Diamond Jewelry Forums

Picture Gallery

Video Gallery

|

Search |

Posted Today |

Most Active |

Help

ť Home ť

ť Diamond Prices and Grading ť

ť RockyTalky ť

ť Need Suggestions

Need Suggestions

P: 12/26/2007 5:29:06 AM
arthsia Rough Rock Total Posts: 9 Last Post: 1/5/2008 Member Since: 12/26/2007	Hello, I am new to this forum. I would like to thank everyone beforehand for any help I may receive. I am looking at spending $40k for my wife of 5 years. We have gone through a lot together and I would like to show my appreciation. I have been told that for diamonds, round stone keep their value the most. Can you guys help me with what is the best to buy at that budget? What is the best setting to get for a round? Thanks again
Posted: 12/26/2007 5:29:06 AM

There are 21 replies to this message. There are 21 replies on this page.

P: 12/26/2007 5:47:12 AM
Lorelei Ideal Rock Total Posts: 34,228 Last Post: 11/23/2009 Member Since: 4/30/2005	Welcome to Pricescope Firstly, it would be useful to know what type of size you have in mind, you may be able to get around 2.5 - 3 carats for your budget. Or do you prefer smaller with very high colour and clarity? Cut is the most important factor for a diamond's beauty, so that should be a top priority. You can go lower in colour and clarity if the cut is great, however for a larger diamond the chances increase that lower clarities may not be eyeclean or that you may notice a lower colour grade shows a little more warmth, but there are still large diamonds here in SI clarities and H or I - even J colours that are fantastically clean and white. It can be best to confine your search to GIA Excellent cut grades and AGS0 as this makes finding a lovely stone a bit easier. If you could give us an idea of what you would like for size, colour and clarity, we can work with you to help you find a superbly cut diamond your wife will love! Round diamonds are thought to hold their value the most, but diamonds in general are not a good investment. If the average person tries to resell, they can be lucky to recoup even 50% of what they originally paid. So if you are thinking of perhaps ever wanting to upgrade a diamond, it may be best to go with a company which has a lifetime upgrade policy on some of their diamonds such as Whiteflash, Good Old Gold, James Allen and some others. Here are some examples for you, bearing in mind I am not sure exactly what you are looking for yet. They are well within budget and there aren't many larger diamonds out there, but these are a start anyway if that is the type of diamond you are looking for. The first is a branded cut from Whiteflash. http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-70266.htm# http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/3133/ http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-71343.htm This one gets you over 3 cts if that is what you would like, it is a little over budget with the Pricescope discount, but I don't know how flexible your budget is. 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: 12/26/2007 5:47:12 AM

P: 12/26/2007 5:58:24 AM
arthsia Rough Rock Total Posts: 9 Last Post: 1/5/2008 Member Since: 12/26/2007	Hello, I would like to purchase something that has the best cut like you mentioned. The previous diamond that I purchase was: round brilliant 1.24ct Clarity:VS1 Color: F The discussions that I have read here, a lot of people are going to lesser quality than that. I understand that with the naked eye, people would not be able to see any flaws. However, I would like to have as high of a quality diamond for the size as possible. What is the lowest 4c's that people would accept? Thanks
Posted: 12/26/2007 5:58:24 AM

