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 » RockyTalky
»  » Newbie needs help!
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Newbie needs help! |
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| P: 10/29/2003 11:13:53 AM | |
Crash1207 Rough Rock Total Posts: 4 Last Post: 10/29/2003 Member Since: 10/29/2003 |
First off, I can't believe this site is out there. This is so helpful to someone like me who is completely overwhelmed by all of this diamond information being thrown in my direction.  I've read through a lot of the posts here and got some good information but I'm still not completely sure I know what I'm doing. Here's what I do know...I need to get a round diamond. It has been "suggested" to me by my girlfriend. After that I'm pretty much on my own. What my girlfriend would really like is something that has a great sparkle to it and is a good size. Unfortunately, I'm not as prepared financially as I would like. But I still would like to get a really nice diamond. I've seen some people on here say that the cut is everything and that if you get the right cut then you can go down a couple of notches on the color scale. I've also seen things about table and depth and I don't know much about that. Basically I'm wondering if someone can help point me to a place where I can get the most out of my money or give me suggestions on what to look for when I go out on my own. Do I go with a store or buy from the internet? I hope that someone from here can help me out. I would like to make this a Christmas proposal so I have some time but not a lot of time. Thanks!! Sometimes I wish I wasn't me, so I could hang out with me...because I think I'm pretty funny. |
| Posted: 10/29/2003 11:13:53 AM | |
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There are 11 replies to this message. There are 11 replies on this page. |
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| P: 10/29/2003 11:35:14 AM | |
pqcollectibles Ideal Rock Total Posts: 3,441 Last Post: 6/18/2005 Member Since: 2/23/2003 |
Hi Crash! And, welcome to the Forum!You have learned well so far. CUT is the key to sparkle and fire. Those great flashes of white and colored light that grab peoples' eyes and draw their attention to the ring. A well CUT diamond, will allow you to "give" on color. If you were thinking F/G color, you could easily go H/I, and even J color set in white gold or platinum in a well CUT diamond. Dropping color allows you to boost carat weight and stay within budget. Another way to maximize bang for your buck is clarity. CUT masks more than just color. You can easily consider SI1 and some SI2's and still be 100% eye clean. The trick is size, type, color, and location of the inclusions. People don't run around with loupes to check out your gal's rock. All they see is the sparkle while they ooooohhhh and aaahhhhh with envy. Another thing to remember is that well CUT diamonds very often appear as big or bigger than Maul store diamonds. I have a .75 carat with the same diameter as most Maul store 1 carat diamonds. Why? Because Maul store diamonds are very often deep CUTs. Meaning you pay for weight that no one ever sees on the bottom side. Post your budget and size preferences. Folks here will be more than happy to guide you to some very nice, well CUT diamonds to help give you a start in your shopping. 
Why use a big word when a diminutive word would be succinct! |
| Posted: 10/29/2003 11:35:14 AM | |
| P: 10/29/2003 11:43:43 AM | |
magna2 Cut Rock Total Posts: 319 Last Post: 2/9/2004 Member Since: 9/22/2003 |
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| Posted: 10/29/2003 11:43:43 AM | |
| P: 10/29/2003 11:47:43 AM | |
aljdewey Ideal Rock Total Posts: 8,236 Last Post: 2/11/2008 Member Since: 11/25/2002 |
Crash....of course we can help, and we'd be delighted to.
Just give us an idea of how to begin looking. Can you tell us approximately what weight you're looking for or approximately what budget you'd like to stick to......from there, we can help you find some fabulously cut stones that will fit the bill.
