Help me compare Good Old Gold vs a local guy

[protivakid]

You guys helped me find a great setting but now I have some diamond questions. Below is the link of one diamond you guys suggested for my budget at goodoldgold:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11701/

I have a few listed below that a local guy is willing to sell to me. How do these compare to the one from Good Old Gold or any others from them?

#1 0.60 H-I Sl1 $1200.00
#2 0.70 I VS2 $1550.00
#3 0.70 IJ VS2 $1500.00
#4 0.70 H VS2 $1700.00
#5 0.90 I Sl1 $2600.00

 

[EvangelineG]

I'm sure one of the people who knows what they are talking about will be a long shortly, but in the meantime...

No one can help you compare because you haven't given enough info. The GOG stone has a cut grade of 0 ( the best), and has been graded by one of the most respected labs to determine colour and clarity.

Who graded the diamonds you listed as far as colour and clarity? And what are their proportions? That info is needed to help you compare cut quality.

 

[drk14]

I have a few listed below that a local guy is willing to sell to me. How do these compare to the one from Good Old Gold or any others from them?

Two words: "Red flag".
He's "willing to sell them to you"?

In my opinion based on what I've seen on these forums, this is very unlikely to work out well for you, but in case you want to play along:

What laboratory rated the local guys's diamonds?
What are the table %, depth %, crown angle, are pavilion angle of the diamonds he is trying to sell you?
What are the face-up dimensions (spread) of the diamonds?
Can he provide pictures and IS/ASET images of the diamonds?
What are his buy-back and trade-up polciies on these diamonds?

Good luck!

 

[protivakid]

I have a few listed below that a local guy is willing to sell to me. How do these compare to the one from Good Old Gold or any others from them?

Two words: "Red flag".
He's "willing to sell them to you"?

In my opinion based on what I've seen on these forums, this is very unlikely to work out well for you, but in case you want to play along:

What laboratory rated the local guys's diamonds?
What are the table %, depth %, crown angle, are pavilion angle of the diamonds he is trying to sell you?
What are the face-up dimensions (spread) of the diamonds?
Can he provide pictures and IS/ASET images of the diamonds?
What are his buy-back and trade-up polciies on these diamonds?

Good luck!

Maybe willing is the wrong word. He is a friend of my girlfriend's father and he has been buying things from him for years. I will get the above info.

 

[drk14]

Maybe willing is the wrong word. He is a friend of my girlfriend's father and he has been buying things from him for years. I will get the above info.

Thanks for the explanation. Yea, the way you worded that brought up an image of a guy with diamonds attached to the lining of his trenchcoat.

Nonetheless, the answers to the questions above are important, and also pay attention to how he answers the questions.

 

[Dancing Fire]

I have a few listed below that a local guy is willing to sell to me. How do these compare to the one from Good Old Gold or any others from them?

Two words: "Red flag".
He's "willing to sell them to you"?

In my opinion based on what I've seen on these forums, this is very unlikely to work out well for you, but in case you want to play along:

What laboratory rated the local guys's diamonds?
What are the table %, depth %, crown angle, are pavilion angle of the diamonds he is trying to sell you?
What are the face-up dimensions (spread) of the diamonds?
Can he provide pictures and IS/ASET images of the diamonds?
What are his buy-back and trade-up polciies on these diamonds?

Good luck!

Maybe willing is the wrong word. He is a friend of my girlfriend's father and he has been buying things from him for years. I will get the above info.

Rule #1...never buy diamonds from friend of a friend...

 

[OoohShiny]

I believe Gypsy will be along shortly to point out that in all her years here she's only ever seen one transaction involving a 'family friend' turn out well in the end...

 

[AprilBaby]

A friend of a friend is never a deal!

 

[heididdl]

After two years on this board I would select an ideal cut stone from GOG over any friend of a friend. He truly understand that cut is king and that just listing a stone as H si1 doesn't mean a thing with out all the cut specifications

 

[OoohShiny]

Don't mix business with pleasure, as they say!

 

[protivakid]

Sent an email and got this reply:

That diamond is an awesome candidate – great inclusion off to the side, icy white F and superior unbeatable optics. If you don’t have the sharpest eyes and can’t detect inclusions easily.. http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11510/ (a little scary viewing online) OR! If you’d be willing to check this one out http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/12491/.... I actually am having a hard time locating the inclusions.. We would also cover shipping both ways if you decided you did not like it or you could easily see the inclusion. Honestly a great I1.

Below is the list of some I am considering. What do you guys think and why?

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11510/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/12491/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11701/

Also got this reply:
We do also carry traditional cut rounds (cut for size and not optical symmetry) and our own August Vintage round diamonds.

What is the difference between traditional cut rounds and what I linked above?

Thanks all in advance!

 

[HappyNewLife]

We'd need GIA #s or info on their cuts before we can compare

 

[protivakid]

We'd need GIA #s or info on their cuts before we can compare

I am referring to the ones in my last post now. Just comparing those 3 with one another.

