A Little Nervous

[cubuffs]

First I want to say thanks to all you experts who take the time to share your knowledge and expertise. It’s great to have a resource like this for the uninformed diamond buyer. He is the round diamond I am looking at on Blue Nile what do you all think? I am just wondering what I am giving up, other than name by buying at BN when a similar diamond would cost double at Tiffany?

From GIA Report
Carat: .90
Color: D
Clarity: VVS2
Dimension: 6.13-6.17 x 3.81
Depth –62%
Table—58%
Price: 6,300
Girdle-Slightly Thick-to-Thick Faceted

Thanks again for the advice

 

[Giangi]

BlueNile, although it's much less expensive than most B&M's, is still on thie high side.
May I ask you why are you getting D/VVS and not E/SI 1 or something like that? The face up will be pretty much the same.

The price won't.

Anyway, the cut on this one looks nothing of special. It's on the deep side and the thick girdle adds 'fat' in the girdle... A well made 0.90 should measure about 6.30mm, while this one is 6.15mm average. Believe me, the difference IS noticeable.

 

[cubuffs]

Sounds like I should probably search the E/SI 1 range and increase the size. Thanks for the reply, very helpful!!

 

[Tek]

Look for something like an E/F color and VS1/VS2 for totaly eye clean or SI1 which might be eye clean. If you find an SI1, it's highly recommended that you get pictures of the inclusion to see where it is and what type it is. Also, it would be recommended that you talk to the vendor and have them look at the diamond while you're on the phone so you can ask questions about it.

I was once looking for a D/E, VVS1/VVS2 but when I went to local jewelers to see diamonds I couldn't not see any clarity difference between a VVS or a VS and VVS diamonds cost so much more than VVS. Also, the color difference between a D and an E/F was extremely minimal, yet the cost is so much more as well. However, it all depends on what you find more important to ya.

Good luck.

 

[EdSkinner]

one of the lists has a .90 ct. D VVS2 is listed @6100p/c. This is for a cut class 2a. Figure 5 to 15% less with a 2b or 3a. Without more information it is hard to figure cut. I don't think the stone is to deep, but agree that the girdle may detract from the cut. I like the advice to move down on color and clarity and up on size. Of course this is if you are not looking for an ideal stone. I see on the same list that 1.00 ct. E VS2 is listed at 5800 p/c wholesale. So if you are not in a rush, there are alot of great deals out there.

 

[Mara]

Yes I would second the E or F VS or SI, you will save ALOT of $$....be able to put that same $$ into a better cut stone (Blue Nile's stones mostly don't have but the basic information on them...), and get more bang for your buck, possibly even breaking the 1c mark for the same money. Be sure the company has a good return policy and since you are buying online, MORE information is better than LESS. Get pictures of the stone, ideal scope pictures, inclusion closeups, etc. Virtually see that stone as well as possible before plunking down your $6k. Good luck!!

 

[Mara]

Here are a few that I found in a quick search. You have a great budget for a 1c E/F SI/VS or similar...so I would do more research before plunking down your $$!

http://www.niceice.com/certcopies/ags0004449206/index.htm


.92 E VS2 AG0 $5400 0.7 EX HCA




http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/diamond_Details.aspx?itemcode=AGS-4621210


1.01 E SI1 AGS0 H&A A Cut Above $6450 1.7 EX HCA




http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/diamond_Details.aspx?itemcode=AGS-4708803


1.01 E VS2 AGS0 $6550 0.7 EX HCA (nice numbers!)




http://www.goodoldgold.com/0_918ct_e_si1_h%26a.htm


.918 E SI1 AGS0 H&A $5200 (nice images!!)

 

[fire&ice]

I'm gonna say it because leopard doesn't shed her spots that easily.

Have you considered a G/H VS2/SI1 stone? In a stone this size a well cut near colorless stone in the G/H will face up very white. The reason I ask is many people assume the color difference is great between DEF & GH when in fact there is minimal difference in perception & maximum difference in price.

Good luck. But, I think the BN diamond looks nice but you can do better.

 

[aljdewey]

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On 2/3/2004 4:12:31 PM fire&ice wrote:




Have you considered a G/H VS2/SI1 stone? In a stone this size a well cut near colorless stone in the G/H will face up very white. The reason I ask is many people assume the color difference is great between DEF & GH when in fact there is minimal difference in perception & maximum difference in price.

----------------

I agree with this. The question becomes this: what's more important to you---what's on paper or what's on the hand?

If the answer is "what's on paper" and you want a colorless stone, then I'd go toward the F route.

If the answer is "What's on the hand", then you should know that there is negligible (if ANY) difference to *most* people between an F and an H once the stone is set.....but there is an *enormous* difference visually between a smaller stone and a larger one.

Same with clarity....if you're a purist-on-paper type, then go for the VVS range. But if you want to maximize the size with NO visual sacrifice, consider going to the SI range. It will save you a BUNDLE and get you a MUCH larger stone.

Oh, and lastly: I personally don't care for the girdle on the Blue Nile stone above. The thick girdle means that you are paying for weight that you cannot see....it makes the stone heavier but not *bigger*. I think you can do better, and I would pass on it myself.

 

[phoenixgirl]

This stone is hiding its weight in the girdle . . . if you must have D color and VVS clarity, that's your decision, but I would make cut a priority too. I would also recommend dropping color and clarity as much as you can . . . have you looked at stones in person? Can you tell the difference between a D and an E without being told which is which? Between a VVS2 and a VS2? Even dropping several grades in color and clarity would not affect your diamond's appearance more than its cut. A 0.90 carat should have a diameter around 6.25-6.35. Also, I would make sure you have the crown and pavilion angles to give you a sense of how this diamond will return light.

Some ideas:

0.92 F VS2 for $5400 Note -- NiceIce is closed for the time being due to a death in the family.

If you're set on BlueNile
0.91 D SI1 for $6385 blue flourescence 1.1 on HCA
Why is this stone more expensive than yours with much lower clarity and medium flourescence? Because it is an AGS 0 cut diamond.

1.00 carat F VS2 smoking 0.3 on the HCA for $6400

 

[cubuffs]

You guys are amazing. Thanks so much!!