Good Deal?

[a.long]

Hello All,

Im new on these forums and I just wanted to say that this forum probably has the most helpful information in regards to diamonds than any other place that I have came across!

I just had a quick question, I just purchased a diamond to set on a Tiffanys knife edge engagement ring. My budget wasnt too high so i tried to go the "good deal" route. I just want to make sure that I really got a good deal and not ripped off. lol


Well here are the specs:

Weight: 1.84CTs
Color: E
Shape and Cut: Round Brilliant
Measurements: 7.45 - 7.56 x 5.07mm
Proportions:
Total Depth: 67.4%
Table Width: 55%
Crown Height: 17%
Girdle Thickness: Thick
Finish:
Polish: Very Good
Symmetry: Very Good
Culet: None
Clarity Grade: VS2 - SI1
Fluorescence: None
Comments:
Report No. inscribed on girdle
Laser & Clarity Enhanced
Certificate by DGL (Diamond Gemological Laboratory)

I got it for just under $5000 for the stone. I want to check in and see if I can get any opinions as to how it would look on the setting attached to this post.
The setting is a Tiffanys Traditional knife edge engagement ring (PLAT) with a custom head to fit 2+ ct. stone.

I hope to hear some good news

Thanks in advanced for your help!

Alan

 

[D&T]

you don''t have an attachment maybe it was too large or you need to rename it with random numbers or something, and you may want to move this to the Rocky talk section. Can''t really comment, also your post stated color and clarity enhanced? and I''m not familar with tha lab. i''m sure the expert will chime in, though

 

[beach]

What do you want from a diamond? Size? Cut quality? Sparkle? We all have different things we want and the following is based on what I look for...

Looks like you found a very large diamond for the price but from the numbers it looks very very deep and will not sparkle nearly as much when compared to a smaller, better cut diamond. It will actually look more like a 1.4-1.5 (maybe smaller) size diamond due to it being VERY deep and not having alot of sparkle. I fear that the diamond will lack life and look dull.

Other concerns include the clarity enhancements and the grading lab not being well known. Hopefully others can give yo more info on the lab.

What do you think about the diamond? Have you seen it next to other diamonds? Are you happy with it?

Personally, I would avoid this diamond and put 5000 into a well cut diamond that has great sparkle. In the end, it is important what you think...

 

[Lorelei]

Welcome!

Sorry to say this diamond is not well cut, way too much depth - it will look small for the weight and you won't have the look of 1.84 carats. A good almost 2 ct diamond will sell for much more than 5k, this diamond is clarity enhanced also. Personally I would rather have a smaller but non enhanced well cut diamond which will be a beautiful sparkling gem rather than this rock but it is up to you what you prefer.

 

[Paul-Antwerp]

Hi Alan,

You got a good deal, because:

- You have a clarity-enhanced diamond, that actually (in value) is probably an I1 or worse.
- It is graded by a lab, that has no reputation.
- The stone is so deep that it has the diameter of a stone around 1.50Cts.
- The stone is so deep that it does not sparkle.

In the end, you probably got what you paid for.

Live long,

 

[gottabekin]

Date: 5/19/2009 6:33:43 AM
Author: Paul-Antwerp
Hi Alan,


You got a good deal, because:


- You have a clarity-enhanced diamond, that actually (in value) is probably an I1 or worse.

- It is graded by a lab, that has no reputation.

- The stone is so deep that it has the diameter of a stone around 1.50Cts.

- The stone is so deep that it does not sparkle.


In the end, you probably got what you paid for.


Live long,

Do you mean good deal or not a good deal? Your description sounds like it was a bad deal.

 

[Paul-Antwerp]

Whether a deal is a deal depends on personal criteria.

If the goal is to have a diamond that has a lot of weight and is cheap, then this stone might be a good choice. Probably with a normal price for what it is.

If the goal however is to have a diamond that sparkles and that has the potential of retaining its value, this is absolutely not a good deal. However, if one looks at carat weight and price only, this might be the result.

Live long,

 

[stone-cold11]

Date: 5/19/2009 9:46:31 AM
Author: gottabekin

Date: 5/19/2009 6:33:43 AM
Author: Paul-Antwerp
Hi Alan,

You got a good deal, because:

- You have a clarity-enhanced diamond, that actually (in value) is probably an I1 or worse.
- It is graded by a lab, that has no reputation.
- The stone is so deep that it has the diameter of a stone around 1.50Cts.
- The stone is so deep that it does not sparkle.

In the end, you probably got what you paid for.
Live long,

Do you mean good deal or not a good deal? Your description sounds like it was a bad deal.

A good deal in comparison to what is what Paul is trying to say here. If you are just caring about the weight of the stone, not about if it was cut well, clarity enhanced that may reduce durability and graded by a lab without reputation which is as good as an independent appraiser or worse, sure it is a good deal. If you care for all these points then it is a bad deal.

EDT:
Paul answered it as I was typing.

 

[mrssalvo]

that stone won''t fit the setting made for a 2+ carat stone. as others said, the stone is very deep so it''s going to face up more like a 1.5 carat stone so it will be way to small for the setting. If you can return the stone, i would.

