Best online source to search/buy loose diamonds?!

[Virtuousmeg]

I've just been google searching 'loose stones' and don't know which sites to really look for loose stones (cushions/rounds) to purchase.

Thanks
-Meg

Also, can private jewelers order these stones and have them set or do I have to independently order it and bring it to my jeweler?

 

[Lorelei]

I've just been google searching 'loose stones' and don't know which sites to really look for loose stones (cushions/rounds) to purchase.

Thanks
-Meg

Also, can private jewelers order these stones and have them set or do I have to independently order it and bring it to my jeweler?

Hi Meg,

Here is a list of vendors you can use,

https://www.pricescope.com/featured-sponsors/

Most sell rounds and fancy shapes but vendors with a particular interest in cushions are-

www.goodoldgold.com

www.engagementringsdirect.com

www.briangavindiamonds.com

A private jeweller could order in a ' virtual stone' which is available to all vendors on the main database list but they would not be able to acquire, for example, an in house branded stone such ad Goodoldgold's August Vintage Cushion, those are exclusive to GOG.

If you can give us some more info on what you hope to buy and what it is for, ( example - hearts and arrows round diamond for a ring or modern type cushion for a ring etc) then we can point you in the right direction.

Changing the subject, I love your li'l doggie!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Meg, when buying from these vendors, the first choice might be to have them set the stone. Many of them have beautiful settings. But it is fine if you want to order the stone and then have your jeweler set it. You would just need to have your insurance in place in the unlikely event the jeweler damaged the stone while setting. This isn't an issue if the diamond seller sets the stone.

You can use this search function especially for rounds, but be sure to click excellent-excellent for cut and click "in-house" which means they actually have the stones in their possession:

https://www.pricescope.com/diamond-search-results/

For cushions, I personally think Good Old Gold has the best.

 

[slg47]

what the other posters have said.

if you are interested in a cushion, here is a helpful video (long-ish but really takes you through all of the different types of cushions so you can know what to shop for!)
http://vimeo.com/7579666

 

[Virtuousmeg]

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/opinions-of-this-stone.156222/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/opinions-of-this-stone.156222/[/URL]


In this post are the two diamonds (at current) that I'm interested in. Originally I wanted a round brilliant because I fell in love with the tacori 2620 model and wanted to stay just under one carat (.96) for the price cut but after trying on the small version of the 2620, I was a bit disappointment and liked the medium size much more, hence thinking of going towards a cushion which I've found it a bit cheaper for more carat without splurging under on clarity/cut/color. (the 2620 comes in three sizes sm/md/lg to accommodate diff stones). I'm waiting on an email from tacori however to see if cushions can be set in the same ring so that I don't purchase the cushion and screw myself because it doesn't end up fitting. It should though because I've seen GOG videos of the same ring with AVC.

Thanks for the help thus far, any additional help is greatly appreciated.

 

[Lorelei]

Hi Meg,

I just took a look at the two diamonds you are interested in, with the first, we need the crown and pavilion angles of the diamond to evaluate it plus a few other measurements, if you could get the report number we could look those up. It is a touch deeper than I prefer and it is facing up a bit small for almost a carat.

The second has an EGL report, I don't know if you have familiarized yourself with the grading labs and how they rank, but in some cases EGL can grade less strictly than GIA or AGS. This page explains further from the advanced tutorial.

https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/diamond-grading-report/

The depth is also a bit shallow in this case, doesn't necessarily mean it isn't a pretty stone but it is something to take into account. Also that it is referred to as a ' Superideal Cut' is no guarantee of a well cut diamond, sometimes these terms are used rather loosely.

 

[Virtuousmeg]

thanks for all the replies, after watching that 30 minutes GOG cushion education video, I'm going to try to buy one in person instead of using online reports to judge.

I have done a fair amount of research on diamond specs/diamond grading, but of course, was really only looking at price/4'c and etc...not so much percentages and all that haha.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Meg, just wanted to be sure that you understand that cushions may cost less per carat than rounds, but they also face up smaller because they are usually deeper than rounds. For example, you might have to buy a 1.3 ct. cushion to have the same diameter as a round. So it is not going to save money to go with a cushion if that was what you were thinking. Good luck with your search!

 

[farmer gal]

I don't know which cushion look you are going for but here are some GIA cushions from JA. I would not consider buying an EGL cushion. JA will look at up to 3 stones at a time and tell you which one performs the best. I would also request asset images

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-VS1-Premium-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1333176.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-VVS2-Premium-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1311120.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-VS1-Premium-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1356918.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS1-Premium-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1373693.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS1-Premium-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1373694.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VVS2-Premium-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1378054.asp

This is more the size you want but it is 600 over budget

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-VVS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1346177.asp

 

[muertai]

i bought my stone from http://www.brilliance.com/ and was very happy

 

[HKYMOM]

How was your experience with Brilliance.com? I have been looking for a cushion cut and noticed they are considerably lower in price. Too good to be true? Why are they so much lower?

 

[lagori]

Brilliance.com has low prices. But not as low as B2CJewels. If you are looking for the lowest price and don't mind buying from virtual inventory, and paying for shipment to see a stone with your own eyes, then I would say - go with B2C. Brilliance.com does not provide ASET images or anything else beyond the lab report.

When you deal with online merchants, it often comes down to their honesty in dealing with customers. So, in that sense - buyer beware. That applies to all online-only merchants. More traditional (branded) merchants that have both brick-and-mortar shops and online presence can give you some "peace of mind". But you have to be prepared to pay for that "peace of mind" 25%+ on top of the prices of shops like B2C and Brilliance.com.

 

[HKYMOM]

Thanks for the info Lagori. I will check out the site you suggested.

 

[lagori]

You're welcome, HKYMOM.

The only advantage that you may get by going with Brilliance.com over B2C is saving on sales tax, if you are located in NY. Brilliance.com is located in FL. So, if you reside in any state other than FL, you won't have to pay the tax on your purchase, which can add up to a substantial amount. Otherwise, B2C has better prices.