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0.75carat, VS1+, DEF, $5500ish budget, any advice?

C

calbears25

Rough_Rock
Joined
Apr 22, 2012
Messages
6
Hi Everyone,

I've been doing some research over the last month and I've found these diamonds. My budget is around $5500. My fiance's finger is very long and slender, size 4. So I want to stay around 0.75 carat, I'm not sure if this is a correct assumptions (please let me know if it's not). Other than that, I'm looking for a very well cut ring (ideal/excellent) with VS1+, DEF color, and of course good stats (depth, table, crown, and pavillon) to make sure it looks brillant in person. I don't mind purchasing online, but I'd prefer to pay with credit card. There are so many similar diamonds at this price range for this carat size, that i'm just not sure which to choose and if these differences are worth the difference in price.

***Just a side note, ya'll are awesome! I've been lurking on this site for awhile and I've learned so much!***

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2428248.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2668673.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2777280.htm

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1475291.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VVS1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1469379.asp

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond....=5500&resultsColumns=268435471&singleResult=1

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8410/

http://www.eternitydiamonds.com/diamond_detail.php?id=640113&ref=pricescope
 
Why VS1 or clearer? You could save money / get a larger stone if you drop that clarity a bit... and there are plenty of eye clean SI1's out there.
 
I am not one of the diamond experts, and I do hope they chime in (Diamondseeker, Gypsy, Christina.... etc) but IMO, I'd go for the 2 GOG ones you listed:
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8410/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8515/

I don't think you need the VS1 clarity if you can get eye clean (**You determine what YOUR eye clean sweet spot is - arms length? 6" away?**) If it were me receiving the diamond, I'd rather have eye clean but a larger, well cut stone, which these seem to be. I'd also suggest you give the G/H/I's a browse as well. Unless your g/f is hyper colour sensitive, the savings may be worth it to loosen up your parameters a bit.

again - lets hope the far superior experts chime in!!!

As for a credit card, shouldn't be an issue, but if you pay by wire, there is usually a % discount of some sort.

Look for an upgrade policy as well - you can be engaged with this stone... then on an anniversary, upgrade later on.

Best of luck!
 
its something that a client from work told me, but honestly, i have no idea if it is necessary? do you think it is more worth it to go with SI?
 
You could get better 'bang for your buck' by dropping the clarity but ensuring via the vendor that it is eye clean to YOUR standards --- which you have to specify. Usually eye clean is in the 12" away range in normal face on conditions... but please continue to explore PS for more thoughts on eye clean.

If it were me, I'd save on the clarity and focus on ideal/excellent cut first. Even colour can be a bit looser, don't get so hung up on a D/E/F - there are beautiful diamonds that face up white, in other colours!
:bigsmile:
 
so taking into account being able to have lower color and clarity, which one should i shoot for? color or clarity? i've been looking through a ton of diamonds, and i've come across these two that i like, any thoughts?

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2728101.htm

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1473925.asp

im not sure if the downgrade from F to G makes that much of a difference? or if the 0.04 carat size makes a difference either? lol i wish i knew more =P

______________________ edit

found one more that is interesting bc it's a VVS2 but a G in color, 0.84
http://www.eternitydiamonds.com/diamond_detail.php?id=658619&ref=pricescope
 
HI:

Does your GF have a preference......I mean is she interested in a certain color or clarity or shape? Has she ever expressed to you she'd rather have a larger stone, instead of a smaller stone of high color or clarity? At any rate, I would buy from a vendor who has a great return or trade up policy, should you need to exercise those options.

cheers--Sharon
 
:D this is a huge coincidence, my gf's name is sharon. anyways, she says she would rather have a smaller diamond that is a nicer diamond, than have a larger diamond with more flaws, but the thing is, she isn't a diamond fanatic, she doesn't know what half the terms mean, but i guess she just wants more sparkle than size (to put it in more concisely)
 
I would aim for G VS2 and stick with vendors who have pictures and other images...Good Old Gold, WhiteFlash, James Allen.

G VS2 is still high quality, and excellent/ideal cut is what will make the stone beautiful more than any other feature.
 
diamondseeker2006|1335137068|3178032 said:
I would aim for G VS2 and stick with vendors who have pictures and other images...Good Old Gold, WhiteFlash, James Allen.

G VS2 is still high quality, and excellent/ideal cut is what will make the stone beautiful more than any other feature.[/quote]


Yes, a well cut stone will "shrug" off color to be sure (and in this range may be a moot point!) , and the parameters as well as vendors mentioned here are desirable.

Calbear--you seem to be on the right track.....the reason I asked is that some gals have very particular specifications and would be disappointed if those criteria were not met.

