Comments on: Diamond Prices

By: Mike

Mike — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:27:11 +0000

Access to the rap prices cost money. If you want, go to rapnet.com and pay membership and get access to the lists.

By: Daniel

Daniel — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:26:01 +0000

Are there ways to view a rap sheet? The rap isnt indcative of what the seller paud correct? Is this something jewelers don’t hand out but shouldn’t have an issue showing to a buyer? How aggressive should the buyer when negotiating a price? Is there a percentage of the rap most sellers would laugh at? 30-40% for example.

By: Mike

Mike — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:49:36 +0000

Ok, lets settle this!
1) The current rap price for a 1.50 H SI1 is 9000 per carat.
2) 1.80ct Ex or ID cut rounds are trading at full list price or a couple of percentage points ABOVE list.

SO that would put the wholesale cost of your stone at about $16,560.

By: Mike K

Mike K — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:48:48 +0000

The latest report I could find on the internet was March 2010, so a bit less than 2 years old, but the price of 76 hadn’t changed from the 2009 price in your article. I doubt that the price on today’s rap sheet is 179, which would make the 18% margin on the $16,900 James Allen ring math work.

Thanks again!

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:30:44 +0000

I’m guessing, then, that you’re using a badly out of date RAP price. If you’re using the price from my article, then you’re using a price that’s over 2 years old.

By: Mike K

Mike K — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:28:10 +0000

Also, don’t know if you saw, but the diamond in the link had an AGS certificate, which might explain the lower cost per carat

By: Mike K

Mike K — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:17:11 +0000

OK, maybe he said VG/VG. Having re-read the article, my diamond is pretty similar to your example (H SI1). So if the jeweler got it for “20 back” (7600*.80 = 6,080) and then I multiply that by 1.84 = 11,187, then his profit margin would be a whopping 60%.

Even if I use the diamond in your link at 16,900, that would still be a 54% margin. I thought in your “Blue Nile & James Allen” section that their margin was only 18%. Your help in understanding all this is greatly appreciated!

Thank you!
Mike

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 10:33:59 +0000

Hi Mike. Something doesn’t make sense. First of all, it’s not possible that a stone has an EX cut grade, but a Good grade for polish or symmetry. EX cut demands that both pol/sym be at least VG.

Secondly, you don’t understand how RAP works. Read this article again.

Anyway, here’s a great 1.80 H SI1 at a much better price: http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1452033.asp

By: Mike K

Mike K — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 23:23:55 +0000

Hi,
Thank you very much for this website, very informative! I was hoping you give me an opinion on the price of a diamond I am looking at. It’s a round cut, H SI1, 1.84 carat, excellent cut, VG/G, 7.95mm, 60 depth, GIA certified. Price = 18,000.

Blue Nile has one similar, so I am thinking its appropriate; but using the rap sheet (76 * 1.84 = 13,984) means the jeweler would be getting a 29% margin, which seems a bit high to me. Do you think I can negotiate it down much more?
Thank you very much!!

By: Helene R

Helene R — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 20:56:17 +0000

Thank you so much for your quick response. I had done some research and found that as well, and saving $1,000 would be nice but not realistic considering the jeweler has already done quite a bit of legwork and they should be entitled to commission too! He has already got me the stones to look at and sent out the stones and graphic to get started in Montreal…glad my deposit will not be lost!

Thank you again, great site! I will send you a pic when I get it!