Did I get ripped off?!? Cushion Cut (2 pics)

[ConfusedDude]

Have diamond prices gone up in the last 2-3 years? I dont know the HCA or whatever, but my sister got a 1.35 ct GIA excellent cut round G Si1 for $5300...And that might have been at more of a retail place too...and again, I dont know the HCA but her ring is sparkly as hell...

 

[Niel]

diamond prices rarely go down . I understand you wanting to get the best diamond for your GF for the price, but dont think that an eye clean I is bad at all, and the more well cut the stone the brighter it will look. and a 1.1 is very respectable size!!

 

[JulieN]

https://www.pricescope.com/diamond-prices/diamond-prices-chart

I don't know about 5300 for a 1.3 G SI1, though, I don't think that has been realistic since I've been on PS.

 

[Niel]

also, if you look at the measurements, that 1.1 is larger than your original cushion face up, and remember, she isnt wearing the certificate on her finger.

heres another one
http://www.ritani.com/diamonds/round-diamond-1-10-Carat-I-color-GIA-certified/D-T19H5N#!prettyPhoto

 

[bunnycat]

Have diamond prices gone up in the last 2-3 years? I dont know the HCA or whatever, but my sister got a 1.35 ct GIA excellent cut round G Si1 for $5300...And that might have been at more of a retail place too...and again, I dont know the HCA but her ring is sparkly as hell...

Diamond prices have jumped a lot.

One thing you have to take in to consideration is that even within the GIA ex category there's going to be some with better angles than others. I'm pretty sure the prices you see reflect that. For instance, a really well cut G SI 1.2ct stone is going to run a lot more than $5300.


I think the I's Nielseel posted are worth looking at. The numbers are within the preferred specs and so you could have them hold them. Buying from the respected online vendors here is no problem and JA has a 60 day return window. You only get 3 free images so you may hunt around some more if you're not sure about I color. You can trot a stone around with you to stores that way too but I doubt you'll do better in a B/M. They don't want you educated, they just want you to buy what they've got and don't ask questions. Would you do that with an expensive purchase like a car?

 

[Rhea]

Yes, prices have increased in the last few years. About 2-3 years ago they had a very substantial increase.

 

[Doc_1]

Have diamond prices gone up in the last 2-3 years? I dont know the HCA or whatever, but my sister got a 1.35 ct GIA excellent cut round G Si1 for $5300...And that might have been at more of a retail place too...and again, I dont know the HCA but her ring is sparkly as hell...

How much did gold go up over the last 2-3 years? ounce of gold was in the 1300-1400 range now it is 1700 which is inflation, so yes all things went up because of inflation including diamonds.

 

[Doc_1]

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10013/

HCA 1.2!!!
Life time Guaranty.
Another option.

 

[Doc_1]

If you are open to other shapes Oval is a very attractive one especially if it is hand picked by a reputable vendor like GOG, I am personally looking into Ovals now, and if properly picked it has good optics and the spread is great,
This oval faces up 8.18 mm X 5.70 mm
Link to it is:
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10145/
link to its video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oqKN9KBvPA&list=UUEV7slr-i-VduBBnfv9MxhA&index=9
It is the second diamond from the left.
At 5,700$ eye clean SI1 with the above spread and optics it is worth looking at unless she does not like ovals.

 

[ariel144]

what does SHE want? Cushion or round? Cushions are really popular and have been for several years now. Here are some nice cushions on JA in your price range. The best bang for your buck is the 1.66 K IF it faces up like a 2 carat cushion and is $6,400...larger than the round you posted at 7.3x 7 mm. Yes it is a K color but faces up very white and is an high K according to the gemologist. Next favorite is the 1.24 I color, but you need to get the ASET on this stone.

Here is the link to a thread discussing the 1.66 K IF cushion brilliant; the ASET and the gemologist's statements of it's performance.

Which ever jeweler told you CUT is most important, regardless of color and clarity was the ONLY one you should trust. The other two are either liars or don't know what they are talking about and are so wrong they have no business trying to sell jewelry to the public.

Here are some nice faceted cushions on JA, where you can most likely get a larger stone for your money than from the other vendors that specialize in cushion cuts, but GOG proves the performance of their stones and will do videos and can call in several cushions for you in your price range and help you pick the best for your budget.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds-search/?View=4&Tab=3&Comparison=1262073,1471593,1511003,1538353,1541918

CUT IS KING...it can make an N color stone out perform and out shine an H color. Watch the educational videos on GOG on cushions, cut, color and clarity. I wouldn't settle for a round brilliant if she wants a cushion, RB are so common and ordinary...but what she likes is what you obviously should get her. The measurements you should look for in a cushion are:

Depth mid 60% and table mid 50% or smaller.

Here is the thread on the 1.66 k IF. this stone is killer for the price ($6,400) and how large it faces up...not to mention it faces up very white.

