Comparing Apples to Apples when buying diamonds

[IdealD]

I am a member of a lot of other forums and will be posting the same thread on most of them. I have made a few observations lately in some forums which led me to this posting. Hopefully it will help noobies to buying diamonds get a little more understanding of how it all works.

Some important things to note when buying diamonds. If you are comparing diamonds local to local vendors or local to online vendors make sure you are comparing apples to apples. If are comparing an F VS1 with VG Symmetry and VG Polish to an online diamond with the same carat, color and clarity but the Symmetry and Polish are EX/EX you will be paying a premium for the online diamond. This may also be the case if comparing the two diamonds locally. A GIA EX,EX or an AGS stone will most likely always command a premium over G/G VG/VG stones.

Prioritizing color, clarity and price over cut quality is a personal choice.

Just try to make sure you are comparing the same Symmetry and Polish with local and online vendors. This gives all vendors the choice of stepping up to the plate in terms of pricing. Which ultimately means better value for buyers.


IdealD

 

[risingsun]

We also try to inform people about the importance of cut [crown angle, pavillion angle, table%, depth%, lower girdle facets%], the difference between grading reports, online v. B&M vendors, reading an idealscope and ASET, and more. Not everyone may need or use all of this information, but at least we can provide and/or discuss these aspects of diamonds prior to purchase.