P: 12/26/2007 6:11:12 AM
Lorelei Ideal Rock Total Posts: 34,228 Last Post: 11/23/2009 Member Since: 4/30/2005	Date: 12/26/2007 5:58:24 AM Author: arthsia Hello, I would like to purchase something that has the best cut like you mentioned. The previous diamond that I purchase was: round brilliant 1.24ct Clarity:VS1 Color: F The discussions that I have read here, a lot of people are going to lesser quality than that. I understand that with the naked eye, people would not be able to see any flaws. However, I would like to have as high of a quality diamond for the size as possible. What is the lowest 4c's that people would accept? Thanks Many here have J colour and SI2 clarity as long as the cut is good to get the max bang for the buck, some wouldn't consider less than G and VS as their cut off point, it depends on your own comfort level. Also the larger you go, the chances increase with an SI clarity for example, that it may not be eyeclean, but it very much depends as SI clarities are not created equal and there are many here with perfectly clean SI , same with colour, many find an H I or J plenty white. However a nice middleground may be a G or H VS2 or an SI1 clarity. An expert vendor will be your very best resource to advise you on particular diamonds as to how they look and if eyeclean, so make good use of their eyes and knowledge. Also it may be best to stick to in house diamonds which are actually part of the vendor's inventory, that way the vendors can eyeball each diamond on request easily. Also then the cut analysis is often done on these stones such as Idealscope images etc, which make choosing much easier. So to sum up with the C's, I would look for the best cut you can get for max beauty ( doesn't have to be a branded cut) but a well crafted diamond with excellent proportions and top light return, a good colour range of E to H perhaps and VS or SI clarity, even an SI2 clarity if declared eyeclean by a trusted vendor. Lastly it isn't straightforward with not being able to see flaws with the naked eye - this can become easier too with larger stones. That is why you need a good working definition of what you expect from an eyeclean diamond, and a vendor who understands your comfort level and can help find a diamond to match it. Also eyesights can vary, so see this thread which may help you considerably also - definitions of eyeclean 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: 12/26/2007 6:11:12 AM

P: 12/26/2007 8:10:30 AM
Steel Ideal Rock Total Posts: 2,982 Last Post: 11/21/2009 Member Since: 7/8/2006	Date: 12/26/2007 5:29:06 AM Author:arthsia Hello, I am new to this forum. I would like to thank everyone beforehand for any help I may receive. I am looking at spending $40k for my wife of 5 years. We have gone through a lot together and I would like to show my appreciation. I have been told that for diamonds, round stone keep their value the most. Can you guys help me with what is the best to buy at that budget? What is the best setting to get for a round? Thanks again Lorelei knows her stuff, she has given some great advice... The highlighted part actually made me teary, thank you for appreciating your Wife. Marriage isn't easy but it is worth while. Happy holidays to you both. Re the jewellery for your lady, do some fishing. It dosn't matter if you lose some element of surprise. Are you thinking of buying her an upgraded e-ring/ new e-ring style or are you still open? At that budget I would love a giant round (medium to low colour with flour) or pear 3 stone PLUS earrings and necklace and bracelet. Your budget is healthy think what you can get for it before you set your mind on 'X'.
Posted: 12/26/2007 8:10:30 AM

P: 12/26/2007 12:48:27 PM
Regular Guy Ideal Rock Total Posts: 5,317 Last Post: 11/23/2009 Member Since: 7/7/2004	Nice thought. Diamonds are expensive...and your budget will help. Here's one from James Allen that I mght look at first... Ira (Ruffles have Ridges) Z. ____________ If you're looking for diamond shopping tips...this (along with this update) might do the trick! however...caution: known to have been regarded as armed and dangerous
Posted: 12/26/2007 12:48:27 PM

P: 12/26/2007 8:04:16 PM
diamondseeker2006 Ideal Rock Total Posts: 17,609 Last Post: 11/18/2009 Member Since: 1/11/2006	With that kind of budget, I don't really see any reason to go below G VS2. Here are some of my top choices in that price range: http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/3089/ 2.04 E VS2 http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-70075.htm# 2.0 G VS1 (under budget, but nice) WhiteFlash gets new stones in every few weeks, so you might tell them what you're looking for in case they should get some in. If my husband gave me that kind of budget, I'd probably go for a D, E, or F color and VS1 or VS2 clarity in the 2 carat range. However, I do have G-H ideal cut stones, and they are very beautiful as well. As far as settings go, my recommendation would be to have the stone set in a simple tiffany style setting, and then let her choose the permanent setting and wedding band to go with it. That can take some time to decide, and she can enjoy wearing it until then. ~~~ When in doubt...don't.~~~
Posted: 12/26/2007 8:04:16 PM

