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1.5ct round - need help

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wigs

Rough_Rock
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Jun 12, 2006
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I am looking to purchase a 1.5 ct round diamond. I am having trouble deciding on color and clarity. My budget is $8500. I think I can get an SI2 in color D-F, but if i go to SI1, that puts me at G-H, or I can get an H&A at SI2 - I color. I have been to many stores (Chicago area) and can definitely see the difference from an F to an H. However, once it is in a platinum setting on her finger, she isn''t going to be comparing it to another stone, so am I better with the H&A which will give me better light return, etc. I need some opinions on what is more important.

Thanks in advance,
wigs
 
you won''t be able to get a well cut 1.5 d/f for $8500 but you are right, if you go down in color and get the best cut possible the color won''t matter as much because it will sparkle so much from the top. getting a well cut stone should be top priority...
unless size means everything to her, then you will have to make sacrifices elsewhere (
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)
 
how reputable is abazias? here is a diamond i found on their site
1.51 E SI2 Ideal 60.8/53 (D/T) AGS cert. - $8100
 
they are reputable but that doesn''t mean this is a stellar diamond. it is a virtual stone and if you are serious about sending them a good chunk of change you should consider having it brought in to find out more about it (ie crown/pavilion angles...)
there is not enough information here to know anything other than that it is round and has a small table.
 
Date: 6/12/2006 8:45:10 PM
Author:wigs
I am looking to purchase a 1.5 ct round diamond. I am having trouble deciding on color and clarity. My budget is $8500. I think I can get an SI2 in color D-F, but if i go to SI1, that puts me at G-H, or I can get an H&A at SI2 - I color. I have been to many stores (Chicago area) and can definitely see the difference from an F to an H. However, once it is in a platinum setting on her finger, she isn''t going to be comparing it to another stone, so am I better with the H&A which will give me better light return, etc. I need some opinions on what is more important.


Thanks in advance,

wigs
Click to expand...

I think the sparkle is important, above all!! If you go with a H&A ideal cut you will get so much more sparkle and you''ll be more than fine with an I color stone. The cut allows so much light to be returned that it masks color, and I don''t think you''ll be able to see any color in an I stone anyways. Just make sure it''s eye clean (re: the SI2 clarity) and it''s fine.
 
I would also mention that there is a big price jump at 1.5, so you''d be much better off looking in the 1.4 range. Dimend Scassi had a nice 1.44 ct. H VS2 hearts and arrows stone for about $10,000. I think you''ll get a better quality stone if you drop just a little in weight.
 
One of my concerns is with an SI2 purchased online. I have seen some on jewelers row in Chicago that have looked better than SI1''s, but outside of viewing the grading report online, I don''t know how clean it will be. the prices are nearly the same for a couple places i have been to, but by adding in tax, i am looking at about an $800 difference by going to a B&M. Also, i don''t mind going down in size to a 1.4, but i have seen much more limited options.
 
any thoughts on this one
Carat: 1.46
Color: G
Clarity: VVS2
Cut: IDEAL
Shape: Round
Depth %: 61.4
Table %: 55
Polish: Very Good
Symmetry: Excellent
Fluorescence: Faint
Measurements: 5.81*5.85*3.58
Lab: GIA
 
Date: 6/12/2006 9:24:36 PM
Author: wigs
One of my concerns is with an SI2 purchased online. I have seen some on jewelers row in Chicago that have looked better than SI1''s, but outside of viewing the grading report online, I don''t know how clean it will be. the prices are nearly the same for a couple places i have been to, but by adding in tax, i am looking at about an $800 difference by going to a B&M. Also, i don''t mind going down in size to a 1.4, but i have seen much more limited options.
Click to expand...
this is why you need to have the diamond brought in before you buy. i would not buy an si2 stone unless a vendor that i was confident in had at least looked at the diamond first.
your other option is to look at diamonds that are already ''in house'' instead of virtual stones. it would save you a lot of headache (and potential returns)
 
If you stick with the reputable vendors like Whiteflash and Good Old Gold, they will honestly tell you if the diamond is eye clean or not. You can also have it sent to an independent appraiser so that you can view it in person before making a decision.
 
