.88/.91 vs. 1.0ct?? help me pick one of these!!

[TopSecret]

alrighty, it's 1:30am EST & I just reserved two diamonds @ GOG... yikes! I might be a little crazy due to lack of sleep, but the time to purchase one is quickly appearing. I intend to call and talk to GOG on monday to see if one will work... but for now, being the weekend, I'd LOVE some feedback.

1) I'm planning on a MWM Flame setting.

2) I'm basically aiming for the 1ct size, but these two diamonds are roughly only 1/4 of a mm smaller, widthwise. Will that be noticible at all?? The cost savings is significant [to me]. What would you choose between these two... or would you keep looking? Links:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4501/ ($4776)

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4537/ ($4537)

Thanks!!

 

[:)]

The 0.91 looks great - there is no data yet posted on the other such as the actual ags report (with cut grade if given) or pics/IS of the diamond. Check to make sure the diamond is eyeclean (and that you understand GOG''s definition of eyeclean when discussing). It is hard to find good diamonds just shy of a carat, but it looks like you did it!

 

[Ellen]

I would go for the .90. There would be a difference in size between it and a 1 ct sat side by side, but set, they will appear about the same visually. If it turned out not to be eyeclean, you could fall back on the .88. Though there''s no pics up, the specs look like it might be from the same cutter as the .90, and it''s an AGS, so I''m fairly certain it''s also a really nice stone. Of course the pics will tell for sure.

 

[TopSecret]

Thanks!

Yeah, I'm more comfortable with the .91 right now, simply b/c of the amount of info available. They're both ideal cut & AGS certified, so I'm not too concerned about the .88 being a dud. I'll see what GOG has to say & see if I can get data on the .88.

The .88 is curious though. It's .03ct smaller than the .91, ~$250 cheaper, yet is a F vs. a H. Both are SI1. The .88 has medium flour though. Does this seem normal for the color difference + flour?

I'm planning on a MWM Flame head, possibly 4-prong to show off the diamond more. I figure the .88 (6.20mm wide) or the .91 (6.27mm wide) won't be noticibly smaller than a 1.0ct (~6.5mm wide)... or will it? Are there any comparisons of these sizes here?

I can still look for a 1.0-1.1ct & probably drop to a J or so w/o increasing the price by $1000+, but I'm not sure if that extra 1/4-1/3ish mm is really worth it. My girlfriend isn't set on anything in particular. Neither she nor I want something gaudy, but I want her to have something of incredible quality, as she's certainly worth it. Simple = good.

Her size is 6.5... I think... if this matters re: rock size. I'll get a sizing kit before the setting is made.

 

[kcoursolle]

If you can swing it I''d go for the .91. It looks like a gorgeous stone and it will look closer to the 1 carat mark. There would be a noticeable difference between a .91 and a 1 carat (assuming both are well cut and not deep) when comparing side by side, but as a stand alone stone it will look like a carat.

 

[TopSecret]

thanks... I can swing it.

If anyone can find a better option that's under $5k, let me know!

FWIW, the .91 is 96.5% of the width of a typical 1ct, while the .88 is 95.4%... can anyone convince me of why adding another 3.5-4.6% width is worth at least $500 more? e.g.: http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/3289/

 

[Heidi137]

Provided the info on the .88 checks out to your satisfaction, I''d go with the .88. I don''t think you will notice the difference between the two in size and I can really tell the difference between an F and an H. I just upgraded my H because I didn''t like the color...

 

[kcoursolle]

Date: 6/22/2008 4:20:44 PM
Author: TopSecret
thanks... I can swing it.

If anyone can find a better option that's under $5k, let me know!

FWIW, the .91 is 96.5% of the width of a typical 1ct, while the .88 is 95.4%... can anyone convince me of why adding another 3.5-4.6% width is worth at least $500 more? e.g.: http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/3289/

GOG has a lot of advantages over JA, but JA has better prices. If you want to get over 1 carat and have a killer stone, there are some that are in your budget.

