What determines a diamond''s price if the 4C''s are the same?

[slycatty]

Hi, I''ve been trying to compare diamonds and there seems to be quite a range of prices even for stones that have similar specs. Can you advise on what makes a diamond cost more or less? Is it the type of inclusions? Which inclusions are better than others?

For example, both stones below are I SI2, EEE stones but the price difference is over $2000. Is it because diamond #2 has a cloud in the center? Does that mean clouds can really devalue a stone? How do I know if I''m paying a fair price especially from a B&M(it''s an upgrade)?

http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-2-carat-ideal-cut-i-color-si2-clarity_LD01313538
TIC is 0.7
$14675

http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-2-carat-ideal-cut-i-color-si2-clarity_LD01637709
TIC is 1.4
$12177

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 2/13/2010 10:51:42 AM
Author:slycatty
Hi, I''ve been trying to compare diamonds and there seems to be quite a range of prices even for stones that have similar specs. Can you advise on what makes a diamond cost more or less? Is it the type of inclusions? Which inclusions are better than others?

For example, both stones below are I SI2, EEE stones but the price difference is over $2000. Is it because diamond #2 has a cloud in the center? Does that mean clouds can really devalue a stone? How do I know if I''m paying a fair price especially from a B&M(it''s an upgrade)?

http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-2-carat-ideal-cut-i-color-si2-clarity_LD01313538
TIC is 0.7
$14675

http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-2-carat-ideal-cut-i-color-si2-clarity_LD01637709
TIC is 1.4
$12177

SI2 is actually a very wide grading range in that you can have some where the inclusions are highly visible and some where they are almost completely or completely indistinguishable to the naked eye. The acutal type of inclusion does not matter (with a few exceptions), what matters is whether they are visible or not to the naked eye. With these diamonds, my guess is that the less expensive one has inclusions that are more visible.

I would only buy an SI2 from a vendor who has pictures and/or has the diamond in house can can assess its eye cleanliness for me in person.

As for knowing if a diamond is a fair price, run a search using the pricescoppe search tool, above, and look atthe range of prices. Then add somewhere between 15 and 50% markup because it is a B&M.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 2/13/2010 10:51:42 AM
Author:slycatty
Hi, I've been trying to compare diamonds and there seems to be quite a range of prices even for stones that have similar specs. Can you advise on what makes a diamond cost more or less? Is it the type of inclusions? Which inclusions are better than others?

For example, both stones below are I SI2, EEE stones but the price difference is over $2000. Is it because diamond #2 has a cloud in the center? Does that mean clouds can really devalue a stone? How do I know if I'm paying a fair price especially from a B&M(it's an upgrade)?

http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-2-carat-ideal-cut-i-color-si2-clarity_LD01313538
TIC is 0.7
$14675

http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-2-carat-ideal-cut-i-color-si2-clarity_LD01637709
TIC is 1.4
$12177

Hi slycatty

Dreamer offers good advice concerning getting an idea of prices. There are various factors which can influence price, I take it you aren't going to buy either of the diamonds posted above, just using them as examples?

As for clouds in SI clarities which are grade makers, get a second opinion from an independant appraiser so you can get the stone checked out during any return policy. On occasion in SI clarity grades, grade setting clouds can negatively affect performance so if you find a stone with this characteristic, get an expert to check.