1 ct Diamond in Tacori Setting Help

[saucymama]

Hello!

My fiance and I are purchasing our second engagement ring and want to make sure it's perfect. Our original ring was completely trashed by the jeweller and then again by the designer. Total nightmare. This time we are choosing to go with a Tacori setting and I have a couple questions. From what I understand Tacori uses G colour diamonds. If we put an SI1 H centre stone in the setting, will there be a noticeable difference in colour or no? The ring has a double halo around the centre stone so I just don't want the centre stone to look different. Is it more advisable to go with a G colour? Also, is an AGS Ideal cut a nicer diamond than the GIA Excellent cut? I am in Canada and was wondering if the B&M stores here have access to AGS graded diamonds as we have only ever been given the option of a GIA graded stone. Any help is appreciated

Thanks!

 

[webdiva]

BTW, if you purchase the stone online in the US (much more selection!) you only pay your provincial tax when importing - so no additional duty. Plus, the prices here are MUCH better! (I used to live in Canada, now live in the US). If you're close to NY (eg. Ontario) considering taking a trip to the two PS approved vendors in NY - Good Old Gold and ID Jewelry. I know GOG is a Tacori vendor, not sure about ID Jewelry.

 

[saucymama]

Thank so much for your replies. Much appreciated We are in Alberta so not close to the border at all It would have to be an online purchase. Is there much of a difference in a 1 ct G and H in color? If held side-by-side would you be able to tell a difference or is the difference basically in price alone?

The double halo we purchased is the HT2522CU6.5W.

 

[webdiva]

Thank so much for your replies. Much appreciated We are in Alberta so not close to the border at all It would have to be an online purchase. Is there much of a difference in a 1 ct G and H in color? If held side-by-side would you be able to tell a difference or is the difference basically in price alone?

The double halo we purchased is the HT2522CU6.5W.

No, you wouldn't see much difference.

 

[DiamondBrokersofFlorida]

If you are speaking about the G-H center diamond, it depends. Sometimes you can see a difference. The cut makes a huge difference in how noticable the color is. The better the cut, the better it hides color, especially in a fancy shape like a cushion cut. If you are going for a round center it is harder to notice. Again it depends on the cut of the stone.

That will be a pretty one. We did a cushion recently in that style and it was gorgeous. Just sent someone in Medicine Hat something too.

 

[saucymama]

Thank you again for your replies! We will be going with a round brilliant for the center stone in the cusion halo as pictured on the Tacori site. Is $6500-$7000 a realistic budget for an SI1 G or H in excellent/ideal cut or are we going to have to increase our budget some?

 

[DiamondBrokersofFlorida]

Yep you should be able to get an AGS ideal with top light performance in that range.

 

[saucymama]

Fantastic! Thanks so much for all your help!!

 

[DiamondBrokersofFlorida]

Your welcome. Good Luck and enjoy your ring.

 

[saucymama]

Your welcome. Good Luck and enjoy your ring.

Thank you I will! It took me a while to find a replacement for my original, but this one is similar to the Scott Kay I had that got wrecked. I actually like the Tacori better though I may have a couple more questions when I find a few potential diamonds, so this may not be the last post where I ask for help. Expertise is always invaluable when making a purchase such as this. Thanks again!

 

[tyty333]

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1498642.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1452957.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1497235.asp

 

[saucymama]

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1498642.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1452957.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1497235.asp

Thank you!! Do you know what the average cost of an SI1 F round excellent cut that is eye clean would be? Would it be THAT much cheaper purchasing it online as opposed to a local jeweller? Thanks!!

 

[Christina...]

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1498642.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1452957.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1497235.asp

Thank you!! Do you know what the average cost of an SI1 F round excellent cut that is eye clean would be? Would it be THAT much cheaper purchasing it online as opposed to a local jeweller? Thanks!!

