0.42 Carat Round Brilliant Diamond - opinions, please

[pomellina]

Hi!

If you've read my other posts recently, you'll know we recently bought a diamond but the retailer wasn't able to get it to us (due to problems with customs) so we decided to cancel. We're looking again now. We are first time buyers and looking for a diamond (from a UK-based seller) for a platinum solitaire engagement ring.

We've reserved the following diamond and would appreciate your thoughts before we buy it.

Round Brilliant
Measurements 4.82 - 4.84 x 2.95 mm
Carat Weight 0.42 carat
Color Grade F
Clarity Grade SI1
Cut Grade Excellent

Depth 61.0 %
Table 56 %
Crown Angle 34.0°
Crown Height 15.0%
Pavilion Angle 40.6°
Pavilion Depth 42.5%
Star Length 50%
Lower Half 80%
Girdle Medium to Slightly Thick, Faceted, 3.5%
Culet None

Polish Excellent
Symmetry Excellent
Fluorescence Faint

Clarity characteristics Twinning Wisp

It is eye clean.

 

[04diamond<3]

The numbers look great...but can you provide a picture and an ideal scope image?

 

[pomellina]

I've tried to upload the GCAL certificate several times but each time my connection times out so if you would be so kind as to have a look at it for me, it is here.

I am afraid I do not know how to read the GCAL report very well but the diamond looks fine to me on the enlarged photomicrograph and the results for optical brilliance and symmetry look good.

We can return this diamond if we are not happy with it but once I've got a ring on my finger, I don't suppose I'll want to take it off.

Can anyone advise based on this information whether we ought to opt for this one?

Edit: As you probably know, Blue Nile doesn't offer an Ideal Scope image but it's part of their Signature range so seems promising to me. We are happy to buy unseen and return it if it doesn't live up to our expectations, as it's not a ridiculously costly purchase to insure and return.

 

[pomellina]

I've taken a screenshot of the photomicrograph. Anything to be worried about?

 

[pomellina]

 

[pomellina]

Any advice?

 

[Roxy]

Since they have a decent return policy, you can go ahead and have them send it to you. If you love how it looks, then take it to a local appraiser and have them confirm everything for you. Does their return policy allow enough time for you to do this before having to ship it back to them if you're not 100% happy?

 

[mcosme]

Hi Pommelina are you set on buying it from blue nile?

These 2 are comparable for a similar price and are hearts and arrow
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.40-carat-f-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-73785
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.42-carat-f-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-219661

 

[pomellina]

Hi Pommelina are you set on buying it from blue nile?

These 2 are comparable for a similar price and are hearts and arrow
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.40-carat-f-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-73785
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.42-carat-f-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-219661

They are both very nice. Do you think the inclusion in the centre of the 0.42 carat one would be really obvious? I think I prefer the 0.4 carat but it's still cheaper a little cheaper to order from Blue Nile (even with the Pricescope discount, which isn't very large due to the size of the diamond).

 

[mcosme]

Here's a little more info on how GCAL works.
http://www.gemfacts.com/grading/Cut.aspx#a4
It does seem that the diamond is very brilliant and returns most light with great optical symmetry.

Would you consider this if it were eyeclean? it work would even better in your budget, is an AGS000 and a G is still plenty white especially in that size.
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.41-carat-g-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-165491

 

[pomellina]

Here's a little more info on how GCAL works.
http://www.gemfacts.com/grading/Cut.aspx#a4
It does seem that the diamond is very brilliant and returns most light with great optical symmetry.

Would you consider this if it were eyeclean? it work would even better in your budget, is an AGS000 and a G is still plenty white especially in that size.
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.41-carat-g-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-165491

That one looks nice but the feather on the top looks really obvious to me. Would it be obvious without that level of magnification? It looks like a nice diamond otherwise. Ticks the boxes!

Thanks for the information on GCAL!

 

[mcosme]

That is magified 40x
but the best way to find out is to ask JA to have a gemologist review the stone. I'm hoping it's eye clean because the idealscope looks good.

