4 ideal-cut diamonds: help me choose!

[Howie]

Hi everyone, for my e-ring, I have picked 4 diamonds off the internet and these seem to suit my budget and criteria. I would like everyone''s comments on which has the best CUT if we can neglect the other 3 Cs for now (although some stones may have serious issues with the other 3 Cs).

You might be able to tell that I was trying to max out the Carat and Cut while Clarity and Colour took a back seat. Well... the reason is that I like a warm coloured stone to represent her warmth and friendliness... And although she has her shortcomings (clarity), her good nature and character (cut) in the end are the most important in bringing out that inner sparkle!

Anyway, on to the stones:

DIAMOND 1
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/5129/
I like this stone because it has a great price and excellent Brilliantscope results. However the Diamxray image shows a lack of hotspots...and yet the Brilliantscope results are so good! Should I believe B''scope or Diamxray? Second concern: is it possible that this stone is not eye-clean.? I''m working on a small budget so this is a very attractive option.

DIAMOND 2
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/5134/
Marginally larger than diamond 2, this stone costs $900 more and scores worse on the B''scope. But the Diamxray looks pretty good with lots of hotspots. How does this compare with Diamond 1? Also has a nice pavilion angle of 40.8.

DIAMOND 3
http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/Whiteflash-ACA-cut-diamond-1467067.htm#
At 0.58ct, it''s smaller than the high 0.60 I was hoping for. But seems like one of the best cuts around.

DIAMOND 4
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1197136.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131
Nice carat/colour/clarity, 40.9 pavilion angle, lots of hotspots, but stretching my budget. This would be my benchmark against all the other diamonds

All comments are greatly appreciated. Thanks guys!

Howie

 

[Dreamer_D]

I like diamond #1 IF it is eye-clean. You will need to ask GOG about that, but I suspect that it is since I don''t think they would have one in their inventory that was not eye-clean. However, be clear with them about what YOUR definition of "eye-clean" is since the technical deifnition is something like "not visible face up from 10 inches" and your idea of eye-clean may differ.

My second choice would probably be the second GOG stone, simply because of the price difference. I think you should be careful and stick in your budget since in the longer term that will be the best move. GOG has an upgrade policy and you can always use it later!

I am not wild about the JA stone because I don''t like to see you stretch a budget for only 1 or 2 colour grades (which is not very noticable), and the WF stone is smaller than you would like and only $500 less than the second GOG stone.

I think you should call GOG and ask them to compare the two diamonds yo uhave selected, they will tell you honetly which is better etc. They can even film avideo for you comparing the two, then you can decide which you like best! But be sure to put these on hold asap if you are really interested because lurkers will snap them up!!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

#1 http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/5129/

the stone is beautiful! You are overanalyzing the brillantscope and diamxray. You''d have to ask Jon about eyecleanness, but I doubt he chooses stones that aren''t eyeclean.

#2 http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/5134/
Those scores are also just fine, color a grade lower but clarity a grade higher, stone is larger which is a plus

#3 http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/Whiteflash-ACA-cut-diamond-1467067.htm#
Certainly a great stone, but smaller than the other two and you don''t need to pay for VS1 when you could go lower and get a larger stone.

This one would be a better choice than that one:

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/Whiteflash-ACA-cut-diamond-1848231.htm

#4 http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1197136.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131
Yes, this one is very nice, too..best color, clarity, and size...but a lot more expensive, too!


Okay, wait a minute.

Your prices are all over the place! What is your preferred maximum budget? These go from $1300-2400 and that is comparing apples to oranges.

 

[Howie]

Thank you Dreamer and Diamondseeker for your comments

Dreamer: Good thought about the video. Since I don''t get my free cup of tea and comfortable armchair it''s probably reasonable to ask for one

Diamondseeker. My budget is $2.9k including the setting. I am considering spending a bit more (about $900) on a designer setting because I think a nice setting is as important as a good stone. The Whiteflash settings are really good (and cheaper) which is another reason why I''m looking closer at WF stones that don''t seem to pop up on Pricescope.