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/help-what-do-you-think-of-this-antique-cut-cushion.174602/page-3']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/help-what-do-you-think-of-this-antique-cut-cushion.174602/page-3[/URL]

Here is what the gemologist said

"I'm happy to tell you that this diamond is exceptionally bright and has great fire, brilliance, and scintillation. It has a rather round outline and a higher "K" color. This is a gorgeous cushion cut that will give you a fantastic sparkle and look beautiful mounted in any setting. I recommend it highly for your purchase and believe you'll be very happy with it when you see it for yourself. "

Hope this helps. You were wise to come in here before you purchased a stone. The PSr's in here can help you find the best stone for you budget regardless of cut or get you to the best vendors that are known for providing the best performing stones on the market... cushions or RB's.

 

[Gypsy]

Have diamond prices gone up in the last 2-3 years? I dont know the HCA or whatever, but my sister got a 1.35 ct GIA excellent cut round G Si1 for $5300...And that might have been at more of a retail place too...and again, I dont know the HCA but her ring is sparkly as hell...

Yes. Diamond prices have gone up in the last two years.

 

[ariel144]

Here is a True H &A RB for $6,000

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1544989.asp

 

[ConfusedDude]

Not that anyone cares, but just to clarify, I got the true specs on that stone that was $5300 a few years ago.
1.25 ct G SI1 EGLUSA
58% table
61.7% depth
HCA 6.1

Not exactly what i thought previously. Haha.

 

[Niel]

So any updates? What did you decide to go with

 

[ConfusedDude]

Ive decided to wait until after New Years to make a really smart decision. It's been super busy and I didn't want to do some thing impulsive like the cushion purchase. I talked to the jeweler and he's okay with me swapping my deposit for a RB but in return he asked if I'd wait till after Christmas since its the busiest week of the year. I though that was fair. He did show me one stone as a quick preview...stunning 1.16 G Si1 idealPlus from EGLUSA...I didn't get the angles yet but it was a true H&A... I was gonna look at the specs and HCA for that one but if its good, I'll consider it at $6200.

 

[CharmyPoo]

I see .. so that is a new piece of info for me. You are tied to this jeweler so is there a point for us to find you online options or ebay options? Can your jeweler access virtual stones?

As an FYI, cushions can be very beautiful and sparkly. You just haven't seen a nice cushion from the jeweler yet.

 

[Niel]

For PSers...is it common for H&A stones to certified by EGLUSA? I know diamonds are certified to get the most $$$, and H&A are a premium which would bring a lot more money if certified by AGS or GIA, and if its a true H&A I would think it would be good enough to return a favorable cert from one of those organizations .. so is it typical for one of those to be EGL certified, or is that a red flag?

 

[Dreamer_D]

Have diamond prices gone up in the last 2-3 years? I dont know the HCA or whatever, but my sister got a 1.35 ct GIA excellent cut round G Si1 for $5300...And that might have been at more of a retail place too...and again, I dont know the HCA but her ring is sparkly as hell...

Yes diamond prices have gone up about 40% or more in the last three years. Sorry!

Here is how I would proceed.

Stick to GIA Excellent cut grade or AGS 0 cut grade if you also consider AGS stones.

Call in at least five diamonds in your budget that are GIA Excellent that vary on color clarity and carat. I would try G - I colors and VS2 - SI2 clarities. Anywhere from 1ct to 1.25ct.

Before your jeweler calls them in you can ask for the GIA report numbers of his recommended options, and can run the numbers through the HCA if you like. The HCA is not always bang on, sometimes stones with scores in thr 2-3 range still appeal to people's eyes and are not dogs in my opinion, but stones that score greater than 3 tend not to be really great. The one you posted a photo for was a case where looking at it I could see it was not very bright, and then the HCA confirmed it.

If you have five diamonds that vary in HCA you can compare with your eyes and choose, using all the available information: GIA cut grade, HCA, your eyes, your jewelers opinion.

 

[Dreamer_D]

For PSers...is it common for H&A stones to certified by EGLUSA? I know diamonds are certified to get the most $$$, and H&A are a premium which would bring a lot more money if certified by AGS or GIA, and if its a true H&A I would think it would be good enough to return a favorable cert from one of those organizations .. so is it typical for one of those to be EGL certified, or is that a red flag?

EGL has a cut category it calls "H&A ideal" or some such thing.

I do not recommend EGL graded stones for modern rounds. ConfusedDude, EGL exists primarily to confuse buyers and allow retailers to sell their diamonds for more money than they would be able to get for the same stone with a GIA report. Almost all the time, you will pay more for a diamond with an EGL report than you would for that same diamond with an GIA report.

Thread on the topic: http://diamondbistro.com/category/215/Loose-natural-Diamonds/listings/32895/Lovely-74ct-OEC.html

EGL is not only loose on color and clarity, but their cut grading is looser, and so are their ratings of fluorescence and polish and symmetry.

Buying an EGL stone is not in a consumer's best interest from a financial perspective. Full stop. End of story. Any other information is BS. There is nothing wrong with EGL diamonds. You just do not get a good deal buying them.

Also, I recommend you get your deposit back! The jeweler cannot insist to keep it. As long as he has your deposit, your jeweler knows you must buy from him so he is trying to keep that money to keep the power and to keep you tied to him. Get your money back and still shop with him if you like. But don't let him use that controlling sales tactic to keep you tied to him Insist on a refund so you have your freedom of choice. This is a HUGE purchase and jewelers use all kinds of sales ploys to keep customers tied to them. Dont fall for it.