Find your diamond
Find your jewelry
shape
carat
color
clarity

A little help selecting a ~0.75ct round in the UK please....

S

stevo125

Rough_Rock
Joined
Sep 26, 2017
Messages
8
Hi everyone.
Newbie here, so please excuse any faux-pas while I find my way around here.

I'm trying to track down a 0.75-0.8 Brilliant cut for my girlfriend's engagement ring. My chosen Jeweller is based local to me in the UK, and comes well recommended by a few others.
https://www.stevenstone.co.uk

I've tried to get myself clued up on what to look for, and been making use of the Holloway cut adviser to narrow down my search.
I'm looking for something:
~0.75-0.8ct, VS1+, G+, and then trying to find the best cut I can, targeting 59-62 Depth, 55-60 table, ~34 crown angle, ~40.5 pavilion angle.

I've found this stone that I think looks decent - I'd love opinions on this stone, or any others that are available from my chosen supplier.

Many thanks in advance :-)
S

https://www.stevenstone.co.uk/shoul...hp?step=proS2_more&certId=6265878626&diaReq=1

https://www.gia.edu/report-check?reportno=6265878626
t58.jpg
6265878626.jpg
 
Bumping for someone not waist-deep in ghosts, goblins, and other ghoulies.

OP, I use tighter numbers.
table: 52-57.5 (but I really prefer under 57)
depth: 60-62.3 {consider 59.5)
crown angle: 34-35.0 (up to 35.5 crown angle can sometimes work with a 40.6 pav angle; prefer 34.5)
pavilion angle: 40.6-40.9 (sometimes 41.0 if the crown angle is close to 34)

Can this vendor provide Idealscope images or ASET? That is really a key tool to look at performance (HCA is really predicted performance).
 
 
There's no mention of IS or ASET on the website- in my experience these are not tools that UK jewellers know anything about. Or they are reluctant to use them? Maybe the OP could educate them!
 
I think it's more that any UK jeweller will likely think "here comes some smart-arse thinking they know it all because they read something on the internet"... :rolleyes:
 
That's such a bummer. I've gotten nothing but amused interest when I bring my scope to stores.
 
rockysalamander said:
That's such a bummer. I've gotten nothing but amused interest when I bring my scope to stores.
Click to expand...
I think it depends a lot on the stores.

Some seem to think us mere plebs are all utter morons, others have no idea what they're selling so will just go 'uh, ok?' (I'm looking at you, chain stores with untrained weekend staff...), and others are actually happy to listen and talk to their customers and entertain their whims.

Sadly, I think the latter are pretty rare!
 
Thanks for the replies everyone - really appreciate it.

As others have said, getting ASET/IS imagery here in the UK is next to impossible - most Jewellery sellers here would probably need to be told what they are!
It is possible to get Crafted by Infinity and Hearts on Fire stones here, but at significant premium of course.

I'd prefer to avoid importing a ring from the US, as there is not only the initial implications with Tax+duty, but also additional hurdles in future with maintenance and repair - something I'd prefer to live without

This brings me back to Steven Stone. Whilst they cannot offer the above imagery, I am able to see photos of the actual stones, and obtain certificates to look up the details for myself. Compare this with a lot of other UK-based sellers where you generally specify "The 4 C's" and that's about it. With this vendor, at worst I can give the stone back if I don't like it - A compromise I can live with.

With the above in mind, my favourite two stones so far are:
https://www.gia.edu/report-check?reportno=6265878626
6265878626.jpg


https://www.gia.edu/report-check?reportno=6262502429
6262502429.jpg

I'd love opinions on the above, and any others *with images* that jump out at people, please share.

And of course, any other UK people that can recommend a good retailer here, that would be great

Thanks!
 
#2 by the photos and nubmers. But, I personally like diamonds with a table 57 and under. I think a bunch I posted had that, but not photos. Will this vendor provide photos for a select number of stones?

What attracted these for you? Why these two over others? That will help us provide options.
 
