Diamond purchase question

[sc_rufctr]

Originally Posted by quattrorunner

I buy diamonds off the street. People are buying certified stones, for reatail. Then expect To get that back.
That's retarded thinking. Only way youll get what you paid is if your upgrading to more valuable stones.
Stones cost money to get certified. They cost to be repaired if needed. I'll buy a nice carrat stone for a grand. Pawn shops buy the same stone for $500. I send it to be certified($400) then I market it($?) then I sit on it for a few months maybe less. And sell it for $3000. That doesn't really give me much $ to play with. It's not a scam it's retail.
And when I buy your ring for $600 just be happy you didn't have to do all the legwork to sell it.
It's sad when someone fails to negotiate a good deal then Blames someone else for the garbage deal they accepted. Especially bad when she used it against kids Parant That is a real shame. I'm sorry to read that. You have my sympathy.

Thank you but please don't feel sorry for me.

In the end I raised my three kids on my own and loved every moment of it but that's a whole other story.

[quattrorunner]

thats good news I'm glad

[look 171]

What did we do before laser engraved diamonds or certs? They were traded, want up and down along with the market. I remember going into these wholesalers with my father when I was little and remember buying from just seeing the stones with the little eye piece. No certs., nothing. That was how it was done back then. This was in the early 80s. I am not saying that it should be the way to go (for most people), but that certification isn't a real big deal unless its for resale. Just reporting how some things are done in the trades behind the public eyes.

I remember my wife's mouth dropped at the wholesaler when they pour a small bag of about 30 stones of the same grade for her to choose from. She was so intimidated she didn't want to select her stone, so my father stepped in and bought one. Now she stuck with it She doesn't wear it but a little ring I bought her long ago.

[nostatic]

Another vote for Blue Nile. Fair prices, painless process.

[quattrorunner]

And if you think broakers and diamond dealers are unreasonable now, I remember my dad and my grandfather got five time markups on large stones and engagement rings in the 60's n 70's. Three time in the 80's
Along with lazar inscriptions and use of certs those days are long gone.
And with the rumors if falsified certs rumbling the industry lately there really is a renewed urgency toward just looking at the stone to make sure you love it. Trusting a piece if paper is the reason behind certs, but if you can't always trust that what's the point? Look at the shone!
There are lots of valuable incentives choosing a local small diamond business owner. You get great service and you are able to count on a face if you have a concern with your investment. Your not a number but a valued customer. Obviously I'm a small business owner and rely on the local and even email referral business from people who value brick and mortar businesses.

[diverdan]

Sammy: Very well said. I was in the jewelry business overseas and worked with jewelers from all over the world. I was primarily interested in chorundum, ie rubies and sapphires. I quickly got bored. Even with a wholesale mark up on stones of hopefully 10% it was a tough business. Wholesale mark up was more on production jewelry. At any rate, you probably need to be in a big city to access wholesalers. If it was me, I'd give her a great c z piece and a good investment portfolio equivalent to the value of what you would have bought for her and tell her what it should be worth when you're both old and gray. That would show a lot more love and concern and piss off the Belgians. IMHO. Good luck.

Dan