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 » RockyTalky
»  » Help with Diamond Purchase
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Help with Diamond Purchase |
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| P: 8/24/2004 12:03:59 PM | |
LadyBird Rough Rock Total Posts: 17 Last Post: 9/9/2004 Member Since: 8/24/2004 |
I am in the process of choosing my engagement ring. I had my heart set on a tiffany six prong setting, I found a good replica online at subcert.com, plat. $975. Now I'm in the center stone phase, I would like a 1.50 ct center stone, but I fear it may be more than my fiance can afford. Are there any tricks to getting a nice stone and keeping the costs down? I would also like to mention this forum has been fantastic in helping me norrow down my choices and find the setting I wanted.
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| Posted: 8/24/2004 12:03:59 PM | |
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There are 28 replies to this message. There are 28 replies on this page. |
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| P: 8/24/2004 12:38:17 PM | |
quaeritur Ideal Rock Total Posts: 1,238 Last Post: 2/3/2005 Member Since: 3/12/2004 |
Hi LadyBird, and welcome! What are your priorities? Assuming you care about cut (since you've spent time on PS  ), and given what you'd like for size, do you care most about color or clarity next?You can get some fantastic deals on a combo of lower color and clarity stones. SuperbCert has been carrying some truly amazing I1 stones lately. I'd suggest talking to Barry about that option. Others here have had great luck with SI2s that are eye clean as well. On color, a truly superior cut will help the stone face up whiter, so you can go down for that too and save some serious money. Maybe see what's available in something like H-J and SI1-I1 in that size? quaeritur |
| Posted: 8/24/2004 12:38:17 PM | |
| P: 8/24/2004 12:53:18 PM | |
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LadyBird Rough Rock Total Posts: 17 Last Post: 9/9/2004 Member Since: 8/24/2004 |
Thank you for the warm welcome! I always thought Clarity was more important but.......after what I've learned here it seems Cut is paramount. So, Cut and Color but I would like the stone to be eye clean.
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| Posted: 8/24/2004 12:53:18 PM | |
| P: 8/24/2004 1:10:01 PM | |
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quaeritur Ideal Rock Total Posts: 1,238 Last Post: 2/3/2005 Member Since: 3/12/2004 |
How about this? Or (drool) this one?
quaeritur |
| Posted: 8/24/2004 1:10:01 PM | |
| P: 8/24/2004 1:19:55 PM | |
noobie Ideal Rock Total Posts: 1,318 Last Post: 9/21/2007 Member Since: 3/3/2004 |
----------------yes, drool, you have a good eye, Q
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| Posted: 8/24/2004 1:19:55 PM | |
| P: 8/24/2004 1:29:51 PM | |
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LadyBird Rough Rock Total Posts: 17 Last Post: 9/9/2004 Member Since: 8/24/2004 |
Oh that's nice! (openly salivating)Dirt Cheap seems like a good site to start with. I was just wondering what the difference was between SI1,2 and 3? Is there such a thing as SI3? And I may sacrifice some size if the stone is well cut, I was blessed with my Mom's small hands (Size 4) 1.50 might look a bit gawdy. (if that's possible, LOL)
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| Posted: 8/24/2004 1:29:51 PM | |
| P: 8/24/2004 1:30:05 PM | |
Lions, Tigers & Bears Ideal Rock Total Posts: 4,107 Last Post: 9/12/2005 Member Since: 10/18/2003 |
I concur with q's reco. If size is a primary concern with price, it's well worth it to look for clean SI1-2s--and even I1s as some here have really lucked out. G/H/I are good color choices. Above all, a good cut will allow you to go a bit "lower' in color and clarity, esp in an RB. Good luck! _____________________________________________ Don't breed or buy when homeless pets continue to die. |
| Posted: 8/24/2004 1:30:05 PM | |
| P: 8/24/2004 1:48:02 PM | |
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quaeritur Ideal Rock Total Posts: 1,238 Last Post: 2/3/2005 Member Since: 3/12/2004 |
I'm by no means an expert, but my understanding is that SI3 is an EGL grade. Different grading lab. The "issue" with clarity is that it's somewhat subjective, and that people have different ideas of what "eye-clean" is. When shopping at SI1 and below, I recommend letting the vendor know what YOU consider to fall within acceptable "eye-clean" parameters, that way they can look at the stone and tell you if it will fall in the range you want. Important distinctions are whether you only want it eye-clean from the top (works fine in a bezel setting) or if you really want it clean from all sides. Also, whether you mean eye-clean at a normal 12" viewing distance, or with your eyeball glued to the stone. As long as your vendor understands what you want, they should be able to help you find the right stone. Wow, with a size 4 you can definitely drop in size and still have it look huge! Lucky girl!!!  quaeritur |
| Posted: 8/24/2004 1:48:02 PM | |
| P: 8/24/2004 2:12:28 PM | |
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LadyBird Rough Rock Total Posts: 17 Last Post: 9/9/2004 Member Since: 8/24/2004 |
OK, I will definately consider that. It's alittle confusing because for me "eye clean" is up close you can't see anything. I see why they say it's all relative. Anyway I picked an alertnate setting for a smaller stone, I hope I attached it correctly.
