Engagement diamond search

[newshopper88]

Hi all,

I just got back from a dizzying diamond search where I was told by each retailer I’d never find a cheaper price than what they’re offering. Of course.

I found a 1.89 E si1 VG,GD,VG that I liked and the guy quoted $14,300 for the stone. That was his “rock bottom” price for it.


the gia report can be found here: https://www.gia.edu/report-check?reportno=2201920801

Being that it is an E colorbut only a very good cut and a good polish I thought the price would be lower. I said I would continue on and think after I put a refundable deposit to put it on hold. Please give me advice on if this is a good deal, if I should try and get him to reduce further. Thanks for any advice in advance

 

[whitewave]

I would pass on It.

 

[mx5_dvr]

I would avoid entirely. The price is good for the size and color but cut is not good enough to warrant the purchase even with this price. Cut/polish/symmetry is probably the reason why it's so cheap.

I would rather get a good ~1.5ct one with this price range or cheaper.

 

[whitewave]

 

[whitewave]

Some to compare to:

https://diamonddealfinder.com/enquiry.php?id_field=2735602 ($15,849)

https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-de...Ad&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=PriceScope ($16,44

https://diamonddealfinder.com/enquiry.php?id_field=2830493 ($13,832)

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-4013665.htm ($13,750)

https://hpdiamonds.com/diamonds/27 ($13,089) 1.67 I si1 but will look whiter and larger because it’s super ideal cut And eye clean with clear inclusions that you won’t be able to see.

 

[mx5_dvr]

Take a look at this: 1.7 G VS2. Not perfect but probably good enough all around.

 

[whitewave]

We have a diamond search engine at the top of the page.
you want excellent or ideal symmetry, excellent or ideal polish and excellent or ideal cut. Anything less and you will never be able to trade it in or upgrade or sell it if you ever wanted to.

Also, run the numbers by the HCA tool and throw out anything over a 2. It’s an exculsion tool, so anything under 2 still needs images to see if it has light leakage.

Holloway Cut Advisor | HCA Tool

The HCA Tool uses data from a round brilliant diamond to produce a score that can help you make an estimate regarding the cut quality. Use it here.

www.pricescope.com

There is a reason why that diamond is so cheap, and it’s not because it’s a steal.



many of us no longer recommend James Allen for a variety of reasons. @mrs-b

anything you look at from James Allen, be sure to get the certificate and images.

edited! Sorry, I forgot the link to the PS search engine.

Diamond Search Results | Real-time Information on 1,000,000+ Diamonds | PriceScope

PriceScope's Diamond Search is the best place to find the best diamond prices. Search and compare over a million natural, lab and fancy color diamonds.

www.pricescope.com

 

[lovedogs]

Absolutely avoid. The stone is poorly cut. Use the PS search tool, you'll find much much better.

 

[newshopper88]

Wow! Thank you all for responding. I will pass on it. The salesman kept saying what a good deal it was of course lol.

 

[lovedogs]

Wow! Thank you all for responding. I will pass on it. The salesman kept saying what a good deal it was of course lol.

Not surprising. Most brick and mortar stores will outright lie to shoppers who are new to diamonds. Glad you asked first!!!

 

[whitewave]

I personally like Todd Grey’s parameters and they most closely match my own:

depth 59-61.8

Table 53-58

Crown: 34.3-35 (35.5 fire)

Pavilion 40.6-40.9k

Lower girdle: 75-78

Still run through the HCA tool

 

[whitewave]

Do you want us to help you find a diamond?

 

[whitewave]

OMG... Swoon

Victor Canera

victorcanera.com

1.412 G vs2. Gorgeous. It’s a little smaller but so much better than the original one you posted. About $14k

 

[newshopper88]

You guys have been very helpful. I’m really trying to buy in person so that I can inspect and see the diamond at a local place. Although I know the online guys seem to have great deals. I will continue to post what I find on here to evaluate from your unbiased eyes.

 

[lovedogs]

You guys have been very helpful. I’m really trying to buy in person so that I can inspect and see the diamond at a local place. Although I know the online guys seem to have great deals. I will continue to post what I find on here to evaluate from your unbiased eyes.

I understand wanting to buy in person, but you will almost always be able to find a higher quality stone online from trusted vendors. And many offer a 0 cost return policy. I would strongly consider this, as you'll have an extremely difficult time ordering in person unless you happen to be in LA, near Houston, near Boise, or in NYC.

 

[whitewave]

You guys have been very helpful. I’m really trying to buy in person so that I can inspect and see the diamond at a local place. Although I know the online guys seem to have great deals. I will continue to post what I find on here to evaluate from your unbiased eyes.

Give your jeweler the Todd Grey parameters then and tell him you want a stone that lines you with those numbers and run everything he shows you through the HCA.

ALSO, come back and show us.


But, yeah, we tend to buy exclusively online, so .... we have relationships with the people at these vendors!

