Diamonds

[Pep04]

I am in the market for some diamond studded earrings for my wife. I know a little (not much) about diamonds. I got ripped off in 2008 when I bought her some, so I figured maybe there are members here that know about them.


I know that diamonds are very subjective and no two are alike so comparing prices is very difficult. I understand that GIA certification is the way to go.


I went to a jewelry store today that my partner knows the owner. We built the store for him so he gets a good deal. I never met him because my partner is the one that dealt with him. He gives him a good deal on anything he buys there and he has earned my partners trust. For example, he bought his son a G-Shock that was $120 at Macy's for $55. You get the idea as to their relationship.


In any case, we walked in and started talking diamonds. He offered me a clarity enhanced diamond for what seemed like a good deal. He explained what that actually meant. His offer was 1.68 total karat for $1500. I forgot the particulars on the diamonds but they were BEAUTIFUL. He explained that it was that nice only because they were enhanced. He further explained that they are not certified by GIA because they don't certify altered diamonds. I read on line already that enhanced diamonds are not going to appreciate and can actually be damaged.



My questions are:

1. What is a fair price to pay per karat on a G-H color VVS-2 certified by GIA?

2. Do they appreciate as much as precious metals (I know precious metals are a commodity)? The jeweler said that you will get a 1/3 of what the diamond is worth retail if you ever want to sell it. I don't agree with that because a karat is worth more today than it was say back in 1990. Inflation, value of the dollar amongst other factors have to come into play right?

3. Would you ever buy an enhanced diamond?



Thanks for the insight and if there is something that I should be asking or things that I haven't taken into account, please explain.

[folexhater]

Why not check the "diamond rappaport report"...most diamond traders/dealers base their prices on this particular report!

[Pep04]

Thanks never heard of that.

[Pep04]

Any one else have any advise?

[Dr.Brian]

I would never buy a diamond that was not GIA certified and verified by me.
Enhanced diamonds, no way man, no fluorescence either.
You could always get a matching pair on blue Nile and have your pal set them.
I think the sweet spot is F color, VS1. Don't settle for less than ideal cut either. The difference in sparkle between ideal/near ideal and average is astounding. My wife's modest 1 ct stones shine like the sun. Why do Tiffany/Cartier diamonds have so much sparkle even when compared with higher grade stones? Cut. You can have the same brilliance with better quality stones for less money.
Quality ain't cheap, so expect to get gouged. Of course, they last forever, and her 1 CT studs can be your kids, or grand kids, engagement rings, accent stones for the 5ct Emerald, etc.

[Pep04]

Originally Posted by Dr.Brian

I would never buy a diamond that was not GIA certified and verified by me.
Enhanced diamonds, no way man, no fluorescence either.
You could always get a matching pair on blue Nile and have your pal set them.
I think the sweet spot is F color, VS1. Don't settle for less than ideal cut either. The difference in sparkle between ideal/near ideal and average is astounding. My wife's modest 1 ct stones shine like the sun. Why do Tiffany/Cartier diamonds have so much sparkle even when compared with higher grade stones? Cut. You can have the same brilliance with better quality stones for less money.
Quality ain't cheap, so expect to get gouged. Of course, they last forever, and her 1 CT studs can be your kids, or grand kids, engagement rings, accent stones for the 5ct Emerald, etc.

Thanks Doc. That is exactly the advise I was looking for. What do you think is a fair price per karat (average of course) for a diamond like you mentioned?

[toph]

do not buy clarity enhanced diamonds. they can discolour with heat ( to black)
You would be much better buying say 1CT G-H , SI 1 natural diamonds BUT that will cost about $3000-5000 depending on cut and dimensions/lustre etc .I did a lot of research as got engaged 7 months ago. there are some pics of the ring here. I went with a 1.18 CT main stone D colour and si 1 with 1.34 on the otehr stone G colour. , but teh inclusions are white/clear, so its is nearly impossible to see them even with the 10X loupe. http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=162960
Pm if you want

[Pep04]

Originally Posted by toph

do not buy clarity enhanced diamonds. they can discolour with heat ( to black)
You would be much better buying say 1CT G-H , SI 1 natural diamonds BUT that will cost about $3000-5000 depending on cut and dimensions/lustre etc .I did a lot of research as got engaged 7 months ago. there are some pics of the ring here. I went with a 1.18 CT main stone D colour and si 1 with 1.34 on the otehr stone G colour. , but teh inclusions are white/clear, so its is nearly impossible to see them even with the 10X loupe. http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=162960
Pm if you want

beautiful ring!!! I was looking on Blue Nile and a 1.6 karat earrings run $9600 and up with the Doc's specifics. WOW! I didn't want to pay that much.

[Dr.Brian]

Originally Posted by Pep04

Thanks Doc. That is exactly the advise I was looking for. What do you think is a fair price per karat (average of course) for a diamond like you mentioned?

Fortunately when I got mine, they were in the $8k range, now it looks like around $12k. Inflation's a bitch.

