shape
carat
color
clarity

advice about this diamond?

ian3551

Rough_Rock
Joined
Sep 5, 2016
Messages
13
Hi,

I need an advice about buying a diamond. My budget is around £500 and I think I fond one but I'm not really sure if the price is right?

So it's a round brilliant
0.37ct,
VS2,
color F ,
Cut- very good ,
polish - very good,
symmetry - good ,
HCA rating is 3.4 and it comes with IGI Antwerp certificate.
Price around £400

Is it worth buying it or for £500 I could find a better one?
 

girlguineapig

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Mar 23, 2014
Messages
142
What are the dimensions?
 

girlguineapig

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Mar 23, 2014
Messages
142

ian3551

Rough_Rock
Joined
Sep 5, 2016
Messages
13
measurements : 4.70 x 4.77 x 2.75
Crown angle 30.5
Pavilion angle 41.6
Table size 62%

Thanks for the suggestions I was hoping to find something from the EU but now I am considering also the US
 

lovedogs

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Jul 31, 2014
Messages
18,033
n64bomb|1473105610|4073434 said:
https://www.idonowidont.com/diamonds/46-18ct-round-solitaire-engagement-ring
https://www.idonowidont.com/diamonds/round-036-carat-diamond-ring-ideal-cut-j-color-if-clarity

These are listed at 800$ and 810$, but you can negotiate down. Either of those would work for you.

I'm just curious why you keep recommending this site? Not trying to be aggressive or anything, but just think that it's an odd choice since it's just a place for people to sell their own jewelry (like craigslist, louptroop, diamond bistro), and doesn't have any of the assurances that occur when buying from a trusted vendor (return policy, light performance info, etc etc). I think it just might not be the safest recommendation for new posters.
 

Snowdrop13

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Aug 27, 2011
Messages
2,961
Hi Ian, the angles on that one are a bit out of what is normally recommended. Have you looked at Blue Nile? I think they can be a good option for UK buyers- if you buy from the US you will have the lower exchange rate plus taxes to contend with, and some of the vendors charge a fair bit for p and p too. What is most important to you? Maximising size? Is the budget just for the stone or the whole ring?
 

ac117

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Apr 28, 2014
Messages
4,060
ian3551|1474029175|4077305 said:
Hi, Snowdrop13, I indeed think that my best bet will be to buy from Blue Nile because they ship from Ireland and therefore I'm not gonna pay import tax and shipping.

I also decided to increase my budget to £600 so here is what I like so far.


http://www.bluenile.com/uk/diamond-details/LD07420920

http://www.bluenile.com/uk/diamond-details/LD07523864


What do you guys think about those two?

http://www.bluenile.com/uk/diamond-details/LD07420920 - could potentially be a nice stone; it's a 60/60 stone, which will favor white light return over colored light return

http://www.bluenile.com/uk/diamond-details/LD07523864 - definitely no on this one; the angles aren't complimentary

Are you only looking at .37 stones? Any cultural reasons for such high color?

Here are some other options that could potentially be nice:
http://www.bluenile.com/uk/diamond-search?stockno=LD06610835
http://www.bluenile.com/uk/diamond-search?stockno=LD07135800
http://www.bluenile.com/uk/diamond-search?stockno=LD07133174
 

ian3551

Rough_Rock
Joined
Sep 5, 2016
Messages
13
Yes I am looking for something around that size but not exactly .37
I am planing to use platinum for the ring so that's why I thought maybe a good idea to go for colorless stone. Is that right?

Ac117 I like this one you suggested - http://www.bluenile.com/uk/diamond-details/LD07135800
I checked it whit the HCA tool and it looks promising.
 

mcosme

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Sep 9, 2012
Messages
384
ian3551|1474048508|4077414 said:
Yes I am looking for something around that size but not exactly .37
I am planing to use platinum for the ring so that's why I thought maybe a good idea to go for colorless stone. Is that right?

Ac117 I like this one you suggested - http://www.bluenile.com/uk/diamond-details/LD07135800
I checked it whit the HCA tool and it looks promising.
Hi Ian, I like the F VS1 one that Ac117 posted http://www.bluenile.com/uk/diamond-search?stockno=LD06610835
The reasons are D and F are both colourless and white enough!
It's within your budget
It's VS1 which is more likely to be eye clean.

