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Looking for opinions from the experts (PS users!)

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markusfromtherock

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Hi everyone, I think I''ve hit that point where too much information has overwhelmed me! Hopefully others know what I mean.. at first you know just a bit, but you think you can handle it. You do a bit of research and you''re thinking ''ok, now I''m ahead of the game knowing my Cs'' Then you start reading up some more about the different grading systems and naming conventions on different cuts, then before you know it, you feel like you know less, or at least aren''t sure what to do with all this information!

So maybe I''ll start from the beginning and with your help can find that perfect ring.

The setting for the ring will be: Cathedral Diamond Engagement Ring http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Solitaire/Cathedral-Setting_692.htm#

And here are a few diamonds I''ve selected from my search across the different vendors. The diamond I''m looking for is a round, in the range of 1.2 - 1.5. Ideal size is somewhere in the middle. Color F or G. For clarity would like peace of mind and get V2 or better. If it came between quality over quanity my initial assumptions going in would be quality, but the more I read, it seems most women would prefer a bigger stone given that the premium for some of the higher grading may not be worth it? Budget of around $11-13k for the diamond. Though if necessary can go over by $2k/3k


Here are my initial picks

From GoodoldGold
http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/4293/
$13,103
1.33 ct F VS1


WhiteFlash
http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-568041.htm
$13,408
1.38 ct F VS1 Round Ideal Cut


BlueNile (kicking around the idea of getting a ring with fluoresence)
http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-ideal-cut-g-color-vvs2-clarity_LD00958927?__fun_frm=i&filter_id=0
$11,905
1.31 C
G/VVS2
Medium Blue Fluor


then I started reading about the cut above hearts and arrows, and saw that to get this "superb" cut I''d have to downgrade in clarity and color, and started questioning what would be more important.. a higher clarity/color or a higher graded cut (if in fact that''s what I''m paying for)

Or if it''s easier, maybe I can get your opinions on what you''d pick if you had to buy a diamond today?

Mark
 

Lorelei

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I understand about the information overload, don't worry - we are here to help!

The first diamond is gorgeous from GOG, I would buy that in a heartbeat! The second from WF looks to be a virtual non in house stone, and not enough info to judge the cut. The BN diamond appears to be pre cut grading, so again not enough info to judge. Also I wouldn't personally choose VVS clarity unless that is your preference, as VS could be eyeclean and even some SI clarities.

I think a nice balance is F G or H colour and VS or SI1 clarity if eyeclean. You could even consider SI2 if verified eyeclean by a trusted vendor. We could maybe find you some more options if you like, but the GOG diamond is definitely a winner!
 

Ellen

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Date: 5/19/2008 1:11:31 PM
Author:markusfromtherock
Or if it''s easier, maybe I can get your opinions on what you''d pick if you had to buy a diamond today?

Mark
I''d get this one, as long as the flo wasn''t negatively affecting it. (rare)

http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/4308/

If it did, my second choice.

http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/4383/

Both of these will appear just like the other GOG stone, as in white, and eyeclean. But they save you some cash.
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dreamer_dachsie

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Date: 5/19/2008 1:25:17 PM
Author: Ellen

Date: 5/19/2008 1:11:31 PM
Author:markusfromtherock
Or if it''s easier, maybe I can get your opinions on what you''d pick if you had to buy a diamond today?

Mark
I''d get this one, as long as the flo wasn''t negatively affecting it. (rare)

http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/4308/

If it did, my second choice.

http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/4383/

Both of these will appear just like the other GOG stone, as in white, and eyeclean. But they save you some cash.
28.gif
I really like these ones too. Going for "G" lets you have BOTH quality and quantity. A "G" color diamond will look perfectly white, not a hint of color. And you will not be able to see any inclusions on a VS2 (though be sure to check this with the vendor).
 

markusfromtherock

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No votes cast for the ''above cut hearts n arrows'' from WhiteFlash? They add considerably to the price for stones from that category.

