I am trying to get the biggest bang for my buck, just as everyone. For me, cut is important, color, size, and the clarity.

Cut: depth 59% - 65.4%, table 53%- 64%, polish good or better, sym good or better.
Color: F - H
Carat: 2.35 - 2.65
Clarity: VS2 - SI1

Please help in what I should look for and where I should look. I do have some time to make the decision.

You can check out the charts on www.gemappraisers.com for the best idea on well-cut fancy shapes. Fancy cuts are harder to determine by the numbers alone than rounds and should really be seen. No ideal cuts have been determined for fancy cuts as yet, but Dave Atlas at gemappraisers offers the best ideas.

Good luck,

Jim, Lamax is right, the best would be to eyeball several diamonds alive. Otherwise, follow David Atlas charts and inquire crown and pavilion angles (depths) too.

Good idea also to send the stone for independent expert analysis to David Atlas, AGA. Some vendors will agree to do it before you pay for the stone.

As for the price indication, perhaps you already compared prices for your parameters and check the price stats?

Jim, I think you know what you are looking for. Hence you just need to inquire from reputable and knowledgeable vendors with reasonable prices.

We've tried to outline the buying strategy at www.pricescope.com/isitsafe.asp

Keep posting - we'll be glad to help.

I do have some other questions as it relates to the bow tie. Does a higher quality color (D,E,F) show more dark contrast verses a near colorless (G,H). Also, the length to width ratio of 1.33 - 1.66 seems large. What ratio is optium? Does this relate to the amount of bow tie?

Thank you,

The bowtie has to do with the cut. You should go for a diamond that has a minimal bowtie (you shouldn't see a big black stripe in the diamond), but if the diamond is cut so shallow that it has none, the diamond may look like a sheet of glass with no fire.

Interestingly, if you were to poke eyeholes in a sheet of white paper, hold it up to your eyes and look at the diamond, you would see the bowtie turn white as it is a reflection of sorts.

As for the difference in the look of the bowtie in different color grades - just try for the most minimal bowtie you can get and still get good fire in the color you like.

The optimal ratio is a matter of personal preference. I have a friend who wants an oval and complains that she sees too many with "big shoulders" or ones that are too chubby, etc.

Hope this helps,