I actually bought a diamond from blue nile before without seeing it and it turned out pretty nice, but if I were to do it again, I'd rather stick with a vendor who can assess the stone for me. I would want to have that AGS000 or idealscope for peace of mind. Just my 2 cents.

 

[mcosme]

I would keep the blue nile one on hold, have the james allen stone/s reviewed and then make the decision.
Also, specify your definition of eyeclean. usually 6 inches is good from top and sides

 

[pomellina]

We've decided to order the Blue Nile diamond but was wondering whether you think the classic 4 or 6 prong setting in platinum would be better.

 

[Smith1942]

Great choice. I've ordered a number of Blue Nile Signature diamonds and you really can't go wrong with them - they are super-ideal cut and the light return/performance is generally superlative. The downside is paying the premium - but this diamond is a very good price, even for a Signature.

My engagement ring is a 0.70 and was originally set in six prongs. I felt it overwhelmed the diamond. You might be better with the four-prong; however be aware that four prongs can make a diamond look square-ish, more like a princess cut. Six prongs in this size might maximize the spread, who knows. Horses for courses.

Perhaps you could go to a jeweller near you and look at a range of half-carat rings in four and six prongs, and see what appeals to you best.

 

[mcosme]

It should be a great diamond! Agree with Smith about the prongs
Can't wait to finally see your ring

 

[Rhea]

It depends on how small the prongs are. I'd go 4 prongs just to be on the safe side. I saw what changing from a 4 to 6 prong did to my mother's engagement ring. Her diamond is smaller than yours but it really overwhelmed the diamond.

 

[pomellina]

Great choice. I've ordered a number of Blue Nile Signature diamonds and you really can't go wrong with them - they are super-ideal cut and the light return/performance is generally superlative. The downside is paying the premium - but this diamond is a very good price, even for a Signature.

My engagement ring is a 0.70 and was originally set in six prongs. I felt it overwhelmed the diamond. You might be better with the four-prong; however be aware that four prongs can make a diamond look square-ish, more like a princess cut. Six prongs in this size might maximize the spread, who knows. Horses for courses.

Perhaps you could go to a jeweller near you and look at a range of half-carat rings in four and six prongs, and see what appeals to you best.

Thanks for your encouragement and advice.

I know that the Signature range has a bit of a mark up compared to the Ideal cut (and that plenty of the Ideal cut diamonds are just as strong performers as the Signature Ideals) but the price is good, I appreciate the reassurance that the diamond is an eye clean SI1, and the quick turnaround time appeals to me!

Here are some comparison pictures of the prongs (0.41 carat four prong & 0.46 carat 6 prong).

 

[pomellina]

My fiancé prefers the 6 prongs as it does preserve the roundness of the stone and generally I do too but I do like BN's 4 prongs. I don't think they make the diamond look too square.

Based on the pictures, do you think 6 prongs would be too much?

 

[Smith1942]

BN's prongs must be really quite delicate because they do not look as if they overwhelm that half-carat stone in the pic. It's a macro shot of course, so everything will look big. In real life they will probably be fine, and since you don't care for the square-ish look of the four-prong, go for the six!

It will be a beautiful ring, with that special Signature sparkle! The cut will make it appear more like a .75 because it will chuck out so many flashes of light.


ETA: When this ring arrives you MUST come back and post pics in the Show Me The Bling forum! I'm so looking forward to seeing it after all this discussion.

I think it's fab that you got a high colour as well (F). Lots of people on PS have lower-coloured stones and love them, but my engagement ring is an I, graded by AGS, and it's not only lemony but also dark in colour sometimes, despite the super-ideal Hearts on Fire HCA 1 cut. I don't like the lower colours for that reason - it's never mentioned on PS, but in my experience they look dark as well as yellow. Excellent choice on the F!

 

[Smith1942]

ETA: Sorry, I see that you DO like the four prongs, but your fiancee prefers the six. Decisions, decisions!