Please ask them to check if the fluorescence causes any haziness. Good luck :)
 

ian3551

Rough_Rock
Joined
Sep 5, 2016
Messages
13
Hi, istase2000 I really like this one with VS1 and I am planning to speak to Blue Nile today about it.

I also read in a website (diamonds.pro) that they encourage people to go for quantity over quality if it's eye clean. So in my case if I go for lower clarity as I1 or SI2 I could either save £150 or get a bigger stone up to 0.42 - 0.45 .

I am asking if is worth it? I really don't have any experience with diamonds, but window shopping. However my inner filling always tells me to go for quality over quantity.
 

ac117

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Apr 28, 2014
Messages
4,060
ian3551|1474283705|4078288 said:
Hi, istase2000 I really like this one with VS1 and I am planning to speak to Blue Nile today about it.

I also read in a website (diamonds.pro) that they encourage people to go for quantity over quality if it's eye clean. So in my case if I go for lower clarity as I1 or SI2 I could either save £150 or get a bigger stone up to 0.42 - 0.45 .

I am asking if is worth it? I really don't have any experience with diamonds, but window shopping. However my inner filling always tells me to go for quality over quantity.

I strongly disagree with that advice - first of all, CUT should be prioritized over all since that is what sets the great performing diamonds apart from the duds. After cut, it's about balancing the 4 c's to get what you want, which is why I asked why you were looking at such high color. I also strongly disagree with getting a stone with SI2 or worse I1 clarity. The stone is going to be less than 5mm so you want it to be a firecracker, NOT one that's heavily included. BN doesn't have pictures/videos on all of their stones so it would also be super risky to buy an SI2 stone not knowing if it's truly eye clean.

The most important part of what I said above is that you need a balance of specs. For that reason, I'd personally be looking at one of these. I color would still be plenty white in a stone of this size:
http://www.bluenile.com/uk/diamond-search?stockno=LD07109674
http://www.bluenile.com/uk/diamond-search?stockno=LD07310385
http://www.bluenile.com/uk/diamond-search?stockno=LD07433958
http://www.bluenile.com/uk/diamond-search?stockno=LD07529700
http://www.bluenile.com/uk/diamond-search?stockno=LD07017960
 

ian3551

Rough_Rock
Joined
Sep 5, 2016
Messages
13
Thank you ac117. That's a great idea to get a bigger stone instead of higher color.

I just read a topic here with lots of photos of J color stones on a white ring and they looked pretty white I mean most of them.


So here is a J color 0.46 what do you think about it?
http://www.bluenile.com/uk/diamond-details/LD07414805

Or probably the lowest color I should go is I ?
The thing is that I am totally lost right now.
 

mcosme

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Sep 9, 2012
Messages
384
ian3551|1474372736|4078730 said:
Thank you ac117. That's a great idea to get a bigger stone instead of higher color.

I just read a topic here with lots of photos of J color stones on a white ring and they looked pretty white I mean most of them.


So here is a J color 0.46 what do you think about it?
http://www.bluenile.com/uk/diamond-details/LD07414805

Or probably the lowest color I should go is I ?
The thing is that I am totally lost right now.
Hi Ian!

Personally I would stick with at least "I" colour as I'm assuming you are buying this ring as a surprise? I have J and love it, but I know it's not for everyone as you will see tint at times. Even I, you can see a slight tint from the side view.

AC recommended some great stones for you
http://www.bluenile.com/uk/diamond-details/LD07433958 - this would be my pick as a 34.5 crown angle and 40.8 pavilion is the most ideal combination and no clarity issues at VVS1.

As an after thought though, for the same price, the 0.41 isn't hugely bigger than the 0.37 but 3 colour grades lower for the same price. F is still part of the "colourless" category and I know many people value this. Do you think your girlfriend would prefer a 100% colourless stone or want to maximize size? If you think she would value size, I would probably go for the stone that is is closest to 5mm in diameter.I attached a size comparison of the I and the F (F on the right) for you to see.

capture12jj.jpg

_38304.jpg
 

ac117

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Apr 28, 2014
Messages
4,060
Don't get me wrong, I agree - I was only trying to make the point that there are other areas to compromise in to save money other than going all the way to an SI2 or I1. I saw that .44 and was going to recommend since it almost gets you to 5mm but was at least trying to keep you under 650 given that you stated your budget was 600!
 

mcosme

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Sep 9, 2012
Messages
384
If your budget can take you there, the 0.45 would be great with the 34.5/40.8 combo! So close to 5mm too. Please check if eyeclean and if the clouds affect transparency. Otherwise the 0.44 should be nice too!