P: 12/26/2007 9:50:32 PM
ringabling Cut Rock Total Posts: 385 Last Post: 7/6/2009 Member Since: 12/9/2007	I spoke w/ Traci @ Whiteflash about this one: http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-71343.htm she said it's amazing in real life. It's one they have in their own stock so if you call them they are likely able to budge a little I think you're sweet, DH just upgraded my similar size/quality Princess cut to a 3.67 round brilliant and I'm thrilled! If you're surprising her, why not go ahead and get the stone mounted on a basic 'Tiffany style' setting and enjoy choosing a mounting for it together sometime in the future? This is what my husband did for me and I'm so happy he did it this way as what I thought I wanted 2 weeks ago is different than I want today! We can be pretty opinionated about the settings! Money cannot buy health, but I'd settle for a diamond-studded wheelchair. -Dorothy Parker, In "Writers at Work", 1956
Posted: 12/26/2007 9:50:32 PM

P: 12/27/2007 4:56:52 AM
Lorelei Ideal Rock Total Posts: 34,228 Last Post: 11/23/2009 Member Since: 4/30/2005	Date: 12/26/2007 9:50:32 PM Author: ringabling I spoke w/ Traci @ Whiteflash about this one: http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-71343.htm she said it's amazing in real life. It's one they have in their own stock so if you call them they are likely able to budge a little I think you're sweet, DH just upgraded my similar size/quality Princess cut to a 3.67 round brilliant and I'm thrilled! If you're surprising her, why not go ahead and get the stone mounted on a basic 'Tiffany style' setting and enjoy choosing a mounting for it together sometime in the future? This is what my husband did for me and I'm so happy he did it this way as what I thought I wanted 2 weeks ago is different than I want today! We can be pretty opinionated about the settings! Arthsia, if it is a large superbly cut diamond you want, then the one above that RB and I posted would be well worth investigating, diamonds that size and cut are rare and even in an I colour, should face up plenty white, unless you prefer very high colour - this one could be a real winner. 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: 12/27/2007 4:56:52 AM

P: 12/27/2007 6:39:49 AM
Lorelei Ideal Rock Total Posts: 34,228 Last Post: 11/23/2009 Member Since: 4/30/2005	Thanks for your kind words Steel!! 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: 12/27/2007 6:39:49 AM

P: 12/27/2007 1:53:18 PM
arthsia Rough Rock Total Posts: 9 Last Post: 1/5/2008 Member Since: 12/26/2007	Thanks for the input. Would you pay more for the ACA H&A vs. a regular H&A? How about the other dealers here? It seems that majority of people are talking about WF.
Posted: 12/27/2007 1:53:18 PM

P: 12/27/2007 2:04:44 PM
diamondseeker2006 Ideal Rock Total Posts: 17,609 Last Post: 11/18/2009 Member Since: 1/11/2006	Date: 12/27/2007 1:53:18 PM Author: arthsia Thanks for the input. Would you pay more for the ACA H&A vs. a regular H&A? How about the other dealers here? It seems that majority of people are talking about WF. I think as long as the stone meets ideal cut parameters, you'd be okay with or without the ACA since there can be very minor things that would cause a stone to be placed in Expert Selection rather than ACA. That said, I did choose ACA stones for my earrings because a perfectly matched pair was available. The other dealer that I have bought from is Good Old Gold, an online and brick & mortar jeweler in NY. They also carry top quality hearts and arrows ideal cut stones and have the pictures and other info for you. I recommend both without reservation. ~~~ When in doubt...don't.~~~
Posted: 12/27/2007 2:04:44 PM

P: 12/27/2007 5:24:06 PM
Lynn B Ideal Rock Total Posts: 5,143 Last Post: 11/23/2009 Member Since: 5/9/2004	Date: 12/26/2007 8:04:16 PM Author: diamondseeker2006 With that kind of budget, I don't really see any reason to go below G VS2. DS, ya' know I LOVE ya' ... but I can think of 3 good reasons to consider a stone below G/VS2... 1. Size 2. Size 3. Glorious SIZE!!! And THAT'S my story and I'm sticking to it!
Posted: 12/27/2007 5:24:06 PM

