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Help, Best Value Combination?

P: 4/21/2009 5:07:59 PM
mem4444 Rough Rock Total Posts: 6 Last Post: 4/23/2009 Member Since: 4/21/2009	I am new to the diamond scene, and I have been browsing this forum for a while and it has been an excellent source of information, so thanks! I am ready to get an engagement ring, but wanted to hear your take on a few things. I have decided that cut is the most important so am planning on getting the best cut (probably via whiteflash). I also think that ~90 points is the most appropriate for my price range ~$5,500. I am unsure of color. I have looked at some diamonds and can sometimes notice the difference in color, but to be honest it is tough for me to really see (I have mainly been comparing E, F and Gs). I think the combination of a top notch cut (whiteflash ACA, bluenile signature cut, etc.), G color and VS1/SI1 is the best value combination, but am really interested to see if any of you have any suggestions. Any thoughts?
Posted: 4/21/2009 5:07:59 PM

There are 12 replies to this message. There are 12 replies on this page.

P: 4/21/2009 5:38:44 PM
Stone-cold11 Ideal Rock Total Posts: 6,885 Last Post: 11/23/2009 Member Since: 9/9/2008	Date: 4/21/2009 5:07:59 PM Author:mem4444 I am unsure of color. I have looked at some diamonds and can sometimes notice the difference in color, but to be honest it is tough for me to really see (I have mainly been comparing E, F and Gs). I think the combination of a top notch cut (whiteflash ACA, bluenile signature cut, etc.), G color and VS1/SI1 is the best value combination, but am really interested to see if any of you have any suggestions. Some thoughts on your color. Are the stones you looked at all graded by GIA/AGS? Other labs are generally considered looser on the color and clarity grading. This could account for you sometimes being able to see the difference. Another thing is cut, an ideal cut stone is less likely to show it's body color than a lesser cut. Look at this video comparing colors with all ideal cuts. http://vimeo.com/3288695 I would considering going down to H at least.
Posted: 4/21/2009 5:38:44 PM

P: 4/21/2009 5:49:39 PM
mem4444 Rough Rock Total Posts: 6 Last Post: 4/23/2009 Member Since: 4/21/2009	Thanks. All the stones I've looked at have been either GIA or AGS certified. I guess my thought was just to go for quality over size especially with the cut, but I am not really sure about the size vs color/clarity trade off.
Posted: 4/21/2009 5:49:39 PM

P: 4/21/2009 5:55:04 PM
DiamondFlame Ideal Rock Total Posts: 645 Last Post: 9/3/2009 Member Since: 2/7/2009	It depends on your choice of cut.. RB/EC/Princess/Radiant/Cushion? Clarity-wise I'd go for eyeclean SI from reputable vendors, or VS if I'm playing it safer or if I'm picking an EC since they don't hide flaws as well as brilliant cuts. Generally, you can go lower on both color and clarity to maximise carat. Or go lower on clarity and higher in color though the trade off isn't exactly 1:1. If you're getting it for yourself, color could be a matter of preference. If you're getting it for your GF, do you know if she's ok with the warmer ivory white colors like I,J,K? If you have little info, G/VS is not the best but certainly a very safe choice for most. -Dmitri-
Posted: 4/21/2009 5:55:04 PM

P: 4/21/2009 6:00:31 PM
mem4444 Rough Rock Total Posts: 6 Last Post: 4/23/2009 Member Since: 4/21/2009	Thanks, I'm looking at round diamonds.
Posted: 4/21/2009 6:00:31 PM

P: 4/21/2009 6:11:40 PM
DiamondFlame Ideal Rock Total Posts: 645 Last Post: 9/3/2009 Member Since: 2/7/2009	I suppose you might have considered these from WF? http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/Whiteflash-ACA-cut-diamond-1982387.htm# http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/Whiteflash-ACA-cut-diamond-1982389.htm# http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/Whiteflash-ACA-cut-diamond-1982387.htm# -Dmitri-
Posted: 4/21/2009 6:11:40 PM