Typically online vendors can sell the same stone for cheaper because they don't have the same overhead as BM stores do. It's also important to compare return, upgrade and trade up policies between vendors. Some even offer a buyback policy. These are important things to consider if you think that you may want to upgrade your diamond in the future. I'd encourage you to pay close attention to the return policy. Also don't fall for the typical BM warranty programs. You will be insuring you diamond anyway and don't need to pay an additional fee for the same coverage.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

G to H color between the tiny diamonds in the setting and the center stone is not going to matter in the least. There are probably many more GIA Excellent stones that meet the requirements for AGS Ideal cut than there are AGS Ideal cut stones! So I think it is unnecessary to limit yourself only to AGS ideal when you can very easily just buy the diamond from a vendor that takes idealscope images. You can assess whether the report numbers fall into AGS Ideal territory and then check with the idealscope and end up with equivalent cut quality with GIA Excellent. I have both GIA XXX and AGS Ideal diamonds. The ideal cut diamond is what it is regardless of who grades it. I would get the best color/clarity you can afford now since you are less likely to upgrade since you are going with a very expensive setting. I think G-H SI1 is fine for your setting. And I do recommend buying from an online vendor just because most of us do not have access to a large selection of excellent/ideal cut stones locally.

 

[saucymama]

G to H color between the tiny diamonds in the setting and the center stone is not going to matter in the least. There are probably many more GIA Excellent stones that meet the requirements for AGS Ideal cut than there are AGS Ideal cut stones! So I think it is unnecessary to limit yourself only to AGS ideal when you can very easily just buy the diamond from a vendor that takes idealscope images. You can assess whether the report numbers fall into AGS Ideal territory and then check with the idealscope and end up with equivalent cut quality with GIA Excellent. I have both GIA XXX and AGS Ideal diamonds. The ideal cut diamond is what it is regardless of who grades it. I would get the best color/clarity you can afford now since you are less likely to upgrade since you are going with a very expensive setting. I think G-H SI1 is fine for your setting. And I do recommend buying from an online vendor just because most of us do not have access to a large selection of excellent/ideal cut stones locally.

Thank you both for your responses. Much appreciated! What are the parameters of a diamond that falls into the AGS Ideal territory? So that I know what exactly it is I'm looking for when I examine a GIA excellent cut certificate. I think we will likely purchase online and I will definitely pay attention to the return policies. I'm not concerned about the upgrade as I love this ring and won't be wanting anything more in the future. The store we purchased the mount at said something about the warranty if you purchase the diamond elsewhere but I can't remember exactly what they said. I'm sure they'll still do the cleaning and check the stones on the mount, wouldn't they? Thanks again

 

[saucymama]

Would an SI1 I Hearts and Arrow look good in this setting as well. For example this one...

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9178/

It almost seems to me like an "I" looks much more like a colorless stone when it is the Hearts and Arrow cut. In the pictures I have seen on this site anyway. Is that true or are the pictures decieving?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Would an SI1 I Hearts and Arrow look good in this setting as well. For example this one...

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9178/

It almost seems to me like an "I" looks much more like a colorless stone when it is the Hearts and Arrow cut. In the pictures I have seen on this site anyway. Is that true or are the pictures decieving?

I personally think I color H&A stones face up quite white. Since you are setting the stone in a halo, you don't have the problem of seeing any tint from the side (and I color doesn't show much anyway). I think it is possible to consider I color. That is a great stone.

 

[saucymama]

Would an SI1 I Hearts and Arrow look good in this setting as well. For example this one...

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9178/

It almost seems to me like an "I" looks much more like a colorless stone when it is the Hearts and Arrow cut. In the pictures I have seen on this site anyway. Is that true or are the pictures decieving?

I personally think I color H&A stones face up quite white. Since you are setting the stone in a halo, you don't have the problem of seeing any tint from the side (and I color doesn't show much anyway). I think it is possible to consider I color. That is a great stone.

Thank you!!

 

[Hakka]

btw, have you tried going to your local tacori dealer to see what the price is?

I had this preconceived notion that it would be much more expensive in Canada, but when I actually did ask, both an online vendor like GOG and the local store were both asking for MSRP.

The difference is the Canadian store was asking for US MSRP price, instead of the CDN MSRP, AND in Canadian dollars. They might charge a small setting fee, but you are pretty much getting a 3% discount just on the exchange this way plus it will be easier to get resizing and replating/refinishing if you bought the setting locally. They would both be sending in to Tacori to get it set anyways so it wouldn't be an issue of quality/warranty.