P: 12/27/2007 6:29:47 PM
Gypsy Ideal Rock Total Posts: 14,306 Last Post: 11/20/2009 Member Since: 8/9/2005	I would threshold at H-I SI1 eyeclean personally... for the same reasons that Lynn mentions. If you've gotten her a 1.25 before, I would go for an appreciable size difference, and I don't think 2 carats is it.
Posted: 12/27/2007 6:29:47 PM

P: 12/27/2007 6:50:52 PM
arthsia Rough Rock Total Posts: 9 Last Post: 1/5/2008 Member Since: 12/26/2007	Hello, I was looking at the 3.12 I VS2 that was suggested above. In my search, I found this one: http://search.virtcert.com/cgi/u/1012/v.cgi?stock=7564763&_s=1012&_p=sdf348gd743&_c=&_fs=1&prestock=&_ln=ps It looks like this one is just as good with a H color rating. How come WF is so much more per carat? Is there a big difference between ACA H&A and this H&A no brand? Thanks.
Posted: 12/27/2007 6:50:52 PM

P: 12/27/2007 10:12:20 PM
Lynn B Ideal Rock Total Posts: 5,143 Last Post: 11/23/2009 Member Since: 5/9/2004	Date: 12/27/2007 6:50:52 PM Author: arthsia Hello, I was looking at the 3.12 I VS2 that was suggested above. In my search, I found this one: http://search.virtcert.com/cgi/u/1012/v.cgi?stock=7564763&_s=1012&_p=sdf348gd743&_c=&_fs=1&prestock=&_ln=ps It looks like this one is just as good with a H color rating. How come WF is so much more per carat? Is there a big difference between ACA H&A and this H&A no brand? Thanks. That stone from USA looks good, although I only gave it a quick looksie. But honestly, with your budget, I wouldn't even be looking under 3 carats... but that's just me! To answer your question, one major reason why I would assume that the WF stone is "more per carat" is because in diamond pricing, the price per carat jumps significantly at the 3c mark. (Experts, feel free to correct me if I'm wrong!) And FWIW, I have a gorgeous AGS-0, 2.36 H&A RB that is a J/SI2. Here's a link with pictures: http://www.pricescope.com/idealbb/view.asp?topicID=46129 It's a killer diamond, very "white" and totally eyeclean. I love the lower color/clarity combos (as long as the cut is ideal) because it really lets you save money or (my favorite -->) maximize size! BTW, it seems like inventory is low and diamonds in the larger sizes are rather hard to find right now... so you may not have a whole lot of choices, unless you want to wait awhile. But personally, I'd go for that WF 3.12 and I wouldn't look back, babeeee! And THAT'S my story and I'm sticking to it!
Posted: 12/27/2007 10:12:20 PM

P: 12/27/2007 10:24:13 PM
fansynancy Cut Rock Total Posts: 211 Last Post: 1/30/2008 Member Since: 10/23/2007	My budget was also 40K. I had the 3.12 Whiteflash stone and this stone, http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1027734.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131 sent to David Atlas along with one other stone. They were all gorgeous. Must be seen to be appreciated, but I assure they are both incredible choices. I bought the third stone (from Sheerah at Whiteflash)that some Pricescopers had seen in person and adored. You would be thrilled with either of these two stones and I already had them professionally evaluated by the best in the business. The James Allan stone has a deep cut which the appraisers adored. JHope this helps. Nancy
Posted: 12/27/2007 10:24:13 PM

