diamond buying .
Q.when jewelers go to antwerp, or another major world diamond center to buy their diamonds at what price do they buy them at - what of rapaport? I've been told that when diamond parcel buyers go to antwerp to handpick and buy their diamonds they usually pay 40% of rapaport. If I go to antwerp to buy a diamond parcel I want to be sure I pay what everybody else pays, not higher. You won't even get a meeting with a real diamond dealer in Antwerp, you aren't in the business (assumed by your post). Why would they give Joe Shmoe off the street, the same price or courtsey, as someone who has done millions of dollars in business with them?
A.The Rapaport list is not any sort of worldwide diamond price list. It's only one firms estimate of NEW YORK diamond market prices at a specified, and somewhat artificial and arbitrary pricing level, ie their idea of single stone, memo to a jeweler, prices. it's intended not as a real price list, but as a benchmark, which can be used by appraisers and dealers to track movements in prices. Actual buying and selling prices vary by differing amounts from the rap list depending on who you are, who you're buying from, what quantities your buying, how you're paying, and the like. And it's still just a market average. Prices for similar stones will vary from dealer to dealer. So asking what percentage off of rap you might get in antwerp is almost impossible to answer exactly. the list doesn't track overseas markets, nor does it track parcel purchases. Even amongst those who do buy regularly at the described level in antwerp, the relationship to the rap list at any one time will be quite variable. Going on a buying trip with just the rap list as a reference point is a recipe for disaster. You need a good amount of experience in the market, such that you no longer need a list like rappaport to know what stones will cost, and what you can sell them for back home. You go and see the Benelux Diamond Syndicate and De Beers, and a couple of dozen other stone merchants, and then buy what you want at trade prices. Everybody there is selling stuff at discounted prices, including the stone sellers, especially the Far Eastern companies who don't have a UK agent and are just there to sell their stock in the show week. The big players won't rip you off, they've far too much to loose.
Other Questions :
Diamond Huggie Earring.
I have never been good at spotting tones esp. in myself. Can a diamond see its own glitter? I am curious where you feel you have gotten to now?There is a point of disagreement between my wife and I that I would like to hear back comments on from ...
Pink Sapphire Engagement Ring?
My fiance and I had talked about getting married and we went to several jewelry stores together to LOOK at rings. This way he knew what types of rings I liked but I still got to be surprised when I finally got it. It was a COMPLETE surpris...
Toe Ring Jewelry?
My girlfriend likes pretty things, and has nice feet on which she has painted her toenails a pretty blood red. So I thought that she might enjoy getting a nice toe ring as a birthday present to accent her feet. Does anyone out there have mu...
Platinum Engagement Settings ?
We had my ring custom made (in gold). Our jeweler said gram for gram, Pt is 3x the cost of Au. Strength is the biggie, also it resists scratching better. Personally, I like the color of gold better. The platinum settings look too much like ...
Solitaire Engagement Ring, Engagement rings ?
My partner and I are planning to get engaged later this year. My girlfriend has suggested that I might wear an engagement ring. We would like to know if men can wear engagement rings and if so what general style should the ring be in?Whether ...