Good Deal?

[MTommy]

I''m curious about the opinions of the pros (and other amateurs for that matter) on this very helpful site.

I''ve agreed to buy a ‘Crown Jewel’ Round Cut (thought about a similar ‘Star 129’ too), I put down a $400 reserve/deposit… I’m sure I could apply it to a different stone if I wanted to:

CUT: AGS-0
COLOR: H
CLARITY: VS2
CARAT: 1.35
One additional thing, they had a performance report. I don’t recall what it is exactly, but something that has three categories white / color / scintillation (or was it brilliance?)… all were very-high to very-high+.

FYI – Star 129 was $8K with AGS-0+ / J / SI1 / 1.28; both had almost similar sparkle… I wanted the better one as far as stats go, despite paying extra… or so I thought at the time.

For the one I reserved, the jeweler (Arthurs Jewelers, Minneapolis) had their showcase price at $12,800... the pricing card stated that other jewelers sell for $15,500... I talked them down to $11,500 (almost tried going as far as walking out if they didn''t go for $11K... owner/sales woman was extremely concerned about going to that price and did not). I think I''m a pretty strong negotiator, so I think I''m about as low as they will go on the stone based on their cost? But then I’m concerned… what if they are bad buyers at wholesale?

They have a 115% price guarantee, so I couldn’t help but look on-line at some more diamonds before finalizing sale tomorrow. And naturally, I found some Blue Nile diamonds with those same stats (though perhaps bigger) for less cost per carat, especially so if I look for Blue Nile ‘Ideal’ cuts…

For instance, here I get 1.51ct for same price (about $11,500):
http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-ideal-cut-h-color-vs2-clarity_LD01411032?__fun_frm=i&filter_id=0

Here are the same stats but even cheaper than above (deeper cut looks to be why I guess):
http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-ideal-cut-h-color-vs2-clarity_LD01423667?__fun_frm=i&filter_id=0

The Blue Nile ‘Signature-Ideal’ cuts were more in line with this price overall, though that was mostly for GIA reports on the diamonds… however for 9 points less carat weight, the following diamond is listed at $2,700 less:
http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-signature-ideal-cut-h-color-vs2-clarity_LD01445467?__fun_frm=i&filter_id=0

I don’t know if I can bring in an Ideal GIA report (due to differences I’ve read about), but an AGS0 should be an AGS0 in all cases, right?

Anyway, there were some rhetorical questions in here, but here’s what I’m really wondering.
How does Blue Nile Signature Ideal differ from their regular Ideal? (is it truly noticeable?)
Are all ASG0 rated diamond the same… if not why, why not? (within say 1% or so on cut dimensions)
What is the brilliance report thing, how does it work, is it reliable? Can I get it for other diamonds as a sort of eye-test if I was to go for buying one on-line?
Is the Star 129 really a 0+ cut? What makes it so?
I ask a lot of question so if you only want to answer a few that would be awesome, maybe someone else can help pick up the others. Don’t be afraid to post a long reply as I love all the information I can get!

Thanks in advance!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/4/2009 11:21:20 PM
Author:MTommy


I'm curious about the opinions of the pros (and other amateurs for that matter) on this very helpful site.

I've agreed to buy a ‘Crown Jewel’ Round Cut (thought about a similar ‘Star 129’ too), I put down a $400 reserve/deposit… I’m sure I could apply it to a different stone if I wanted to:

CUT: AGS-0
COLOR: H
CLARITY: VS2
CARAT: 1.35
One additional thing, they had a performance report. I don’t recall what it is exactly, but something that has three categories white / color / scintillation (or was it brilliance?)… all were very-high to very-high+.

FYI – Star 129 was $8K with AGS-0+ / J / SI1 / 1.28; both had almost similar sparkle… I wanted the better one as far as stats go, despite paying extra… or so I thought at the time.

For the one I reserved, the jeweler (Arthurs Jewelers, Minneapolis) had their showcase price at $12,800... the pricing card stated that other jewelers sell for $15,500... I talked them down to $11,500 (almost tried going as far as walking out if they didn't go for $11K... owner/sales woman was extremely concerned about going to that price and did not). I think I'm a pretty strong negotiator, so I think I'm about as low as they will go on the stone based on their cost? But then I’m concerned… what if they are bad buyers at wholesale?

