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P: 1/17/2009 1:15:00 AM
kyojin Rough Rock Total Posts: 10 Last Post: 1/28/2009 Member Since: 1/17/2009	Hi! Greetings from Singapore! I'm planning to propose to my girlfriend of 4 years soon and I've been reading about engagement rings and diamonds. I've found Pricescope to be extremely valuable in my search. I'm aiming for a round, Hearts and Arrows, 0.5ct, E-G, VVS-VS2 diamond. I've found 3 which fit the profile. These are all within my (somewhat limited) budget: 0.47ct F VS1 HCA: 1.6 Price: $1530 0.5ct G VS2 HCA: 1.2 Price: $1680 0.51ct G VS1 HCA: 0.6 Price: $1610 From previous threads, I understand that it's very subjective. Unfortunately, due to my location, I'm not in the position to use the 30-day money back method to view the diamonds individually. So, I'd like to get some opinions. I'm not sure which of these I should go for: - should I go for a higher color and clarity to trade off for a G-color with slightly more weight? - GOG offers a "Megascope" report which shows the B/F/S, but JA doesn't show this. Should i ask to see something similar? What are your thoughts? Thanks for your help!
Posted: 1/17/2009 1:15:00 AM

There are 30 replies to this message. There are 30 replies on this page.

P: 1/17/2009 1:22:14 AM
swingirl Ideal Rock Total Posts: 3,289 Last Post: 11/24/2009 Member Since: 4/6/2006	They are all nice stones. I would go for larger size just to hit the "half carat" mark.
Posted: 1/17/2009 1:22:14 AM

P: 1/17/2009 1:26:03 AM
kyojin Rough Rock Total Posts: 10 Last Post: 1/28/2009 Member Since: 1/17/2009	swingirl>> that's a thought that I've been having too... I guess it'll be a huge consideration. But is a F to a G discernible?
Posted: 1/17/2009 1:26:03 AM

P: 1/17/2009 1:28:34 AM
JulieN Ideal Rock Total Posts: 7,148 Last Post: 11/23/2009 Member Since: 7/25/2005	You could trade color to I, and clarity to SI1, and still be very safe. In the case of JA, they don't take ASET pictures. But it is not a big deal here. I like the F VS1 the most, but it's the smallest, and it's F VS1 (which, if you are comfortable with G VS2, is just more expensive.)
Posted: 1/17/2009 1:28:34 AM

P: 1/17/2009 3:06:31 AM
:) Ideal Rock Total Posts: 1,864 Last Post: 6/1/2009 Member Since: 7/25/2006	$1460 0.55 G VS2 http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1193815.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131
Posted: 1/17/2009 3:06:31 AM

P: 1/17/2009 3:07:25 AM
:) Ideal Rock Total Posts: 1,864 Last Post: 6/1/2009 Member Since: 7/25/2006	Date: 1/17/2009 1:26:03 AM Author: kyojin swingirl>> that's a thought that I've been having too... I guess it'll be a huge consideration. But is a F to a G discernible? Not in that size
Posted: 1/17/2009 3:07:25 AM

P: 1/18/2009 5:12:25 AM
kyojin Rough Rock Total Posts: 10 Last Post: 1/28/2009 Member Since: 1/17/2009	Date: 1/17/2009 3:06:31 AM Author: :) $1460 0.55 G VS2 http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1193815.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131 Thanks for pointing this out. I saw it earlier, actually. But I'm a wee bit concerned about the light leak at the 11 o'clock position in the inner circle. will this give the diamond an uneven contrast? also, i'm just being picky but HCA rated the scintillation as 'only' "Very Good". no doubt it's a value for money for the size (compared to the one I listed earlier). but i'm guessing it's the performance (and clarity) that makes the 0.51-G/VS1 $150 costlier?
Posted: 1/18/2009 5:12:25 AM

