32K budget: Should I pay for color or clarity?

[milton333]

This looks promising: http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/Diamonds/diamond-details/2.140-G-VS2-Round-Diamond-GIA-35400008

Might be worth considering H in color: http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2759439.htm I'd consider having it sent to you for evaluation to get a feel for the color.

This is a bit over budget, but otherwise super ideal with the specs you're looking for: http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2759436.htm

I am actually completely in love with Octavia cuts, sold by GOG, which have the light performance of a modern RB in a modified asscher-style cut. This is out of the price range, but it might be worth contacting GOG to let them know your specs and price point and to see if they anticipate getting an Octavia with your specs. http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9084/ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lTSu3o9Ikw&feature=relmfu

 

[Marcanj]

Thbmok, thank you for the ring photo. It's interesting and I don't know if it is because of the photo, but I honestly have trouble telling the difference between a F and your I colored diamond. Granted, I am only judging based on photos or videos I've viewed online, but the difference seems to be very slight! I think I should definitely go into a store to see the differences in person, however, I have read on so many different posts that the fluorescent lighting in stores (at Tiffany's for example) makes it hard to see a diamond's flaws. I want to be able to see the real-life sparkle that it will have rather than just the light-reflection due to ideal light settings.

Milton333, I appreciate the links. Although I haven't seen the diamond's first-hand, I feel that since I will be purchasing online, I really don't want to go any lower than a G-VS2. The Whiteflash link that you provided for the 2.37 G, VS2 diamond seems like a great buy, but they don't have any real photos of the diamond listed. Also, I'm a bit hesitant because the HCA tool gave it a 2.1 (very good) rating for that diamond and again, buying online, I want to keep the chances in my favor and stick to the HCA "excellent" rating.

By the way, referring back to the issue of fluorescence, I had read that medium/strong fluorescence in F,E,D colored diamonds (and even sometimes in G colored diamonds) produces a milky diamond. I was surprised to see that Chuckenator's D-colored diamond looked very clear and not milky at all. Chuckenator, you mentioned that you purchased on BN, since you had not seen any photos prior to purchasing, how were you sure that the strong-blue fluorescence was not going to negatively impact the visual aspect of your diamond?

Sorry for all the questions and thank you for the continued help!

 

[0-0-0]

My picture is representative of what I see in person, the stone takes on a slight bluish tint in sunlight. When diamonds do that due to blue fluorescence it's impossible to tell the actual difference in color grades. That's why some of us seek out well cut stones with blue fluorescence that don't go cloudy/hazy. In general, I find that the actual tint in color is more noticeable when I'm looking at the stone at an angle in dim, diffused lighting. I posted more pictures in my thread if you are interested: [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/brian-gavin-blue-in-sara.157369/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/brian-gavin-blue-in-sara.157369/[/URL]

GOG has a really good video on diamond color with well cut stones, and IMO is representative of what you are likely to see in person: http://vimeo.com/3288695

The differences are very small between grades, and I personally can't see much difference until the stones are at least 2 color grades apart in the D-I range.

As Mrs. W 514 suggested, if you are interested in stones with blue fluorescence, BGD carries the Blue line that has been screened by Brian for no negative effects: http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond/brian-gavins-blue-diamonds-with-fluorescence/

If you don't mind blue fluorescence, there's one that fits your criteria and budget: http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/2.025-g-vs2-round-diamond-ags-bl-104055873017

ETA: It's a myth that high color + fluorescence = 100% milky/hazy/cloudy. Yes it happens in some cases, but there are plenty of examples on PS and elsewhere that the combination has no negative effects: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67LYS4JGiRw

 

[Chuckenator]

By the way, referring back to the issue of fluorescence, I had read that medium/strong fluorescence in F,E,D colored diamonds (and even sometimes in G colored diamonds) produces a milky diamond. I was surprised to see that Chuckenator's D-colored diamond looked very clear and not milky at all. Chuckenator, you mentioned that you purchased on BN, since you had not seen any photos prior to purchasing, how were you sure that the strong-blue fluorescence was not going to negatively impact the visual aspect of your diamond?

I was extremely concerned that the diamond would turn out to by oily/hazy/milky. I asked BN to verify that it wasn't, and they contacted whoever held the diamond and they did verify it wasn't, but given that everyone has a vested interest in making the sale I was still concerned. It seems that the oily/hazy/milky diamonds are very rare (called overblue) and I was glad I rolled the dice. However, remember that BN gives a strong 30-day money back guarantee, so that alleviated most of my concern. I was ready to send the diamond back in an instant if I perceived any cloudiness.

You can read more about my concern (before receiving the diamond) in the following link:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/deal-of-the-century-or-big-disappointment-incoming.171340/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/deal-of-the-century-or-big-disappointment-incoming.171340/[/URL]

I would strongly recommend trying to find out if you and your fiance like fluorescence. I personally love the detail and it's an added benefit that it makes the diamond cost less. Many do not like the attribute and think it's crazy to have a perfectly colorless diamond (D) that shows color under certain lighting. If I could post a video here then I would show you how neat it is to alternate between UV from the sun and no UV - the diamond looks so damn icy white without UV and with in the sun it takes on a soft blue glow. I believe that having it be totally colorless allows it to be more blue in the sun, whereas a color with more yellow will turn less blue/more white in the sun. Who knows, maybe blue-white diamonds will come back in style some day (they used to command a premium).

 

[Rhino]

GOG has a really good video on diamond color with well cut stones, and IMO is representative of what you are likely to see in person: http://vimeo.com/3288695

Actually in Part 1 of of Understanding Diamond Color I specifically cover the "darkness" aspect the OP asked about and show a D color in spot lighting. It might be linked from the above and would help me thinks.

Kind regards,
Rhino

 

[diamondseeker2006]

GOG has a really good video on diamond color with well cut stones, and IMO is representative of what you are likely to see in person: http://vimeo.com/3288695

Actually in Part 1 of of Understanding Diamond Color I specifically cover the "darkness" aspect the OP asked about and show a D color in spot lighting. It might be linked from the above and would help me thinks.

Kind regards,
Rhino

Here it is:

http://vimeo.com/917255

These videos are very helpful!

 

[Marcanj]

Thank you all for the videos. They were very helpful. I haven't decided on any stones yet because I think I need to take more time, but I will be sure to consult with you all when crunch time comes around or of any other questions come to mind.

Actually, I guess I do have one last question for you. I know I may be too hung up on these cut ratings, but I don't understand why so few GIA/AGS excellent/ideal cut diamonds actually end up with an "excellent" using the HCA tool? I have tried at least 30 BN, white flash, and jamesallen diamonds--all excellent cuts--and I've probably found only 6 of those that end up with an under 2 score using the HCA. What does this say about the 25 or so others? Are they not going to have fire and reflect light well?

Thanks again for your insight!

 

[0-0-0]

IMO it's best to use the HCA to shortlist candidates and not for selection. A HCA score under 2 simply suggests that a stone is more likely to be well cut. There are well cut stones with a HCA score above 2, but it is doubly important to see images or the stone in person before committing to the purchase. Keep in mind that the HCA only considers 4 rounded and averaged measurements to give a rough estimate of a stone's cut quality, and even stones graded by the same lab with the same cut grade with identical numbers can look slightly different depending on the variances that go into the numbers.

Here's an example of 2 stones with pretty much identical numbers on the reports, both AGS 0 and both with a HCA score around 3. Neither is likely to be a bad choice based on cut, but I think it's pretty clear one displays more optical symmetry and is better cut. Yet the difference is likely lost if you only had access to the reports.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1441127.asp



http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1336423.asp