 

[Rockit]

I''m sorry, this does not sound terribly promising. However, if the diamond speaks to you, then, that is what is most important. A.long, after reading the advice and opinions posted, if you change your mind about the stone you''ve already purchased, there are many, many people here who can help you find something very special and within your budget...

 

[a.long]

I really want to thank you all for your comments and recommendations. Basically my goal was to make sure that the diamond was at least 1.5 carats, nice color, eyeclean, and at least have that normal diamond sparkle. I understand that since the depth is so high, the sparkle goes away.

I think i got down the carats, color, and cleanliness; now all im worried about is the sparkle. I''ve been trying to look everywhere for a diamond to compare it with and so far i havent seen much with that depth (i assume thats a bad thing).

What i really want to know is if someone can tell me actually how much sparkle will i be losing with this? i mean is it going to look like a fake diamond? or just not sparkle as much as it should but look fine?

Thanks again for all your help!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 5/19/2009 3:20:10 PM
Author: a.long
I really want to thank you all for your comments and recommendations. Basically my goal was to make sure that the diamond was at least 1.5 carats, nice color, eyeclean, and at least have that normal diamond sparkle. I understand that since the depth is so high, the sparkle goes away.

I think i got down the carats, color, and cleanliness; now all im worried about is the sparkle. I've been trying to look everywhere for a diamond to compare it with and so far i havent seen much with that depth (i assume thats a bad thing).

What i really want to know is if someone can tell me actually how much sparkle will i be losing with this? i mean is it going to look like a fake diamond? or just not sparkle as much as it should but look fine?

Thanks again for all your help!

It isn't just the depth but it is a reasonable bet that the critical angles of the diamond will not be in a good range either so the diamond won't sparkle. It is cut quality which is crucial for sparkle and beauty so very important to concentrate on that.

Basically in my estimation with this diamond I would imagine it is dull, looks dark and maybe has a dark ring around the table and rarely sparkles - looks lifeless. Is this a reasonable description of what you are seeing?

What I suggest you could try is this Alan, if you have a Jareds near you go and view some of their AGS0 Peerless diamonds, or Hearts on Fire if there is a seller near you. That way you will be able to see how well cut diamonds can look to get a good comparison, then you will know if you are happy to keep the one you have and feel 5k is well spent, or whether you would rather go smaller and get something beautiful for the money.

Also check out this video. This is comparing a very well cut diamond to a ' common' cut round brilliant. To put this into perspective the common cut round is probably much better cut than the diamond you have, so this should give you an idea of how diamonds can look....

http://vimeo.com/2281519?pg=embed&sec=

 

[Dancing Fire]

$5K for a CE stone ??

get a refund on this stone then buy her a nice well cut 1ct stone.

 

[Rockit]

A.long, I''ve spent years lurking here, and I don''t ever respond to specific posts about specific diamonds; there are scores of people here who are experts at understanding and advising on the specifics of any given gem. However, the information you posted regarding your purchase has several basic questionable elements, without knowing any details of your specific gem, I couldn''t stay silent.

Perhaps my first post was too gentle. So, here goes again...

I think one point that people here are trying to make is that, even if you purchase a stone for a "good deal" price, the amount you pay is always based upon diamond weight. So, one would expect in a "good deal" to at least get near the average face-up measurements for the size diamond you pay for. In this case, yes, you have achieved your goal of finding something of at least 1.5cts, however, you are PAYING for a 1.84ct diamond that is only giving you face-up what a lesser-sized diamond would. Think of it like this... there is about 1/3 of a ct that you paid for, but, you are not seeing face-up. Does that make sense?

Then, there is the issue of the less-than-ideal report. Again, you have based your "good deal" pricing and parameters upon the information on a certificate which does not carry much merit. How accurate is this report anyway? If the report, and all the "facts" it provides – including important information used to price a diamond like color and clarity (what is this anyway... VS2 or SI1? It can''t be both) – is wishy-washy, how can you be sure you''ve made a "good deal?" Is your deal still good if, when you take your E VS2/SI1 diamond to GIA and it comes back rated as a G SI2 with "fair" or worse polish and symmetry? Or, that the stone is completely unnatural?

I don''t even know what to think about the laser and clarity enhanced notations...

IMO, the sparkle factor, as well as other performance issues for this stone – good or bad – are secondary to the question of whether or not you really did get a "good deal" based upon the other gem "facts" you have been given by the seller.

I''m sorry to write that it does seem, based upon the information provided and the feedback you''ve gotten so far, that you could do much better in terms of quality and, in turn, most likely "sparkle" would improve. However, it is your choice based upon your own set of desires and priorities. Personally, I could not feel comfortable with something presented under these circumstances... even if it did fill the bill regarding my list of priorities and my pocketbook.

Not to be a total killjoy, I write all this not to offend, insult, or hurt your feelings, but rather, for quite the opposite reason – to help you sift through the information you have in order to accomplish your ultimate diamond-buying goal. Why settle for something of questionable quality? You deserve the best diamond you can find for your money and you should feel GOOD about your purchase. I assume that you came to PS because you suspect that SOMETHING, somewhere with this deal is not as "good" as you would wish it to be.

One more time... people here would LOVE to help you find a lovely, quality diamond and, when the process is over, you will have no doubts regarding what you have purchased.