This guy is $4980 with the pricescope discount and is a G 1.12 carats and looks very clean for an SI2, but I would ask just to make sure that it's eye clean: http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1119783.asp

Just throwing this out there...

 

[Ellen]

Date: 6/22/2008 3:13:10 PM
Author: TopSecret
Thanks!

The .88 is curious though. It''s .03ct smaller than the .91, ~$250 cheaper, yet is a F vs. a H. Both are SI1. The .88 has medium flour though. Does this seem normal for the color difference + flour?

I''m planning on a MWM Flame head, possibly 4-prong to show off the diamond more. I figure the .88 (6.20mm wide) or the .91 (6.27mm wide) won''t be noticibly smaller than a 1.0ct (~6.5mm wide)... or will it? Are there any comparisons of these sizes here?

I can still look for a 1.0-1.1ct & probably drop to a J or so w/o increasing the price by $1000+, but I''m not sure if that extra 1/4-1/3ish mm is really worth it. My girlfriend isn''t set on anything in particular. Neither she nor I want something gaudy, but I want her to have something of incredible quality, as she''s certainly worth it. Simple = good.

Her size is 6.5... I think... if this matters re: rock size. I''ll get a sizing kit before the setting is made.

It could be a few things. The med. flo might be a reason, but I think the pavilion angle may have a lot to do with it. That''s getting towards the steeper side, and the stones are priced according to cut, besides color, clarity and carat. Also, the clarity markers on the F might be a reason too. But I''m just guessing here. Best to ask Jon when you can.

As for the bigger size for more money, that''s hard to say. Many women want the most size they can get. If your gal isn''t like that, stick with the .91.

And I see you already saw the size comparison thread, I was going to link it!

 

[TopSecret]

Date: 6/22/2008 4:51:42 PM
Author: kcoursolle

GOG has a lot of advantages over JA, but JA has better prices. If you want to get over 1 carat and have a killer stone, there are some that are in your budget.

This guy is $4980 with the pricescope discount and is a G 1.12 carats and looks very clean for an SI2, but I would ask just to make sure that it's eye clean: http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1119783.asp

Just throwing this out there...

Interesting food for thought... thanks! I could deal with a 1.12 for a couple hundred more than a 0.91... hmm...

 

[TopSecret]

Date: 6/22/2008 5:00:20 PM
Author: Ellen
It could be a few things. The med. flo might be a reason, but I think the pavilion angle may have a lot to do with it. That's getting towards the steeper side, and the stones are priced according to cut, besides color, clarity and carat. Also, the clarity markers on the F might be a reason too. But I'm just guessing here. Best to ask Jon when you can.

As for the bigger size for more money, that's hard to say. Many women want the most size they can get. If your gal isn't like that, stick with the .91.

And I see you already saw the size comparison thread, I was going to link it!

Gotcha... thanks! I emailed Jon a little bit ago. I'll see what his opinions are. Personally I'd like to go as big as I can (within reason, probably up to 1.2ct, target around 1.0 or so) while hovering the $5k range... but I'm definitely interested in overall quality, hence the interest in the slightly smaller finds... I mean, we're talking fractions of millimeters here... maybe I'm just naive.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 6/22/2008 7:54:23 PM
Author: TopSecret

Gotcha... thanks! I emailed Jon a little bit ago. I''ll see what his opinions are. Personally I''d like to go as big as I can (within reason, probably up to 1.2ct, target around 1.0 or so) while hovering the $5k range... but I''m definitely interested in overall quality, hence the interest in the slightly smaller finds... I mean, we''re talking fractions of millimeters here... maybe I''m just naive.

Welcome!

No, you''re not being naive. The differences don''t scream out at you.

However, these guys do shrink on us, it''s pitiful.

So I say, go with the best cut first, but also biggest you can. Then call it a day, because the stone will be a stunner, no matter what size..

 

[TopSecret]

makes sense to me.

 

[TopSecret]

BUMP!!