What setting were you thinking?
 

ac117

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Apr 28, 2014
Messages
4,060
HCA is a pass/fail test - you want any score under 2 (.8 is not better than 1.8). Call BN and ask them to have their gemologists pull the 3 diamonds and compare them for you, if possible.

Just by the reports, I'd probably be choosing the .45 because I like the smaller table coupled with the slightly steeper crown angle than the other 2, which should result in more fire. I can't say for sure that it's "better" because I can't see them all in person. The other 2 are so similar that if they're both 100% eye clean, I'd go with the cheaper one since the .05mm wouldn't be worth the price difference to me.
 

mcosme

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Sep 9, 2012
Messages
384
I agree with AC. Looking back at your first post, your budget was originally 500 pounds so I would include the below into your mix as it is within your budget.
Ac suggested this in her first post. Ask the gemologist if this one is eyeclean and if it twinning wisp/fluorescence affects transparency. http://www.bluenile.com/uk/diamond-search?stockno=LD07017960
 

ian3551

Rough_Rock
Joined
Sep 5, 2016
Messages
13
Hi, just contacted BN but they unfortunately can't compare them in person because they keep them in different locations. Anyway the girl told me that they are identical so every one of them will look spectacular. She also told me that 0.44 and the 0.45 will be absolutely the same from the top.

I am planning to go for the biggest because of the perfect angles but could the transparency be affected in any way by this cloud?

or maybe I should go for the 0.44 because it's VS1 ?
 

mcosme

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Sep 9, 2012
Messages
384
ian3551|1474647968|4079968 said:
Hi, just contacted BN but they unfortunately can't compare them in person because they keep them in different locations. Anyway the girl told me that they are identical so every one of them will look spectacular. She also told me that 0.44 and the 0.45 will be absolutely the same from the top.

I am planning to go for the biggest because of the perfect angles but could the transparency be affected in any way by this cloud?

or maybe I should go for the 0.44 because it's VS1 ?
Hi Ian,
I just went onto bluenile and enquired about the I SI1 as a test and they are going to ask the vendor to check if it's eyeclean, request for a photo and check if transparency is affected by fluorescence and twinning wisps.

Maybe do the same for the other stones you are interested in :) Blue nile are not the easiest to get this info from. By the way, if you have time maybe go look at GIA F vs I coloured stones in the store and see for yourself!
 

ian3551

Rough_Rock
Joined
Sep 5, 2016
Messages
13
Hi Istas, that's great. Are they really going to take a photo of it? I thought they don't do that.
 

mcosme

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Sep 9, 2012
Messages
384
ian3551|1474680877|4080163 said:
Hi Istas, that's great. Are they really going to take a photo of it? I thought they don't do that.
They said it's not guaranteed but they will try and get a photo. It depends where the stone is held at. It is worth a try!
 

ian3551

Rough_Rock
Joined
Sep 5, 2016
Messages
13
just called again and they assured me both will be eye clean and transparency won't be affected from inclusions at VS2 or above.

they also don't want to be bothered with photos on stones below 1.50

This guy from today told me better to go for the 0.45 because on such small stone wouldn't be any difference between VS1 and VS2 but the girl from yesterday said that the best choice is 0.44 with VS1
 

mcosme

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Sep 9, 2012
Messages
384
Use the live chat function or email them. The call Centre can't see the stone so don't take their word. Also the vendor holding the stone doesn't work weekends so they told me the review will be available in Monday.
 

mcosme

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Sep 9, 2012
Messages
384
The photo seems slightly tilted but the arrows look nice and straight. I would probably be more inclined to go with the 0.44 as we can see a photo of it. It's hard to say if the 0.45 will be better without photos even though it has more ideal angles.

I'll let someone else chime in! :angel:

PS the SI1 I was enquiring about apparently got sold before they could put it on hold :lol: they told me this 3 days later
 

ian3551

Rough_Rock
Joined
Sep 5, 2016
Messages
13
Hello,

I just wanted to say a BIG TANK YOU girls for the advice and the support when choosing this stone!

I went for the 0.45 and it looks amazing! It's far better than those I saw in the high street shops for nearly x3 the price on this one !!!

Amazing :) Thank you again :)
 
Be a part of the community Get 3 HCA Results
Top