 

[pomellina]

Just purchased!

I like both the 4 & 6 prongs but since I'm not the one paying for it (!), we decided to opt for the 6 prongs. We like that they maintain the roundness of the diamond and are a bit more secure. I don't wear a lot of jewellery at the minute and I can be just a little clumsy so it's probably best to err on the side of caution!

It should arrive next week and I shall take a photo when I receive it!

We would have happily picked a stone with a bit more colour but we were hoping for H or above as my fiancé felt he could see the warmth in I coloured stones. (I couldn't!)

Looking forward to showing off my ring and announcing our engagement to our family and friends now!

Thank you to everyone for your advice and help! Let's hope we've picked a beauty!

 

[Smith1942]

Congrats on your purchase! Can't wait to see hand shots.

 

[pomellina]

Not wearing it yet (this weekend, hopefully!) but I've looked at it and it is beautiful. I'm over the moon! It is lovely and delicate. If you don't want to spend too much money then there is a lot to be said for a really well cut, colourless diamond. Can't see the twinning wisps at all so I'm really happy with the decision to opt for a SI1. Thanks to all who helped me to make the decision to buy - it is perfect for us.

Photos to follow before long! Would recommend a Signature Ideal from Blue Nile to anyone.

 

[Roxy]

Not wearing it yet (this weekend, hopefully!) but I've looked at it and it is beautiful. I'm over the moon! It is lovely and delicate. If you don't want to spend too much money then there is a lot to be said for a really well cut, colourless diamond. Can't see the twinning wisps at all so I'm really happy with the decision to opt for a SI1. Thanks to all who helped me to make the decision to buy - it is perfect for us.

Photos to follow before long! Would recommend a Signature Ideal from Blue Nile to anyone.

I'm so glad that you love it!!!! I know your SO is super busy w/ work, etc but he's just got to find some time to "pop the question" this weekend so you can start ooohing and aaaahing over it (and so that we can help you LOL ).

 

[AprilBaby]

Looks like it will be stunning. My original ring was .35 ct with 6 prongs and I loved it!

 

[Smith1942]

Not wearing it yet (this weekend, hopefully!) but I've looked at it and it is beautiful. I'm over the moon! It is lovely and delicate. If you don't want to spend too much money then there is a lot to be said for a really well cut, colourless diamond. Can't see the twinning wisps at all so I'm really happy with the decision to opt for a SI1. Thanks to all who helped me to make the decision to buy - it is perfect for us.

Photos to follow before long! Would recommend a Signature Ideal from Blue Nile to anyone.

Congratulations on your ring, Pomellina! I'm so happy that you like it. That's great! Look forward to seeing images in SMTB when you're ready.

 

[pomellina]

Not wearing it yet (this weekend, hopefully!) but I've looked at it and it is beautiful. I'm over the moon! It is lovely and delicate. If you don't want to spend too much money then there is a lot to be said for a really well cut, colourless diamond. Can't see the twinning wisps at all so I'm really happy with the decision to opt for a SI1. Thanks to all who helped me to make the decision to buy - it is perfect for us.

Photos to follow before long! Would recommend a Signature Ideal from Blue Nile to anyone.

Congratulations on your ring, Pomellina! I'm so happy that you like it. That's great! Look forward to seeing images in SMTB when you're ready.

Thank you! I really love it. I realised you can't take a decent photo with a camera phone but I'm hoping to take some nice photos this weekend to share!

 

[pomellina]

I would dearly love to post a decent photograph of my ring so that you can see how pretty it is but instead I'm uploading this, as I'm not sure when I'll be able to take something better!



Hopefully this helps you if you're considering buying a smaller diamond for your, or your partner's, engagement ring!

The ring is Blue Nile's Classic Six Claw Engagement Ring in Platinum in a UK size K (equivalent to a US 5¼) and the diamond is as described above!

 

[Smith1942]

It looks very pretty! It's a pity that cameras can't capture the sparkle, isn't it. I bet that Signature baby shoots fire all around!