Find your diamond
Find your jewelry
shape
carat
color
clarity

0.5 Carat Diamond Budget and Characteristic Question

Status
Not open for further replies. Please create a new topic or request for this thread to be opened.
A

aj7

Rough_Rock
Joined
May 28, 2009
Messages
14
Hi all,

I have been lurking on the forums for the past couple of weeks, reading up and learning as much as I can and was wondering if some of you would mind passing on some advice and opinions. I live in Melbourne, Australia and while the budget question is in Australian dollars I would be interested in people’s opinions of the specifications I have also listed.

I am preparing to propose to my girlfriend later in the year (early December), so am starting to look at my options in relation to settings and diamonds. I have looked at your stock standard chain jewellers but have not been impressed by what they are offering.

After completing some reading on the website (and please correct me if I have missed some vital information along the way – there is so much to take in) I have come up with some characteristics that I would like a diamond to have.

CUT – Ideal
CLARITY – VVS1, VVS2
COLOUR – F
CARAT – 0.5

What I am looking for is quality rather than carat. I am planning on setting the diamond in a yellow gold ring.

My budget is between AUD$3000 and AUD$4000 (US$2267 – US$3023 at the moment).

Is this a reasonable budget for this time of diamond or would I be looking at spending more or less? I have had a look at various online website and my budget seems to fit, I have no idea if I the prices are reasonable or not.

Also are these characteristics appropriate or through my reading have I missed something (very possible I am so lost and confused)?

Thank you so for your time and help

Cheers

aj7
 
Date: 5/29/2009 2:58:45 AM
Author:aj7
Hi all,

I have been lurking on the forums for the past couple of weeks, reading up and learning as much as I can and was wondering if some of you would mind passing on some advice and opinions. I live in Melbourne, Australia and while the budget question is in Australian dollars I would be interested in people’s opinions of the specifications I have also listed.

I am preparing to propose to my girlfriend later in the year (early December), so am starting to look at my options in relation to settings and diamonds. I have looked at your stock standard chain jewellers but have not been impressed by what they are offering.

After completing some reading on the website (and please correct me if I have missed some vital information along the way – there is so much to take in) I have come up with some characteristics that I would like a diamond to have.

CUT – Ideal
CLARITY – VVS1, VVS2
COLOUR – F
CARAT – 0.5

What I am looking for is quality rather than carat. I am planning on setting the diamond in a yellow gold ring.

My budget is between AUD$3000 and AUD$4000 (US$2267 – US$3023 at the moment).

Is this a reasonable budget for this time of diamond or would I be looking at spending more or less? I have had a look at various online website and my budget seems to fit, I have no idea if I the prices are reasonable or not.

Also are these characteristics appropriate or through my reading have I missed something (very possible I am so lost and confused)?

Thank you so for your time and help

Cheers

aj7
Click to expand...
Welcome aj!

Thats fine if you prefer very high colour and clarity, just so you know you could lower both without visual sacrifice if the cut is excellent but this is a personal preference. If you prefer colourless VVS then thats absolutely fine!
 
Definitely doable within the budget.
 
Thanks guys, thats great to know. I''ll be in contact again when I pick out some diamonds!

Cheers

aj7
 
I think clarity in particula could be lowered to VS1/VS2 and you really and truly could NOT tell the difference between such a diamond and a VVS. A well graded VS1/VS2 has inclusions that absolutely cannot be seen with the naked eye, and can only be seen until 40x magnification, I believe. So if you are looking to change anything that is an easy place to do so.

But if you like the *idea* of owning a VVS stone, then go for it.
 
Date: 5/29/2009 7:41:37 AM
Author: dreamer_dachsie
I think clarity in particula could be lowered to VS1/VS2 and you really and truly could NOT tell the difference between such a diamond and a VVS. A well graded VS1/VS2 has inclusions that absolutely cannot be seen with the naked eye, and can only be seen until 40x magnification, I believe. So if you are looking to change anything that is an easy place to do so.

But if you like the *idea* of owning a VVS stone, then go for it.
Click to expand...
The labs use 10x mag D for clarity grading
35.gif
 
Thanks again for advice, clarity was an area that i was not 100% on, so that helps alot.

I''m on the hunt again!