The 2 that I found, one is a bit above my price range And the other may be above my comfort for color and clarity.. though some say a better cut is better then a higher color and cut?


http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-584861.htm
$16,117
1.231 C
F/VVS2
A cut above


1.5 ct H SI1 A Cut Above H&A
$11,935
http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-636607.htm
 

neatfreak

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Date: 5/19/2008 5:18:41 PM
Author: markusfromtherock
No votes cast for the 'above cut hearts n arrows' from WhiteFlash? They add considerably to the price for stones from that category.


The 2 that I found, one is a bit above my price range And the other may be above my comfort for color and clarity.. though some say a better cut is better then a higher color and cut?



http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-584861.htm

$16,117

1.231 C

F/VVS2

A cut above



1.5 ct H SI1 A Cut Above H&A

$11,935

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-636607.htm


These are ACA's from WF, but the one you listed above wasn't necessarily. That is why no one voted for it.

Here we will always vote for better cut everytime, it is worth it!!
 

Ellen

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Date: 5/19/2008 5:18:41 PM
Author: markusfromtherock
No votes cast for the ''above cut hearts n arrows'' from WhiteFlash? They add considerably to the price for stones from that category.
If you mean the WF stone in your first post, that''s not a H&A cut. And there''s not enough info to comment one way or the other.

Of these last two, I simply wouldn''t consider the first one myself, the clarity is overkill. I like the second one, and it would be just fine, if eyeclean.
 

diamondseeker2006

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The 1.5 H SI stone would be nice as long as it is totally eye-clean. I''d ask if it is eye-clean from the side as well. The two G VS stones from Good Old Gold are beautiful, too.

If you go with the WF stone, then get the setting you chose. If you go with a Good Old Gold stone, I''d suggest getting a Vatche setting from them instead. They are beautifully made and come in similar styles.
 

markusfromtherock

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Ugh, on Whiteflash, I never saw the inbetween grade for cut, "Expert Selection" So either the cut above was too expensive, or the ''regular'' stones I was searching through scored poorly on the cut advisor/didnt have the certs to go with them. Now it all makes sense :)

An in between grade may make this easier! The selection of the expert cut doesn''t leave too many to chose from, but I did find these. Thoughts?

#1 1.5ct, F, VS2 $13,848
https://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/Diamond_Details.aspx?idno=680229

#2 1.52ct E, SI1 $9,797
https://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/Diamond_Details.aspx?idno=58529

They both score a 1.9 on the cut advisor. So $4,000 in savings for something I may never see? ie the lower grade in clarity?

#3 1.23ct, G, VVS1 $11,536
https://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-680207.htm

Scored a 1 on cut advisor
 

Lorelei

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Markus, just a heads up, the HCA isn't used for selecting diamonds, basically it works in this way - diamonds which score 2 and under are usually considered worthy of further evaluation by Idealscope and other methods, a lower score isn't better than a higher one. In some cases also diamonds which score over 2 can be worth considering too if more detailed info on the diamond's cut is available.

Regarding the last diamond you posted, here is the info from WF on how they usually use the star scoring. Personally I would look for a diamond with less depth than that one.

http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds_info/t/all_about.aspx?articleid=349&zoneid=21
 

Imdanny

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[threadjack] Lorelei, you are so helpful! I appreciate that about you.
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Lorelei

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Date: 5/20/2008 4:52:52 AM
Author: Imdanny
[threadjack] Lorelei, you are so helpful! I appreciate that about you.
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Oh gosh - thanks so much Danny, I do try!!
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arjunajane

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then I started reading about the cut above hearts and arrows, and saw that to get this "superb" cut I''d have to downgrade in clarity and color, and started questioning what would be more important.. a higher clarity/color or a higher graded cut (if in fact that''s what I''m paying for)


nope, most people here will advise you to go with the best cut first, then evaluate colour, clarity and of course cost in the order it appeals to you after that..
considering the options above, I second the other gal''s advice of going for G/H si1 - my personal "sweet spot" and imho represents the best value..
good luck in your search!
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Ellen

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Of all the WF stones you''ve posted, the 1.5 H SI1 is still by far the best looking.
 
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