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1.51 M SI1 Round - Images

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dpm9h

Rough_Rock
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I'm looking to buy a 1.5-ish carat round diamond. I'm willing to compromise on color to a substantial extent, and clarity to a lesser extent (VS2-SI1 preferably, or possibly lower if I can see a blown-up image of it and am satisfied with the inclusions). I would like the cut to be ideal or close to it. I'm expecting to spend $3000-$5500 on the stone.

The diamond I am closest to buying is at the lower end of the price range. Here are the specs for the diamond and links to the images I have.

Cert: GIA
Carats: 1.51
Color: M
Clarity: SI1
Cut: Very Good (Salesman said it would be excellent but it has either a slightly thick to thick or thick girdle, I can't remember which, and that prevents it from being excellent)
Symmetry: Very Good
Polish: Excellent
Fluorescence: None (For K-M diamonds, should I be looking for diamonds with fluorescence, and if so, how strong?)
Depth: 61.7%
Table: 59%
Crown: 34.5
Pavillion: 40.6
HCA: 1.3

[Links removed by Moderator] Please upload directly. See forum policies.

I have a few concerns. Will the diamond be noticeably off-color at a glance? I'm thinking of putting this in a platinum setting. See above for my question about fluorescence and whether that's a good thing in lower color grade diamonds. The color looks fine in the picture, but that might be due to lighting or the blue background. What are your opinions on M grade GIA diamonds? Also, the ASET and IdealScope look less than perfect. I don't know too much about them, but it looks like there is too much green on the outside in the ASET, and the IdealScope looks a little dark. Also, the table % is a little higher than I'd like at 59. What are you opinions on how the cut will affect the appearance of this diamond?

Thank you very much in advance for your feedback and opinions. If you don't think this diamond is a good choice, I'd be happy to hear some other recommendations that meet my preferences and price range.
 
Are you the giver or the recipient? If you are the giver-are you SURE that your girl would want an M diamond? Just want to be sure because while M diamonds certainly can be gorgeous in their own way-it will never pass as a colorless stone. So you just should make sure she likes warmer colors.

If you are the recipient then I assume you know what you want so nevermind.
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Date: 5/30/2009 10:07:44 PM
Author:dpm9h

I have a few concerns. Will the diamond be noticeably off-color at a glance?
Click to expand...
If you''re at all concerned about color (meaning you''d like to stay near colorless), stay above a J color. M color will noticeably be tinted, especially if viewed from the side. If you haven''t already, go to some local places and compare the color of stones. I will say that I''m not terribly color sensitive, but once you go below a J I can definately tell there''s color in the diamond. Also, I would never trust color from a face up picture over a blue background. Most RB stones that are cut well will be quite white in face up position, especially in photos. Ask if perhaps the vendor can provide pictures from the side and/or upsidedown and over flat white background.

Hope that helps
 
Thanks for the reply neatfreak.

I am the giver. We''ve talked about diamonds in the past, and I don''t think she requires a colorless diamond. She is pretty open minded. Earlier in my diamond search, I was looking at only J or better diamonds and I figured that J would already be noticeably not colorless. After visiting some jewelry stores and looking at I or J diamonds, and even a GIA M diamond, I came away believing they looked perfectly fine and that even the M looked good. In other words, in my eyes the M looked basically colorless (especially when it was put in a ring on a finger) and only showed a tint of yellow when held up to a diamond with a higher color grade. I am quite sure that my girlfriend would not mind at all a diamond with that kind of appearance. However, the M color for this diamond is still a concern for me because I don''t know how the fluorescence (which I didn''t know) or the lighting in the store might have affected the apparent color of the particular M diamond that I deemed to be an acceptable color.

I could know for sure what my girlfriend wants if I asked her what her opinions are regarding diamond color, and explained to her the difference between all the color grades, but I want to keep this a surprise.

I also might add that I am going to be getting a setting with sidestones, if that affects anything from my first post.
 
That is a good idea Kalare. Unfortunately, the photo the salesman sent me didn''t put my concerns over the color to rest for the reasons you mentioned. I will ask for photos of the diamond on its side against a white background, and post them here when I get them.
 