P: 1/18/2009 5:22:36 AM
Lorelei Ideal Rock Total Posts: 34,250 Last Post: 11/24/2009 Member Since: 4/30/2005	Date: 1/18/2009 5:12:25 AM Author: kyojin Date: 1/17/2009 3:06:31 AM Author: :) $1460 0.55 G VS2 http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1193815.asp?b=16&amp;a=12&amp;c=77&amp;cid=131 Thanks for pointing this out. I saw it earlier, actually. But I'm a wee bit concerned about the light leak at the 11 o'clock position in the inner circle. will this give the diamond an uneven contrast? also, i'm just being picky but HCA rated the scintillation as 'only' 'Very Good'. no doubt it's a value for money for the size (compared to the one I listed earlier). but i'm guessing it's the performance (and clarity) that makes the 0.51-G/VS1 $150 costlier? Its fine and I doubt not perceptible to the human eye, check with JA if you are unsure. Nothing is more sacred as the bond between horse and rider...no other creature can ever become so emotionally close to a human as a horse. When a horse dies, the memory lives on because an enormous part of his owner's heart, soul, very existence dies also...but that can never be laid to rest, it is not meant to be... - Stephanie M Thorn
Posted: 1/18/2009 5:22:36 AM

P: 1/18/2009 5:31:33 AM
kyojin Rough Rock Total Posts: 10 Last Post: 1/28/2009 Member Since: 1/17/2009	Date: 1/17/2009 1:28:34 AM Author: JulieN You could trade color to I, and clarity to SI1, and still be very safe. In the case of JA, they don't take ASET pictures. But it is not a big deal here. I like the F VS1 the most, but it's the smallest, and it's F VS1 (which, if you are comfortable with G VS2, is just more expensive.) I'm reluctant to go below a G actually, after I saw a I-0.51/VS2 at TIffany's the other day. I could immediately see the yellowish tint. I couldn't see musth on the H, but just to be on the safe side, i'm looking for something above a G.
Posted: 1/18/2009 5:31:33 AM

P: 1/18/2009 5:33:28 AM
kyojin Rough Rock Total Posts: 10 Last Post: 1/28/2009 Member Since: 1/17/2009	Date: 1/18/2009 5:22:36 AM Author: Lorelei Date: 1/18/2009 5:12:25 AM Its fine and I doubt not perceptible to the human eye, check with JA if you are unsure. that's a good idea! it's larger and if the performance is just as good, it's certainly value for money.
Posted: 1/18/2009 5:33:28 AM

P: 1/18/2009 5:48:47 AM
Lorelei Ideal Rock Total Posts: 34,250 Last Post: 11/24/2009 Member Since: 4/30/2005	Date: 1/18/2009 5:33:28 AM Author: kyojin Date: 1/18/2009 5:22:36 AM Author: Lorelei Date: 1/18/2009 5:12:25 AM Its fine and I doubt not perceptible to the human eye, check with JA if you are unsure. that's a good idea! it's larger and if the performance is just as good, it's certainly value for money. Glad to help! JA will be able to advise no problem! Nothing is more sacred as the bond between horse and rider...no other creature can ever become so emotionally close to a human as a horse. When a horse dies, the memory lives on because an enormous part of his owner's heart, soul, very existence dies also...but that can never be laid to rest, it is not meant to be... - Stephanie M Thorn
Posted: 1/18/2009 5:48:47 AM

P: 1/18/2009 7:16:25 AM
kcoursolle Ideal Rock Total Posts: 10,344 Last Post: 10/14/2009 Member Since: 1/21/2006	Given just these stones I would definitely go for one of the 2 last ones to get a little more size. I agree with others about possibly going down a notch in color/clarity. Honestly, in this size range you can get away with the G/H SI range without a problem. A .6 stone will look a great deal larger than a .4.
Posted: 1/18/2009 7:16:25 AM