Don't consider any diamond with out these four numbers:
Depth %
Table %
Crown Angle
Pavillion Angle.

To plug these 4 number into the Holloway Cut Advisor (HCA) click on the TOOLS button above and select "Cut Advisor".

The best looking cut will have a score under 2.
Nothing affects the look of a diamond more than cut.

Next I wouldn't go below an eye-clean SI1 with a GIA or AGS report and color of I or better.

The leftover parameter is size.

1. Cut
2. Clarity and color
3. Size

But that's just me.
 
Thanks for the help. Good old gold has the H&A, SI2 - I that i first mentioned. I think i will call them to see if they can view it for me.

thanks again
 
Take a look at this one: http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/2097/

It looks gorgeous, it''s in-house with one of the favorite P''scope vendors, it''s big, perfectly cut, and $500 less than your budget. I''ve had several well-cut diamonds in my hands, and although you''ve said you can see the difference in colors, were you comparing apples to apples? An ideal cut round brilliant I color will face up whiter and sparklier than you can believe possible. The only thing is to call GOG and ask them to tell you how "eye clean" this SI2 is. If you''re near NY you can go see it yourself.

Good luck.

Lizzy
 
Abasias can find for you the best stone for your money, they have the best prices ON LINE, you can ask for Hearts & Arrows diamonds. In my opinion the cut is the most important thing when you buy a diamond, if the cut is good the diamond sparkle if the cut is bad, nothing will help, no color, no clarity.
You can also go with EGL certificate (they are good and cheaper then GIA) and get something like H color, SI1, easely.
 
Nevermind. Read that wrong.
 
Date: 6/12/2006 9:36:29 PM
Author: lizzyd
Take a look at this one: http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/2097/

It looks gorgeous, it''s in-house with one of the favorite P''scope vendors, it''s big, perfectly cut, and $500 less than your budget. I''ve had several well-cut diamonds in my hands, and although you''ve said you can see the difference in colors, were you comparing apples to apples? An ideal cut round brilliant I color will face up whiter and sparklier than you can believe possible. The only thing is to call GOG and ask them to tell you how ''eye clean'' this SI2 is. If you''re near NY you can go see it yourself.

Good luck.

Lizzy
Click to expand...
YOWZA! That BSCOPE is INCREDIBLE!!!
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I definately would be calling up Jonathan & having him look that one over
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... if he thinks it''s "eye~clean" I am sure it would be blindingly beautiful!
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Date: 6/12/2006 9:38:02 PM
Author: Carlotta
Did you see this one at GOG??? It''s a J SI1, though......not much else in the search for that price..

www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/1734
Click to expand...

Ohhh
emlove.gif
, this one has an excellent BSCOPE too!
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I would have them compare the two, and see what GOG has to say!

I know I would trust them for my eye''s
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! And I wouldn''t bat an eyelash because it was a J either!

I would even go to a K if it was perfectly cut and had an awesome BSCOPE!!!
I would!!!
emsmilep.gif


Good luck and let us know what you find out!

Have a great week!
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Date: 6/13/2006 1:04:35 AM
Author: Gem-girl
Abasias can find for you the best stone for your money, they have the best prices ON LINE, you can ask for Hearts & Arrows diamonds. In my opinion the cut is the most important thing when you buy a diamond, if the cut is good the diamond sparkle if the cut is bad, nothing will help, no color, no clarity.
You can also go with EGL certificate (they are good and cheaper then GIA) and get something like H color, SI1, easely.
Click to expand...
As far as en EGL cert ...

I personally wouldn''t want an EGL ... while they might be cheaper ... I have found it is for a valid reason.

I have found that they tend to be off in color, and sometimes clarity. So, I would expect it to be cheaper.

Do your research on the different grading labs, and how each lab grades diamonds. Use the search button here, and you will learn sooo much!