Hmmm...I wouldn''t commit to an M without seeing it in several different lighting situations. While your GF might be OK with a stone that''s not colorless or near colorless all of her friends and coworkers will have those stones. So it is likely that the M will be put next to a higher colored stone.


And if you put high color side stones next to the M the color will become more obvious. So I''d suggest putting lower colored side stones with it if you can.


HTH

 
You might check Good Old Gold''s website, Jonathan has posted several videos that show different color grade stones against a white background. It helped us decide what colors we were comfortable with (keep in mind that ideal cut diamonds will always show whiter face up than stones of lesser cut quality).

Here is the guide on color:
http://www.vimeo.com/917255

Video for us (comparing H, J, & K. We purchased the 1.05 VS2 "J" stone but when they appraised the stone it grades as a low "I"):
http://www.vimeo.com/4495973
 
Jewelry store lighting is very deceiving. I can see circumstances that I''d buy an M color stone...such as in an antique ring. But I just wouldn''t recommend it for an engagement ring. M color will be noticeable to other people. I really think J (or possibly K) is the realistic limit for an e-ring, as far as I am concerned. With your budget, you really need to be looking closer to 1 ct.

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/Whiteflash-ACA-cut-diamond-636630.htm (price will be 5% less with PriceScope/wire discount on ACA''s)

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/Whiteflash-ACA-cut-diamond-636629.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/round/Round-cut-diamond-2105151.htm# (this is a nice one for the price!)
 
Date: 5/30/2009 10:14:02 PM
Author: neatfreak
Are you the giver or the recipient? If you are the giver-are you SURE that your girl would want an M diamond? Just want to be sure because while M diamonds certainly can be gorgeous in their own way-it will never pass as a colorless stone. So you just should make sure she likes warmer colors.

If you are the recipient then I assume you know what you want so nevermind.
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Click to expand...
If you're sure that your girl will be happy with an M color then go ahead, but I suspect that once she starts to wear it and sees the yellow/ brownish color she may not be so happy with your choice. If you're going for side stones, I wouldn't go higher than M otherise it will highlight the color of the centre stone even more.

Essentially, be absolutely sure that your girl will be happy to wear an M colored stone as an engagement ring and don't be fooled by the lights in the jewelry store that may make the color look better than it will look in natural light.

BTW, size isn't everything. Your girl may prefer a 1ct. near colorless diamond to a 1.5 ct M diamond (I know I would)
 
M colour if well cut as this diamond appears to be are fine if you know them and love them, but for an engagement ring where you aren't sure of the recipient's taste, I would look for J colour or better. At least check it out away from the store lighting in more natural light so you can see how the colour grade really looks.
 
Thank you for your opinions regarding the M color and for the links to other diamonds. Can anyone give an opinion regarding the quality of the ASET and IdealScope images, as well as the measurements for this diamond?
 
Date: 5/30/2009 10:07:44 PM
Author:dpm9h
I''m looking to buy a 1.5-ish carat round diamond. I''m willing to compromise on color to a substantial extent, and clarity to a lesser extent (VS2-SI1 preferably, or possibly lower if I can see a blown-up image of it and am satisfied with the inclusions). I would like the cut to be ideal or close to it. I''m expecting to spend $3000-$5500 on the stone.

The diamond I am closest to buying is at the lower end of the price range. Here are the specs for the diamond and links to the images I have.

Cert: GIA
Carats: 1.51
Color: M
Clarity: SI1
Cut: Very Good (Salesman said it would be excellent but it has either a slightly thick to thick or thick girdle, I can''t remember which, and that prevents it from being excellent)
Symmetry: Very Good
Polish: Excellent
Fluorescence: None (For K-M diamonds, should I be looking for diamonds with fluorescence, and if so, how strong?)
Depth: 61.7%
Table: 59%
Crown: 34.5
Pavillion: 40.6
HCA: 1.3

[Links removed by Moderator] Please upload directly. See forum policies.

