Help on Pear Cut Pricing

[Crusader3521]

I am in the process of buying a pear-cut halo e-ring for my girlfriend. I have lurked on the forum here for about two months and everything I've read has been very helpful - now I am hoping for some direct insight.

I have looked at two stones:

1.0ct/D/SI1 - $6,405 (No certificate available)
1.12ct/G/VVS2 - $8,585 (GIA)

My goal is to find a stone with H or better color and SI1 or better clarity above 1.0ct. Stone 1 above falls into my budget, stone 2 would cause me to stretch beyond it but is palatable.

My question is this: using the pricing index on PS, both of the above stones seem overpriced - what are your thoughts? According to the index, a 1.0ct with the same specs as above sells in the $2800 to $3700 range, and a 1.12 ct with GIA cert should be closer to $7,000. Is this something I can adress with the jeweler?

Thanks in advance.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

You usually are going to pay more with a local jeweler, that is just the way it is. Jewelers who sell on the internet sucessfully can cut their prices because of selling a greater quantity, and some do not have the overhead of a retail store, although some do both.

I'd rule out #1 because you have to have a grading report. There is no way to value the stone accurately otherwise.

The best way to buy a pear is to use a jeweler like Good Old Gold who will call in three for you within your budget and they will evaluate them and make you a video showing how they perform. That is the best way to buy any fancy cut stone, in my opinion.

But yes, those stones are overpriced. Here is an example of one stone they happen to have in stock:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/6864/

 

[Niel]

I agree you should contact good old gold and ask them to find you good ones, but go to james allen and put in your h+, si1+ under your budget stats and see what comes up. Ignore the cut part of it though. For 8k + you can get around a 1.3 - 1.5 probably.

 

[04diamond<3]

Here's a nice one:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Very-Good-Cut-Pear-Diamond-1503738.asp

I'd ask for an aset or a better picture (or both), but it falls within your budget and the clarity's nice.

 

[Niel]

I wouldnt go under an h in color for a pear. Mine is an h and i wish i had gone with higher, though it doesnt look yellowy or anything....

But still i woyld stay h or above

 

[Crusader3521]

Thanks all for the help. I've contacted goodoldgold, Brian Gavin and James Allen for prices. I guess I didn't want to accept the fact that the brick and mortar store in my neighborhood could be overpricing their merchandise, but as has been said, they've got to keep the lights on.

I've already found this stone on BG's site that looks promising:

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.260-g-vs2-pear-diamond-gia-33133748

The folks at BG have told that since it is not part of their inventory, they cannot provide an ASET. Has anyone with buying experience from BG faced this issue?

 

[Niel]

yes. Buying from there online inventory and not having them pull in the pear means they dont have it in stock. however i would not buy that stone sight unseen. Pears and other fancies you cannot go by the numbers, you have to actually see them in person. This makes them much more dificult than rounds... so GOG is going to pull some for you and tell you which is best? that would be what i would do if i were you, not look at online inventories. go to James allen if you want to look yourself. they have actual diamond photos of each stone (for the most part)

 

[Niel]

here is a real cutie if its eye clean
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/D-SI1-Very-Good-Cut-Pear-Diamond-1318375.asp
i am not sure about the performance but i like the shape
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/D-SI1-Very-Good-Cut-Pear-Diamond-1036023.asp


hmmmm
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Good-Cut-Pear-Diamond-1533811.asp


they let you pull in the for them to get Asets on, evaluate, and tell you which they would choose as the best.

 

[Crusader3521]

Thanks all. I spoke with a very helpful woman at James Allen this morning and am having the following stones pulled for inspection:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Very-Good-Cut-Pear-Diamond-1531054.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/D-SI1-Very-Good-Cut-Pear-Diamond-1244437.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-IF-Very-Good-Cut-Pear-Diamond-1501344.asp

I think they are a good representation of various color and clarity options; hopefully there is a winner among them.

 

[tyty333]

Post the Asets when you get them.

 

[Ally T]

I bought a fat pear cut diamond from a diamond merchant back in June this year, here in the UK. Buying from a dealer in my opinion is the way forward with a considerable stone purchase. My specs are 1.02 carat, D colour, VS2 clarity & we paid £4,500, which equates to around $7,500 US I think? It sounds like that first stone you mentioned is in the same ball park. And I LOVE my pear. Great choice

I looked at a very reputable high street jeweller on my hunt for a new pear diamond ring, and all I could find was a 50 point solitaire, G colour, SI clarity, selling for £3,950 in platinum. That ring is still in their window - I got a great deal going trade. My stone is certified & conflict free

P.s. I agree withbNielseel - you need to view a fancy cut in person. They can have great specs but still have a bow tie

 

[chrono]

Or great specs but still not sparkly.