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a little overwhelmed

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miranda.danny

Rough_Rock
Joined
May 22, 2009
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Hi all,

I''ve been roaming the forums for a few months off and on while saving for an engagement ring. I think I am finally at the point where I need to start making some decisions and buy a ring. I''ve kinda focused on James Allen and have found a couple of stones that I like. I would love to have a few opinions from people as well as a few opinions on settings.

diamond 1
diamond 2

The setting I am thinking of is fairly simple, narrow band. I was originally going to go as simple as possible with something similar to this, but after some more reading and searching and viewing I really like this. Can anyone give me any insight on what they think of the diamonds embedded in the band or is it a little over the top. I am also very open to any other suggestions.

I was also hoping to get some advice on contacting someone at James Allen about these diamonds and the settings. For example, what is the next step when I have narrowed down my choices? What kind of questions should I ask the customer service person? Do I ask to send the diamond to an independent appraiser in the Providence/New England area or should I buy into what the customer service people at James Allen say?

I just love this community and it has made the extremely overwhelming proposition of buying a ring somewhat less stressful. So thank you in advance for your help!

Danny
 
Not liking the IS of #1 stone. #2 stone IS looks better if corrected for the tilt.
 
thanks for the replay, what does it mean to correct for tilt (sorry for my nuby-itis)?
 
Date: 5/22/2009 12:06:20 PM
Author: Stone-cold11
Not liking the IS of #1 stone. #2 stone IS looks better if corrected for the tilt.
Click to expand...
Totally agree.

Are you wanting H&A for sure? The reason I ask is that there are extremely well cut diamonds out there that can perform as well or better than some H&A and you might be able to go up a little in size with the same budget, especially if you are willing to consider an eye-clean SI1 &/or G color.

EDT: The #2 diamond was not sitting straight when the IS photo was taken. Correcting for tilt is just referring to what the IS would probably look like if straight.
 
When taking the IS image for that stone, the stone''s table is not parallel, resulting in that image, shorter arrows and lighter red on one side of the image.
 
Date: 5/22/2009 12:15:18 PM
Author: miranda.danny
thanks for the replay, what does it mean to correct for tilt (sorry for my nuby-itis)?
Click to expand...
Hi Miranda

I can't access the images right now to see them, but sometimes the diamond gets literally tilted when the images are taken, this is nothing to worry about.

I will keep trying to see the images to give you an opinion.

Actually both images are good depending on what you want, the first image is fine, it shows a little leakage but I doubt it is discernible in reality. The second diamond is hard to call as the image itself is tilted, it also shows some possible leakage but again it is hard to tell due to the tilt, but I would think the leakage again would not be discernible in real life.

What I would do now is to request JA's gemologist Julianna to evaluate both diamonds for you. She has a good eye and is very experienced so she can give you an honest opinion.

Here is a tool you can use to find an appraiser in your area, if Boston is convenient Jeff Averbook is located there and he posts here.

https://www.pricescope.com/appr_list.aspx
 
Date: 5/22/2009 12:18:16 PM
Author: Lorelei
Hi Miranda
I can''t access the images right now to see them, but sometimes the diamond gets literally tilted when the images are taken, this is nothing to worry about.
I will keep trying to see the images to give you an opinion.
Click to expand...
Ya, JA site is loading up slow for me too. Takes a while...
 
I am not 100% committed to H&A at all. In fact, thank you for the suggestion as I am nervous to go towards anything below the ''best'' cut. Cut (obviously) is important to me. What levels of cut would you suggest?
 
It is possible to go all the way down to VG cut using the HCA as a guide and then IS image to verify, but you will need to sort through more stone to get the good ones.
 
Stick with the best cut. It is just that H&A measures optical symmetry, while overall cut takes many factors into account that results in good light performance. It is possible to have an H&A stone that is not the best performer, like the first one you linked.

Here is one from JA that I thought looked really good. You can ask them for an IS on any of their stones.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1229210.asp
 
Date: 5/22/2009 12:28:37 PM
Author: jet2ks
Stick with the best cut. It is just that H&A measures optical symmetry, while overall cut takes many factors into account that results in good light performance. It is possible to have an H&A stone that is not the best performer, like the first one you linked.
Here is one from JA that I thought looked really good. You can ask them for an IS on any of their stones.
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1229210.asp
Click to expand...

This stone looks good to me too.
 
Date: 5/22/2009 12:28:37 PM
Author: jet2ks
Stick with the best cut. It is just that H&A measures optical symmetry, while overall cut takes many factors into account that results in good light performance. It is possible to have an H&A stone that is not the best performer, like the first one you linked.


Here is one from JA that I thought looked really good. You can ask them for an IS on any of their stones.


http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1229210.asp
Click to expand...

Yes, I do like this as well. I sent for an IS. I've found another one that interested me:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1238367.asp
 
Looks good to me too.
 
Yes this one has excellent proportions, should be a great looking diamond.
 
That looks good, as well. I don''t think you would go wrong with either. Once you get IS, feel free to post the images for comment.
 
Ok, so I just spoke with Daren from JA over the phone and as suggested I scheduled an appointment to speak with JAs gemologist Julianna next Tuesday. Daren recommended putting together a list of 3 diamonds that I am interested in to get IS for the appointment and have Julianna talk to me about them.

so far I have chosen these two (well one of them was provided as a recommendation).
1228210
1238367

I was thinking of including this one as the third
1231396

What do you think?

Also, any suggestions on what kind of questions to ask the gemologist regarding the diamonds?

Again, everyone has been so helpful!
Thanks again,
Danny
 
Date: 5/22/2009 1:23:36 PM
Author: Stone-cold11
Date: 5/22/2009 1:14:31 PM

EDT:

Try this, a little different look, almost 60/60 cut, slightly better spread than the other selection.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Premium-Cut-Round-Diamond-1231912.asp
Click to expand...

oh wow, I like that one and I like the price.

Thanks, I sent the request. When I get some IS for the three I''ll post those!

Thanks again for the huge amount of help. I''m feeling better and better about things.

Danny
Click to expand...
 
Good Luck. :)
 
Date: 5/22/2009 1:23:36 PM
Author: Stone-cold11




Date: 5/22/2009 1:14:31 PM
Author: miranda.danny
1231396
Danny
Click to expand...

That is a little steep in the pavilion for that crown angle for my taste, looks like some leakage in the stone image. IS image will confirm if that is the case or not.

EDT:
Try this, a little different look, almost 60/60 cut, slightly better spread than the other selection.
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Premium-Cut-Round-Diamond-1231912.asp
Click to expand...
The highlighted diamond is actually what we call a steep deep, both crown and pavilion angles are too steep and deep to work well together, light leakage can often result as mentioned. Also it is rather deep in the depth so could look small for the weight.

Also there is no reason to not consider the very first diamond you posted, it could be a great diamond, the very minor leakage shown on the Idealscope image is probably not perceptible in real life. It is very easy to get hung up on images especially but we have to remember that these images are greatly magnified and what we are discussing is the size of a pencil eraser or smaller in reality! It is an excellently cut diamond.

I would also advise if you are not sure to check out some 60 60 type diamonds in person and try to compare with some AGS0 or Hearts on Fire to see what you prefer. 60 60 have a bit of a different look to the near Tolkowsky types we have been discussing before, so it might be best to see which you prefer before committing.
 
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