Sorry, what kind of a setting are you seeking--and is $5500 for the diamond alone, or all in?

cheers--Sharon (awesome name :bigsmile: )
Click to expand...
 
calbears25|1335126917|3177915 said:
just found this one, but it's SI1, im not sure how much difference that makes

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8515/
Click to expand...


Great company, color, size, but I am the only girl on this board who would not but a stone with fluro. But that is MY preference...

cheers--Sharon
 
calbears25|1335136870|3178030 said:
:D this is a huge coincidence, my gf's name is sharon. anyways, she says she would rather have a smaller diamond that is a nicer diamond, than have a larger diamond with more flaws, but the thing is, she isn't a diamond fanatic, she doesn't know what half the terms mean, but i guess she just wants more sparkle than size (to put it in more concisely)
Click to expand...
a well cut F VS2.. ;))
 
Dancing Fire said:
calbears25|1335136870|3178030 said:
:D this is a huge coincidence, my gf's name is sharon. anyways, she says she would rather have a smaller diamond that is a nicer diamond, than have a larger diamond with more flaws, but the thing is, she isn't a diamond fanatic, she doesn't know what half the terms mean, but i guess she just wants more sparkle than size (to put it in more concisely)
Click to expand...
a well cut F VS2.. ;))
Click to expand...

This is what I would go for too, or G VS2 as DS suggested.
 
Hi,

Just wanted to chime in about colour and cut, because my engagement ring is an I colour 0.70 - but it's a Hearts on Fire. So, it's an amazing cut and it faces up snowy white. I honestly thought it was an E colour, until I saw the certificate! I'm not necessarily recommending Hearts on Fire right here right now, as they carry the most outrageous premium, but my point is that an amazing cut can make a G/H/I look very bright-white. So if you focus on getting the best cut available, I would have thought that G/H at least would be absolutely fine, and then maybe you can get something just a little bigger, too, than if you were staying within the D/E/F range.

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/hearts-on-fire-0-70-i-color-si2-platinum-engagement-ring.171783/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/hearts-on-fire-0-70-i-color-si2-platinum-engagement-ring.171783/[/URL]

By the way, a bezel setting in white metal is a great way to maximize the size of the diamond.

Check back soon, bercause I have a D-colour .52 pendant, and I am going to photograph my I colour engagement ring and my D-colour pendant side-by-side, so you can see the level of difference between a D and an I. Bear in mid that both are fantastic cuts: the pendant is a HCA 0.9, James Allen Hearts and Arrows, and the ring is, as I said before, a Hearts on Fire.
 
Here is my D-colour pendant next to my I-colour engagement ring, in broad daylight on a dull day, no flash. When held directly next to the D, you can indeed see a slight yellow tint. However, the photos don't show the sparkle, which makes the I ring look really white. You can see in the link in my post above the engagement ring by itself, where it looks much whiter than here. I suppose it partly depends on how colour-sensitive your fiancee-to-be is.

Anyway, I thought it would be interesting to see a D and an I side-by-side.

N.B. The D is 0.52 and the I is 0.70.

GEDC0877.JPG

GEDC0878.JPG

GEDC0879.JPG

GEDC0881.JPG
 
That's very informative Smith! Thanks for those photos! I can see a slight warmth but for my eyes, I would be very happy with the I stone - when worn on its own (or with a WB with diamonds of smaller size) I think it would still read as very white overall.

(and I love both pieces, Smith! :bigsmile: )
 
Thanks Enerchi! The I colour really does look white in real life. Shame the photos can't capture its sparkle.

OP - I think you should go and look at some lower colour stones - G/H/I as opposed to D/E/F - and see what you think of them in real life.

Here's the I by itself. Looks so much whiter on its own!

GEDC0883.JPG

GEDC0884.JPG

GEDC0885.JPG
 
And here is a D, E, F, and I, all lined up ready for inspection!

The two diamonds in the middle are my Blue Nile Signature studs. They are 0.34 each. One of them is an E and one of them is an F, but I'm blowed if I know which. Anyone like to hazard a guess??

Note that all these photos were taken on a dull day, no flash, in broad daylight by a window. All of them wold probably look brighter if I took the photos under the bright kitchen lights using a flash, but for diamond-color purposes I think broad daylight is considered the best light.

GEDC0895.JPG

GEDC0898.JPG

GEDC0899.JPG

GEDC0902.JPG
 
:love: :love: :love:
I'm so planning a trip to your jewellry box - I wanna play with your toys!

That's a perfect example of how the colours are often very hard to differentiate in real life settings.
 
Enerchi|1335194272|3178444 said:
:love: :love: :love:
I'm so planning a trip to your jewellry box - I wanna play with your toys!

That's a perfect example of how the colours are often very hard to differentiate in real life settings.
Click to expand...


Thanks Enerchi! But now I've looked at my posted photos again, all I can think is...God, I really need to clean that window sill!
 
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