P: 4/22/2009 4:48:47 AM
Lorelei Ideal Rock Total Posts: 34,228 Last Post: 11/23/2009 Member Since: 4/30/2005	Date: 4/21/2009 5:07:59 PM Author:mem4444 I am new to the diamond scene, and I have been browsing this forum for a while and it has been an excellent source of information, so thanks! I am ready to get an engagement ring, but wanted to hear your take on a few things. I have decided that cut is the most important so am planning on getting the best cut (probably via whiteflash). I also think that ~90 points is the most appropriate for my price range ~$5,500. I am unsure of color. I have looked at some diamonds and can sometimes notice the difference in color, but to be honest it is tough for me to really see (I have mainly been comparing E, F and Gs). I think the combination of a top notch cut (whiteflash ACA, bluenile signature cut, etc.), G color and VS1/SI1 is the best value combination, but am really interested to see if any of you have any suggestions. Any thoughts? If you are unsure check out some Peerless AGS0 from Jareds if there is one closeby or Hearts on Fire if there is a dealer near you. That way you will be comparing diamonds of known cut quality and grading to get a good idea of your colour preferences. 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: 4/22/2009 4:48:47 AM

P: 4/22/2009 7:26:22 AM
Ellen Ideal Rock Total Posts: 22,894 Last Post: 11/6/2009 Member Since: 1/13/2006	I think G-H, VS2-SI1 is a very nice, safe range. (assuming the latter is eyeclean) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "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: 4/22/2009 7:26:22 AM

P: 4/23/2009 3:45:21 PM
mem4444 Rough Rock Total Posts: 6 Last Post: 4/23/2009 Member Since: 4/21/2009	Thanks. Great idea to go and look at some hearts on fire to compare colors, though all the hearts on fire looked pretty good to me! I was originally thinking a tiffany setting either 18k white gold or platinum (probably 6 prong) was what I was going to go with. But I am starting to think that something around 1 carat looks a little better with a setting that has the very small tapered diamonds around the ring (not sure what the technical name is!). Is the setting purely style and preference, or is a 1 carat stone considered too small for something around 90-100 points?
Posted: 4/23/2009 3:45:21 PM

P: 4/23/2009 4:21:54 PM
kcoursolle Ideal Rock Total Posts: 10,344 Last Post: 10/14/2009 Member Since: 1/21/2006	My personal sweet spot is H/SI. It is still very safely white and many SI stones are perfectly eye clean.
Posted: 4/23/2009 4:21:54 PM

P: 4/23/2009 4:40:11 PM
Lorelei Ideal Rock Total Posts: 34,228 Last Post: 11/23/2009 Member Since: 4/30/2005	Date: 4/23/2009 3:45:21 PM Author: mem4444 Thanks. Great idea to go and look at some hearts on fire to compare colors, though all the hearts on fire looked pretty good to me! I was originally thinking a tiffany setting either 18k white gold or platinum (probably 6 prong) was what I was going to go with. But I am starting to think that something around 1 carat looks a little better with a setting that has the very small tapered diamonds around the ring (not sure what the technical name is!). Is the setting purely style and preference, or is a 1 carat stone considered too small for something around 90-100 points? Do you mean baguettes? Two rectangular - ish shaped diamonds which sit either side of the centre diamond? 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: 4/23/2009 4:40:11 PM

P: 4/23/2009 4:40:59 PM
mem4444 Rough Rock Total Posts: 6 Last Post: 4/23/2009 Member Since: 4/21/2009	Thanks! I'm trying to compare a few stones at Whiteflash. 1) ACA .922 ct, H, VS2. http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/Whiteflash-ACA-cut-diamond-1982359.htm 2) ACA, .898 ct, G, SI2 http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/Whiteflash-ACA-cut-diamond-1982387.htm# 3) Expert, 1.08 ct, H, SI2. http://www.whiteflash.com/round/Round-cut-diamond-2105158.htm# I've attached the ideal scope for the expert. Is the expert a cut that is close to the ACA in quality? I know both are solid cuts just am trying to wrap my head around the difference between ACA vs expert.
Posted: 4/23/2009 4:40:59 PM

P: 4/23/2009 4:44:34 PM
mem4444 Rough Rock Total Posts: 6 Last Post: 4/23/2009 Member Since: 4/21/2009	I didn't mean baguettes. I just want a solitaire stone, but I meant something like this http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Diamond-Settings/-Petite-Open-Cathedral--Engagement-Ring_1211.htm or http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Diamond-Settings/Tapered-Diamond-Engagement-Ring_1271.htm not sure what the proper name is!
Posted: 4/23/2009 4:44:34 PM

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