 

[tyty333]

I may have missed it but can you go down in color and
Up in clarity like G/H Vs2/si1?

Did GOG say those 3 stones are eye clean?

 

[RockyRacoon]

Sent an email and got this reply:

That diamond is an awesome candidate – great inclusion off to the side, icy white F and superior unbeatable optics. If you don’t have the sharpest eyes and can’t detect inclusions easily.. http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11510/ (a little scary viewing online) OR! If you’d be willing to check this one out http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/12491/..... I actually am having a hard time locating the inclusions.. We would also cover shipping both ways if you decided you did not like it or you could easily see the inclusion. Honestly a great I1.

Below is the list of some I am considering. What do you guys think and why?

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11510/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/12491/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11701/

Also got this reply:
We do also carry traditional cut rounds (cut for size and not optical symmetry) and our own August Vintage round diamonds.

What is the difference between traditional cut rounds and what I linked above?

Thanks all in advance!

Out of those options, I like this stone the most: http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11701/

To your point about 'traditional cut rounds' and the stones you had linked. The stones you had linked are cut for optimal light performance. A 'traditional' stone, in this definition would be a stone cut to retain weight, not necessarily provide the best light performance. You would get a larger 'traditional' stone with the same piece of rough that would provide a smaller, optimally-cut stone.

There's a reason no one here would suggest a 'traditional' stone, as cut makes all the difference.

 

[protivakid]

Sent an email and got this reply:

That diamond is an awesome candidate – great inclusion off to the side, icy white F and superior unbeatable optics. If you don’t have the sharpest eyes and can’t detect inclusions easily.. http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11510/ (a little scary viewing online) OR! If you’d be willing to check this one out http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/12491/...... I actually am having a hard time locating the inclusions.. We would also cover shipping both ways if you decided you did not like it or you could easily see the inclusion. Honestly a great I1.

Below is the list of some I am considering. What do you guys think and why?

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11510/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/12491/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11701/

Also got this reply:
We do also carry traditional cut rounds (cut for size and not optical symmetry) and our own August Vintage round diamonds.

What is the difference between traditional cut rounds and what I linked above?

Thanks all in advance!

I know next to nothing about this but how does http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/12491/ compare to the one you like? All my eyes see is higher ct for less $ haha

Out of those options, I like this stone the most: http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11701/

To your point about 'traditional cut rounds' and the stones you had linked. The stones you had linked are cut for optimal light performance. A 'traditional' stone, in this definition would be a stone cut to retain weight, not necessarily provide the best light performance. You would get a larger 'traditional' stone with the same piece of rough that would provide a smaller, optimally-cut stone.

There's a reason no one here would suggest a 'traditional' stone, as cut makes all the difference.

 

[RockyRacoon]

Sent an email and got this reply:

That diamond is an awesome candidate – great inclusion off to the side, icy white F and superior unbeatable optics. If you don’t have the sharpest eyes and can’t detect inclusions easily.. http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11510/ (a little scary viewing online) OR! If you’d be willing to check this one out http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/12491/....... I actually am having a hard time locating the inclusions.. We would also cover shipping both ways if you decided you did not like it or you could easily see the inclusion. Honestly a great I1.

Below is the list of some I am considering. What do you guys think and why?

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11510/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/12491/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11701/

Also got this reply:
We do also carry traditional cut rounds (cut for size and not optical symmetry) and our own August Vintage round diamonds.

What is the difference between traditional cut rounds and what I linked above?

Thanks all in advance!

I know next to nothing about this but how does http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/12491/ compare to the one you like? All my eyes see is higher ct for less $ haha

Out of those options, I like this stone the most: http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11701/

To your point about 'traditional cut rounds' and the stones you had linked. The stones you had linked are cut for optimal light performance. A 'traditional' stone, in this definition would be a stone cut to retain weight, not necessarily provide the best light performance. You would get a larger 'traditional' stone with the same piece of rough that would provide a smaller, optimally-cut stone.

There's a reason no one here would suggest a 'traditional' stone, as cut makes all the difference.

I am always hesitant to recommend I1 stones, which is the reason I did not recommend 12491.

It may be possible that the I1 is eye-clean and provides no structural issues. However, from the GOG assessment, it does not sound eye-clean, to a keen observer. If it's possible to get both stones shipped to you, so you can see them both in person, it would make the I1 stone a more likely candidate.

Just my two cents!