I like this one a bit better. Smaller table and with nice angles. Will tend to be more fiery. Looks eyeclen. I think there may be an inclusion at the base of the 6'oclock arrow. It that is the case, hard to say if it will be visible or not.
LD-1253005841, F VS1, 0.80, Depth 62.4 Table 56% CA 35.5 Pav 40.6 medium flour (crystal cloud needle pinpoint)
 
Blue Nile can be a good choice for U.K. buyers too, they provide images of some of their stones and at least can be useful for price comparison.

Are you able to see the Steven Stone diamonds in person?
 
Snowdrop13 said:
Blue Nile can be a good choice for U.K. buyers too, they provide images of some of their stones and at least can be useful for price comparison.

Are you able to see the Steven Stone diamonds in person?
Click to expand...

Yes I can, but only after ordering, at which point I can reject the stone. - That said, I don't they would be delighted at my going through many!
 
rockysalamander said:
I like this one a bit better. Smaller table and with nice angles. Will tend to be more fiery. Looks eyeclen. I think there may be an inclusion at the base of the 6'oclock arrow. It that is the case, hard to say if it will be visible or not.
LD-1253005841, F VS1, 0.80, Depth 62.4 Table 56% CA 35.5 Pav 40.6 medium flour (crystal cloud needle pinpoint)
Click to expand...
Thanks for the suggestion and advice.
The stones I'd picked out so far were chosen from the proportions and angles being within ideal ranges (based on HCA) and also the visible arrow outline in the images. In particular paying attention to the broadness, the alignment of the inner and outer arrow. The stones I'd come across so far all seem to be 57-58 range for table, more by coincidence than anything, so your comment about the fire of the stone is a valuable one and gives me some additional criteria to narrow down the search - thank you.
 
erislynn said:
OP I like your #2 also (0.81 F VS2). Not sure of your budget but here are two more that may be contenders especially if you like smaller tables.

https://www.stevenstone.co.uk/loose-gia-diamonds.php?certId=6255442726&diaReq=1
0.80 F VVS1 LD-6255442726

https://www.stevenstone.co.uk/loose-gia-diamonds.php?certId=6245930806&diaReq=1
0.82 F VVS2 LD-6245930806
Click to expand...

Great looking stones, and the first of those (#726) had actually made the shortlist before I saw this post.

I've spoken with the vendor to see if he can tell me any more about these.
 
I like both of @erislynn choices.

If you are highly patient, you can go to BlueNile and RareCarat and you might be able to find the stones you like in their databases (check GIA numbers). That might give you access to some photos and video.

Some BlueNile option. They bill in your currency. Just know that they upgrade policy described on their website will not apply.
https://www.bluenile.com/uk/diamond-details/LD09445406?refTab=DIAMONDS
https://www.bluenile.com/uk/diamond-details/LD08509315?refTab=DIAMONDS (small table)
 
stevo125 said:
Thanks for the replies everyone - really appreciate it.

As others have said, getting ASET/IS imagery here in the UK is next to impossible - most Jewellery sellers here would probably need to be told what they are!
It is possible to get Crafted by Infinity and Hearts on Fire stones here, but at significant premium of course.

I'd prefer to avoid importing a ring from the US, as there is not only the initial implications with Tax+duty, but also additional hurdles in future with maintenance and repair - something I'd prefer to live without

...

And of course, any other UK people that can recommend a good retailer here, that would be great

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Pesonally, if I was buying again, I'd do the same as I did last time - buy a guaranteed performance stone (so one of the Branded cuts - ACA, BGB, CBI/HPD, VC, August Vintage Inc, etc) and then get it set in the UK by a jeweller you like.

Doing so avoids the 2.5% import tax on stones when set in jewellery, but you still have to pay the 20% VAT. No matter, though, as buying one of the above will mean you'll either get the same specification in terms of the Colour, Clarity and Carat but much better Cut (and therefore much better performance), or if the exchange rates are good, you'll be able to improve on some or all of the Colour/Clarity/Cut specs as well!

