Information Overload

[Serendipitous]

Went from being an totally uneducated consumer to information overload. I''ve read more than half the threads here in this category and had read different tutorials at diamondtalk, diamondhelpers, diamondcuttersintl and one or two others. Still can''t figure out: (a) carat v. color v. clarity; and (b) where to do it.

Will be a round diamond to set in a 4-prong platinum solitaire - cathedral or trellis style

I''d like to spend about $7,000 total and figure the setting will run me between $400-$1000, leaving me around $6,000 for the diamond. Probably somewhere between 1.1 and 1.3 carats.

Found myself thinking something with these stats:
Color: G or H (I''ve gotten the idea that an I would look too yellow in platinum)
Cut: Probably doesn''t need to be ideal, so would be okay slightly above 57% table, and not sure where to go with the depth 60-62%?
Girdle: Thin to Medium
Clarity - probably what I''m least clear on (no pun intended): VVS2 to SI1?
No fluorescence
Polish & Symmetry: both good or very good
Culet: Don''t entirely understand this
GIA or AGS cert

Have no problem buying online, but like the longer return periods since I often get busy unexpectedly and might not make a 7 day.

On the other hand, I work 2 blocks from the Los Angeles Jewelry District. I spent a few hours at St. Vincent''s and it felt too much like a flea market on the ground floor and didn''t know where to start on the upper floors. Obviously down here I could look at tens of thousands of diamonds at hundreds of sellers over several weeks, and probably end up more confused than I am now. Also some people seem to think it''s a great place to shop and others think that the Districts are overblown.

Any help to soothe my growing neuroses would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Mara]

Hi Seren--well soothing your neurosis won't happen here, in fact if anything we will all only serve to make you MORE neurotic.

But that's okay because when you are plunking down a large chunk of change for a purchase like this one...well you're allowed a little neurosis. Just a bit.




Anyhow--I think you are doing great so far! Sounds like you are figuring out your priorities and getting out and seeing some stones in person, two very key steps in the process. Seeing stones in person helps determine what you like, don't like...what looks too big, too small, too included, too yellow, etc.




Keep in mind that cut is really important and while you may not want 'super branded H&A ideal'...you should focus on getting a well-cut stone. That will make a HUGE difference in how the diamond appears visually (e.g. sparkle, brilliance, fire etc). Also I think it's important to note that you can spend almost the same amount on a very well cut stone online as you would a mediocre cut stone in any old maul or B&M store--if you do your research and shop smart.




I would definitely suggest going to SI1 if you feel comfortable...you can confirm with vendors that the stone is eye-clean and if you go this route, be sure to work with vendors who carry inventory so they can eyeball the stone personally and let you know what they think. Virtual inventory will make it harder for them to get that visual eye-ball on the eye-cleanliness.




Also I would focus on getting a stone that has VG VG for polish and symmetry, don't settle for 'good' . There are too many stones out there to settle. Ideal/Excellent would be great, but at the very minimum, I vote for sticking with VG.




Culet for the most part in modern rounds will be none or very small, that's typical...don't worry too much about that.




I like G or H color, my stone is a G and its very white. I personally think a well-cut I in platinum is more than fine, but if you feel better going online with something like G/H then get the SI1 (or VS2 or similar) and maximize your stone and your CUT and you should be within your budget!




I'll surf around and see what I can find to show you for fun.

Good luck...

 

[Mara]

Okay here are some to start with for fun. These are all going to be very well cut stones, under HCA score 2.0, top performers. Some will be H&A..some will be branded, unbranded, etc--surfed around on PScope and also some well-known sites that are mentioned alot on here with great vendors.




WhiteFlash:


http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/diamond_Details.aspx?itemcode=AGS-4418708


1.16 H SI1 ACA H&A SuperIdeal $6100 1.3 HCA score




http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/diamond_Details.aspx?itemcode=AGS-4418510


1.244 H SI2 ACA H&A SuperIdeal $5900 0.9 HCA score (this one is cheaper because it's SI2 but if it's eye clean, that is an excellent deal!)






GoodOldGold has a bunch of brokered stones that fit your bill:


1.10 F SI2 AGS 0 H&A for $5104;


1.29 H SI2 AGS 0 H&A for $5700;


1.15 H VS2 AGS 0 H&A for $6300;




Also they have these two in stock:


http://www.goodoldgold.com/1_10ct_g_si1__h%26a.htm


1.10 G SI1 H&A AGS 0 $6300




http://www.goodoldgold.com/new_page_30.htm


1.12 F SI1 H&A AGS0 $5500 (lower priced due to SI2 grading but again ask about eye-clean)




DirtCheapDiamonds (don't be scared by their name, they are a good company!):


http://www.dirtcheapdiamonds.com/diamond_detail.cfm?did=6859221


1.15 F SI1 AGS 0 $6200 HCA score 1.6 (this is not TRUE H&A but it has H&A)




http://www.dirtcheapdiamonds.com/diamond_detail.cfm?did=6877791


1.19 H VS2 GIA EX $6134 HCA score 1.8 (again not true H&A but has H&A)




SuperbCert:


http://www.superbcert.com/products/index.cfm?Product_ID=329&Product_Subcategory_ID=3&Product_Category_ID=3&Product_Group_ID=1


1.10 H SI1 SuperbCert SuperIdeal H&A AGS 0 for $5600




http://www.superbcert.com/products/index.cfm?Product_ID=449&Product_Subcategory_ID=3&Product_Category_ID=3&Product_Group_ID=1


1.11 H VS2 SuperbCert SuperIdeal H&A AGS 0 for $6200




NiceIce.Com is excellent as well but they didn't really seem to have anything on their site that fit your bill, but you should still check them out and view their site, read their tutorials.




That should get you started!!

Good luck and have fun. Note that some of the vendors have more information than others. Don't be afraid to ask for items you don't see or want more information on. Use every available tool to help you with your purchase! Also you will see that there are alot more stones in your $$ range that are SI1 than VS2. That lets you stick with an F/G/H color and still stay eye-clean. I always figure who cares about what you CANT SEE right?

 

[Serendipitous]

Wow - thanks for both responses and all the info, Mara. Definitely helps to get some perspective.

I'll keep working at it, while my fiancee wonders when she's going to get the darn thing