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| Posted: 8/24/2004 2:12:28 PM | |
| P: 8/24/2004 2:48:32 PM | |
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quaeritur Ideal Rock Total Posts: 1,238 Last Post: 2/3/2005 Member Since: 3/12/2004 |
Here- try this link http://www.faycullen.com/ring_settings/500/152m3d.html That's a very pretty setting. Not that I know anything about older cuts, but that particular style would probably look gorgeous with an Old European Cut too... quaeritur |
| Posted: 8/24/2004 2:48:32 PM | |
| P: 8/24/2004 2:50:32 PM | |
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quaeritur Ideal Rock Total Posts: 1,238 Last Post: 2/3/2005 Member Since: 3/12/2004 |
Oops, never mind you got it!
quaeritur |
| Posted: 8/24/2004 2:50:32 PM | |
| P: 8/24/2004 2:57:21 PM | |
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LadyBird Rough Rock Total Posts: 17 Last Post: 9/9/2004 Member Since: 8/24/2004 |
Actually the setting is new! Most of my rings are antique I thought this would work well with my other jewelry. Or the Solitiare Tiffany because it works with everything (replica). I am against inflated prices. lol
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| Posted: 8/24/2004 2:57:21 PM | |
| P: 8/24/2004 3:02:12 PM | |
aargh Rough Rock Total Posts: 5 Last Post: 8/24/2004 Member Since: 8/8/2004 |
Hi, If you're looking to reduce your cost a bit, and can live with an I color, and an HCA of 2, check out this one from Whiteflash's "expert selection". 1.52 VS2 I
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| Posted: 8/24/2004 3:02:12 PM | |
| P: 8/24/2004 3:07:56 PM | |
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quaeritur Ideal Rock Total Posts: 1,238 Last Post: 2/3/2005 Member Since: 3/12/2004 |
Oh, I didn't mean to imply it wasn't a new setting. I was just referring to the style, and that it could look cool with an old style cut as well
quaeritur |
| Posted: 8/24/2004 3:07:56 PM | |
| P: 8/24/2004 3:08:54 PM | |
valeria101 Ideal Rock Total Posts: 14,048 Last Post: 4/30/2006 Member Since: 8/29/2003 |
---------------- The only one I know of and hasn't been mentioned is "stay below that 1.5" number. I bet 1.4 cts would be look just as nice, and, given different cut proportions, it could be exactly as big down to a fraction of a milimeter. Now always, but most of the time there is some price jump over whole half carat marks... H/I-SI1 and ideal cut seems a good combination. However, it is important to know what exactly the inclusions look like in such a stone. Sometimes the more attractively priced SIs are so because their inclusions are particularly visible - just in theory, of course. The inclusion plots and magnified pictures of diamonds help allot to tell exactly what is that SI grade all about in each case. The Tiffany-like setting you saw is available at most sellers and I woudl not worry about not being able to get it before asking the seller if they can get it for you even if not listed. Between the two stones mentioned on this thread, I would rather bet that the G-Si2 is "eye clean", but both stones have some inclusions under the table and they show in the pictures. it is anybody's guess if and how will these look like in person  Ana "The greatest experts are only as good as the sum total of what they have seen." [Souren Melikian] |
| Posted: 8/24/2004 3:08:54 PM | |
| P: 8/24/2004 3:18:23 PM | |
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LadyBird Rough Rock Total Posts: 17 Last Post: 9/9/2004 Member Since: 8/24/2004 |
Oh no worries I like older jewelry alot!! But the older cuts I'm not to crazy about. They just don't sparkle they way new cuts do. This way I've got the best of both worlds. I would like to thank everyone for their input. I am planning a visit to the diamond district after work today and that should give me a better idea regardind size. And it gives me an opportunity to do some cost comparisons with everything I learned today.