FWIW, I managed to get an F VVS2 CBI stone imported and set in a custom platinum solitaire for the same price (or even less) than the shop-window prices of G-I SI1-VS2 Hearts on Fire / 'Tolkowsky cut' rings in white gold.

If you do go down this route, there are a few UK jewellers that have been recommended previously on here, but it's fair to say that we are not overburdened with amazing work!
https://www.pricescope.com/communit...-a-uk-recommended-vendors-list-please.225068/
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/uk-vendors.215197/
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/where-to-buy-in-london.194464/

I personally feel buying a branded cut was worth the extra money - when it catches the light from a lamp across the room and throws out brightly coloured fire, it clearly shows the performance!
 
rockysalamander said:
I like both of @erislynn choices.

If you are highly patient, you can go to BlueNile and RareCarat and you might be able to find the stones you like in their databases (check GIA numbers). That might give you access to some photos and video.
Click to expand...

What an absolutely fantastic suggestion!
I was able to find the following with your advice:

Stone 2 (429)
https://diamondsdirect.com/loose-diamond?stock=100724936221&utm_source=rarecarat&utm_medium=cpc
https://www.bluenile.com/uk/diamond-details/LD09113960?refTab=DIAMONDS
-A wisp across one of the upper facets, but otherwise quite appealing I think..

Stone 3 (726) - From erislynn
https://diamondsdirect.com/loose-diamond?stock=100720577338&utm_source=rarecarat&utm_medium=cpc
https://www.yadavjewelry.com/diamond/round-diamond-0.8-carat-f-vvs1-yd1124617
http://www.yadavjewelry.com/diamonds/videos/1124617
-Has an inclusion in the bottom RHS of the table that sticks out when viewed at an angle
Stone 4 (806)
https://diamondsdirect.com/loose-diamond?stock=100720513888&utm_source=rarecarat&utm_medium=cpc
-Not found any better views of this one as yet
 
Last edited:
Stone 3 (726) - From erislynn

You can keep looking for images on the last one, but this looks like a great option to me if you want to stick with this vendor. Once your jeweller gets the stone, either they or you can look at it with an ASET and H&A scope.
 
rockysalamander said:
Stone 3 (726) - From erislynn

You can keep looking for images on the last one, but this looks like a great option to me if you want to stick with this vendor. Once your jeweller gets the stone, either they or you can look at it with an ASET and H&A scope.
Click to expand...

I'm actually a little surprised - I thought that the inclusion on the table would be quite detrimental. Do you not think so?
 
I highlighted what I think you are seeing. I love high clarity and will personally trade down size to keep it within eye clean. But I truly feel this inclusion will be totally invisible to the eye. Measure with a ruler what size the diamond it on screen. Now, remember that they diamond will be 5-6 mm. I prefer the smaller table as it will be more firey. And this seems to have crips arrows. Your call. Would they bring in both on memo to let you see them in person?

upload_2017-11-3_10-38-32.png
 
Yes, that was what I was looking at, but between you and the seller I'm convinced it won't be visible to the naked eye.

I've gone ahead and ordered that one now, so at worst it can be rejected, but it looks to be a great stone :-)

Thanks to everyone for their opinions and input, especially @erislynn for finding the stone, and @rockysalamander for all your input and advice. I'll be back to show off the finished article in a few weeks hopefully!
 
Great news!
 
That def looks like a strong contender. I also agree I would be surprised if it wasn't eye clean. Please post pics when you get it.
 
So happy for you that you found something you like. If it was on your short list, then you already have a good eye. Plus, Rocky's advice is always super helpful. Would love to see pics of the final product. Good luck!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
GET 3 FREE HCA RESULTS JOIN THE FORUM. ASK FOR HELP
Jewelry Blog
PriceScope-Concierge-Ad
Find prime cuts.
Top