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/Whiteflash-ACA-cut-diamond-1467068.htm#

Generally if you upgrade the diamond, can a larger rock fit in the existing setting?

Thanks again to all.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

This stone is a little more than the last one you posted but bigger and better color! I think it's better than the first three you posted (and your 4th is over budget).

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/Whiteflash-ACA-cut-diamond-1848231.htm

(And #2 the .73 J is good if you want to go down in color but up in size)

Sometimes the head of the ring can be changed to accommodate a new stone and sometimes the ring just needs to be replaced depending on the design.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 1/3/2009 2:06:02 AM
Author: diamondseeker2006
This stone is a little more than the last one you posted but bigger and better color! I think it''s better than the first three you posted (and your 4th is over budget).

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/Whiteflash-ACA-cut-diamond-1848231.htm

(And #2 the .73 J is good if you want to go down in color but up in size)

Sometimes the head of the ring can be changed to accommodate a new stone and sometimes the ring just needs to be replaced depending on the design.

I like this option for you Howie... within budget, great rock, "safe" color choice (some would balk at a J, not ME, but it is safer to go with an H if you don''t know your girlfriend''s response to it). This is also the largest diamond in WFs inventory that is within your budget, there is a big price leap at .70ct that might make most stone over that mark out of your reach! It also leaves you some $$ for the setting, so you can choose whatever you like.

If you like this diamond I recommend you reserve it asap, since the lurkers may get it!

What type of setting are you thinking about? I have a WF ring and love their workmanship and prices, so I agree with your reasoning that this is a good reason to purchase from WF.

 

[EricaR]

Date: 1/3/2009 12:05:19 PM
Author: dreamer_dachsie

Date: 1/3/2009 2:06:02 AM
Author: diamondseeker2006
This stone is a little more than the last one you posted but bigger and better color! I think it''s better than the first three you posted (and your 4th is over budget).

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/Whiteflash-ACA-cut-diamond-1848231.htm

(And #2 the .73 J is good if you want to go down in color but up in size)

Sometimes the head of the ring can be changed to accommodate a new stone and sometimes the ring just needs to be replaced depending on the design.

I like this option for you Howie... within budget, great rock, ''safe'' color choice (some would balk at a J, not ME, but it is safer to go with an H if you don''t know your girlfriend''s response to it). This is also the largest diamond in WFs inventory that is within your budget, there is a big price leap at .70ct that might make most stone over that mark out of your reach! It also leaves you some $$ for the setting, so you can choose whatever you like.

If you like this diamond I recommend you reserve it asap, since the lurkers may get it!

What type of setting are you thinking about? I have a WF ring and love their workmanship and prices, so I agree with your reasoning that this is a good reason to purchase from WF.

I

this stone! It looks like a great choice.

Ditto to DD regarding WF''s workmanship. My ring is just shy of a year old and it still looks as it did the first day I wore it.

 

[Howie]

I was going to buy the stone diamondseeker recommended but had some issues with checkout and came back 6 hours later: it was sold!

Anyway, I have 6 more weeks to decide on a ring. Do you know how often the inventory is updated for WF and GOG?

 

[MommaChristine]

I had actually started a topic about that WF diamond a little while before it was suggested to you .. I also was going to buy it this morning and am SO bummed to see that it was sold!

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 1/3/2009 9:39:20 PM
Author: Howie
I was going to buy the stone diamondseeker recommended but had some issues with checkout and came back 6 hours later: it was sold!

Anyway, I have 6 more weeks to decide on a ring. Do you know how often the inventory is updated for WF and GOG?

If you like a diamond that is recommended here to you, you need to CALL them immediately and reserve it. They will do so for 24 hours free of charge. People lurk on these board all the time and will snap up any nice diamonds if you don''t reserve. In fact, if you like a stone and want our opinions I recommend that you reserve it before you even post about it!

From what I know, inventory is updated every few months? Maybe people know better. I think you need to call WF and talk to someone in person. Tell them your budget and desired specs and they will help you. Trust me, they will not bite

If you want to propose in 6 weeks I actually recommend you get the ball rolling sooner rather than later since it can take 2-3 weeks to get everything finalized and the ring in your hands.