Best Value? Three Pairs of Diamonds

[Smith1942]

Just been looking at WF's and BGD's diamonds which are not ACA or Sig yet ideal-cut with HCA scores in the 1-1.5 range, and they seem much more expensive than the BN ones above. For ctw of about 1.07 - 1.10, VS2 admittedly, F, they are 4-5k.

I'm thinking that $2,856 is a pretty good price for GIA certed Ds, 1.12 ctw, Si2, HCA 1.3 - 1.5, assuming no horrendous inclusions. I don't know much about diamond prices, but when I look at other sites and at the rest of BN's offering, all well over 3k for similar stats, this SEEMS like a good deal. I'm loathe to buy quickly, but fear that if I don't I'll end up paying 3,200-ish.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

There is a tremendous price difference because of clarity. I would think BN VS2's would cost a lot more than BN SI2's. Is that not the case?

 

[Smith1942]

I'll check.....back in a few mins...

Since clarity is generally deemed to be the least important of the four Cs, perhaps I didn't realise how much it influences cost.

 

[Smith1942]

When I search in BN Ideal range for F, VS2, 1.0 - 1.10, I get a pair of 1.04 ctw, F, VS2 for $3,796 and an E VS2 pair at 1.10 for $4000. Then it's all E grades until 1.22 F VS2s which are about 4900. So not much stock to compare.

It always seems that whatever your parameters, BN has a tiny handful of pairs which are very good prices, and then the rest are all much higher. Like the F Si2 1.20 set which were $3210, now sold, but to get that size range is now upwards of $3,660. Not sure why that pair was a good deal - maybe not eyeclean. I did ask BN about this issue once and they said that sometimes the diamonds were priced at different times by outside sources and have been sitting in inventory. I'm not sure, but if the stones are not Sigs then I think it's all part of a wider virtual inventory, so perhaps BN doesn't set those prices.

DS, a question about the ecomonics of upgrades: I'm no economist, but it seems to me that if one is going to cash in an upgrade credit, it's best done within a couple of years of the first purchase, as the credit value decreases, is that right? If I were to put off this upgrade for the next 10 years, the $1411 credit would be greatly devalued, wouldn't it? I bought the original studs in spring 2011, and I think diamond prices have increased since then but stayed stable for a while now, is that correct?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I would say most of the time, that is very true! Prices have been stable or even decreasing a little after the huge increases of 2011, so this has not been a time of escalating prices. But I think over time, it is usually the case that diamonds will have increased over a period of years so that the advantage of trading in is better done as soon as possible to really get full value. I have done the same thing in that I upgraded my studs in about a year.

I do think diamonds vary widely depending on when the stone was cut and what the cutter paid for it. Also, I think you are correct that stones that are not eyeclean are harder to sell and may be lower priced than similar stones that are eyeclean.

I think you are wise to wait and get what you really want. I know there is no formula, but I think you can go up to the size of your e-ring stone for each stud and be okay. I went up to the size of my pendant for each stud, and now I am just going to reset the pendant into a halo so it will appear larger than the studs! I like balance, but there are ways to get around certain problems!

 

[Smith1942]

Still searching for the perfect cut, since I won't ever be upgrading again! BN hasn't come back to me yet about how eyeclean the D Si2 pair is. Might have to keep searching in order to get exactly what I want!