They have a 115% price guarantee, so I couldn’t help but look on-line at some more diamonds before finalizing sale tomorrow. And naturally, I found some Blue Nile diamonds with those same stats (though perhaps bigger) for less cost per carat, especially so if I look for Blue Nile ‘Ideal’ cuts…

For instance, here I get 1.51ct for same price (about $11,500):
http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-ideal-cut-h-color-vs2-clarity_LD01411032?__fun_frm=i&filter_id=0

Here are the same stats but even cheaper than above (deeper cut looks to be why I guess):
http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-ideal-cut-h-color-vs2-clarity_LD01423667?__fun_frm=i&filter_id=0

The Blue Nile ‘Signature-Ideal’ cuts were more in line with this price overall, though that was mostly for GIA reports on the diamonds… however for 9 points less carat weight, the following diamond is listed at $2,700 less:
http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-signature-ideal-cut-h-color-vs2-clarity_LD01445467?__fun_frm=i&filter_id=0

I don’t know if I can bring in an Ideal GIA report (due to differences I’ve read about), but an AGS0 should be an AGS0 in all cases, right?

Anyway, there were some rhetorical questions in here, but here’s what I’m really wondering.
How does Blue Nile Signature Ideal differ from their regular Ideal? (is it truly noticeable?) It is always best IMO to carefully evaluate each diamond on its proportions and desirable visual properties rather than relying on labels such as Ideal Cut used by vendors, this is no guarantee of a well cut stone.
Are all ASG0 rated diamond the same… if not why, why not? (within say 1% or so on cut dimensions) A diamond must meet AGS criteria in all areas to get the 0 cut grade, you might find slightly different flavours within these but generally ASG0 are considered to be well cut diamonds, but again evaluate each one according to its own physical and desirable visual properties.

This page explains how AGS grade for optical performance.

http://www.agslab.com/ags_grading_system_performance_cut_grade_system.php
What is the brilliance report thing, how does it work, is it reliable? Can I get it for other diamonds as a sort of eye-test if I was to go for buying one on-line? Opinions vary on BrillianceScope, you can do a search for this to read the experts discussing it.
Is the Star 129 really a 0+ cut? What makes it so? I am not very familiar with this branded cut.
I ask a lot of question so if you only want to answer a few that would be awesome, maybe someone else can help pick up the others. Don’t be afraid to post a long reply as I love all the information I can get!

Thanks in advance!

Welcome to Pricescope

 

[MTommy]

Thanks Lorelei-

I''ve got some updated statistics to add, I did end up buying it last night!

I also managed to talk them down to $10,900... I figure that''s pretty good because of the included warranty, protection plan, unlimited cleaning, free Rhodium plating, etc. Plus I spent 5 hours there looking at diamonds in stock and comparing them all, which has to be worth something. So even though Blue Nile has some comps, I think at the end of the day, I fell right in line with what I could expect to buy on-line especially given the level of service. On to the fun part, my (hopefully) soon to be fiancé’s diamond''s details...

The diamond has the H&A pattern.
Based on GEMEX lab, light performance is: white = H-VH / fire = VH+ / scintillation = VH

1) 1.36-Carat Round Diamond, ASG 000, H-color, and VS2-clarity
Depth % = 60.9%
Table % = 57.4%
Crown angle = 32.9 deg.
Pavilion angle = 41.1 deg.
Symmetry = Ideal
Polish = Ideal
Girdle = 1.5% to 3.9%
Culet = none
Fluorescence = none
Measurements: 7.12 x 7.16 x 4.35 mm

Three new questions:
GEMEX vs. GCAL lab reports... anyone have a preference and why?
Is there anything about this stone that scares anyone? There is a 30 day return policy!
Insurance... How is Jewelers Mutual? That''s the one the store recommended... does anyone else have a better insurer?... and I guess a fourth question, should I care that they appraised the ring (in only a temporary setting! at almost $16,000?); that''ll make insurance cost more, does it do anything else for me?