P: 1/18/2009 9:53:15 PM
kyojin Rough Rock Total Posts: 10 Last Post: 1/28/2009 Member Since: 1/17/2009	Date: 1/18/2009 7:16:25 AM Author: kcoursolle Given just these stones I would definitely go for one of the 2 last ones to get a little more size. I agree with others about possibly going down a notch in color/clarity. Honestly, in this size range you can get away with the G/H SI range without a problem. A .6 stone will look a great deal larger than a .4. But i read that SI is often a gamble... I'm just a little worried because of this. I've come across a few E/F-S1 listings and for the same price, I can get a 0.6+, but i'm just afraid that they are not eye clean like this for example: 0.62ct F-SI1 HCA: 1.1 ex-ex-ex-ex
Posted: 1/18/2009 9:53:15 PM

P: 1/19/2009 4:10:30 AM
Lorelei Ideal Rock Total Posts: 34,250 Last Post: 11/24/2009 Member Since: 4/30/2005	Date: 1/18/2009 9:53:15 PM Author: kyojin Date: 1/18/2009 7:16:25 AM Author: kcoursolle Given just these stones I would definitely go for one of the 2 last ones to get a little more size. I agree with others about possibly going down a notch in color/clarity. Honestly, in this size range you can get away with the G/H SI range without a problem. A .6 stone will look a great deal larger than a .4. But i read that SI is often a gamble... I'm just a little worried because of this. I've come across a few E/F-S1 listings and for the same price, I can get a 0.6+, but i'm just afraid that they are not eye clean like this for example: 0.62ct F-SI1 HCA: 1.1 ex-ex-ex-ex That looks like a nice diamond, the only way to tell if a diamond is eyeclean to your standards is to ask the vendor and make your expectations clear. Nothing is more sacred as the bond between horse and rider...no other creature can ever become so emotionally close to a human as a horse. When a horse dies, the memory lives on because an enormous part of his owner's heart, soul, very existence dies also...but that can never be laid to rest, it is not meant to be... - Stephanie M Thorn
Posted: 1/19/2009 4:10:30 AM

P: 1/19/2009 4:39:09 AM
Imdanny Ideal Rock Total Posts: 1,831 Last Post: 11/17/2009 Member Since: 1/22/2008	My thoughts are: there's a large premium for hitting the .5 mark, for going over G in color, and for going above the VS range in color. So I would go to Whiteflash.com under "diamonds" and plug in different values for size, clarity, and color, to see how these parameters might affect price.
Posted: 1/19/2009 4:39:09 AM

P: 1/19/2009 1:47:39 PM
kyojin Rough Rock Total Posts: 10 Last Post: 1/28/2009 Member Since: 1/17/2009	Author: Lorelei That looks like a nice diamond, the only way to tell if a diamond is eyeclean to your standards is to ask the vendor and make your expectations clear. Do you think asking for eye-clean (both face up and side) 6 inches away is reasonable? What are some of the inclusions that are big no-nos? (I'm a little confused with cloudy, crystal, etc).
Posted: 1/19/2009 1:47:39 PM

P: 1/19/2009 1:50:12 PM
JulieN Ideal Rock Total Posts: 7,148 Last Post: 11/23/2009 Member Since: 7/25/2005	It's not the type of inclusion that is a no-go. It's how severe it is. In an SI1 of a half carat... any inclusions would be pretty minor. They will tell you if it is eye-clean from 6 inches.
Posted: 1/19/2009 1:50:12 PM