[sandalgirl]

GIA certified is the way to go. Also be sure of the setting. White gold (and platinum) enhance the sparkle of the diamond a bit more than yellow gold...so, if your wife favors yellow gold, I'd suggest the brightest, best cut you can afford. My rings are platinum but do not shine as much as my 14k white gold. Platinum settings also tend to be heavier and can cause the earrings to droop. There is flush mounted and a basket mounted setting. One snugs the ear, the other pops out a bit...again, it's personal preference so be sure you know what your wife is partial to. If this is a surprise, be sure the jeweler will remount if your choice isn't what she likes. My husband bought me a pair of 1.96 total cw (a little less than 1 ct for each earring) and they are VSI and F. I didn't care for the mounting and returned them to be remounted in the basket style setting...WITH SCREW BACKS! I do terrible things to jewelry and was uncomfortable thinking about losing them while swimming or sleeping. The screw backs have made wearing them so much enjoyable because I know they cannot fall out of my ears!

to recap: no altered diamonds.
yellow gold or white gold
Basket mount or a more flush mount
screw back or "safety" backs (which have a notch on the post)

The majority of my every day jewelry is gold. my watch is a ladies date just, ss and gold, my every day wedding ring is rose, green and yellow gold with small diamonds and I wear a very delicate bezel set yellow gold necklace. Yet, my diamond studs are set in white gold because I loved how they sparkled vs the yellow gold setting. This, however is my particular quirk. Many of my friends have diamond earrings set in yellow gold and the are gorgeous. I am just giving you another thing to consider and compare. Btw: why not have your friend go with you to his jeweler friend...maybe he can help facilitate a better deal for you? Also, switching settings is inexpensive, fast and easy. My husband guessed i would like white gold, but was unsure on the actual style of setting. The jeweler was kind enough to have the other style on hand so he could quickly change them out for me if. I went in to his store in the morning and picked up my reset earrings before lunch. I wear my earrings every day, sleep in them, shower in them, swim in them. They come out for a quick dip in the cleaning solution or a good steam cleaning when I see the jeweler. One of the best gifts I have ever received.

[toph]

Originally Posted by Pep04

beautiful ring!!! I was looking on Blue Nile and a 1.6 karat earrings run $9600 and up with the Doc's specifics. WOW! I didn't want to pay that much.

thank you. it took alot of research.
Yes clarity enhanced = gold plating on a watch in my opinion. not worth it.
Dont get carried away with carat size. The price is never cheap for Diamonds with ideal cut, D-F colour or VS1 or above clarity clarity as DR Brian said.
Inspect each one as said i went for SI1 because white inclusion ( quite fortunate) and they sit at the bottom mostly ( only is a few an a
s said so hard to see even under a 10x loupe, need to be in right sunlight.) Also depth shoudl be with in a specific range otherwise light and thus sparkle can escape. Clarity ( just dont go beloe si1/2 as then it starts getting less stringent) is not the most important but colour, cut and depth and angle are IMHO. The one i got had ideal symemetry cut etc etc so the down 1 level of inclusion really was no problem at all for me...

[Pep04]

Thanks for the insight. My wife had a 2 karat stud set and lost one earring. I thought of buying just one, but it is nearly impossible to get a matching one. She had the screw back and still lost it. I guess a little crazy glue would do the trick.


This diamond stuff is crazy. I can get a Daytona for that kind of money!

[toph]

it is. good luck.
One last thing (sorry) IMHO no point going for larger ct that is dull due to other issues whereas you can get smaller ones that will be 'on fire'.

[Pep04]

Originally Posted by toph

it is. good luck.
One last thing (sorry) IMHO no point going for larger ct that is dull due to other issues whereas you can get smaller ones that will be 'on fire'.

Thanks Toph. I will visit him next week again and see what he has.

[Dr.Brian]

You might do just fine with slightly lesser quality (color, clarity) stones in earrings, just keep the cut ideal for the sparkle. As you noticed, there's a big price jump from 0.8ct stones to >1.0. Even if you drop size, they'll shine. Fluorescence can cloud the stone in natural light BTW, and make them glow in black light. I don't buy the "fluorescence can enhance beauty" BS that dealers peddle. I want clean white stones. Period.

[JUSTROLEXES]

Pep my friend
I would not buy any clarity enhanced diamonds as they have no value, they become aslo fragile to heat and dents...
on the other hand there is no need for a GIA cert since it's earing and the size is not that big. you sure can get a GIA but it will be a waste if smaller then 1 carat.
If I were you try to get an SI1 Clarity and a G color if setting them in white gold or Platinum and a you can go H or I in color if setting then in yellow gold.
it is important to make sure the diamond has some life to it " stay away from fluorescence in the diamonds" also not 2 deep and not 2 shallow so you can get the best reflection possible.
if you want to spend $1500 you might want to stay in the 1Ct total weight.

[Pep04]

Thanks Tony. The $1500 price was a start I guess. I had no idea they got so damn expensive. My wife is the simplest person. I am totally convinced that the enhanced diamonds are not the way to go.