Cheers

aj
 
I have owned VS2 and can''t see a thing -- totally eye clean. Going to VS1 and VS2 will save you $$$ and you should be very happy with the clarity.
 
Date: 5/29/2009 8:49:25 AM
Author: sarap333
I have owned VS2 and can''t see a thing -- totally eye clean. Going to VS1 and VS2 will save you $$$ and you should be very happy with the clarity.
Click to expand...
If you drop down to an SI1 (eye clean must check)
you can increase carat size and leave cut at ideal
Don''t pay for what you can''t see!

so instead of .5 you can get .75 =)

trust me this is a much beter idea

as always keep the setting in mind as it dramatically adds to the cost
 
Date: 5/29/2009 8:08:33 AM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 5/29/2009 7:41:37 AM
Author: dreamer_dachsie
I think clarity in particula could be lowered to VS1/VS2 and you really and truly could NOT tell the difference between such a diamond and a VVS. A well graded VS1/VS2 has inclusions that absolutely cannot be seen with the naked eye, and can only be seen until 40x magnification, I believe. So if you are looking to change anything that is an easy place to do so.

But if you like the *idea* of owning a VVS stone, then go for it.
Click to expand...
The labs use 10x mag D for clarity grading
35.gif
Click to expand...
Good to know! I guess it is "diffucult to spot: under 10x" for VS and "easy to spot under 10x" for SI then... had it in my head it was something like 40x for vs and 10x for SI
 
Date: 5/29/2009 9:41:16 AM
Author: dreamer_dachsie

Date: 5/29/2009 8:08:33 AM
Author: Lorelei


Date: 5/29/2009 7:41:37 AM
Author: dreamer_dachsie
I think clarity in particula could be lowered to VS1/VS2 and you really and truly could NOT tell the difference between such a diamond and a VVS. A well graded VS1/VS2 has inclusions that absolutely cannot be seen with the naked eye, and can only be seen until 40x magnification, I believe. So if you are looking to change anything that is an easy place to do so.

But if you like the *idea* of owning a VVS stone, then go for it.
Click to expand...
The labs use 10x mag D for clarity grading
35.gif
Click to expand...
Good to know! I guess it is ''diffucult to spot: under 10x'' for VS and ''easy to spot under 10x'' for SI then... had it in my head it was something like 40x for vs and 10x for SI
Click to expand...
I think Garry H. mentioned one time that GIA uses 40x to find inclusions and 10x to grade them, of course, that could be all in MY head.
 
Fantastic, this is exactly the type of advice that I was after. I am after a clarity that is perfectly eye clean and then some, me not knowing very much assumed that VVS was what I was after.
1.gif


So if I getting the vibe on this thread, the consensus is VS should do exactly what I am after.

This may sound silly but will this lower clarity affect the ‘sparkle’ (sorry I don’t know what the correct technical term is) of the diamond? I have read about clouds and other inclusion and am just wondering if this will have a visual impact on the diamond?
 
Date: 5/29/2009 10:03:28 AM
Author: aj7
Fantastic, this is exactly the type of advice that I was after. I am after a clarity that is perfectly eye clean and then some, me not knowing very much assumed that VVS was what I was after.
1.gif


So if I getting the vibe on this thread, the consensus is VS should do exactly what I am after.

This may sound silly but will this lower clarity affect the ‘sparkle’ (sorry I don’t know what the correct technical term is) of the diamond? I have read about clouds and other inclusion and am just wondering if this will have a visual impact on the diamond?
Click to expand...
VS1-2 is a great clarity range. It will definitely not affect the visual performance of the diamond.
 
Date: 5/29/2009 10:03:28 AM
Author: aj7
Fantastic, this is exactly the type of advice that I was after. I am after a clarity that is perfectly eye clean and then some, me not knowing very much assumed that VVS was what I was after.
1.gif


So if I getting the vibe on this thread, the consensus is VS should do exactly what I am after.

This may sound silly but will this lower clarity affect the ‘sparkle’ (sorry I don’t know what the correct technical term is) of the diamond? I have read about clouds and other inclusion and am just wondering if this will have a visual impact on the diamond?
Click to expand...
No, only sometimes in SI clarities if clouds are the grade setters and plotted on the clarity map, these can sometimes affect brilliance - but a trusted vendor will be able to advise if this is the case.