P: 12/31/2007 2:36:12 AM
arthsia Rough Rock Total Posts: 9 Last Post: 1/5/2008 Member Since: 12/26/2007	Hello, what about this diamond? Report Type: Diamond Quality Document Shape and Style: Round Brilliant Measurements: 9.81 - 9.82 x 6.02 mm Cut Grade: AGS Ideal 0 Light Performance: 0 Proportion Factors: 0 Finish: 0 Polish: Ideal Symmetry: Ideal Color Grade: AGS 3.0 (J) Clarity Grade: AGS 4 (VS2) Carat Weight: 3.546 Fluorescence: Very Strong Blue Comments: Table: 57.3% Crown Angle: 34.6 Crown Height: 14.8% Girdle: 1.3% to 3.6% Pavilion Angle: 40.8 Pavilion Depth: 43.2% Star Length: 50% Lower Girdle Length: 75% Total Depth: 61.3% Culet: Pointed
Posted: 12/31/2007 2:36:12 AM

P: 12/31/2007 9:35:07 AM
Ellen Ideal Rock Total Posts: 22,894 Last Post: 11/6/2009 Member Since: 1/13/2006	Hi arthsia, That diamond looks great. Very Strong flo with a J is a great thing!! It will help mask the color, and should be lowering the price a nice amount. One thing, in rare cases VS Flo can cause cloudiness/milkiness in a stone when in sunlight. Whoever has the stone needs to look at under those conditions to determine if that is happening. If not, I can't see any reason not to get it. Make sure you have a good return policy. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "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: 12/31/2007 9:35:07 AM

P: 12/31/2007 12:11:41 PM
Lorelei Ideal Rock Total Posts: 34,228 Last Post: 11/23/2009 Member Since: 4/30/2005	Date: 12/31/2007 9:35:07 AM Author: Ellen Hi arthsia, That diamond looks great. Very Strong flo with a J is a great thing!! It will help mask the color, and should be lowering the price a nice amount. One thing, in rare cases VS Flo can cause cloudiness/milkiness in a stone when in sunlight. Whoever has the stone needs to look at under those conditions to determine if that is happening. If not, I can't see any reason not to get it. Make sure you have a good return policy. Ditto all this, check out the fluorescence, but it looks like a superbly cut 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: 12/31/2007 12:11:41 PM

P: 12/31/2007 6:12:47 PM
md74 Rough Rock Total Posts: 53 Last Post: 10/9/2009 Member Since: 8/2/2007
Posted: 12/31/2007 6:12:47 PM

P: 12/31/2007 6:20:05 PM
md74 Rough Rock Total Posts: 53 Last Post: 10/9/2009 Member Since: 8/2/2007	I think it is lovely you are getting your wife a new ring. Other people have already given you a lot of good tips. I would just recommend paying attention to what your wife originally said was important to her (or anything she has mentioned in terms of an upgrade), as well as what seems important to you, when you make your choice. Maybe you picked out the original ring yourself, but perhaps she has made certain preferences known since then (in terms of a possible upgrade). Diamonds are a bit of a sliding scale, and different people place importances on different things. One person might want a really big stone and be willing to compromise more on clarity or color. Another person might not wish to do that, and it might bother them, detracting from the satisfaction of the upgrade. Given the clarity and color of the original stone, I would be careful about going far below this, unless your wife never professed a preference for that degree of color(lack thereof) and clarity. If she at some point remarked that she just wanted a bigger diamond , and didn't care so much, then you could go lower to up the size even more. Just my two cents, and not meaning to offend anyone else and their choices. It just isn't good when one person has certain criteria that are more important to them, and they are given another, I would think. If E VS1 is something your wife wanted or really appreciated, I would want to be fairly sure she'd be ok with the color difference going to a J with strong blue would give. Some people are ok with that from the get go, and some would look at the nice big rock but be very focused on the color difference from their original.
Posted: 12/31/2007 6:20:05 PM

Previous Page

Next Page

Ť GoodOldGold Ť

ť need advice on i colored hof stone ť

Jump to:

Contact Us \| Back Home \| Privacy Statement \| Forum Agreement \| Forum Policies
Ideal BB Version: 0.1.5.4.beta1	Message forum software powered by the Ideal BB

Pricescope - Knowledge - Diamond Prices - Tools - Resources - About

Š 2000-2009 Pricescope. Terms of Use Privacy Policy Disclaimer
forum archives