Find your diamond
Find your jewelry
shape
carat
color
clarity

Help... Not sure anymore what to do... by Christmas?

T

TomTegan

Rough_Rock
Joined
Dec 14, 2012
Messages
6
Hi,

I've been reading about and looking for the right diamond and solitaire for awhile (online and in person), and I am now pretty clear about what I would like to purchase: GIA cert, 3/4+ carat, I+, VS+, 3Xs. For < $3500.00 including a simple platinum solitaire.

I am just now finding a comfort zone that's allowing me to feel comfortable enough to select an online GIA certified diamond that's returnable if necessary.

I need my ring by Christmas, and even though they are a little more than I wanted to spend, I have been looking at both a James Allen diamond and setting, and a Blue Nile diamond and setting:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1537553.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagemen...litaire-engagement-ring-six-prong-17928p.html

Diamond: 3140.00
Solitaire: 700.00
Total: 3840.00


http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-or-less-ideal-cut-i-color-vs1-clarity_LD02125661
http://www.bluenile.com/solitaire-diamond-engagement-ring-platinum_2

Diamond: 3360.00
Solitaire: 520.00
Total: 3880.00

I was comfortable selecting between these two until I came upon this eBay auction:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Diamond...GIA-Round-75-I-VS1-3EXs-HCA-1-0-/271121206621

There's still time, and the high bid is pretty low right now... the big question is should I even be considering making this really, really important purchase on eBay?

Anybody have any experience with diamonds and eBay? There's a GIA certificate, and the numbers are right in my range, and, though not the most important aspect, the solitaire is just what I'm looking for.

I feel like taking a chance with this but I can't quite yet find a comfort zone around it, if that makes any sense.

I have been reading around PriceScope for weeks, so I thought I'd come here and ask for some help.

Any thoughts, advise?

Thanks,

Tom
 
I'll leave the diamond comments to the others, since I'm not sure I can give diamond advice as well as them. But I wouldn't bother with the ring on ebay.

That auction doesn't end until 7 days from now. That's a really big risk. If you don't win it, you're going to be empty handed for Christmas. Time is already running out, but if I were you, I wouldn't bet on ebay and I'd go with an online vendor where you can get a better deal and it'll be a sure thing. I don't know about 10 days turnaround for a ring, but you might be able to get something by New Years.
 
I agree. The ebay purchase is too risky with the timeframe you're working with. I'd take your budget and go head with JA or another PS vendor that can quickly meet your deadline.
 
I'd pick an online vendor that has stones in-house already, too. Blue Nile doesn't. Good Old Gold, Brian Gavin, Whiteflash, James Allen, etc. I would choose from existing inventory, and make sure that there is a full return/exchange/upgrade policy in case something isn't quite right but you still need the ring for Christmas.

eta: The JA 6-prong is close enough to things that Stuller makes that you should be able to get a similar setting from just about any vendor, but possibly not in platinum.
 
Thanks much for the quick responses. Now an ethical question...

What do you think of my purchasing a ring from JA or BN (both will deliver in time) and also pursuing the eBay auction. Then going with which ever turns out to be best... returning the other.

In other words getting two rings knowing one will be returned?

Any thoughts?
 
The ebay stone looks fine by the report.
You'll want to get an appraisal done to be sure that the current condition matches the condition outlined on the report - no scratches/chips/etc.

Why not contact the ebay seller and see if he/she will agree to a BIN?
 
TomTegan|1355525387|3331583 said:
Thanks much for the quick responses. Now an ethical question...

What do you think of my purchasing a ring from JA or BN (both will deliver in time) and also pursuing the eBay auction. Then going with which ever turns out to be best... returning the other.

In other words getting two rings knowing one will be returned?

Any thoughts?
Click to expand...

Nothing unethical about that. If you can afford that (or I suppose if you are putting them on a credit card but are able to pay the one you are keeping as soon as you decide), then go for it. But second what Yssie already said about making sure you can return it easily if it's not as described.
 
The ebay diamond is a 60/60 look, and it has a low % crown and big table. You can see the 13.5% crown in the pics. I like more like a 15% crown, table 55-56%, an 34-35 degree crown angle. I just prefer a diamond to have more of a presence above the girdle. And a smaller table for enough fire vs. brilliance.
 
TC1987|1355527578|3331618 said:
The ebay diamond is a 60/60 look, and it has a low % crown and big table. You can see the 13.5% crown in the pics. I like more like a 15% crown, table 55-56%, an 34-35 degree crown angle. I just prefer a diamond to have more of a presence above the girdle. And a smaller table for enough fire vs. brilliance.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the specific diamond information.

I'm learning more and more here at PriceScope.

Do you maybe have a suggestion other than the original two I was looking at?
 
E B|1355529575|3331647 said:
I agree with the others- if you go for both, check the return policy!

And maybe consider this combo (pending IS, if you have time)? It's an SI1 but looks eye-clean and is under budget.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1545849.asp PS Price = $2680 + $700 setting = $3380
Click to expand...

Thank for the suggestion. I have seen some SI1 diamonds in person that were impressive to my naked eye. Problem is I feel like I am cheaping out, and would prefer to stay with at least the I/VS level.
 