P: 1/19/2009 1:52:43 PM
Lorelei Ideal Rock Total Posts: 34,250 Last Post: 11/24/2009 Member Since: 4/30/2005	Date: 1/19/2009 1:47:39 PM Author: kyojin Author: Lorelei That looks like a nice diamond, the only way to tell if a diamond is eyeclean to your standards is to ask the vendor and make your expectations clear. Do you think asking for eye-clean (both face up and side) 6 inches away is reasonable? What are some of the inclusions that are big no-nos? (I'm a little confused with cloudy, crystal, etc). Absolutely. And as Julie says, SI1 inclusions ( GIA/ AGS) in that size will be minor. Nothing is more sacred as the bond between horse and rider...no other creature can ever become so emotionally close to a human as a horse. When a horse dies, the memory lives on because an enormous part of his owner's heart, soul, very existence dies also...but that can never be laid to rest, it is not meant to be... - Stephanie M Thorn
Posted: 1/19/2009 1:52:43 PM

P: 1/19/2009 2:56:01 PM
kyojin Rough Rock Total Posts: 10 Last Post: 1/28/2009 Member Since: 1/17/2009	after some thought and speaking to my future sister-in-law and a few friends, i think i "should" be aiming for something in the colorless and VS range. it seems to be the "norm" from where i'm from. and i don't wish to disappoint! i've found this and spoken to the guys at JA about it and it seems like a good deal to me. 0.51 F-VS2 HCA: 1.3 ex-ex-ex-vg Price: $1530 i am comparing this to #3 (link here) of my first post. both are 0.51ct, and the guy at JA says both have identical performance side-by-side. my reservations is the light leak at the 11 - 2 o'clock area in the Idealscope. what do you think?
Posted: 1/19/2009 2:56:01 PM

P: 1/19/2009 3:13:31 PM
EricaR Ideal Rock Total Posts: 2,110 Last Post: 11/23/2009 Member Since: 12/4/2007	Date: 1/19/2009 2:56:01 PM Author: kyojin i've found this and spoken to the guys at JA about it and it seems like a good deal to me. 0.51 F-VS2 HCA: 1.3 ex-ex-ex-vg Price: $1530 I think that stone looks good. In a stone that small I doubt you'd see that super tiny bit of light leakage. It is an AGS Ideal with a great score on the HCA so you wouldn't have anything to worry about.
Posted: 1/19/2009 3:13:31 PM

P: 1/20/2009 11:23:17 AM
kyojin Rough Rock Total Posts: 10 Last Post: 1/28/2009 Member Since: 1/17/2009	Date: 1/19/2009 2:56:01 PM Author: kyojin 0.51 F-VS2 HCA: 1.3 ex-ex-ex-vg Price: $1530 ARGH! someone beat me to it!
Posted: 1/20/2009 11:23:17 AM

P: 1/20/2009 1:47:48 PM
musey Ideal Rock Total Posts: 11,163 Last Post: 11/23/2009 Member Since: 9/30/2006	Date: 1/20/2009 11:23:17 AM Author: kyojin Date: 1/19/2009 2:56:01 PM Author: kyojin 0.51 F-VS2 HCA: 1.3 ex-ex-ex-vg Price: $1530 ARGH! someone beat me to it! oh no! There are lots of lurkers around here... it's generally best to just post all the details with no link so no one snatches it from you!
Posted: 1/20/2009 1:47:48 PM

P: 1/20/2009 7:25:09 PM
motownmama Ideal Rock Total Posts: 1,575 Last Post: 11/24/2009 Member Since: 1/9/2008	sorry, but that just wasn't "the one." Keep going.
Posted: 1/20/2009 7:25:09 PM

P: 1/20/2009 7:32:31 PM
Stone-cold11 Ideal Rock Total Posts: 6,911 Last Post: 11/24/2009 Member Since: 9/9/2008	Date: 1/20/2009 1:47:48 PM Author: musey Date: 1/20/2009 11:23:17 AM Author: kyojin Date: 1/19/2009 2:56:01 PM Author: kyojin 0.51 F-VS2 HCA: 1.3 ex-ex-ex-vg Price: $1530 ARGH! someone beat me to it! oh no! There are lots of lurkers around here... it's generally best to just post all the details with no link so no one snatches it from you! Or just put a hold on it before asking for opinions around here.
Posted: 1/20/2009 7:32:31 PM