GOG put the data/reports online for the .88... so... now that we have two to *really* compare, what are your thoughts? Should I keep looking or stick w/ one of these, providing I don't find a better deal for something closer to 1ct?

I'm still awaiting further feedback from Jon.

 

[TopSecret]

well... according to Jonathan, both are great options.

The both exhibit the rarest optics to be found in a
round as they are both AGS Ideals that also meet the qualifications for GIA
Ex as well. On top of that it''s a tough call. The optical symmetry (a
feature currently not graded by the labs) of the .91ct has a slight edge
over the .88ct but nothing that would result in a visible difference while
the .88ct has the slight edge in color. Again ... no notable difference on
that front either as both face up *white*. .88ct F SI1 is a nice rare combo
when it comes to clarity/color. Either of these will look absolutely spectacular in the
Flame. Literaly Scott ... you could toss a coin.

 

[kcoursolle]

I''d personally go for the larger size since they are both such high quality and lovely stones. You really can''t go wrong here!

 

[Ellen]

Are you naturally leaning towards one now?

 

[TopSecret]

Date: 6/24/2008 7:08:48 PM
Author: Ellen
Are you naturally leaning towards one now?

yeah, I''m leaning towards the .88 b/c it''s a F & has medium flour. The size is basically the same. I''m hoping to take my girlfriend to a jeweler tomorrow and try some rings on, just to see if the size I''m looking at works for us, in addition to figuring out how wide of a shank to get for the band. If I need to find a different size stone, I will. I doubt I''m far off though.

We haven''t done the "ring shopping" thing yet... but it''s time...

 

[Ellen]

Well I''m a big advocate of going with your gut, and since Jon has given you a good report on it, that may be the one for you. Just make sure to reserve it while you think, if you haven''t yet. And I think that''s wise to go see some sizes in person. Just make sure you are comparing apples with apples. You want very well cut (HOF, AGS0) diamonds to look at, as a great cut will make a diamond really stand out (and will face up as it should), compared to average cuts of the same carat weight.

Let us know what you end up with!

 

[TopSecret]

Thanks Ellen!

We shopped local stores today. This was a good move. She tried on a bunch...

I''m going back to the drawing board, as I''m now set on finding one between 1.0 & 1.1 (or therabouts). It just "feels" like a better size. I might increase the stone''s budget a little, to $5000-5500 or so... not sure how much beyond that I can go. We''ll see what I can find in an AGS0 cut.

You women are expensive... haha. Thankfully mine is well worth it.

 

[kcoursolle]

Date: 6/26/2008 2:29:11 AM
Author: TopSecret
Thanks Ellen!

We shopped local stores today. This was a good move. She tried on a bunch...

I''m going back to the drawing board, as I''m now set on finding one between 1.0 & 1.1 (or therabouts). It just ''feels'' like a better size. I might increase the stone''s budget a little, to $5000-5500 or so... not sure how much beyond that I can go. We''ll see what I can find in an AGS0 cut.

You women are expensive... haha. Thankfully mine is well worth it.

I have a 1.1 and I really love it. I think this is a great decision. How low of color/clarity are you willing to go down to? You can easily afford the I/SI1 range with your old under 5k budget and get a nice 1.0+ at GOG.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 6/26/2008 2:29:11 AM
Author: TopSecret
Thanks Ellen!

We shopped local stores today. This was a good move. She tried on a bunch...

I''m going back to the drawing board, as I''m now set on finding one between 1.0 & 1.1 (or therabouts). It just ''feels'' like a better size. I might increase the stone''s budget a little, to $5000-5500 or so... not sure how much beyond that I can go. We''ll see what I can find in an AGS0 cut.

You women are expensive... haha. Thankfully mine is well worth it.

If you are shopping GOG, for sure, you could expand to GIA. I understand their EX grade spans a wide area, but he carries some killer GIA''s.

And I''m glad you went too, it''s always best to see things in person to get a real idea of things.