A little help from the experts out there. . .

[jeromew]

Hello all,

What an amazing site you all have! I stumbled onto it after looking to see if Union Diamond was a legitimate dealer. Looking at a few of your threads it is obvious that you guys know more about diamonds than most of the dealers I''ve been to in Salt Lake City. I was hoping you could give me some advice on my diamond purchase. I am getting married on Wednesday and we still do not have an engagement ring. I am looking for a diamond for a setting we found and I thought I could get a better deal online. My finance loves the idea of European or Mine Cut diamonds, primarily to negate the risk of purchasing a conflict diamond. Still she would be okay with a regular diamond but purchasing an antique diamond would make her happier. . . . and it''s all about her happiness as it should be!

So here''s what she''s looking for and I was hoping you all could chime in and help us out. Size in foremost in importance as she really like''s the Liberace-type settings (me I''d prefer a more understated ring but . . .

Round/Mine/European Cut
Ideal - Superior Cut
1.33 - 1.52 Carat
F-H Color
VS2-SI1 Clarity
$5000 - $6500

Here''s three at Union that I''m looking at.

http://www.uniondiamond.com/diamonds/diamonds.php?search_type_id=3&action_type_id=2&item_id=AB053885

http://www.uniondiamond.com/diamonds/diamonds.php?search_type_id=3&action_type_id=2&item_id=AB031753

http://www.uniondiamond.com/diamonds/diamonds.php?search_type_id=3&action_type_id=2&item_id=AB072414

Thanks in advance. This whole diamond thing is very perplexing. Neither of us are jewelry aficionados but I do want to get her the very best ring that I can afford!

Tim

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 10/13/2008 12:26:53 PM
Author:jeromew
Hello all,

What an amazing site you all have! I stumbled onto it after looking to see if Union Diamond was a legitimate dealer. Looking at a few of your threads it is obvious that you guys know more about diamonds than most of the dealers I've been to in Salt Lake City. I was hoping you could give me some advice on my diamond purchase. I am getting married on Wednesday and we still do not have an engagement ring. I am looking for a diamond for a setting we found and I thought I could get a better deal online. My finance loves the idea of European or Mine Cut diamonds, primarily to negate the risk of purchasing a conflict diamond. Still she would be okay with a regular diamond but purchasing an antique diamond would make her happier. . . . and it's all about her happiness as it should be!

So here's what she's looking for and I was hoping you all could chime in and help us out. Size in foremost in importance as she really like's the Liberace-type settings (me I'd prefer a more understated ring but . . .

Round/Mine/European Cut
Ideal - Superior Cut
1.33 - 1.52 Carat
F-H Color
VS2-SI1 Clarity
$5000 - $6500

Here's three at Union that I'm looking at.

http://www.uniondiamond.com/diamonds/diamonds.php?search_type_id=3&action_type_id=2&item_id=AB053885

http://www.uniondiamond.com/diamonds/diamonds.php?search_type_id=3&action_type_id=2&item_id=AB031753

http://www.uniondiamond.com/diamonds/diamonds.php?search_type_id=3&action_type_id=2&item_id=AB072414

Thanks in advance. This whole diamond thing is very perplexing. Neither of us are jewelry aficionados but I do want to get her the very best ring that I can afford!

Tim

Welcome Tim,

Are you hoping to get a ring in hand by Wednesday? That is going to be a real challenge if so, even if the diamond was overnighted you might possibly be able to get it set in the setting you have tomorrow, but it is cutting it extremely close....

As to the diamonds you are considering, you could do better from the limited info we have. EGL labs are said by some experts to be soft on grading in some instances, also some of the info on the diamonds themselves is missing - however looking at the depths and tables, it appears they are not the best cut stones and it is cut which gives a diamond its beauty. For the budget I don't know if you could get F - H GIA/ AGS graded diamond of that clarity either, you would have to go smaller, lower the colour and look at SI2 clarity if verified eyeclean by the vendor. Perhaps consider H to J colour?

Here are some numbers you can use to help you find a well cut stone if you don't know what to look for.

depth - 60 - 62% - although my personal preference is to allow up to 62.4%
table - 54- 57%
crown angle - 34- 35 degrees
pavilion angle - 40.6- 41 degrees
girdle - avoid extremes, look for thin to slightly thick, thin to medium etc
polish and symmetry - very good and above


note - with crown and pavilion angles at the shallower ends ( CA 34- PA 40.6) and steeper ( CA 35- PA 41) check to make sure these angles complement in that particular diamond - eyeballs, Idealscope, trusted vendor input - check as appropriate!

Also the diamonds you posted from UD may not be in house stones, they might have to call the diamonds in which will take extra time. I would ask them what they have for in house diamonds of their best cut quality and also take a look at some of the other PS vendors who have in house diamonds. Also you could help narrow things down by considering AGS0 and GIA excellent cut grade, evaluate each diamond and if working with SI clarities, always check with the vendor that the diamond is eyeclean to your standards.

www.winkjones.com

www.whiteflash.com

www.goodoldgold.com

www.jamesallen.com

Here are some diamonds as examples of what you could get for the budget.

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-1466967.htm

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/2713/

 

[jeromew]

Thanks Lorelei,

I had no idea that the ratios were so important. Do these ratios have more to do with the fire than say clarity or color?

I agree that a smaller stone is a better idea although I''d like to keep the color in the near-colorless range - say "G" or "H". Comparing stones at the jeweler, the difference between a "F" and an "H" seems significant to me. . . . but then I''m told that once it is set in a ring it''s less noticeable. For a stone between 1 carat to 1.33 carat what would you recommend. Is there any e-store in particular you like, trust? Thanks for the input Lorelei. I''m putting it to good use. I''m sure you guys are inundated with these types of questions all the time. Thank you.

Oh! No rush on the engagement ring. We plan on getting it after the wedding.

Tim

 

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