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- Jul 31, 2014
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Wanted to update with a new thread in case future users are searching by topic.
I started this thread https://www.pricescope.com/communit...tory-vs-super-ideal-diamond-questions.242933/ in order to get opinions on the relative value and cost of looking at virtual inventory vs. super ideals. The point behind the thread was to help inform my search for a 1ct stone to replace the OEC moissanite in my engagement ring.
I've been thinking about "upgrading" for over 2 years now, but wanted to be careful because it's such a sentimental setting (to me) and I didn't want to end up swapping stones multiple times unless I was totally sure.
I started with the following criteria:
An ideal cut stone
As close to 1ct (6.5mm) as possible, no less than 6.3 and no more than 6.6 because I was worried about it not fitting
Color was totally open since I actually like both warm and colorless stones for different reasons
Brown tones were a plus in a warm stone, but I didn't want anything dark, and didn't want to compromise cut for color
Max budget of 3K for the stone, potentially with a little wiggle room.
I quickly ran into a few issues. Namely, most vendors don't stock stones under K color in RB cut, and those that do are almost always limited to virtual inventory, which means less likely to have an ASET or IS. I spoke with @Rockdiamond because he had the "stone that got away" from the original thread, and also with Melissa/ @Wink from CBI.
Both have excellent customer service and are very nice and informative. Unfortunately, finding a CBI in a lower color (to make it affordable) wasn't going to be possible given the strict criteria for CBI stones. The closest was a 1.07 for 5,200, but that was honestly too much for my comfort zone (although I don't doubt for a second it would be worth it if I were more comfortable spending that much on a stone and/or richer!). The other option was an approx .85 within budget, but I really didn't want to go lower than 6.3mm.
DBL has lots of great stones, but none that were the perfect cut or color. I also looked at b2c and JA a lot, and got a few ASETs. JA was nice and helpful, but my favorite stone had a big feather on the table, which was a potential durability problem. B2C was really hard to talk to, and there were lots of communication problems. They were very confused about me liking warmer stones, and kept saying things like "all L diamonds will be dark brown", which didn't make sense. Also, lots of stones were unavailable for ASET or IS, which isn't great.
@PintoBean was awesome and suggested ID Jewelry. I first spoke with Lana, which involved a few miscommunications and was awkward at times. I was ready to give up or keep waiting until @PintoBean swooped in as my fairy godmother and told Yeukitel (spelling?) to call me directly yesterday. He found me a great option within 2 minutes on the phone, and is great. However, the stone he suggested wasn't quite *perfect*, so I had a few doubts. I spoke with him again this morning, and said I could raise my budget up to 3600 if that would significantly open up options for me. Within 2 minutes, he found THE ONE, and then went off to do his magic with negotiating on price.
He called me back this afternoon saying that the stone AND setting the stone in my existing setting would be in budget. I am totally thrilled and excited to see it.
The thing I think is important to know about B2C (or maybe others know this and I'm the only one who doesnt haha): they have an office in India, meaning they have access to stones that others simply can't get. Or not that others CAN'T get them, but that others can't get them AND have a return policy. I heard that from both IDJ and DBL: essentially, the people in India say that these vendors can get the stones, but without any return policy. So if I didn't like the stone, too bad for IDJ/DBL. They (or I) would have to eat the cost. Which doesn't work for me, or for either of those vendors, especially since I'm looking for colors that most people dislike--meaning it would be hard for the vendor to re-sell.
Sorry for the rant, but I hope this helps others! And for anyone who has made it this far, here's the GIA for my new stone, and I will certainly update with pics when I have them!
I started this thread https://www.pricescope.com/communit...tory-vs-super-ideal-diamond-questions.242933/ in order to get opinions on the relative value and cost of looking at virtual inventory vs. super ideals. The point behind the thread was to help inform my search for a 1ct stone to replace the OEC moissanite in my engagement ring.
I've been thinking about "upgrading" for over 2 years now, but wanted to be careful because it's such a sentimental setting (to me) and I didn't want to end up swapping stones multiple times unless I was totally sure.
I started with the following criteria:
An ideal cut stone
As close to 1ct (6.5mm) as possible, no less than 6.3 and no more than 6.6 because I was worried about it not fitting
Color was totally open since I actually like both warm and colorless stones for different reasons
Brown tones were a plus in a warm stone, but I didn't want anything dark, and didn't want to compromise cut for color
Max budget of 3K for the stone, potentially with a little wiggle room.
I quickly ran into a few issues. Namely, most vendors don't stock stones under K color in RB cut, and those that do are almost always limited to virtual inventory, which means less likely to have an ASET or IS. I spoke with @Rockdiamond because he had the "stone that got away" from the original thread, and also with Melissa/ @Wink from CBI.
Both have excellent customer service and are very nice and informative. Unfortunately, finding a CBI in a lower color (to make it affordable) wasn't going to be possible given the strict criteria for CBI stones. The closest was a 1.07 for 5,200, but that was honestly too much for my comfort zone (although I don't doubt for a second it would be worth it if I were more comfortable spending that much on a stone and/or richer!). The other option was an approx .85 within budget, but I really didn't want to go lower than 6.3mm.
DBL has lots of great stones, but none that were the perfect cut or color. I also looked at b2c and JA a lot, and got a few ASETs. JA was nice and helpful, but my favorite stone had a big feather on the table, which was a potential durability problem. B2C was really hard to talk to, and there were lots of communication problems. They were very confused about me liking warmer stones, and kept saying things like "all L diamonds will be dark brown", which didn't make sense. Also, lots of stones were unavailable for ASET or IS, which isn't great.
@PintoBean was awesome and suggested ID Jewelry. I first spoke with Lana, which involved a few miscommunications and was awkward at times. I was ready to give up or keep waiting until @PintoBean swooped in as my fairy godmother and told Yeukitel (spelling?) to call me directly yesterday. He found me a great option within 2 minutes on the phone, and is great. However, the stone he suggested wasn't quite *perfect*, so I had a few doubts. I spoke with him again this morning, and said I could raise my budget up to 3600 if that would significantly open up options for me. Within 2 minutes, he found THE ONE, and then went off to do his magic with negotiating on price.
He called me back this afternoon saying that the stone AND setting the stone in my existing setting would be in budget. I am totally thrilled and excited to see it.
The thing I think is important to know about B2C (or maybe others know this and I'm the only one who doesnt haha): they have an office in India, meaning they have access to stones that others simply can't get. Or not that others CAN'T get them, but that others can't get them AND have a return policy. I heard that from both IDJ and DBL: essentially, the people in India say that these vendors can get the stones, but without any return policy. So if I didn't like the stone, too bad for IDJ/DBL. They (or I) would have to eat the cost. Which doesn't work for me, or for either of those vendors, especially since I'm looking for colors that most people dislike--meaning it would be hard for the vendor to re-sell.
Sorry for the rant, but I hope this helps others! And for anyone who has made it this far, here's the GIA for my new stone, and I will certainly update with pics when I have them!
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