better than anything she has ever seen.

With that, I have been frequently checking the online inventor at WF and GOG and it seems not to be changing. I am planning to get a stone between 2.25-2.4 carats, but can''t seem to find any around this size (except for one) on their websites. I am trying to determine if the reason is (1) there is not a high demand for this size or (2) diamonds this size are more rare and it is hard to keep an inventory of them since there are less of them. In the case of (1), can GOG, WF or any other places with great stones and equally great reputations get them pretty readily? Or if it is (2), do I just need to keep watching inventory lists and wait for some more to show up?

I must say that I am totally overwhelmed with all the information that needs to be considered and look forward to finding some diamonds that I like and posting the available information - I am really curious to see how everyone analyzes the info.

Thanks again all!

 

[pebbles]

I think the reason why there aren''t many stones in that size is both of your reasons. That size is just under the 2.5ct mark, and as you know once you hit one of those magic marks (1ct, 1.5ct, 2ct, etc) the price increases dramatically. I think too this is the busiest time of year for the jewelers so anything they might get is bought rather quickly.

If you talk to both vendors and tell them what you are looking for, they will keep that in mind and let you know when something comes in. I did that with GOG (although I wound up not buying the stone from them) when I was considering a Jubilee. They e-mailed me with a list of stones that they had coming in within the following few weeks. I think it would be easier to do that than you watching their inventory constantly.

 

[Kim N]

I agree with Pebbles. I think it''s both of your reasons and the fact that this is a very busy time of year for jewelers, so inventory probably disappears more quickly.

 

[poorboy]

If this is in fact the busiest time of the year, do prices correspond - that is, do they charge more when they are busy? I would think the answer is no, but just curious. I am aiming at making my purchase no later that the end of February (but am ready to buy when I find the right one) so I am not in a huge rush.

 

[icekid]

Honestly, it seems that diamond prices are consistently climbing right now! Sad but true.

And I think there is a shortage of larger stones right now. You should probably call a couple vendors and they can look around specifically for what you want.

 

[codex57]

February has Valentine''s Day. I don''t think prices go up cuz of the date. More of a demand thing.

But yes, you''re not seeing much cuz you''re asking for a REALLY RARE item. Think about it. A 2+ carat ideal cut stone? First of all, there aren''t all that many ideal cut stones out there. Then you go into the really expensive range of 2+ carats?

I had a hard enough time finding my wife''s stone which was less that 1.5. Granted, it had to be D color, but still.

 

[Paul-Antwerp]

There are a lot of reasons why there is little supply of super-ideal stones in a size of over 2 Cts.

1. There is less demand. With the size going over 2Cts, we come into an area of a very serious budget. With the internet and education being one of the main motors behind the demand for super-ideals, the average consumer for this quality is relatively young. This generally also means a tighter budget, thus less demand for +2Ct-stones.

2. Over the past year, there was very little supply of rough yielding this size or higher. As a result, the price of averagely cut stones of this size went through the roof. Because of this, cutters who specialize in cutting for weight and not for light return could pay more for this rough, and the supply of truly big super-ideals became impossible.

3. Also, rough is not sold per stone, but in parcels of rough stones. Even when we have demand for a few big super-ideals, we still need to sell the rest of the parcel too. Turn-around-time in stones between 0.70 and 1.60 Cts is much faster, and this dampens supply too.

4. Finally, there is also a reason why you see little movement in inventory these last weeks. Towards this summer, the prices of rough diamonds reached an exaggerated peak, and many of us were unable to buy rough at the time. This results in little new products right now. You can expect more availability after the New Year.

Live long,

 

[poorboy]

Thanks for your response - that is very helpful.

 

[Mara]

Ditto what others said on the 2c+ ideal cut stone becoming more of a rarity, especially as rough prices have increased this year significantly yet again.

I also have heard that at some point in the near future as well that they will become even MORE scarce. So I'd keep an eye out, it may take you til Feb to actually find that stone! Sometimes it takes a few months or more in the 2c+ size.

Also, I dont think the PS vendors price based on holidays, retail jewelers may, but it seems like most PS vendors price based on their costs and incorporating their smaller markup.

 

[valeria101]

oups... I kept writing without seeing Paul's post.

Date: 12/8/2005 2:55:30 PM
Author:poorboy

With that, I have been frequently checking the online inventor at WF and GOG and it seems not to be changing. I am planning to get a stone between 2.25-2.4 carats, but can't seem to find any around this size (except for one) on their websites.

I am trying to determine if the reason is (1) there is not a high demand for this size

cost ?

or (2) diamonds this size are more rare and it is hard to keep an inventory of them since there are less of them.

(edited) even if these are indeed scarce, you only need one...



In the case of (1), can GOG, WF or any other places with great stones and equally great reputations get them pretty readily? Or if it is (2), do I just need to keep watching inventory lists and wait for some more to show up?

No... I think the best way to get the stone you want is ask a seller to call in some diamonds for you. Going at a shop that has more large diamonds in stock is always an option, but may not present much of an advantage. If you came to trust a certain type of cut grading etc. the number of shops that may accommodate that is never large.

My 0.2