Can I get a really nice 1.2-1.3 carat round diamond for 6k?

[Behacad]

Hi all, here is what I mean by a nice diamond:

Eye clean
Looks white to the eye (I or so GIA?)
Ideal/excellent cut

I know 5-6k can get me a one carat, but I would really love a 1.2 to 1.3k. I am quite fine with EGL USA, and perhaps even prefer it since it would save me a bit of money (that empirical article on graders on this website was wonderful). I can typically find a 1.2-1.3 carat on this website that fits under 2.0 on the HCA: http://diamondexchange.ca./Search.htm

This brings my hopes up that this is possible.

Am I missing something? I know I will need to get idealscope, look at the stone myself, etc. But seems possible? 5.5k would even be preferable.

 

[04diamond<3]

Re: Can I get a really nice 1.2-1.3 carat round diamond for

I would suggest calling Yuekitel at ID Jewelry : www.idjewelryonline.com He's is amazing at finding great stones on a tight budget like yours. He also has EGL USA stones and should be able to find you something of your desired size and other criteria.

 

[Behacad]

Re: Can I get a really nice 1.2-1.3 carat round diamond for

Thanks for the reply. One thing is that I am in Canada, so customs and such need to be taken into account. I am familiar with a few sellers in Canada, some of which seem to be great. Rather than looking for dealers right now, I am wondering how feasible my goal of 1.2-1.3 fot 5-6k is.

 

[kenny]

Re: Can I get a really nice 1.2-1.3 carat round diamond for

EGL does not save you money.
The color and clarity grades are just lies so EGL stones SEEM cheaper.
The same diamond that EGL graded F VVS2 may get grades as bad as J I1 from GIA, or worse.

1.2 ct for $6K is doable but the stone will be extremely colored, included and poorly cut.
You could probably find an even lower-quality 1.2 ct diamond for $3K.

 

[JulieN]

Re: Can I get a really nice 1.2-1.3 carat round diamond for

SI2 or J color will do it. I Si1 will be difficult.

 

[Behacad]

Re: Can I get a really nice 1.2-1.3 carat round diamond for

EGL does not save you money.
The color and clarity grades are just lies EGL stones SEEM cheaper.
The same diamond that EGL graded F VVS2 may get grades as bad as J I1 from GIA, or worse.

1.2 ct for $6K is doable but the stone will be extremely colored, included and poorly cut.
You could probably find an even lower-quality 1.2 ct diamond for $3K.

I am referring to EGL USA, not EGL international. If you refer to this article (https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamond-grading) it seems as if EGL USA and GIA and AGS have very very high inter-rater reliability.

So if an EGL USA stone is cheaper than GIA/AGS alternatives, it seems reasonable to assume that it actually is cheaper.

 

[04diamond<3]

Re: Can I get a really nice 1.2-1.3 carat round diamond for

EGL does not save you money.
The color and clarity grades are just lies EGL stones SEEM cheaper.
The same diamond that EGL graded F VVS2 may get grades as bad as J I1 from GIA, or worse.

1.2 ct for $6K is doable but the stone will be extremely colored, included and poorly cut.
You could probably find an even lower-quality 1.2 ct diamond for $3K.

I am referring to EGL USA, not EGL international. If you refer to this article (https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamond-grading) it seems as if EGL USA and GIA and AGS have very very high inter-rater reliability.

So if an EGL USA stone is cheaper than GIA/AGS alternatives, it seems reasonable to assume that it actually is cheaper.

I have an EGL USA stone that GIA graded the same. So it's better to stick with EGL USA, but I'd really really call Yuki at ID Jewelry because he carries all of the above and will be 100% honest with you.

PS - the bolded part is completely untrue. I'm sorry Kenny, but that's definitely exaggerated! EGL int will definitely be far more off but not on the opposite side of the spectrum.

 

[TC1987]

Re: Can I get a really nice 1.2-1.3 carat round diamond for

Today's EGL USA will be usually graded lower color by 1-2 grades, and probably at least 1 if not two grades lower on clarity, by GIA. The reason for the EGL stones' apparent discount is that EGL G SI1 might be a GIA I SI2, or so. So it's priced as a GIA I SI2. There might be exceptions, but generally the vendors know what they are selling, and they have priced it accordingly.

The other issue is cutters and jewelers shop the grading labs and they will send a diamond to whichever lab will give it the best-sounding report. So, EGL gets a lot of diamonds with 6/60 make, or large tables, or older cuts, or shallow depth, or lesser symmetry, or "other" that would not get a top cut grade from GIA or AGS, and I believe AGS is still the strictest or "narrowest" grader for "Ideal Cut."

There are older-cut diamonds like European cut with large tables and shallower depth (58%-60%) that will face up nice and big, but may be more brilliant than firey. Or may have "head obstruction" issues viewed up close but look great at 12" or farther away. Compromise is a matter of personal choice (and tolerance for "wonkiness.") But no, you probably can't get a GIA XXX white eyeclean superideal H&A 1.2 - 1.3ct for that low price.

 

[Behacad]

Re: Can I get a really nice 1.2-1.3 carat round diamond for

Today's EGL USA will be usually graded lower color by 1-2 grades, and probably at least 1 if not two grades lower on clarity, by GIA. The reason for the EGL stones' apparent discount is that EGL G SI1 might be a GIA I SI2, or so. So it's priced as a GIA I SI2. There might be exceptions, but generally the vendors know what they are selling."

So something has changed since the article I mentioned was written?