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| Posted: 8/24/2004 3:18:23 PM | |
| P: 8/24/2004 3:20:14 PM | |
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valeria101 Ideal Rock Total Posts: 14,048 Last Post: 4/30/2006 Member Since: 8/29/2003 |
Usually, these pictures are harsher than the eye. The Iscope picture was not even intended to show clarity... but there is no alternative listed at this time.  Ana "The greatest experts are only as good as the sum total of what they have seen." [Souren Melikian] |
| Posted: 8/24/2004 3:20:14 PM | |
| P: 8/24/2004 3:21:50 PM | |
jesrush Rough Rock Total Posts: 88 Last Post: 11/16/2004 Member Since: 7/25/2004 |
Ladybird, All the advice is good--go way down in clarity, slightly down in color, and buy on the margin in carat. Clarity is *incredibly* overrated--who cares about something that can't be seen with the naked eye? So focus on SI1, SI2, I1. The majority of SI's I've seen are definitely eye clean and you can find I1's that are eye clean as well. Color is more personal preference. Purists usually can't tell "G" color stones from E\F. If you're more tolerant, go H/I. Whatever it is, make sure its well cut. Carat. Like the earlier poster suggested, buy just under your target. If you want 1.5ct, buy 1.4 or 1.38, etc. You'll get a much better deal... Consider for example... http://www.jewelryzone.com/details.php3?item=1110358 http://www.dirtcheapdiamonds.com/diamond_detail.cfm?did=2462603&ref=PS622 -J
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| Posted: 8/24/2004 3:21:50 PM | |
| P: 8/24/2004 3:29:28 PM | |
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valeria101 Ideal Rock Total Posts: 14,048 Last Post: 4/30/2006 Member Since: 8/29/2003 |
On the other hand, there is not much showing on the picture and plot of this J Si1 (LINK) and most inclusions reside under the upper girdle facets (=under future prong) on this G-SI1 aside a small feather that shows perpendicular to the table. Just one more 0.2 hint, of course. Hope it helps
Ana "The greatest experts are only as good as the sum total of what they have seen." [Souren Melikian] |
| Posted: 8/24/2004 3:29:28 PM | |
| P: 8/24/2004 3:29:56 PM | |
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LadyBird Rough Rock Total Posts: 17 Last Post: 9/9/2004 Member Since: 8/24/2004 |
I am a bit leary of buying an SI stone sight unseen. And I have noticed the price jump from .90 to 1.00 and the slight difference in size between a 1.25 and a 1.50. You make an excellent point. Thank You! But the Tiffany setting has been really hard to find. There have been Tiffany like settings but the prongs have been to high or to thick. The one from SuperbCert seems most like the actual Tiffany setting. Do you really think I can find it in a Jewelery store?
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| Posted: 8/24/2004 3:29:56 PM | |
| P: 8/24/2004 3:35:53 PM | |
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valeria101 Ideal Rock Total Posts: 14,048 Last Post: 4/30/2006 Member Since: 8/29/2003 |
You may have noticed that I usually don't stop fast after posting onece... So here go a coupe more. For once, I could not believe that this I VS2 (LINK) is not among the branded H&A at Whiteflash! The Ideal Scope fingerprint looks perfect.  Ana "The greatest experts are only as good as the sum total of what they have seen." [Souren Melikian] |
| Posted: 8/24/2004 3:35:53 PM | |
| P: 8/24/2004 3:41:20 PM | |
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quaeritur Ideal Rock Total Posts: 1,238 Last Post: 2/3/2005 Member Since: 3/12/2004 |
That's a fantastic IS image... I'm sure that stone didn't make ACA standards because of the "good" polish though.