P: 1/21/2009 12:10:15 AM
:) Ideal Rock Total Posts: 1,864 Last Post: 6/1/2009 Member Since: 7/25/2006	$1310 - about the same diameter as the one you just missed purchasing... http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/5382/
Posted: 1/21/2009 12:10:15 AM

P: 1/28/2009 10:40:06 AM
kyojin Rough Rock Total Posts: 10 Last Post: 1/28/2009 Member Since: 1/17/2009	as luck may have it, someone beat me by 5 minutes to the 0.47ct F-VS1, again! Anyway, I chatted with Charles at GOG who happened to have sold that piece. Apparently, the other buyer was also looking at the piece suggested by Smiley. Charles is quite confident that the only reason why my earlier choice was more expensive and sold faster was because it's a VS1. He said both the 0.47 F-VS1 and 0.48 F-VS2 "would make a great pair". I'm trusting his word on this one. since I won't be able to spot a VS2 inclusion with my naked eye (especially at this size), I thought being beaten might have been a blessing in disguise. i now get a larger stone (albeit just hundredths of a point), with probably similar performance, at a nice discount. i'm thinking i can channel that savings towards the proposal itself! i'm waiting for shipment of the diamond and i'll update again once i've received it.
Posted: 1/28/2009 10:40:06 AM

P: 1/28/2009 11:31:19 AM
Lorelei Ideal Rock Total Posts: 34,250 Last Post: 11/24/2009 Member Since: 4/30/2005	Date: 1/28/2009 10:40:06 AM Author: kyojin as luck may have it, someone beat me by 5 minutes to the 0.47ct F-VS1, again! Anyway, I chatted with Charles at GOG who happened to have sold that piece. Apparently, the other buyer was also looking at the piece suggested by Smiley. Charles is quite confident that the only reason why my earlier choice was more expensive and sold faster was because it's a VS1. He said both the 0.47 F-VS1 and 0.48 F-VS2 'would make a great pair'. I'm trusting his word on this one. since I won't be able to spot a VS2 inclusion with my naked eye (especially at this size), I thought being beaten might have been a blessing in disguise. i now get a larger stone (albeit just hundredths of a point), with probably similar performance, at a nice discount. i'm thinking i can channel that savings towards the proposal itself! i'm waiting for shipment of the diamond and i'll update again once i've received it. It could well have been!!!! Keep us in the loupe ( pardon the pun....) Nothing is more sacred as the bond between horse and rider...no other creature can ever become so emotionally close to a human as a horse. When a horse dies, the memory lives on because an enormous part of his owner's heart, soul, very existence dies also...but that can never be laid to rest, it is not meant to be... - Stephanie M Thorn
Posted: 1/28/2009 11:31:19 AM

P: 1/28/2009 11:35:13 AM
Ellen Ideal Rock Total Posts: 22,894 Last Post: 11/6/2009 Member Since: 1/13/2006	Date: 1/28/2009 11:31:19 AM Author: Lorelei It could well have been!!!! Keep us in the loupe ( pardon the pun....) Oh brother. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "It is also important for the State to inculcate in its subjects an aversion to any 'conspiracy theory of history' for a search for 'conspiracies' means a search for motives and an attribution of responsibility for historical misdeeds." -Murray N. Rothbard, in The Anatomy of the State John Swinton [1829-1901] Chief Editorial Writer of the New York Times (Considered "the Dean of his Profession" by his peers), when asked to toast an 'Independent Press' in a gathering at the National Press Club, circa 1880 "There is no such thing in America as an independent press unless it is in the country towns. You know it, and I know it. There is not one of you who dare express an honest opinion. If you express it you know beforehand that it would never appear in print. I am paid... for keeping my honest opinions out of the paper I am connected with. Others of you are paid similar salaries for doing similar things.... The business of the New York journalist is to distort the truth, to lie outright, to pervert, to vilify, to fawn at the feet of Mammon, and sell his country and race for his daily bread, or for what is about the same thing, his salary. You know this, and I know it and what foolery to be toasting an 'independent press.' We are tools, and the vassals of rich men behind the scenes. We are jumping-jacks. They pull the strings and we dance. Our time, our talents, our lives, our possibilities, all are the property of other men. We are intellectual prostitutes."
Posted: 1/28/2009 11:35:13 AM