I have a few concerns. Will the diamond be noticeably off-color at a glance? I''m thinking of putting this in a platinum setting. See above for my question about fluorescence and whether that''s a good thing in lower color grade diamonds. The color looks fine in the picture, but that might be due to lighting or the blue background. What are your opinions on M grade GIA diamonds? Also, the ASET and IdealScope look less than perfect. I don''t know too much about them, but it looks like there is too much green on the outside in the ASET, and the IdealScope looks a little dark. Also, the table % is a little higher than I''d like at 59. What are you opinions on how the cut will affect the appearance of this diamond?

Thank you very much in advance for your feedback and opinions. If you don''t think this diamond is a good choice, I''d be happy to hear some other recommendations that meet my preferences and price range.
Click to expand...
You need to post them here directly.

Here is a link you may find interesting: https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/photographic-death-match-f-versus-k.116295/ Keep in mind that an M color diamond will show much more color than this. If you buy it, be sure to have a good return policy so that you can take it home and view it in many lighiting conditions. I own a K and am very happy with it. Still, I would not go lower in color and when I upgrade again will probably go back to a J color. This diamond does show color, and the M will show more, and in some circumstances that can be a little embarassing, even for a color lover like me.
 
Sorry, some of the files were over 100 kb so I uploaded them to a different site and linked to there (as is done on other forums). Here are the images uploaded to Pricescope.

MJ247333.jpg
 
Idealscope

MJ247333 Idealscope.jpg
 
ASET

MJ247333 ASET.jpg
 
Date: 5/30/2009 10:14:02 PM
Author: neatfreak
If you are the giver-are you SURE that your girl would want an M diamond? Just want to be sure because while M diamonds certainly can be gorgeous in their own way-it will never pass as a colorless stone. So you just should make sure she likes warmer colors.
Click to expand...
+1! Low color is something she has to want and tends to look better in antique shapes (OEC''s and OMC''s) than in ideal cut RB''s.

If you aren''t sure, I''d sacrifice size for color.
 
It looks nice by the images, but I would think hard about the colour.
 
I would have to agree with the ladies who have suggested sticking to a J, K at the lowest for this ering. Without her actually seeing an M and giving the ok, I think it''s a bit too risky. What I would suggest is going with a vendor who has a very good upgrade policy, and get her something slightly smaller in the near colorless range for now.

ds gave you some great suggestions, and they are very respectable sizes.
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If you consider any JA stones, be aware of their return policy, it is more restrictive.
 
So is it safe to say the IdealScope/ASET images are ideal or very close to it? I''ve gotten more pictures of the diamond which show the color a little better.

IMG_9292.jpg
 
Image 2/4

IMG_9296.jpg
 
Image 3/4

IMG_9297.jpg
 
Image 4/4. What do you guys think of the color now after seeing the diamond up close at different angles and against a white background? Sorry if the images are a little too big, you can right click them and select "view image" to have a picture fit to your browser.

IMG_9298.jpg
 
Date: 6/1/2009 5:23:24 PM
Author: dpm9h
Image 4/4. What do you guys think of the color now after seeing the diamond up close at different angles and against a white background?
Click to expand...
We can tell you that it''s still an M color diamond. The real question is what will your future fiance think of the color after seeing the diamond up close.

If you think she''ll be ok with it then it looks like a good stone. Have you seen it in person?
 
d, I''m going to say what I imagine others may be thinking. It really doesn''t matter that you have pics, because for one thing, monitors vary, so what we see and what it really is could be two different things. And, an M is an M, no matter how well cut. It IS going to show warmth, and unless your gal has seen it, spent time with it, and loves it, which we know is not the case, no one is going to heartily recommend giving it to her. In fact, it has been basically unanimous that you should go with a smaller, near colorless stone.

I think we can all appreciate that you are trying to get her some extra size here (kudos for the thought!), and normally I would never advise against that, but in this case I would. Size will not matter if the color is bothering her, or other people are remarking (not in a good way) about the color. In this case, size at this expense could be counterproductive.

I hope you take this in the spirit it is most definitely meant, just a strong, friendly suggestion, looking at it from a gals point of view.
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Date: 6/1/2009 5:55:04 PM
Author: Ellen
d, I'm going to say what I imagine others may be thinking. It really doesn't matter that you have pics, because for one thing, monitors vary, so what we see and what it really is could be two different things. And, an M is an M, no matter how well cut. It IS going to show warmth, and unless your gal has seen it, spent time with it, and loves it, which we know is not the case, no one is going to heartily recommend giving it to her. In fact, it has been basically unanimous that you should go with a smaller, near colorless stone.