 

[TC1987]

You can look at "traditional" symmetry stones on GOG as follows:
got to Diamond Search
click the box for Round and don't limit the size and other specifications since this is just to see what some look like
get the results
change the # of items per page to 100 just to make it easier to see the listings
click Hide/Show Columns
check the Optical Symmetry box
save
then sort the Symmetry column of the results in either increasing or decreasing order
find the ones marked "Traditional" that have prices
look as some

Here's one: http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9784/

The superideal H&A stones have been cut to optimize the balance between fire and brilliance, in any type of mounting, in a variety of lighting conditions. They also wash tint better than most "traditional" symmetry stones. The traditional-cut stones, as GOG had defined "traditional" are usually older cutting styles that might be cut more for weight retention than for ultimate all-around performance. Some of them are quite pretty, though. My everyday ring is about .8ct, J VS1 or so, and has a huge table and a low flat crown. It's a pretty stone, and I got it from a pawn shop, but it just doesn't have a H&A type appearance. It's cut more for brilliance than fire, but that's okay with me because I didn't pay much for it and it's a stone I bought for myself. It looks great in office lighting and store lighting, like in Staples. Has a good bit of fire in sunlight. But most of the time it's more brilliant and bright than firey.

Diamond makes / cutting styles and fads come and go. Old European Cut, Old Mine Cut, and other antique stones are deep with small tables, high crowns, steep crown angles, usually lots of fire and very broad facets. Then by the '30s - '40s or so,, it seems like there was almost a rebellion against that look, because the diamonds were getting cut with large tables, flat crowns, shallower depth, greater spread, and more slivery facets. I have one of those, and "silvery" is how I'd describe it. It's almost all splintery reflections of white light, and very little fire. It's okay, if one likes that look. But it's not that modern H&A look.

 

[protivakid]

Asked about eye clean and here was the response I got. Thoughts from you experts?


With the .5 E SI2 – After further examination I do feel this is the type of SI2 someone needs to be completely okay with sometimes seeing the inclusions as they are easily visible after knowing they are there.

For the .63 E I1 – If you are going out of your way, you just *might* be able to catch a glimpse of the feather around 4/5 o’ clock (referring to microscopic pics) but a large part of this could be pronged. It also has no abnormal structural durability risks even being an I1.

 

[MelisendeDiamonds]

You guys helped me find a great setting but now I have some diamond questions. Below is the link of one diamond you guys suggested for my budget at goodoldgold:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11701/

I have a few listed below that a local guy is willing to sell to me. How do these compare to the one from Good Old Gold or any others from them?

#1 0.60 H-I Sl1 $1200.00
#2 0.70 I VS2 $1550.00
#3 0.70 IJ VS2 $1500.00
#4 0.70 H VS2 $1700.00
#5 0.90 I Sl1 $2600.00

I think you should seriously consider your tradeoffs before you go about selecting stones or a vendor for that matter.
Is your budget 1200 or is it 2600?

Is this stone for someonelse or for yourself?

If it is for someonelse and you haven't gotten input from them I would be extremely hesitant to choose anything that might not be eye clean to them.

Is the wearer color sensitive and wants icy white at the signifcant size tradeoff? If not I'd probably be looking in the G H I range, at this pricepoint and size the body tint is not as big a deal as the faceup size you will gain by going down a color or two.

In this budget range and size I would not be looking for an H&A stone or anything with a high cut premium, cut quality is important but at this carat weight a little more faceup size will go a lot farther, near H&A GIA XXX would be good enough for most of my clientele spending up to $2600.

Good-luck in your search I'm sure the fine consumer posters here can help you find something that fits your preferences once you nail down a budget and specs.

 

[protivakid]

Asked about eye clean and here was the response I got. Thoughts from you experts?


With the .5 E SI2 – After further examination I do feel this is the type of SI2 someone needs to be completely okay with sometimes seeing the inclusions as they are easily visible after knowing they are there.

For the .63 E I1 – If you are going out of your way, you just *might* be able to catch a glimpse of the feather around 4/5 o’ clock (referring to microscopic pics) but a large part of this could be pronged. It also has no abnormal structural durability risks even being an I1.

Any thoughts on these ones?

 

[luvdajules]

Hi OP, from the above post I'd say neither is truly eye clean, but I think that's okay as it sounds like they are similar in that regard. I'd go with the bigger I1 and try to prong the feather as the vendor suggests. GOG has a great upgrade policy, so further down the road you can get something bigger if that's your fancy (or keep and make into a pendant or part of an earring set).

Maybe I missed it, but is the local guy offering GIA and AGS certed stones? If not, you are not comparing apples to apples. An F VS2 color EGL stone may well be a J/k I1. Can you see the local guy's diamonds to view IRL? Your local guy may not have all the images and cut performance data to make a good decision, and likely not as good an upgrade policy.

 

[protivakid]

Hi OP, from the above post I'd say neither is truly eye clean, but I think that's okay as it sounds like they are similar in that regard. I'd go with the bigger I1 and try to prong the feather as the vendor suggests. GOG has a great upgrade policy, so further down the road you can get something bigger if that's your fancy (or keep and make into a pendant or part of an earring set).

Maybe I missed it, but is the local guy offering GIA and AGS certed stones? If not, you are not comparing apples to apples. An F VS2 color EGL stone may well be a J/k I1. Can you see the local guy's diamonds to view IRL? Your local guy may not have all the images and cut performance data to make a good decision, and likely not as good an upgrade policy.

Thanks luvdajules, that's what I was thinking as well!