1ct (or thereabouts) at budget of $2500 - spec check please?

[uiggu]

Hi there - I just posted a separate thread with more general questions and got some great advice. Now I've found a few possibilities at ID Jewelry, which was recommended as being competitive and willing to work with people on a budget.

Now I'm aware of the issues surrounding EGL gradings, and I won't lie - I'm pretty wary of any stone graded by EGL Israel, and know that the stone's "true" (GIA) grade may be 2 or more lower than its EGL cert.

However, I am not a purist; my priorities in order are size, performance (cut), cost, that it's eye clean from reasonable hand-to-face distance, and faces up white enough.

Do any of the four stones below look like a decent prospect? I'm in contact with the dealer too, but I really would like some unbiased opinions before I get into that properly...

1. EGL ISRAEL 0.93 carat (http://www.info-diamond.com/offers/discount_diamond-3204739.html)
Price: $2369
Colour: F
Clarity: SI2
Cut: Excellent
Depth: 61.70%
Table: 56.00%
Girdle: Thin


2. EGL USA 0.94 ct.
Price: $2335
Colour: G (http://www.debebians.com/loose-diamonds-egl-904078950.html)
Clarity: SI2
Cut: Excellent
Depth: 62.2%
Table: 56%
Polish: Very Good
Symmetry: Very Good
Culet: None
Fluorescence: None
Girdle: See Cert.
Measurements: 6.21-6.26x3.88

3. EGL ISRAEL Certified Round Diamond 1.00 carat (http://www.info-diamond.com/offers/discount_diamond-3204690.html)
Price: $2483
Colour: I
Clarity: SI2
Polish Excellent
Symmetry Excellent
Fluorescence None
Measurements 6.40 (Ø mini) - 6.43 (Ø maxi) x 3.91 mm
Table % 57.00%
Depth % 60.80%
Girdle Medium

4. EGL ISRAEL 1.02 ct. Round Diamond (http://www.debebians.com/loose-diamonds-egl-3206202520.html)
Price: $2471
Shape: Round
Carat Weight: 1.02 ct.
Cut: Excellent
Color: H
Clarity: SI2
Certification: EGL
Detailed Diamond Specifications
Depth: 61.8% Table: 57%
Polish: Excellent Symmetry: Excellent
Culet: None Fluorescence: None
Girdle: Medium
Measurements: 6.43-6.46x3.98


Thank you in advance to anyone who's kind enough to help!

 

[Whiteiceman]

Re: 1ct (or thereabouts) at budget of $2500 - spec check ple

Hi there,

Speaking from very recent first hand experience with EGL Israel I wouldn't touch them with a barge pole. The problem is you simply don't know what you're getting. The grades [colour especially] can be so far off that you wish they were only 2 grades out! I thought I was clever and that I could beat the market. Why should I pay GIA graded prices when I can I can get the same colour or very close to it for way less money? The reality couldn't have been further from that.


The first diamond came and I was truly shocked at what I'd received [compared to what I thought I was getting] I upgraded again , thinking it was a one off. I was wrong again. After finally realising I couldn't beat the market I bought an "overpriced" GIA graded stone and finally I got exactly what I wanted. There's a reason why someone would choose to grade a stone with EGL, and it certainly isn't for convenience sake! My advice, if you have to stick to that budget, lower your spec and buy GIA/AGS.


All the best, Paul

 

[Christina...]

Re: 1ct (or thereabouts) at budget of $2500 - spec check ple

I would only recommend purchasing GIA or AGS graded diamond. The stones you listed are going to have lower color and clarity than if graded by GIA and the cut quality will not be as strict. It seems that EGL considers every stone to be either ideal cut or HA, when in truth only about 1% of all stones are cut to this standard. I would encourage you to do a search here on PS and read what the experts say about EGL stones. I would start with this one.

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/thers-something-about-paper-why-arent-you-mad.176233/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/thers-something-about-paper-why-arent-you-mad.176233/[/URL]

Just curious....did you say the IDJ suggested these stones to you?

 

[webdiva]

Re: 1ct (or thereabouts) at budget of $2500 - spec check ple

I would only recommend purchasing GIA or AGS graded diamond. The stones you listed are going to have lower color and clarity than if graded by GIA and the cut quality will not be as strict. It seems that EGL considers every stone to be either ideal cut or HA, when in truth only about 1% of all stones are cut to this standard. I would encourage you to do a search here on PS and read what the experts say about EGL stones. I would start with this one.

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/thers-something-about-paper-why-arent-you-mad.176233/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/thers-something-about-paper-why-arent-you-mad.176233/[/URL]

Just curious....did you say the IDJ suggested these stones to you?

Is this a case of "I would consider EGL if a trusted vendor suggested them to me"? IDJ is definitely reputable and would be able to gauge the true clarity/color of a stone...

EDIT: I see one of the stones has a 62.2 depth - so maybe it's IDJ trying to hit the 1 ct mark on a specific budget for a client...
Can you get idealscopes for them? Except the 62.2 one... I didn't run any through the HCA, btw.