Some advice on diamonds

Hi


I want to buy a diamond ring with a single stone of less than 1 ct. I have had a look around in various shops in central. Here are my list of questions


- Does the price vary singnificantly between E F & G colors given the size and shine are the same e.g 0.9 VS1.


- Can you get a better deal on this sized diamond from a dealer. If yes, any recommendations.


- If not, which shop would you recommend. I've been to Larry and Look Fook.


Thanks a lot for your help.

First of all, there is no true "dealer" or "wholesale" price when it comes to buying a quality diamond.


Yes, the price can vary significantly between colours. Also, there is a noticeable difference between a GIA D colour and an IGI D colour, for example, and this is reflected in the price.


I would urge you to invest a good amount of time in researching the forums at Pricescope.com. There is plenty that retailers like Larry's, Tiffany et al would not want you to know. Learn what it is BEFORE you make the purchase; you will not regret it. G'luck with the hunt!

[quote='sixthsense']

Hi


I want to buy a diamond ring with a single stone of less than 1 ct. I have had a look around in various shops in central. Here are my list of questions


- Does the price vary singnificantly between E F & G colors given the size and shine are the same e.g 0.9 VS1.


- Can you get a better deal on this sized diamond from a dealer. If yes, any recommendations.


- If not, which shop would you recommend. I've been to Larry and Look Fook.


Thanks a lot for your help.

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i would recommend Raj please call 98806988

Thanks a lot businessense. I will definitely have a look at pricescope.


Just one more thing, how would you rank GIA, IGI and DTC in terms of quality and price.

GIA and AGS certifications are the gold standards, sixthsense. But they cost more. I have heard of dealers who, not happy with the stringent GIA/AGS certifications, have had their diamonds reassessed by lesser demanding labs. In one case that I know, a GIA F colour diamond got a D, thereby automatically inflating its value. So, yes, lab reports do matter. But, as you will learn, there is one 'C' that will have a tremendous bearing on the beauty of your diamond -- more than the other Cs. That said, if money is no object, and you are disinclined to do your homework, then, by all means, buy the Eight Star Diamond. Details here: http://www.eightstar.com/. Me? I'll wait for my Mark Six win.

....and what 'C' is that? just curious... :)

Of course, IF is the ultimate Clarity. But you can only tell an IF from a VVS1 under high magnification -- they are both eye clean. No, no, the C that I am talking about is Cut. The majority of the stones sold are poorly cut. There is more money to be had with a larger caratage diamond, you see. So, cutters don't really mind hiding the extra baggage around a thick girdle and a deep pavilion. Consequently, a smaller table area means this diamond, when set, will appear smaller than a well-proportioned diamond of the same weight. Too, it will have poor brilliance, fire and scintillation, and these are the essences of a diamond.

HI !!


Am diamond Trader of indian Deccent !!


I would request you to go through rapport report prices


You would get a fair idea ..


if you needa copy of that than email me on rakeshbarot@gmail.com


ricky

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The "Rap" Trap


or the


"All Diamonds 10% Under New York Wholesale Game"


The Rapaport Diamond Report™ and The Diamond Price Report™ are trade periodicals intended to be a market analysis and indicators of the current HIGH CASH ASKING PRICES of the New York Diamond Market. Both of these publications base their estimations on an average of the current wholesale asking prices for GIA Certified Diamonds based on their shape, size, color, and clarity. These reports do NOT automatically factor in price increases for better proportions and finish or decreases in price for circumstances such as chips, scratches, poor proportions/cut, etc., but do suggest them.


Before somebody gets there feathers ruffled unnecessarily, understand that both The Rapaport Diamond Report™ and The Diamond Price Report™ are both fine publications, that when used properly are an important asset to the diamond industry. The problem lies not with the publications, but rather with disreputable jewelers who misuse them to defraud the public.


Eventually you're going to run into a jeweler who will lay a "Rap" sheet out in front of you and say something like "You seem like a nice guy... because I like you, I'm going to sell you this diamond for 10% under Rap." Some jewelers are even so bold as to advertise on radio, television, and the web, that all of their diamonds are priced below Rap or New York Wholesale.


The unfortunate reality is that most stores who claim to sell "at or below Rap" or "10% Under New York Wholesale" are simply misrepresenting the quality of what they are selling or selling uncertified diamonds 10% under the market asking price for certified diamonds... Keep in mind that certified diamonds always cost more than uncertified diamonds and that their grading is more reliable.


