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ť $2100 diamond budget - need help choosing the stone!

$2100 diamond budget - need help choosing the stone!

P: 1/27/2009 10:56:49 PM
Blingy in the Rockies Rough Rock Total Posts: 35 Last Post: 4/5/2009 Member Since: 1/27/2009	Hello Everyone: The boy and I have spent a lot of time looking at stones, settings, and lurking on this site. You have all been super helpful! And now we're finally emerging from the shadows to ask for more direct help. We've chosen a setting - we're in LOVE with the Petite Open Cathedral Setting from Whiteflash We've looked at stones and we'd both like as close to an F as possible (so anywhere between an F-H), at least a VS2, ideal cut, and a min. of half a carat. Now here's the part you all want to know - we have a budget of $2100 for the stone itself. Here are the two stones we're looking at right now: http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-18976.htm# http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/Whiteflash-ACA-cut-diamond-636678.htm# The first one is an expert selection and about a .56, F, VS1. The second one is an ACA diamond and about .51, H, VVS2. Opinions? The expert cut is more expensive but it has a slightly bigger stone. Is it better to go with the somewhat cheaper but smaller ACA diamond? What about the difference between color and clarity? Any advice is much appreciated!
Posted: 1/27/2009 10:56:49 PM

There are 17 replies to this message. There are 17 replies on this page.

P: 1/27/2009 11:13:58 PM
swingirl Ideal Rock Total Posts: 3,291 Last Post: 11/24/2009 Member Since: 4/6/2006	Those are both beautiful stones. Either would be a nice choice. You might want to check this one out. If you can live with an H and VS1 you could save a few bucks and this one is a tiny bit larger in the dimensions. http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/Whiteflash-ACA-cut-diamond-1848236.htm# Here is another lovely. http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4353/
Posted: 1/27/2009 11:13:58 PM

P: 1/28/2009 12:27:13 AM
Blingy in the Rockies Rough Rock Total Posts: 35 Last Post: 4/5/2009 Member Since: 1/27/2009	Gracias for the reply swingirl! Ummm . . . do you think the difference between an F and an H will be that noticeable? And clearly I haven't been around here long enough - what do you mean by the fact that it's a tiny bit larger in the dimensions? Will there be a significant difference in the fire I'll get from any of these stones? And for the record - Julie from WF recommended the 0.556 stone!
Posted: 1/28/2009 12:27:13 AM

P: 1/28/2009 12:39:31 AM
:) Ideal Rock Total Posts: 1,864 Last Post: 6/1/2009 Member Since: 7/25/2006	Date: 1/28/2009 12:27:13 AM Author: Blingy in the Rockies Gracias for the reply swingirl! Ummm . . . do you think the difference between an F and an H will be that noticeable? And clearly I haven't been around here long enough - what do you mean by the fact that it's a tiny bit larger in the dimensions? Will there be a significant difference in the fire I'll get from any of these stones? And for the record - Julie from WF recommended the 0.556 stone! Probably not in the particular size you are looking at. Have you looked at GIA and AGS graded stones in person to see what your color tolerances are? I would look at GIA and AGS graded stones for reproducibility/reliability sake. I like the WF one that swingirl posted for overall value and size. Since you want the WF setting, I would stick with WF stones and not include the GOG one in the mix.
Posted: 1/28/2009 12:39:31 AM

P: 1/28/2009 12:46:24 AM
blastdoor Cut Rock Total Posts: 159 Last Post: 3/4/2009 Member Since: 12/30/2008	Since you've already decided on a Whiteflash setting then I would say go for a Whiteflash stone as well, and you will have a good peace of mind... All three Whiteflashes are beautiful stones with HCA scores < 2... Personally I would go for the 0.508 Carat H VVS2 ACA H&A even though it is physically the smallest.. but unless you can pick out the difference of 0.1mm by your naked eyes I wouldn't worry about that too much... But if you have some really good use for the extra $250 odd... then go for the 0.551 Carat H VS1 ACA H&A, it is slightly bigger (refer to above for definition of "bigger"), but 1 grade down in clarity and scores higher on the HCA (lower is better).. all in all shouldn't be too drastically different... Anyway like i said, they're all beautiful and I don't think you will go wrong picking any one of them... All the best to you and "the boy"...
Posted: 1/28/2009 12:46:24 AM

P: 1/28/2009 12:53:21 AM
Blingy in the Rockies Rough Rock Total Posts: 35 Last Post: 4/5/2009 Member Since: 1/27/2009	Ummmm decisions decisions! I've seen stones of that size in an I in store and as long as they were ideal cut I actually didn't notice any color. And yeah I'm all about better value - especially since we're Canadian so the price difference becomes more significant after you convert the currency and pay taxes as well as duties on the ring. I will save the diamond on my wish list and email Julie. I'm hoping she'll be able to take a look at both and give me an honest opinion on the two stones. Oooo I think I'm really leaning towards the stone swingirl recommended! Yaaaaayy!!!
Posted: 1/28/2009 12:53:21 AM

P: 1/28/2009 2:58:55 AM
Lorelei Ideal Rock Total Posts: 34,254 Last Post: 11/24/2009 Member Since: 4/30/2005	Date: 1/28/2009 12:53:21 AM Author: Blingy in the Rockies Ummmm decisions decisions! I've seen stones of that size in an I in store and as long as they were ideal cut I actually didn't notice any color. And yeah I'm all about better value - especially since we're Canadian so the price difference becomes more significant after you convert the currency and pay taxes as well as duties on the ring. I will save the diamond on my wish list and email Julie. I'm hoping she'll be able to take a look at both and give me an honest opinion on the two stones. Oooo I think I'm really leaning towards the stone swingirl recommended! Yaaaaayy!!! Swing is a diamond finding pro, she found you some excellent rocks! 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 2:58:55 AM