TomTegan|1355534881|3331717 said:
E B|1355529575|3331647 said:
I agree with the others- if you go for both, check the return policy!

And maybe consider this combo (pending IS, if you have time)? It's an SI1 but looks eye-clean and is under budget.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1545849.asp PS Price = $2680 + $700 setting = $3380
Click to expand...

Thank for the suggestion. I have seen some SI1 diamonds in person that were impressive to my naked eye. Problem is I feel like I am cheaping out, and would prefer to stay with at least the I/VS level.
Click to expand...

That is a fantastic stone!!! There is nothing wrong or cheap about an SI stone! There are some terrible looking Si2 stones out there, but this stone is gorgeous! If you go I2 then that's cheap! However, there are some great I1's too, since some have an obvious inclusion that can be hidden by a prong. Personal preference. Nice thing about JA is they have the stone already magnified, but also have a magnifier in case you want to look for smaller inclusions. This stone is likely to be eye clean, but you'd want to double check with their GIA consultant.
 
Brian gavin has like a pre selected option on his website. Just punch in your budget and it gives you results. I put your 3500 budget in and it returned 2 options over .7 ct. Im not sure exactly how fast it is but shoot them a quick email could get your answer
 
Setting on the ebay one is kind of high. Time to appraise it, get it reset, what with the busy season, I'm not sure if it is worth the hassle, unless you can do BIN.

SI1 is really nice is you want to spend less.
 
I'm going to suggest this one:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI2-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1527835.asp I'm betting it's eyeclean. And I think it will IS out well. PUT ON HOLD IMMEDIATELY.

You aren't cheaping out. It's a G color. You are just not paying for things that you can't see, and putting the money where you CAN see it. It's called balancing priorities. I guarantee you that your lady would rather have the 82 point stone at 6mm that looks the SAME clarity wise as a 70 point stone, that is smaller.

2,600
Any setting 800 and under
-----
3,400 or less depending on your setting.

AND it's an 82 point stone at 6mm.
 
I would rather have a G SI than an I VS, all other things being equal, but here is another option if you can't wrap your mind around SI clarity. http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1536681.asp 3mm and 3,000 and you can get one of the less expensive settings on JA and upgrade the setting later. Eithr a platinum setting for 635 or (since you are upgrading the setting later on) the 325 white gold option.
 
I just received a G color on Friday for my engagement. G is white and I love it! Mine was bought online(1910) and it is way nicer than any we looked at in the retail stores around here.
 
There is nothing wrong with wanting VS for clarity. At least you wouldn't have to worry about whether it is eyeclean. I am sure there are several good possibilities at James Allen. I wouldn't consider BN because they won't provide images. I think your original JA stone is fine unless you can get a larger I VS2. I think the original stone is just tilted a little in the picture.

Do not do the ebay one. Number one, it is probably from a broken engagement and a lot of girls would not like knowing that. Also, the setting is awful and you'd need to at least have the head replaced because the diamond is set WAY too high.

You have a very short time to pull this off before Christmas. Go with James Allen.
 
I like Gypsy's rec

I wouldn't pursue the eBay for this purchase.

I'm sure your factoring in the Pricescope discount
 
wrong topic :oops:
 
Thanks everyone for taking the time to share and advise!

Here's an update... I have purchased, and expect to receive sometime tomorrow the following GIA .75 carat, H/VS1, HCA 1.8 diamond & solitaire for a total of $3970.00.
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-3403975-0.75-carat-Round-diamond-H-color-VS1-clarity.aspx
http://www.b2cjewels.com/Round/1/31...iamond-Engagement-Ring-Platinum-(2.0-mm).aspx
I have an email stating that I can return the ring for a full refund within 30 days of receiving it. And, the return shipping is free.

Sooo... I contacted the seller of the new diamond engagement ring eBay auction:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Diamond...GIA-Round-75-I-VS1-3EXs-HCA-1-0-/271121206621
and was told that the price that's in the description, $3375.00 is what would be accepted as a Buy It Now, and there is a no reason needed, 14 day return period. The return shipping is not free.

There is no reserve. I did bid on it and was outbid immediately! It's almost tripled now what it was when I first looked at it. I intend to wait until tomorrow, shortly before the auction ends, and bid again.

I decided that there was no reason for me to feel guilty about returning a ring if it turns out I like another ring better, or I've been able to save some money on another ring of similar quality.

I will share again how things worked out later on!
 
Received the GIA .75 carat, H/VS1, HCA 1.8 diamond platinum ring... so much sparkle, it's just incredibly gorgeous! So, I am now covered no matter what happens!

I don't know about the sparkle, but the setting and look of it really appears quite similar to the auction one, which I am still bidding on... update to come later!
 
Well, the diamond you bought is worth more because it is H color. I am hoping your setting isn't as high as the ebay one, because it is too high and would need to be replaced as far as I am concerned. Unless that ring on ebay sells for a lot less than the $3300 that he mentioned, it wouldn't be worth it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
GET 3 FREE HCA RESULTS JOIN THE FORUM. ASK FOR HELP
Jewelry Blog
PriceScope-Concierge-Ad
Find prime cuts.
Top