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| Posted: 10/29/2003 11:47:43 AM | |
| P: 10/29/2003 11:51:15 AM | |
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pqcollectibles Ideal Rock Total Posts: 3,441 Last Post: 6/18/2005 Member Since: 2/23/2003 |
---------------- That avatar looks like at least a 2 carat bill to me, Al! LOLOL 
Why use a big word when a diminutive word would be succinct! |
| Posted: 10/29/2003 11:51:15 AM | |
| P: 10/29/2003 11:58:09 AM | |
Josh@JA Cut Rock Total Posts: 366 Last Post: 2/18/2008 Member Since: 9/11/2003 |
Crash1207, I would say that "cut" is definitely the most important factor. Depth and table percentages are very important aspects of the diamond. So you want to make sure that you stay within the perferred or "ideal" ranges if you want the best possible diamond out there. Also take notice to the crown and pavilion angles of the diamond. They also play a role in determining the best option. If you are wanting to buy an "eye-clean" diamond than the safe bet is to go with an SI1 or higer clarity rating. GIA or AGS are the two labratories that most feel comfortable with regard to there purchase. You may want to check out www.gemappraisers.com as well as a few internet companies that you see listed here on Pricescope. Check around and make a few calls. I'm sure that we would all love to be of assistance. Good luck. 
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| Posted: 10/29/2003 11:58:09 AM | |
| P: 10/29/2003 11:59:06 AM | |
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Crash1207 Rough Rock Total Posts: 4 Last Post: 10/29/2003 Member Since: 10/29/2003 |
Wow! Thanks for all the quick responses! I guess I would like to stay between .8 and 1.0 carat. I definitely want to get something with a great cut and will really sparkle and grab someone's attention. Sometimes I wish I wasn't me, so I could hang out with me...because I think I'm pretty funny. |
| Posted: 10/29/2003 11:59:06 AM | |
| P: 10/29/2003 6:29:00 PM | |
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Crash1207 Rough Rock Total Posts: 4 Last Post: 10/29/2003 Member Since: 10/29/2003 |
Ok, here's my first attempt. If someone could let me know if this is a good price on this, that would really help me out. I'm trying to get the most bang out of a somewhat smaller budget than I would like. I found this one on Blue Nile (also, if anyone has any opinions on them that would be appreciated too). 0.85 carat round - ASGL Cut: Ideal Color: H Clarity: SI-1 Depth: 62% Table: 56% Symmetry: Ideal Polish: Ideal Girdle: Thin to slightly thick, faceted Culet: None Fluorescence: None Measurements: 6.06x6.10x3.77 mm Price: $3,274 Again, I'm a newbie so I don't really know much about the depth, table, and some of those other things. I think I read somewhere that a depth over 61% was undesirable. Can someone help me figure out if this one is a good buy or can I do a lot better in that same price ballpark? Thanks!! Sometimes I wish I wasn't me, so I could hang out with me...because I think I'm pretty funny. |
| Posted: 10/29/2003 6:29:00 PM | |
| P: 10/29/2003 7:13:00 PM | |
Mara Ideal Rock Total Posts: 27,912 Last Post: 11/23/2009 Member Since: 10/30/2002 |
Crash...
first off...read the pscope tutorial. that will tell you alot and you will emerge much smarter and wiser..but probably still confused.
for the most part, stick with diamonds that have tables between 54-59, depth between around 59-62. that doesn't mean each diamond that has parameters like that will be good, but it will help you weed out duds like stones with 65% depth or 64% table..or 52% table, etc. you don't really want depth over 62% but there are sometimes some stones that may be nice with a slightly deeper look.
I think you should start shopping around. Blue Nile is a good place to look, but thre are other vendors as well--smaller vendors who would give you the same great assistance that BN would--sometimes (often) at lower prices...with MORE information on the stones. BN only posts basic data on a stone, you need crown and pav angles, you need a copy of the cert, a picture of the stone in person, something like an IdealScope image to show light return, Sarin reports to show the numbers on the stone, etc. Blue Nile has been shown to give data to customers when they ask, so be sure to ask for data on stones you like, from any vendor. But I would definitely say to start thinking outside of places that you have 'heard of' like Blue Nile or Diamond.Com. There are so many other vendors out there...and alot of them are really great..with exceptionally lovely stones that fit your budget.