In the end you will have to make a decision on what your priorities are ie: #1 is ... or should be cut! The rest is up to you. Some put more preferance on color, while others will put more pref. on clarity, and then there are some of us who think size is a pref. too!

Have fun, and keep smiling ... and have a great week!
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Thanks so much to everyone for their help. I have seen some EGL''s in person that look good, but if I go ahead with the online I want to keep with GIA or AGS. I have an email request to speak with someone at GOG regarding their stones.

 
Date: 6/12/2006 9:04:37 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006
I would also mention that there is a big price jump at 1.5, so you''d be much better off looking in the 1.4 range. Dimend Scassi had a nice 1.44 ct. H VS2 hearts and arrows stone for about $10,000. I think you''ll get a better quality stone if you drop just a little in weight.
Click to expand...
That one would seem to be considerably over his stated $8500 budget, though, likely becuase of VS clarity.
 
Yeah, if he wants a H&A stone, he''ll have to sacrifice something..either go to a lower color/clarity stone or raise the budget. You just won''t get everything for $8500 in a 1.5. Here''s one more 1.4 from GOG ($9492 w/bankwire):

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/2129/

I think he needs to go look at some J stones to see if that would work or not.
 
I'd take a look at this one. It'a a 1.4 G SI2 (Bank wire price: $8,583), and the description says the inclusion can be hidden under a prong...it looks gorgeous to me!

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/2130/
 
Here is another one i found on GOG.
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/2039/

I really like this one and i have requested more info (i.e. is it eye clean). I am going to call today (didn''t have a chance yesterday) and have them compare the stones #2039, 2097, 2130 & 1734.
 
Wigs,
Keep in mind that you can get a non H&A stone that will outperform an H&A stone. It''s really all about the numbers in relationship to each other. If you really don''t want the "warmth" of the higher colored stones (I-J) then you will have to drop in size to keep in your price range. As long as the cut is ideal or excellent (AGS/GIA) it will be rocking. Do a search for AGS000 stones in your price range and see what it throws out at you. If your really color sensitive like a lot of us are, then I wouldn''t go below a G, below that everything seems yellow to me. You can sacrifice everywhere else but cut, even an ideal cut G will face up pretty darn white. Good Luck!!
 
I have found a stone on Jewelers Row in Chicago that I really like. It is a GIA cert. 1.52 H - SI2, with Very good cut. Depth is 59.9, table is 59, CA is 33.0, PA is 41.0, girdle is thin to medium and the dimensions are 7.46x7.49x4.48. The HCA grades are all excellent with a score of 1.0. I have negotiated a price of $8500.

Does this sound like a fair price? Shoud I send this stone in for an independent appraisal?
 
did you look at it? did you like it? is it eyeclean from the top and the sides?
definitely send it to an independent appraiser. good luck!
 
Date: 6/21/2006 8:52:16 AM
Author: wigs
I have found a stone on Jewelers Row in Chicago that I really like. It is a GIA cert. 1.52 H - SI2, with Very good cut. Depth is 59.9, table is 59, CA is 33.0, PA is 41.0, girdle is thin to medium and the dimensions are 7.46x7.49x4.48. The HCA grades are all excellent with a score of 1.0. I have negotiated a price of $8500.

Does this sound like a fair price? Shoud I send this stone in for an independent appraisal?
Click to expand...
From the numbers it looks good. Where did the CA & PA come from? Sounds rounded to me.

That being said this is more of a 60/60 stone. Some people like them. Some don''t. If it speaks to you & you''ve seen some to compare, then sounds reasonable. It''s always nice to get a second opinion from an inde. appraiser. It''s not necessary - but may make you sleep better at night about your large purchase!
 
The CA and PA came from the GIA cert. I am a little concerned with the table being so large.
I found an independ appraiser in the area who is going to look at the stone for me.
The store also had a second 1.52 H SI2 with 62.2 depth, 56 table, but there was no CA or PA on the certificate (pre-2006 GIA). The appraiser said that she could look at both of them and compare them. She said she doesn''t have a Sarin macine, but does have an idealscope or colorimeter. Do you think I should find someone with the Sarin?
 
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