The sparkle relates to the cut quality of the diamond, and the performance it gives such as fire, brilliance, scintillation etc.
 
Excellent thanks for the clarification

Cheers

aj
 
Here''s a option. When you start seriously looking something like this one might be a good compromise in color and clarity.

0.73ct H VS2
 
Very good suggestion, i''m keep this in mind

cheers

aj
 
Date: 5/29/2009 10:03:28 AM
Author: aj7
Fantastic, this is exactly the type of advice that I was after. I am after a clarity that is perfectly eye clean and then some, me not knowing very much assumed that VVS was what I was after.
1.gif


So if I getting the vibe on this thread, the consensus is VS should do exactly what I am after.

This may sound silly but will this lower clarity affect the ‘sparkle’ (sorry I don’t know what the correct technical term is) of the diamond? I have read about clouds and other inclusion and am just wondering if this will have a visual impact on the diamond?
Click to expand...
Not silly at all! How can you know until you investigate? No. What determines the "SPARKLE" is CUT!

You can be very comfortable at VS2, and could do even an eye-clean SI1.

(I have a .46t RB G SI1 (not too unlike what you''re seeking) in a right hand ring. The G faces up totally white, and I can only see the inclusion through the pavilion (i.e. looking at the ring upside down....through a LOUPE.)

Good luck!
 
Agian thanks to everyone so far, your advice has made it so much easier to know what to and not to look for (and its in terms i can understand).

Cheers

aj
 
Swingirl, that .73 GOG H VS2 is a real beauty.
 
I can''t add any more advice but the diamond Swingirl posted is great.
 
I agree it’s a pretty awesome diamond...if only I didn’t get hit by import taxes I think this would be a real option
39.gif
. At least I have a better idea of what to look for now and what I can expect!
26.gif
 
Date: 5/31/2009 11:20:41 PM
Author: aj7
I agree it’s a pretty awesome diamond...if only I didn’t get hit by import taxes I think this would be a real option
39.gif
. At least I have a better idea of what to look for now and what I can expect!
26.gif
Click to expand...
You said $3000US. The one I suggested is $2913. If you need to get a little lower can you drop in clarity?
0.71ct H SI1 or 0.714ct G SI1

But this is very close to the original specs you posted. 0.523ct F VVS2
 

Being in Australia it looks like I will need to pay for a customs duty and GST (which to my understanding will add an extra 15% roughly if I order from overseas). Thus this lowers the amount I have to spend on the diamond itself if ordering from overseas.


If possible I would like to buy from a dealer in Australia as problems are easier to fix if they where to arise. This is not a strict rule though, as I continue to browse I find even more awesome products from overseas which are very promising and may lead to me buying from outside of Australia (I would just lower my standards of what I am after). Sorry I should have explained this sooner.


Swinegirl, I really like the 0.523ct F VVS2 diamond you pointed out. I am keeping this one on my list! Thanks for everyone’s efforts, each website I get sent to I look at the amazing products and spend hours looking at the different options available. Again thank you all very much.


On a side note, I have come across the Vatche Royal Crown for round centre in yellow gold setting that I think my other half would really like. I was wondering if anyone knew of a retailer/supplier/dealer that deals with Vatche settings in Australia?


Cheers


aj
 
As you are in Australia definitely try -

www.hollowaydiamonds.com

They are in Canterbury, Melbourne but can work with clients remotely from what I understand. I must have missed where you said you were in Melbourne originally or I would have suggested this company before * rolls eyes at self...
20.gif
*
 

Stone-cold11 and Lorelei thanks for the recommendations. Both diamonds look very nice Stone-cold11 and fit the budget and characteristics I have in mind.


I have been looking at both these companies with great interest. I done a quick search on the forum and they both seem to have well regarded reputations. I’m going to contact both and I’ll let you all know how I go!


Cheers


aj


 
Good luck. :)
 
Status
Not open for further replies. Please create a new topic or request for this thread to be opened.
GET 3 FREE HCA RESULTS JOIN THE FORUM. ASK FOR HELP
Jewelry Blog
PriceScope-Concierge-Ad
Find prime cuts.
Top