Granted I think GOG does offer 3% discount if you buy a "designer" ring and a signature cut, but I still think buying in Canada would be a lot more convenient for the above mentioned factors.

hope this helps. and yes, that I stone is a very nice looking stone

Also, not sure why most online stores do this, i guess they don't want to scare you or feel that the inclusions are insignificant, but they seem to like to remove or blur out the clarity plots on the reports

google "gia report check" or "ags report check" and you can view the full untouched clarity plots online from each respective website

 

[saucymama]

btw, have you tried going to your local tacori dealer to see what the price is?

I had this preconceived notion that it would be much more expensive in Canada, but when I actually did ask, both an online vendor like GOG and the local store were both asking for MSRP.

The difference is the Canadian store was asking for US MSRP price, instead of the CDN MSRP, AND in Canadian dollars. They might charge a small setting fee, but you are pretty much getting a 3% discount just on the exchange this way plus it will be easier to get resizing and replating/refinishing if you bought the setting locally. They would both be sending in to Tacori to get it set anyways so it wouldn't be an issue of quality/warranty.

Granted I think GOG does offer 3% discount if you buy a "designer" ring and a signature cut, but I still think buying in Canada would be a lot more convenient for the above mentioned factors.

hope this helps. and yes, that I stone is a very nice looking stone

Also, not sure why most online stores do this, i guess they don't want to scare you or feel that the inclusions are insignificant, but they seem to like to remove or blur out the clarity plots on the reports

google "gia report check" or "ags report check" and you can view the full untouched clarity plots online from each respective website

We actally did buy the setting already from a local store and paid the US MSRP. Other stores we checked with were charging quite a bit more, so we got lucky I think. Great deal!! Thanks for tip on the reports!! I was wondering why some didn't show anything. Thanks again.

 

[saucymama]

Hi there! So we are looking at 2 diamonds and wondered if someone might be able to give some input as to which they see as the better choice and why. It would be much appreciated Thanks!!

Link to First diamond

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1390149.asp

We have had the gemologist examine it and he says that it is very bright with fantastic light performance and face-up very white for an "H". Here is the ideal-scope image as well.



Link to Second diamond

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9178/

I think I linked to this diamond in an earlier post as well.

Thank you in advance for your help/opinions/advice!

 

[distracts]

I don't think you could go wrong with either one of those. I like the higher color/clarity of the JA stone, but the smaller table of the GOG stone. You could always choose on price, if there's much of a difference. They are both going to be amazingly beautiful, so choose whichever one has stats that make you more comfortable with the purchase.

 

[saucymama]

I don't think you could go wrong with either one of those. I like the higher color/clarity of the JA stone, but the smaller table of the GOG stone. You could always choose on price, if there's much of a difference. They are both going to be amazingly beautiful, so choose whichever one has stats that make you more comfortable with the purchase.

Thanks so much for your response Is there an advantage to having a smaller table or is it just personal preference? Thanks!

 

[Laila619]

I don't think you could go wrong with either one of those. I like the higher color/clarity of the JA stone, but the smaller table of the GOG stone. You could always choose on price, if there's much of a difference. They are both going to be amazingly beautiful, so choose whichever one has stats that make you more comfortable with the purchase.

Thanks so much for your response Is there an advantage to having a smaller table or is it just personal preference? Thanks!

It's thought that diamonds with smaller tables tend to show more fire. The table is only one small factor in the beauty of the stone though.

 

[saucymama]

I don't think you could go wrong with either one of those. I like the higher color/clarity of the JA stone, but the smaller table of the GOG stone. You could always choose on price, if there's much of a difference. They are both going to be amazingly beautiful, so choose whichever one has stats that make you more comfortable with the purchase.

Thanks so much for your response Is there an advantage to having a smaller table or is it just personal preference? Thanks!

It's thought that diamonds with smaller tables tend to show more fire. The table is only one small factor in the beauty of the stone though.

Thanks for the clarification!! We are still undecided as to which stone to choose but think we are leaning more towards the VS2 H.

 

[saucymama]

Thank you everyone for your help! We decided to go with the VS2 H. Should be here tomorrow!

 

[Laila619]

Thank you everyone for your help! We decided to go with the VS2 H. Should be here tomorrow!

Congrats! Be sure to post lots of pics!

 

[saucymama]

Thank you everyone for your help! We decided to go with the VS2 H. Should be here tomorrow!

Congrats! Be sure to post lots of pics!

Thank you Will do!! I am hopefully having it set in the ring tomorrow. Picked it up from customs today and it looks beautiful