Archive for AGS
Q: First off, your website has been tremondously helpful for me-a first time diamond buyer.
I hugely value cut and I have been looking at Blue Nile and their signature cut. Obviously, I am paying more for the signature brand. So, I used the more stringent table(60.1 to 61.9) and depth%(55 to 57) values for the signature to filter out some ideals on Blue Nile and James Allen. Am on the right track to get the shiniest diamond?
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As if there weren’t enough to confuse you about buying a diamond, now many brick-and-mortar establishments in America are doing their own in-house diamond certification instead of relying on the big name labs like Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and American Gem Society (AGS). In other words, they might initially review the certification and then file it away, instead preferring to assess the gemstone with their own set of criteria.
lovepromiseandring.com
For example, Jeff Jaffe of Harold Jaffe Jewelers in Toledo, Ohio, told JCK Magazine, “We don’t believe in any certificates – even from the better labs. If I agree with the diamond grading document, I’ll use it. But we usually go downward – not upward – when comparing our diamond evaluations to grading reports from a lab.”
Likewise, Craig Underwood of Underwood’s Fine Jewelers in Fayetteville, Arkansas, now presents customers with his own diamond reports since he felt there were too many inconsistencies in the reports he received from various gemological labs. He explains, “We’ll give the customer a lab-issued diamond grading report if the customer specifically asks for it, but that rarely happens. Most of the time the lab-issued grading report is filed in our archives and never shown to the customer. The only report the customer receives is our Underwood Diamond Report.”
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Q: I am looking for a loose round diamond approximately .60 carats around the $1500.00 Maximum cost that will be set in a white gold setting. From what I have read on your website, cut is the most important and I understand why. I found 2 on James Allen website: item#: 1353295 and item#: 1353294 that look appealing. I would like your opinion and preference on them. Also, feel free to suggest any others.
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Q: Hi, what a great site! OK, I am looking to buy a replacement engagement ring. The original ring is no more because the diamond fell out about a year ago, not to be found. Although I could afford much more, my bride would kill me even if she knew I spent my proposed budget.
Notionally, my budget for rock and ring is about $2500. The ring would probably be a solitaire 4 or 6 prong, white gold. That said, I can see a budget of $2000 for the diamond. Based on my reading at this site, current thinking is:
round, near colorless, eye clean. I’d like to get the biggest decent diamond for the budget, and I look to you for any advice you could offer with the above in mind. I saw some data about how price between say .69 and .7 can be a big step, so any of my initial specs are open to your guidance, including a small bump in budget.
Thanks so much for this.
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Q: Great site; it’s been extraordinarily helpful in my diamond-selection process. I’m currently looking for a round engagement stone in the 6-6.5 mm size range with an upper price point of ~$5000. Being accustomed to regularly hitting these budgetary limits of mine, with your advice (and JamesAllen’s visual selection system) I think I’ve found a very nice 0.84 ct G-color stone at a much more affordable price point ($3400). The link is below; I’ve got the stone on hold:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1349846.asp
Although I was originally looking for a 0.9 ct. stone, it seems likely that the size difference here will be negligible. I’ve come to be a bit of a stickler for cut, so the great visual symmetry and and good rating (H&A Ideal; AGS) are big selling points for me. After looking at the examples on your site, I’d guess that the inclusions in the stone (left of center) will not be obvious to the naked eye, but I just wanted to get an expert’s opinion on this point. After my searching, it does seem to be very nice stone at the price point.
In short: 1. Do you think that the stone is eye-clean? and 2. Do you think that this particular stone is a good value?
Thanks so much for your advice, and thanks again for putting together such a valuable resource. Happy new year!
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Q: Hello,
I’ve spent a fair amount of time reading your site and I want to say thank you for the abundance of honest information you’ve made available. I always do as much online research as I can before making a significant purchase of any kind and it is particularly frustrating how diverse the information is regarding diamonds. It probably stems from the ”illusion” factor of the industry you mentioned. I’m having a hard time coming to terms with spending $15k on an engagement ring because social practice says I should. I was coming to terms with it thinking of it as asset diversification till I read more about diamond depreciation. In your experience what percentage loss should I expect on the loose stone? I know the setting is a near total loss.
So far I have been working with a local independent jeweler but the online prices have me thinking otherwise. I’m happy with the setting I’ve chosen but I’m wondering if I should source the loose stone elsewhere. I’ve been looking at Princess cut, 2+ct., I+ color, SI1+ clarity, GIA/AGS. They have been in the $13k-$14k range (not including tax) for the loose stone. The setting I’ve chosen is $2k and I’d like to be out the door at $15k (preferrably less).
I have spent time browsing Blue Nile and James Allen but I’m not really comfortable buying sight unseen. The virtual loop is a nice feature but I think it is more of a gimmick than a useful tool since you can’t adjust the focal point nor do they tell you the magnification. From your experience have you been surprised by inclusions and defects that didn’t show up in the virtual loop.
I plan to open a new credit card with a zero percent offer and cash back. If the new card(s) works out I would be able to take advantage of James Allen’s and blue nile’s 30 day return policy if I wasn’t satisfied.
I would appreciate any help or advice you could offer.
Thank you.
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