 

[lovedogs]

Example of a 0 cost return policy:

https://hpdiamonds.com/faq (the see it to believe it FAQ)

 

[mx5_dvr]

I highly recommend James Allen. It has very competitive pricing and its 360 degree HD video is simply the best. No one else comes close after so many years in my opinion. They also have many more setting choices than other online vendors.

With 30 day free return policy, there is simply no risk.

I have no relationship with JA. Just a very satisfied customer.

 

[sledge]

I could only find 2 stones in this size range, E-SI1 and VG cut quality. Both were right at $15,800. Click here for link to PS search I performed. For clarity, I am NOT recommending either of these stones, but simply using for market analysis.

As others already noted, the proportions of the stone you originally inquired about are rather horrible. Also it only has VG symmetry, which could be a sole result of the THREE additional facets that are located on the pavilion side of the diamond. I am not sure why they exist, I just know they fudged something.

IMO, whatever dollars you could obtain the stone would be too much as I just don't believe it's a good value.

To better help you, it would be great to know where you stand on size, color, clarity & max dollars. Even if you don't buy online, we may be able to recommend a vendor in your area or at least recommend some virtual stones that your local dealer will likely have access to obtain.

 

[sledge]

A few options geared around trying to maintain size, and as close to color as possible. Unfortunately, it pushes the dollars up about $1,000 or so. Not sure if you have flex in your budget. If not, we can decrease size a little and drop color to G for more options.


GIA XXX 1.80 F-SI1 @ $15,655

https://diamonddealfinder.com/enquiry.php?id_field=2861771

57t, 61d, 34.5c/40.6p & 75lgf


GIA XXX 1.90 E-SI1 @ $15,813

https://diamonddealfinder.com/enquiry.php?id_field=2710273

57t, 61.9d, 34c/40.8p, 75lgf & MBF


GIA XXX 2.02 G-SI1 @ $15,480

https://diamonddealfinder.com/enquiry.php?id_field=2815594

GIA - Report Check

www.gia.edu

56t, 62.3d, 36c/40.6p, 80lgf & MBF

Concerned with table inclusions. Also, pushing crown angle @ 36, but may work. Would need some additional feedback from vendor.

 

[whitewave]

I understand you want to see in person, but do you really know what you are looking for? I also completely understand supporting local businesses. With jewelry, though, and especially a round diamond, I find local jewelers are stuck in the 90s and most haven’t even heard of HCA (but when I had my HP diamond resized by the local bench, you better believe he asked me about it).

whiteflash, HP diamonds, Victora Canera and Brian Gavin to name a few are brick and mortar stores in Houston, Boise and Houston, Los Angeles and Houston again. (If you could get to Houston, lol, you could see a lot)...

also, when stones are “in house” in super ideal stores, they have been vetted by professionals.

Places like Blue Nile and James Allen are drop shippers, though you can ask for a stone to be pulled and see if it has any body color, is eye clean etc.

I have actually bought most of my diamonds from Blue Nile, B2C jewels, then HPD diamonds and Brian Gavin. I haven’t been able to hit up Victora Canera or Whiteflash yet only because I have run out of diamond money lol.

just some thoughts this morning....

 

[whitewave]

This is probably the closest to what he showed you, for price comparison, but with triple excellents and scores a 2 on HCA. This also gives you the spread of the one he showed you. It’s a little bit smaller, but much better cut.

1.75-Carat Round Cut Diamond | Blue Nile

www.bluenile.com

1.75-Carat Round Cut Diamond​

Ideal Cut | F Color | SI1 Clarity

$14,931

I’m not saying buy this one...we would need to see the images. I was simply looking for one close to what he showed you but with better everything. It’s highly magnified, so you would have to ask if it’s eye clean. I suspect it is.

 

[sledge]

This is probably the closest to what he showed you, for price comparison, but with triple excellents and scores a 2 on HCA. This also gives you the spread of the one he showed you. It’s a little bit smaller, but much better cut.

1.75-Carat Round Cut Diamond | Blue Nile

www.bluenile.com

1.75-Carat Round Cut Diamond​

Ideal Cut | F Color | SI1 Clarity

$14,931

I’m not saying buy this one...we would need to see the images. I was simply looking for one close to what he showed you but with better everything. It’s highly magnified, so you would have to ask if it’s eye clean. I suspect it is.

Just another way to look at this....

• $14,931 / 1.75 carats = $8,532 per carat
• 1.89 carats (orig stone) x $8,532 = $16,125
• $15,655 / 1.80 carats = $8,697 per carat
• $15,813 / 1.90 carats = $8,323 per carat
• $15,480 / 2.02 carats = $7,663 per carat

When you look at price per carat, they are all pretty similar alternates in the fact they are all 3x stones.

The 1.90 and 2.02 both have discounts because of the fluor but should also be carrying some premium for hitting the 1.90 and 2.00 carat barriers. And the 2.02 is cheaper for G color as well.

Really depends if total dollars are fixed, or if there is wiggle room.