Don't be afraid to ask vendors for what you want to see. if they can't help you out and give it to you, then go elsewhere....there are lots of people who would love to help or get your business. Use your power as an educated customer and shop smart.
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| Posted: 10/29/2003 7:13:00 PM | |
| P: 10/29/2003 7:54:55 PM | |
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Crash1207 Rough Rock Total Posts: 4 Last Post: 10/29/2003 Member Since: 10/29/2003 |
Mara- Thanks for all the info. I took a look at those stones and they all look pretty good and right around that range that I would like to stay. Thanks for the advice about checking out some of the sites I don't know by name. I don't want to get sucked into a bad deal because of name recognition. One of the things you mentioned is pavilion angle. What exactly is that and what is a good one? Sometimes I wish I wasn't me, so I could hang out with me...because I think I'm pretty funny. |
| Posted: 10/29/2003 7:54:55 PM | |
| P: 10/29/2003 8:14:24 PM | |
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Mara Ideal Rock Total Posts: 27,912 Last Post: 11/23/2009 Member Since: 10/30/2002 |
the tutorial on pscope will tell you about crown and pavilion angles. basically they are the angles for the crown and the pavilion! HA HA. no..really...the crown would be considered the 'top part' of the diamond (above the girdle). the pavilion is considered the 'bottom part' of the diamond (below the girdle). you don't want an overly steep or shallow crown or pavilion angle--it affects the stone in either a positive or a negative way.
there can be alot of combos for crown and pav angles....but I would estimate that the general rule of thumb for the 'really excellently cut stones' is to stay away from stones with a crown angle under 34 or over 35, and away from stones with pav angles under 40.5 and over 41.1 (sometimes even 41..depends on your criteria). maybe the experts can chime in here....but most of the good combos i have seen are in those ranges.
good luck!
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| Posted: 10/29/2003 8:14:24 PM | |
| P: 10/29/2003 8:45:56 PM | |
Mikesgirl Cut Rock Total Posts: 348 Last Post: 12/9/2003 Member Since: 8/30/2003 |
Hi Crash. I made a purchase at Blue Nile and was very happy with their service and prices. They don't advertise H&A but do have some excellent cuts, and the one you chose is an AGSL cert, so if you click on "view" and then on "grading report", Blue Nile does show you the report. Unfortunately you can only do this with AGSL reports on Blue Nile, because the GIA reports don't give you Crown and Pavilion Angles, and Blue Nile does not do the extra Sarin or other reports that Good Old Gold and some other sites do. Your stone has a crown angle of 34.9 and pavilion of 40.8 and scored a 1.5 on the Cut Advisor on this site. Anything below 2 is considered very good, and every so often you will find a .6 or so, but rarely. You can use the numbers you find on the report to run the Cut Advisor on this site and on the DIY grading at www.gemappraisers.com. If you find a stone you like, you can have it shipped for appraisal and have a pro look at it for you, or look at it yourself. Oh - the plot on this stone looks like there's a good shot it's eye clean, but you can give Blue Nile a call and ask them to pull it for you (they own their stock). They will be more than happy to pull the stone and tell you whether it is eye clean or not - they want you happy. I like Blue Nile's large inventory, their 30 day money back guarantee (most are 10 days) and their accessibility. Not a slam to any other vendor, and there is no doubt that there are lots of vendors here (that participate in the forum, and Blue Nile does not) that will work with you and provide competitive prices. Sorry if I sound like a Blue Nile ad. They get little representation here, as is to be expected since they don't make the effort to get on the forum. But I think it is important to let people know when you're happy with a vendor, so here it is. Good Luck, and don't feel timid about asking questions on specific stones from any site. We love to help, but you have to repay us by sharing the joy and the pictures! "Where ever you go, there you are." |
| Posted: 10/29/2003 8:45:56 PM | |
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