Even though we have tried to cover all the bases of diamond-buying information, there are bound to be additional questions from the more inquisitive types. Feel free to post your questions, and our experts will move heaven and earth to find the answer. Please check back often, as topics that you may find interesting will undoubtedly find their way to our doorstep (so to speak).

Q:   "I'm looking for a 3.00 carat diamond. Does idazzle.com's price list also include larger stones than the range presented on the site? And if so, how do I go about finding the price range for that stone? -AC, 12/98"

A:   "Thank you for your question! I am always excited by someone interested in something as incredible as a 3 carat! Our price database includes diamonds up to 2.50 carats, but over that weight, it becomes harder to standardize prices. At this size range, hypothetical prices must be compared against actual, available diamonds. For requests that are larger than 2.50 carats (the largest size in our price database), or for more unusual diamonds, I will research a realistic retail price range, as well as the approximate idazzle.com price range. Then, when you are ready to see actual diamonds, I would be happy to have an idazzle.com Authorized Jeweler contact you with information on specific diamonds that come as close to your request as possible. They would work within the idazzle.com price range, so you would be assured of the quality you want, and would receive the pricing quoted. By working with someone in your area, you would be able to see diamonds compared in person. With the diamond you are interested in, this is very important. If you are interested in our service, please send me an email with your diamond request, as well as your phone number, zip code, and email. Congratulations, and good luck!"

Q:   "I recently came across a 3 carat canary diamond. It is an estate piece handed down from my Great Aunt. I am considering selling it and the jeweler wants a considerable amount to sell the stone. I am wondering what would be a fair consignment price to the jeweler. Do you think I should auction it? If so what auctioneer would you recommend? Thank you."

A:   "Thank you for your question! It sounds as though you have a truly lovely, and very rare, fancy diamond. Sometimes it is necessary to make a consignment agreement to sell a piece of jewelry. Because of the value of this diamond, if the Jeweler who has offered to sell it collects a fee or percentage (and they will), that fee is going to sound steep. To be fair to the Jeweler, they will definitely earn their fee. It will take the right client, the right timing, and skillful selling to a collector of these types of gems. You are paying for a professional expertise that most people in the Jewelry industry do not have. Bottom line, you probably don't have the connections to sell this on your own, and paying them a percentage of anything is better than not collecting any money at all! Regarding auctions, this is not my area of expertise, but I will say that the best places to consider are Sotheby's, Christies, and perhaps Skinner Auction House. You must be careful to set a reserve price that is the lowest amount you would consider receiving for the diamond. Then compare that to the price that the Jeweler might get, less his fee, and weigh the options. It may take the Jeweler longer to find a buyer, but he may be able to get more for the diamond. When collectors bid at auction, they are educated, savvy buyers hoping to get a bargain from market prices, and only if the gem is of historical or gemological significance will the price rise above an expected pre-auction estimate (a phenomenally rare red or blue diamond, for example). AND, remember that the auction houses collect a (sometimes sizable) fee for their services, as well. Of course, another option is to keep the diamond, and wear it. Because of the family history, and the beauty of the fancy yellow, you could enjoy the gem, then continue the tradition of handing it down. That is the real significance of Jewelry: emotion. I do understand that the other benefit of Jewelry is that you can then turn it back into more-liquid assets like money. Whatever you choose to do, think about the implications carefully, because once you sell this family stone, you cannot get it back. I wish you luck!"