1.5 ct+ round with settings (NEED HELP)

[CharlestonSC]

I was recently at Diamonds Direct in Charlotte looking for engagement rings. While there, I looked at 15-20 stones and finally found one that seemed fairly reasonable. Unforturnately, I need help with both the setting and the diamond. Here is the info on the diamond:

1.59 ct
H color
SI1 clarity
Ideal cut: Tolkowsky certified by EGL
there are no visible inclusions, but report shows a light fissure? line across center of stone. It was not visible and shows up as a lighlty traced red line through stone. Otherwise, nothing on plot.
Price: $10,000

Some questions for the gurus out there:

1) should I be concerned about the fact that is EGL as opposed to GIA/AGS? My understanding is that EGL grades color more losely.
2) is this a legitimate price? I have searched a number of retailers online and have found prices in the high 8k''s, including some with GIA certs.
3) if this price is high, does anyone have any experience with Diamonds Direct''s "we''ll match any certified stone" price policy

Now on to the settings. I have narrowed this down to two and am waffling back and forth:

1) Vatche "Swan" setting. Look more intricate and the diamond sits low in the setting. I wonder whether this will show off the stone and whether the six prongs will distract.
For a picture, (http://www.exceldiamonds.com/-Engagement-Rings-5/Vatche-Swan-Diamond-Engagement-Ring-1560.html)
2) A Jaffe ME1401, with plain round shank (not euro shank). This setting seems to show off the diamond much better and the band has much better optics on the stones. My concern is whether the diamond sits "too high" in the setting.
For a picture, (http://www.ajaffe.com/EnlargedImage.aspx?style_number=ME1401).

My wonderful girlfriend is very traditional with classic tastes. I have been going back and forth over the two settings for days. Also, any thoughts on price of settings would be welcome. AJ: $2,000 in platinum; Vatche: $2500 in platinum.

I''m sorry for the long winded e-mail but I am very excited about this, but don''t want to take a retailers word on everything.

Thanks so much for all of your help.

All the best.

 

[JulieN]

price seems "in range" for stones found through the PS database

1 vote for Vatche.

 

[CharlestonSC]

Also, flouresence: none and culet: none.

Polish and Symmetry are both excellent.

 

[JulieN]

Also, Dems is in SC and carries Infinity H&A stones as well as Vatche.

 

[Regular Guy]

EGL raises some concerns here...but maybe this option is lovely.

Still...at $11,8 wire priced this one is not tons more, has some of the same qualities, and comes without second guesses.

Or...as Julie says...if another local place carries the Infinity line, you may also want to check them out.

 

[Lorelei]

Welcome!

Do you know which branch of EGL graded this diamond, is the report EGL USA, Antwerp, Israel, Europe etc - it would be useful to know before you purchase. Also have you verified it is eyeclean to your standards? You can't judge a diamond by the plotting diagram of the grading report, so you would need the vendor to evaluate this diamond for you with it in hand.

Also can you post the proportions of the diamond, so we can help you judge the cut. We would need the -

depth
table
crown %
pavilion %
girdle thickness
diameter measurements

 

[CharlestonSC]

The certification is ten digits, no "US" out front so I could not pull it off of EGL-USA''s site. I assume its "other" EGL. I have requested another copy of the certification. Once I receive that, will post all the "stats." The measurements however are 7.41 x 7.38 x 4.70 MM.

 

[CharlestonSC]

In looking at the stone, you can''t notice anything under a 10x loupe. The only apparent flaw is a line that runs through the center of the stone that is a crystal? shaped like a fissure. You can''t see it looking through and the plot shows it is a lightly traced, cloudly line running across the diamond. I have requested the EGL report so that I can answer all of these great questions you guys are posing.

The more I hear from you all, the more I am concerned about the EGL (non-USA) grading. It looks like comparable stones with EGL''s as opposed to GIA''s are going for about 1200 less than what they are asking.

Thank you again. You guys are great for helping out all of the lost pre-engagement males of the world.

 

[CharlestonSC]

At long last, here are the stats:

1.59 cts

7.41mm x 7.38mm x 4.70 mm

Total Depth 63.6%
Table Width 57%
Crown Height 15%
Pavillion Depth 44%

Girdle: Slightly Thick, faceted

Polish VG
Sym VG
Culet None

SI1

H

Flour: none

Comments: Tolkowsky Idead Cut

Price: $10k Cert by EGL (not USA), don''t know wheihc branch

 

[mercoledi]

Well, with those numbers it falls into GIA excellent but outside of AGS ''Ideal''. The HCA scores at 4.7 (usually under 2 is considered to be good):

Light Return Very Good
Fire Fair
Scintillation Fair
Spread Good

It sounds deeps like it''s probably deep. Hopefully some of the experts will chime in.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 6/12/2008 2:59:07 PM
Author: CharlestonSC
At long last, here are the stats:

1.59 cts

7.41mm x 7.38mm x 4.70 mm

Total Depth 63.6%
Table Width 57%
Crown Height 15%
Pavillion Depth 44%

Girdle: Slightly Thick, faceted

Polish VG
Sym VG
Culet None

SI1

H

Flour: none

Comments: Tolkowsky Idead Cut

Price: $10k Cert by EGL (not USA), don't know wheihc branch

I would pass, it is cut deep and could also look small for it's weight, and it doesn't appear that it will perform all that well, you can do better.

 

[mercoledi]

This one measures a tad bigger (7.46x7.48x4.6) I sI1 ACA if it's eye clean.

ETA: =195&src=loupe:2o8h065d]This H SI1 has strong blue fluoro but no price listed. I think Wink (Winfelds) can source both Infinity diamonds and Vatche settings.

 

[honey22]

Ditto Lorelei - for that kind of $$$ you can do a lot better.