1.50 round vs 1.73 round - Advice Please

[Johnson100]

Hi,

I am new to the forums, and was hoping to get some expert advice from those of you on these boards. My girlfriend and I have been going to a lot of local dealers to try to get an idea of what she wants and to get the most out of the money I will be spending. She cares most that the diamond sparkles really good, is white enough (G and better she thinks is all relatively white), is large enough (ideally 1.5 carats or more), and she cannot see any exclusions with her naked eye (both of our untrained eyes have not been able to see anything on Si 1''s).

Here are 2 choices that I found that I wanted to get your thoughts- Both run around $12,500, which is around what I am looking to spend.

1)

Round Brilliant
7.29 X 7.34 X 4.55 mm
1.50 carats
G color
VS 2 clarity
Cut grade: Excellent
Polish: VG
Symmetry: VG
Fl: None
Table: 57%
Depth: 62.2%
Crown angle: 35.8
Pavilion angle: 40.8
Girdle: Thin-slightly thick
Culet: None


2)

Round Brilliant
7.74 X 7.79 X4.74mm
1.73 carats
G color
Si 1 clarity (vendor has it in stock and has noted it as "eye clean")
Cut: Excellent
Polish: Very Good
Symmetry: Excellent
Fl: Faint
Table: 57%
Depth: 61%
Crown angle: 33.5
Pavilion: 41
Culet-None


Would appreciate any comments on:

a) Which diamond you prefer more
b) Any concerns you have about the diamond
c) More information that I should ask the vendor on these diamonds
d) pricing (e.g. can i get something better somewhere else)

Thanks for your help.

Johnson

 

[JulieN]

I prefer the G SI1.

 

[Lorelei]

Welcome to PS

I definitely prefer the second diamond, it also scored a good 1.1 on the HCA. Are these diamonds GIA certed - I am assuming they are? Are you able to look at the diamonds before purchase? If so let your eyes guide you, but the second diamond sounds quite promising! I would also ask the vendor the nature of the inclusions too which gave the diamond it's grade such as carbon, crystal, feather etc - could be useful to know. Also make sure the vendor has a good return policy. Let us know how you get on!

 

[JulieN]

Regarding the 1.73 G SI1: it is being offered by two other vendors for 12182 and 12199. Having it in-house, eye-cleanliness checked out, any Sarin analysis/Ideal Scope pictures/miscellaneous services they offer and working with a good vendor is worth something, but can''t hurt to ask for a price match.

One more worth checking out: 11761 from James Allen and 11831 from Whiteflash, whomever you prefer to work with http://www.jamesallen.com/diamond.asp?cid=131&item=850422&aff_id=ps621 No one has it in-house, but a quick call to the supplier should let them know if it is eye-clean and if it is old or new AGS report (and if old report, use HCA to check it out.)

 

[Johnson100]

Date: 6/16/2006 7:34:53 AM
Author: JulieN
Regarding the 1.73 G SI1: it is being offered by two other vendors for 12182 and 12199. Having it in-house, eye-cleanliness checked out, any Sarin analysis/Ideal Scope pictures/miscellaneous services they offer and working with a good vendor is worth something, but can''t hurt to ask for a price match.

One more worth checking out: 11761 from James Allen and 11831 from Whiteflash, whomever you prefer to work with http://www.jamesallen.com/diamond.asp?cid=131&item=850422&aff_id=ps621 No one has it in-house, but a quick call to the supplier should let them know if it is eye-clean and if it is old or new AGS report (and if old report, use HCA to check it out.)

Thanks JulieN- The certificate is GIA dated May 4, 2006, so pretty recent.

Question: When the vendor e-mailed me that it was eye-clean, I thought that he had it in stock, but seems like other people are selling the same diamond. Is he probably just saying it is eye-clean because it is an Si 1? Can he pull the certificate even though he does not have the diamond in stock?

What is the latest reputation of uniondiamond.com- I saw some customer service issues back in 2003, but not much since then?

Do you know if Uniondiamond drop-ships or ships directly to them to review and then ships out?

Thanks.

Johnson

 

[Shay37]

I also like the second diamond over the first. I don''t know if UD has it in stock. Simple enough to call and ask them if they are looking at it in stock when they answer your questions about the inclusions. HTH

shay

 

[Lorelei]

It is usual for different vendors to be selling the same diamonds from the cutter's listings. UD might have it in house, call and ask them as Shay suggests. Maybe they do have it as they are saying it is eyeclean. He can get a copy of the cert no problem and email or fax it to you.

 

[Johnson100]

Thanks for all of the helpful advice.

Would anyone be worried about faint flourescence in this diamond? Are there specific questions I should ask the vendor about this since I cannot see the diamond in different lighting myself?

Thanks.

Johnson

 

[jaz464]

I wouldn't worry about it in the least, assuming it is blue flourescence. I would like to add however that my diamond is a D with faint flourescence and it does glow a very pretty violet color in direct sunlight. This seems to be a rarity, as many around here have medium flor. and never notice anything.

 

[ladykemma]

fluorescence is purdy. I would be looking for more fluor if it were me. look at my avatar.

It''s a matter of taste.

there''s a lot if bad info out there about fluor. be your own judge.

 

[Lorelei]

Yep - it is your call with the fluorescence - I happen to love it, but with faint it shouldn''t be an issue and you might not ever notice it anyway. I wish my diamond witrh faint showed it more.

 

[belle]

faint fluorescence is nothing to worry about. in normal lighting conditions you won''t notice it at all.

 

[fire&ice]

I would choose the 1.73 all day long over the other 1.50 as long as the 1.73 is eyecleanish. Faint fluor is a non issue.

 

[Lorelei]

Lady K your set is really beautiful and I love the flourescence!

That is my fave shape for a pear too - yum!