A Cut Above Read Online Free PDF Page B

quality.”
    I use my flattened palms against the desktop to push my chair away, and stand. “I’ll grant you they’re better than middle-of-the-road, but I wouldn’t put them at the LI1— lightly included top level, where you could ask $11,000 for them, wholesale. True, they have the jardin type of accepted inclusions, not black carbon bits, but I can show you, and I’m sure you can see, that each stone has more than one or two slight inclusions.”
    He narrows his eyes. “Ah, but the color, Miss Andie. They’re colored stones, and color is everything. These stones are at least 4 or 4.5 in color grade.”
    I glance at the beautiful green gems. They are outstanding, but Mr. Cruz is shooting for the moon, what with that kind of price. And these are stars, not moons. “They do have good color, but it’s more blue than even a 4.5 deserves. You know as well as I do that a 4.5 or better, a 4 or a 3, has to be almost purely primary grass green.”
    He responds with an elegant shrug and a tight smile. “Primary grass green is—how do you Americans say? Oh yes. In the eye of the beholder. These are primary grass green to me.”
    “All right. It is subjective. But I would put the tone at no more than 50,” I counter, absolutely certain of my assessment. “That’s good, but not excellent. And we’re not talking amethyst, citrine, or peridot here. I’d need at least a 65, above the mid-range, you understand, for that kind of price. $11,000 for these is retail, and high retail, at that. We can’t sell for above-retail prices. You know that.”
    The vendor clamps his lips. He stands, meets my gaze square on. “I know the cut is outstanding, and the brilliance is better than 50 percent. You must agree.”
    “Yes, the brilliance and the cut are fine. But that does not erase the other issues.” I look the stones over again, pray for guidance, and then take a deep breath. “I think you know a fair price is closer to $3000 or $3600 per carat, and that’s what I’m prepared to offer.”
    Mr. Cruz’s right eye twitches and his nostrils flare. “If I’d wanted an insult, I would have gone to that other channel.”
    Miss Mona gasps.
    “Mr. Cruz.” I make my voice gentle and conciliatory, “I’m sorry you feel insulted, but in all good conscience, I can’t advise Miss Mona to buy these stones at your original asking price.”
    “But my AGL assessment . . . you’re discounting the quality. You want to take advantage—”
    “No way!” He’s the one doing the insulting here. “Ask around, sir. Other vendors will tell you I’m as fair as can be. I do know my gems and the rating systems, and I’m willing to pay what a piece is worth. These stones are only worth what I offered.”
    “You’re trying to cheat—”
    “Never.” I shoot an S.O.S. skyward. “You see, sir, Miss Mona’s not my real boss.” I send her an apologetic smile. “I answer to God first, and my honesty matters very much. I couldn’t face him every morning if I played that kind of game. And I won’t take offense at your claim.”
    “Rodolfo,” Miss Mona says, her voice stern, a tiny line between her elegant brows, “I’ve known Andrea since she was born. I can trust her with everything I own. She would never, ever stoop so low. I can’t believe you’d think I’d try and deal with you in such a dishonorable way.”
    Mr. Cruz nods his concession. “Very well. But I see Miss Andie is not satisfied with these gems. Perhaps she should see our entire collection, and then choose.”
    His entire collection? Who travels with that much merchandise on him? Is this guy nuts?
    “Why, Rodolfo . . .”
    Miss Mona’s delight sets off my alarm-o-meter. Before I can get in the way of whatever runaway train she intends to catch, she goes on.
    “That’s the best idea you’ve had so far.”
    I cringe. I know that tone of voice. It always means trouble. For me. I’m going to regret asking, but I have to have some idea where she’s going with