I think we can all appreciate that you are trying to get her some extra size here (kudos for the thought!), and normally I would never advise against that, but in this case I would. Size will not matter if the color is bothering her, or other people are remarking (not in a good way) about the color. In this case, size at this expense could be counterproductive.

I hope you take this in the spirit it is most definitely meant, just a strong, friendly suggestion, looking at it from a gals point of view.
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Click to expand...
Big fat ditto. Also, YOU need to see an M stone IN PERSON before you can even decide if YOU like it, never mind your gf yet! You can't tell from pictures.

If you are set on this stone I really think you need to either a) buy it and keep it loose and propose within the return period and present her with the loose diamond; tell your gf that you researched a lot and discovered you could get her a really gorgeous BIG diamond in this color but if she isn't happy with it you two will search together for a diamond that is a color she likes and also within your budget. OR you can buy this one and a smaller J color stone that is also ideal and present both loose diamonds and let her choose the one she loves, and return the one you do not keep. But either way, I do not recommend setting this diamond and presenting it to her unless you know she would be happy with an M.

Remember, some people scrutinize a woman's engagement ring and it could be very embarassing to her to have a tinted stone. Or she may not care at all! But if you don't know for sure, don't risk it. Or else you may be back after you propose posting a thread like this: https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/she-didnt-like-the-ring-would-you-be-offended.114561/ Clarity bit this guy in the butt, but color could bite you!
 
I think I am detecting a theme in the responses here... thank you, but I get the point. I haven''t seen the diamond in person. I could always return it if I don''t like it - I don''t plan on proposing for at least a few weeks so I''d have the time to do it. If anyone has any other insight regarding something other than the color, I would love to hear it. Otherwise, thank you all very much for your input and I will be posting here with more questions and/or my diamond search results in the coming weeks.

PS: I would still really love to have my questions regarding fluorescence''s effect on apparent color as well as what the ASET/IdealScope images I''ve posted can tell me about the cut of the diamond. If you know something about either of these, I would really like to hear from you.
 
Date: 6/1/2009 6:32:24 PM
Author: dpm9h
I think I am detecting a theme in the responses here... thank you, but I get the point. I haven''t seen the diamond in person. I could always return it if I don''t like it - I don''t plan on proposing for at least a few weeks so I''d have the time to do it. If anyone has any other insight regarding something other than the color, I would love to hear it. Otherwise, thank you all very much for your input and I will be posting here with more questions and/or my diamond search results in the coming weeks.

PS: I would still really love to have my questions regarding fluorescence''s effect on apparent color as well as what the ASET/IdealScope images I''ve posted can tell me about the cut of the diamond. If you know something about either of these, I would really like to hear from you.
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As to the ASET on this diamond, it has too much green for me. Here''s a link that explains what an ASET means, and what you want to see. (the table is also a bit on the larger side, so coupled with the crown/pavilion angles, this diamond would lean towards more brilliance, slightly less fire)

http://www.highperformancediamonds.com/index.php?page=education-performance


And about flourescence.

http://diamonds.pricescope.com/fluor.asp
 
Is it a surprise? If it''s not, you should ask the girl. I find there are two personalities(at least) with rings. Some girls don''t mind an imperfect diamond if its very large (meaning--larger than those of their friends). Other girls really want something ''perfect'' even if small. Your girl might prefer to get a large diamond even if not completely white.
Another question--is it imperative to set it in platinum? Yellow gold is actually coming back in style. And I saw this weekend how much yellow gold can make a difference in making stones look white. I bought my niece some very inexpensive little diamond earrings. I don''t know what color these were, but trust me, it wasn''t good. There were the choices of white gold and yellow gold--and in the white gold the diamonds looked distinctly grey and not very sparkly. But in the yellow, they whitened up a LOT--I was shocked at how much.
they seemed to have some more sparkle too, maybe that was only because it looked so much more white.
 
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