Realize that not all jewelers attempt to deceive the public by representing uncertified diamonds 10% under the recommended market price for certified diamonds... One Sacramento retailer advertises "GIA and EGL Certified Diamonds 10% under New York Wholesale"... Now we have to wonder, how can a retailer sell his inventory for 10% below his wholesale cost and still afford to pay his $12,000 a month lease payment and other overhead expenses? Don't strain your brain, the answer is quite simple... Subtle differences in the quality of a diamond's cut and it's proportions can have dramatic effects on it's cost... Knowing this, you might realize what's really happening... For example, let's carefully examine two diamonds from our May 3, 1997 inventory list:


#TR31L64101 / RBCD / 1.01 / SI-1 / F / GIA CERT / $6,153.00

#TR31UD101 / RBCD / 1.01 / SI-1 / G / EGL CERT / $4,404.00


Now your brain might be asking "What's going on?" After all, these two diamonds appear to be the same with the exception of one color grade, who certified them, and $1,749.00.


Naturally, all things appearing to be comparable, you're going to purchase the EGL Certified 1.01 SI-1 G because it's a deal... Heck, it's $1,749.00 cheaper than the 1.01 GIA Certified diamond from another dealer! And that's what some retailers and diamond dealers are counting on... You're naiveté. Let's take a closer look at these diamonds with the help of the diamond grading reports...


Let's begin with the understanding that GIA and AGS graded diamonds frequently trade for as much as 10% more than diamonds graded by other laboratories because they are considered to be stronger, more accurate paper...


Reference #: TR31L64101

Price: $6,153.00

Certified By: GIA Gem Trade Laboratories

Weight: 1.01

Shape: Round Brilliant Cut

Clarity: SI-1

Color: F

Measurements: 6.49-6.55 X 3.92 mm

Depth: 60.1%

Table: 63%

Crown Angle: Not provided GIA on reports

Pavilion Depth: not provided on GIA reports

Girdle: Thin to Medium, Faceted

Culet: None

Polish: Very Good

Symmetry: Very Good

Fluorescence: None

Comments: None


Price: $4,404.00

Certified By: European Gemological Laboratories (EGL)

Weight: 1.01

Shape: Round Brilliant Cut

Clarity: SI-1

Color: G

Measurements: 6.49-6.57 X 3.79 mm

Depth: 58%

Table: 67%

Crown: 11%

Pavilion: 43%

Girdle: Medium, Faceted.

Culet: None

Polish: Good

Symmetry: Good

Fluorescence: Moderate Blue

Comments: None


Now that we can see the details of the diamond grading reports, we can see that the EGL graded diamond does not have as nice a cut (GOOD instead of VERY GOOD) and has Moderate Blue Fluorescence where the GIA graded diamond has none... These things affect the brilliance of the diamond and the price you pay for it. The GIA Certified diamond costs more because it's of nicer make and does not have fluorescence.


Beware of "Deals" from jewelers and diamond dealers selling "at or below Rap" because they are often selling inferior goods at a fair market price and deceiving you into thinking you're paying wholesale for them by showing you industry publications that reflect recommended wholesale prices for GIA Certified round brilliant cut diamonds cut within the ideal range with no exceptions, such as fluorescence. As with the example of the two 1.01 carat diamonds listed above, it just looks like the jeweler is doing you a favor...


Understand that each publication clearly states that prices for finer makes and fancy shapes will command higher prices. Likewise, diamonds with poor cut and proportions cost less than better cut goods. These reports are based on an average or "ideal range" for cut and proportions. The reality is that they can be quite confusing to a person who has not been in the diamond industry for an extensive period of time.


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I wholly agree with you about the Belgian cutters. Incidentally, I also love Belgian chocolates. :o)


People: A diamond is only a chunk of coal that made good under pressure, said a truist a long time ago. But to determine how good this good is, one has to start somewhere. And the proper certification is merely the first step. Diamond merchants, however, routinely deceive their customers into believing that the certification is God's word. Also, De Beers is guilty as hell in encouraging this unethical behaviour. Their DTC marketing campaign is a case in point. Its original motive was primarily to discourage people from buying blood diamonds (considering De Beers history, what a joke). It is now being misused by dealers wanting to sell lower grade diamonds as top-of-the-line ones. Caveat emptor!

If this is an engagement ring, I hope that resale value is not an issue!!!