P: 1/28/2009 4:42:21 AM
swingirl Ideal Rock Total Posts: 3,291 Last Post: 11/24/2009 Member Since: 4/6/2006	Awww thanks, Lorelei. Blingy, you can't go wrong with an ACA and WF will give you their honest opinion but I am guessing they all are going to be nice. By dimensions I meant width x length. (I like bigger for less money!)
Posted: 1/28/2009 4:42:21 AM

P: 1/28/2009 5:15:03 AM
Lorelei Ideal Rock Total Posts: 34,254 Last Post: 11/24/2009 Member Since: 4/30/2005	Date: 1/28/2009 4:42:21 AM Author: swingirl Awww thanks, Lorelei. Blingy, you can't go wrong with an ACA and WF will give you their honest opinion but I am guessing they all are going to be nice. By dimensions I meant width x length. (I like bigger for less money!) Most welcome sweets, you are an asset to RT!!! 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 5:15:03 AM

P: 2/3/2009 1:00:12 AM
Blingy in the Rockies Rough Rock Total Posts: 35 Last Post: 4/5/2009 Member Since: 1/27/2009	So we're close to buying . . . and I think I've found another rock that I love. What do you guys think of this one vis-a-vis the ones we have already discussed: http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/Diamond_Details.aspx?idno=1148620#
Posted: 2/3/2009 1:00:12 AM

P: 2/3/2009 1:04:15 AM
:) Ideal Rock Total Posts: 1,864 Last Post: 6/1/2009 Member Since: 7/25/2006	It is beautiful - if you love it, go for it!
Posted: 2/3/2009 1:04:15 AM

P: 2/3/2009 4:27:50 AM
swingirl Ideal Rock Total Posts: 3,291 Last Post: 11/24/2009 Member Since: 4/6/2006	Date: 2/3/2009 1:00:12 AM Author: Blingy in the Rockies So we're close to buying . . . and I think I've found another rock that I love. What do you guys think of this one vis-a-vis the ones we have already discussed: http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/Diamond_Details.aspx?idno=1148620# That one is smaller and more expensive than the one I suggested. But it's lovely, too.
Posted: 2/3/2009 4:27:50 AM

P: 2/3/2009 4:36:20 AM
Lorelei Ideal Rock Total Posts: 34,254 Last Post: 11/24/2009 Member Since: 4/30/2005	Date: 2/3/2009 4:27:50 AM Author: swingirl Date: 2/3/2009 1:00:12 AM Author: Blingy in the Rockies So we're close to buying . . . and I think I've found another rock that I love. What do you guys think of this one vis-a-vis the ones we have already discussed: http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/Diamond_Details.aspx?idno=1148620# That one is smaller and more expensive than the one I suggested. But it's lovely, too. Ditto and thritto. 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: 2/3/2009 4:36:20 AM

P: 2/3/2009 9:45:42 AM
Blingy in the Rockies Rough Rock Total Posts: 35 Last Post: 4/5/2009 Member Since: 1/27/2009	That one is smaller and more expensive than the one I suggested. But it's lovely, too. I plugged the numbers into the HCA and it scored significantly lower. I was basing my stone choice on this. Wrong approach?
Posted: 2/3/2009 9:45:42 AM

P: 2/3/2009 10:04:42 AM
Lorelei Ideal Rock Total Posts: 34,254 Last Post: 11/24/2009 Member Since: 4/30/2005	Date: 2/3/2009 9:45:42 AM Author: Blingy in the Rockies That one is smaller and more expensive than the one I suggested. But it's lovely, too. I plugged the numbers into the HCA and it scored significantly lower. I was basing my stone choice on this. Wrong approach? The HCA isn't used for selection but for rejection, so a lower score isn't better than a higher one. The aim is to see which diamonds score below 2, then these are considered a ' pass pending further evaluation' and this is done with Idealscope images and other methods. But if you are dealing with top cut diamonds where you have all the info and images anyway then the use of the HCA is limited. 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: 2/3/2009 10:04:42 AM

P: 2/3/2009 11:52:00 AM
swingirl Ideal Rock Total Posts: 3,291 Last Post: 11/24/2009 Member Since: 4/6/2006	You won't find a bad ACA, just different specs. The bad ones have been weeded out and don't get the ACA branding label.
Posted: 2/3/2009 11:52:00 AM

P: 2/3/2009 1:54:06 PM
Kelli Ideal Rock Total Posts: 4,581 Last Post: 11/23/2009 Member Since: 5/27/2008	Any ACA will have tip top performance, and anything under 2 is considered equally great on the HCA. If it were me, I'd go for the biggest of the stones. You won't see a difference between VS2 and VVS1 or even IF with the naked eye, so why pay for it? You also won't really see any color in a ideal cut H of that size, but you probably will be able to see a SIZE difference, so that's what I'd go for. You certainly can't go wrong with any of these stones though!
Posted: 2/3/2009 1:54:06 PM

P: 2/3/2009 3:16:41 PM
Blingy in the Rockies Rough Rock Total Posts: 35 Last Post: 4/5/2009 Member Since: 1/27/2009	You'll be happy to know that we're going with swingirl's center stone. Wohoo!!! Muchisimas gracias for finding it swingirl!! Now I have to go get my finger properly measured. Can you believe this will be my first ring EVER!?!? I don't have a single one!!! Then we'll buy from Whiteflash (probably tomorrow). Hopefully there won't be any delays 'cause it turns out the petite cathedral setting has been discontinued or something to that effect. Ooooo soooo excited!
Posted: 2/3/2009 3:16:41 PM

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