quaeritur |
| Posted: 8/24/2004 3:41:20 PM | |
| P: 8/24/2004 3:47:55 PM | |
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valeria101 Ideal Rock Total Posts: 14,048 Last Post: 4/30/2006 Member Since: 8/29/2003 |
I would not discard SIs altogether - just ask for a tad more detail from the seller. It may be worth it if you do find the perfect stone. Since I mentioned this alternative weight range, below are the three stones taht came up at a quick serach. There were no SI ones anyway, as you can easily check. In theory, a 1.5 carat ideal round should be about 7.4mm in diameter. Not a tremendouns difference IMO, unless two stones are looked at loose and side by side. In all honesty, the I VS above seemed like the best bet (size and price and cut inclusded) among all stones my quick search turned up. This Tiffany type setting is listed by Nice Ice (LINK), Whiteflash (LINK) aside Superb Cert, but it did happen at least once that one was shipped from one seller to another at the buyer's demand. I am not aware if it is available on a catalog or at shops. The ring listed by Whiteflash was made on order for a Pricescope poster - you may find details about it on the "Show me the ring" forum.  Ana "The greatest experts are only as good as the sum total of what they have seen." [Souren Melikian] |
| Posted: 8/24/2004 3:47:55 PM | |
| P: 8/24/2004 4:35:39 PM | |
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jesrush Rough Rock Total Posts: 88 Last Post: 11/16/2004 Member Since: 7/25/2004 |
If only I had a dollar for every consumer who thought they could tell an SI from a VS with the naked eye Ladybird try this: Visit a local B&M and ask the jeweler to show you an SI2 and a VS1--but ask that they don't identify which is which. You'll be in for a suprise when you can't tell them apart -J
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| Posted: 8/24/2004 4:35:39 PM | |
| P: 8/24/2004 4:49:41 PM | |
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LadyBird Rough Rock Total Posts: 17 Last Post: 9/9/2004 Member Since: 8/24/2004 |
OK, the day is almost over so this is what I'm looking for in general.
Color: G, H, I
Carat: 1.30 - 1.45
Cut: Ideal, Excellent, etc. etc.
Clarity: SI1- SI2 - I1 (personal preference of eye clean)
I am in the "Big Apple" and I would love to know more about SuperbCert. Thanks, Quaeritur, Veleria101, Jesrush, Aargh and Jennifer5973, This is my first foray for the stone can't wait to report my findings.
Thanks!
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| Posted: 8/24/2004 4:49:41 PM | |
| P: 8/24/2004 4:53:44 PM | |
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quaeritur Ideal Rock Total Posts: 1,238 Last Post: 2/3/2005 Member Since: 3/12/2004 |
SuperbCert is a branded H&A cut. It comes at a little bit of a premium, but the stones are beautiful. Talk to Barry or Judah there, I'm sure they'll help you find what you are looking for. What I like about SuperbCert -and also GoodOldGold, which is in the area though outside the city- is that they both provide all the info you could want on their stones. IS images, inclusion pictures, cert scans, Sarin reports, H&A pictures, BrillianceScope reports, you name it! So it's easy to check out everything they have online, then narrow down your selection to a few stones and go see them in person. I found this part of the search to be SO much fun -I hope you enjoy it too!!
quaeritur |
| Posted: 8/24/2004 4:53:44 PM | |
| P: 8/25/2004 1:54:53 PM | |
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LadyBird Rough Rock Total Posts: 17 Last Post: 9/9/2004 Member Since: 8/24/2004 |
Hello Again: I went to the diamond district yesterday, got there a bit late and folks were closing up  , but I did notice one thing. Are there price fluctuations due to cut (style)? I noticed a significant difference in cost between diamonds of the same size, clarity and color, but one was round and the other cushion. This doesn't make much sense to me.Thanks, Starting to get disgruntled 
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| Posted: 8/25/2004 1:54:53 PM | |
| P: 8/25/2004 2:19:55 PM | |
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jesrush Rough Rock Total Posts: 88 Last Post: 11/16/2004 Member Since: 7/25/2004 |
LadyBird, Stones vary dramatically in pricing because of their shape (round, princess, etc.) because certain shapes are more popular than others (higher demand=higher prices) and/or certain shapes require more time/effort/expense to cut. For example, two very nice stones I just found at superbcert: 1.62 SUPERBcert Princess VVS1 G $12,101.00 1.6 SUPERBcert Round VVS1 G $15,675.00 -J
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| Posted: 8/25/2004 2:19:55 PM | |
| P: 8/25/2004 2:27:41 PM | |
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quaeritur Ideal Rock Total Posts: 1,238 Last Post: 2/3/2005 Member Since: 3/12/2004 |
The other factor that might play into it is that a princess cut looks smaller than a round of the same size (assuming both are good cuts). I don't know how much that affects pricing, but it would affect what size stone I'd shop for in a different shape.
quaeritur |
| Posted: 8/25/2004 2:27:41 PM | |
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