 

[JulieN]

Re: Can I get a really nice 1.2-1.3 carat round diamond for

This one seems pretty clean for an SI2, just a large feather it is IGI, but if I were guessing, I think the grading is accurate, maybe an I: http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.20-carat-H-color-SI2-clarity-Very-Good-cut-sku-168060
Good price but at 6.7 it is a little small for a 1.2, 6.8 mm is better.

7+mm, but the color seems on the deep side: http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.30-carat-J-color-SI1-clarity-sku-183108

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.20-carat-J-color-SI1-clarity-Excellent-cut-sku-174564
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.22-carat-J-color-SI1-clarity-Excellent-cut-sku-187899
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.20-carat-I-color-SI2-clarity-Excellent-cut-sku-188646

 

[Rockdiamond]

Re: Can I get a really nice 1.2-1.3 carat round diamond for

The people who are submitting these diamonds know exactly what they are doing.
They use whichever lab MAXIMIZES profit.
There's a lot of great looking stones that get sent to EGL- but there's is no other apparent reason to do this other than to get a better grade than GIA

 

[Behacad]

Re: Can I get a really nice 1.2-1.3 carat round diamond for

Thanks for your help everyone! I am not looking for a diamond today specifically, but rather wondering if my goal is somewhat feasible. So far it seems like it is, at least marginally!

 

[TC1987]

Re: Can I get a really nice 1.2-1.3 carat round diamond for

So something has changed since the article I mentioned was written?

2004 was almost 10 years ago. Recent comments on this board say EGL is considerably softer, on average. Cut grading overall has changed. GIA instituted new cut standards in what, 2006 or so? I think AGS also changed theirs.

Labs (GIA, AGS) are much tougher on clarity now. Back in 2003-2005 there were loads of eyeclean SI2 regularly being shown on PS. There are no "giveaways" now. Most recent SI2s have visible inclusions, when you look at stones >1ct. I've even been amazed to see some GIA-graded VS2 diamonds on James Allen's turntable that have a visible dark speck right in the table area.

eta: What Rockdiamond said is what I was trying to say. Maximize profit. Diamond prices are, what, 30% higher now than then, too.

 

[Behacad]

Re: Can I get a really nice 1.2-1.3 carat round diamond for

So you are suggesting that EGL USA has gotten softer in the past 10 years compared to GIA and AGS, which have remained the same or became only slightly softer?

 

[maccers]

Re: Can I get a really nice 1.2-1.3 carat round diamond for

Behacad - Regarding being in Canada. You won't have to pay customs, just GST (or HST depending where you live). I'm in Alberta - just bought an OEC from Jewels by Erica Grace, we just had to pay the GST.

 

[Behacad]

Re: Can I get a really nice 1.2-1.3 carat round diamond for

Ohh interesting. Why is that? I have heard many mixed things.

 

[04diamond<3]

Re: Can I get a really nice 1.2-1.3 carat round diamond for

So you are suggesting that EGL USA has gotten softer in the past 10 years compared to GIA and AGS, which have remained the same or became only slightly softer?

Nope. We bought mine 3 years ago and GIA just graded it and said it was the same. The H IGI graded stone JulieN looks beautiful!

 

[Rockdiamond]

Re: Can I get a really nice 1.2-1.3 carat round diamond for

So something has changed since the article I mentioned was written?

2004 was almost 10 years ago. Recent comments on this board say EGL is considerably softer, on average. Cut grading overall has changed. GIA instituted new cut standards in what, 2006 or so? I think AGS also changed theirs.

Labs (GIA, AGS) are much tougher on clarity now. Back in 2003-2005 there were loads of eyeclean SI2 regularly being shown on PS. There are no "giveaways" now. Most recent SI2s have visible inclusions, when you look at stones >1ct. I've even been amazed to see some GIA-graded VS2 diamonds on James Allen's turntable that have a visible dark speck right in the table area.

eta: What Rockdiamond said is what I was trying to say. Maximize profit. Diamond prices are, what, 30% higher now than then, too.

My experience is that GIA clarity grading has been fairly consistent over the past 10 years.
About more eye clean SI2's on the market back then- it may indeed be true- but for other reasons.
The grade of SI2 is not intrinsically going to have eye visible inclusions- nor will it be eye clean all the time.
The pool of available SI2 diamonds gets picked over, and picked over. The internet has made this situation more exaggerated.
Dealers, or stores that purchase diamonds for stock do it with the diamond in front of them. These buyers pick the eye clean SI2's.
The internet has allowed cutters, and the dealers that own the stones listed on the virtual DB a means of getting rid of SI2 non eye clean diamonds. 10 years back, they were more likely to discount them more heavily.
Over time the pool of SI2's that consumers see has indeed gotten far less eye clean as a percentage.

 

[maccers]

Re: Can I get a really nice 1.2-1.3 carat round diamond for

Ohh interesting. Why is that? I have heard many mixed things.

I'm assuming your comment is regarding the GST/HST thing?
Yes, it was super confusing for us too. There is a ton of out-of-date information on duty/customs to bring diamonds into Canada. We called Customs to verify (and visited their site) and they said the luxury tax is long dead. Just have to pay the GST (or HST for the rest of Canada). I think that myth stops a lot of potential Canadian buyers. One thing to note, JbEG wrote on the package "Crystalized Carbon" which was an absolutely useless description for the customs ppl. So, instead of the package being delivered, my boyfriend had to pick it up at Customs at the airport and explain what it was. Bit of a sidebar but anyways....

 

[Behacad]

Re: Can I get a really nice 1.2-1.3 carat round diamond for

Lmao that is hilarious