P: 1/28/2009 11:43:00 AM
Lorelei Ideal Rock Total Posts: 34,250 Last Post: 11/24/2009 Member Since: 4/30/2005	Date: 1/28/2009 11:35:13 AM Author: Ellen Date: 1/28/2009 11:31:19 AM Author: Lorelei It could well have been!!!! Keep us in the loupe ( pardon the pun....) Oh brother. * huffs on fingernails and polishes vigorously on shirt* Nothing is more sacred as the bond between horse and rider...no other creature can ever become so emotionally close to a human as a horse. When a horse dies, the memory lives on because an enormous part of his owner's heart, soul, very existence dies also...but that can never be laid to rest, it is not meant to be... - Stephanie M Thorn
Posted: 1/28/2009 11:43:00 AM

P: 1/28/2009 12:00:15 PM
Ellen Ideal Rock Total Posts: 22,894 Last Post: 11/6/2009 Member Since: 1/13/2006	Date: 1/28/2009 11:43:00 AM Author: Lorelei Date: 1/28/2009 11:35:13 AM Author: Ellen Date: 1/28/2009 11:31:19 AM Author: Lorelei It could well have been!!!! Keep us in the loupe ( pardon the pun....) Oh brother. * huffs on fingernails and polishes vigorously on shirt* ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "It is also important for the State to inculcate in its subjects an aversion to any 'conspiracy theory of history' for a search for 'conspiracies' means a search for motives and an attribution of responsibility for historical misdeeds." -Murray N. Rothbard, in The Anatomy of the State John Swinton [1829-1901] Chief Editorial Writer of the New York Times (Considered "the Dean of his Profession" by his peers), when asked to toast an 'Independent Press' in a gathering at the National Press Club, circa 1880 "There is no such thing in America as an independent press unless it is in the country towns. You know it, and I know it. There is not one of you who dare express an honest opinion. If you express it you know beforehand that it would never appear in print. I am paid... for keeping my honest opinions out of the paper I am connected with. Others of you are paid similar salaries for doing similar things.... The business of the New York journalist is to distort the truth, to lie outright, to pervert, to vilify, to fawn at the feet of Mammon, and sell his country and race for his daily bread, or for what is about the same thing, his salary. You know this, and I know it and what foolery to be toasting an 'independent press.' We are tools, and the vassals of rich men behind the scenes. We are jumping-jacks. They pull the strings and we dance. Our time, our talents, our lives, our possibilities, all are the property of other men. We are intellectual prostitutes."
Posted: 1/28/2009 12:00:15 PM

P: 1/28/2009 12:09:14 PM
Lorelei Ideal Rock Total Posts: 34,250 Last Post: 11/24/2009 Member Since: 4/30/2005	Date: 1/28/2009 12:00:15 PM Author: Ellen Date: 1/28/2009 11:43:00 AM Author: Lorelei Date: 1/28/2009 11:35:13 AM Author: Ellen Date: 1/28/2009 11:31:19 AM Author: Lorelei It could well have been!!!! Keep us in the loupe ( pardon the pun....) Oh brother. * huffs on fingernails and polishes vigorously on shirt* Nothing is more sacred as the bond between horse and rider...no other creature can ever become so emotionally close to a human as a horse. When a horse dies, the memory lives on because an enormous part of his owner's heart, soul, very existence dies also...but that can never be laid to rest, it is not meant to be... - Stephanie M Thorn
Posted: 1/28/2009 12:09:14 PM

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