Advice on Purchase

[Aysle]

I am looking to purchase a 1 carat round stone for an engagement ring. My budget is limited and I want to get the best I can for what I can afford. Ive looked around and GIA certed stones put it outside my price range for a good stone. So I had an idea, what if I purchased a EGL stone and went higher on the grading that way if its grading is off by 1 or 2 levels then Ill still get a great stone.

Im looking at stones from Union Diamond right now, below are the links to each stone and the HCA # result. Which would you say is the best buy. My main concern is a eye clean & stunning looking stone. It will be set similar to this image.

Do these stones appear "good" from the reports? I know the quality of the report isnt up to GIA specs.

1.02 H VVS2 HCA: 2.6 cert $4,222

1.01 H VS1 HCA: 0.8 cert $3,804

1.00 G VS1 HCA: 0.9 cert $3,969

1.01 H VS1 HCA: 1.1 cert $3,608

1.06 I VS1 HCA: 1.2 $3,556
This on the report is not online but they emailed it to me. 6.58x6.55x4.04 Total Depth 61.5%, Table Width 57%, Crown Height: 15%, Pavilion Depth: 43%, Girdle Thickness: Medium, Polish: Ex, Symmetry: Ex, Cutlet: None, Fluorescence: None. Reports says its a Hearts & Arrows cut grade excellent but its the older style EGL report that doesnt show the H&A image

 

[msop04]

...what if I purchased a EGL stone and went higher on the grading that way if its grading is off by 1 or 2 levels then Ill still get a great stone.

Hello Aysle.

Although I understand your thinking, I don't think I would do that... Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't that just be paying more for higher color (EGL), but really getting less for your money? I didn't think that would necessarily "even out" expense-wise, not to mention possible resale value (EGL vs. GIA).

I would try to get a GIA stone if at all possible. You will be able to go down in color and clarity when comparing to EGL stones (which may save you more money anyway).

Have you considered going down to I or even J in color? Have you looked at them? GIA I stones can look really white, especially if they have some fluorescence. I have a J color and it faces up very white. If you got a stone with an excellent cut, a GIA I color would be white, most definitely not "yellow" at all. But I guess it depends on how color sensitive you are (or she is).

Sorry, just saw where you posted an I stone.

 

[msop04]

Also, could you tell us your budget for the stone?

 

[distracts]

I like the 1.01 H VS1 HCA: 0.8 $3,804 best. BUT you have to understand that if this stone was graded by GIA, it would have specs very different than H/VS1, and you are likely overpaying for whatever specs you are actually getting. If there was a way to play the market so that you'd be getting a crazy good deal, trust me, the vendors would have found it and stamped it out, since it's their money at stake. They do this every day and if anyone is gaming the system, it is them and not you.

 

[Aysle]

Also, could you tell us your budget for the stone?

Im trying to get the whole ring done for $5k or under. The setting will run $649 for Platinum or $299 for white gold. The main goal is a n eye clean white looking diamond that really looks great.

I like the 1.01 H VS1 HCA: 0.8 $3,804 best. BUT you have to understand that if this stone was graded by GIA, it would have specs very different than H/VS1, and you are likely overpaying for whatever specs you are actually getting. If there was a way to play the market so that you'd be getting a crazy good deal, trust me, the vendors would have found it and stamped it out, since it's their money at stake. They do this every day and if anyone is gaming the system, it is them and not you.

I know it would be graded lower by GIA, from what I understand there is a price drop for EGL certs because of the softness of their grading. In my searching to get a good GIA stone that is H/I and SI1 Im looking at $5600+

When we went looking at settings we went to various mall stores and saw numerous EGL certed H/I SI1/2s that looked good enough (Kay's Leo Diamond was a H/I SI1 with a EGL cert and they want $5k during a 30% off sale).

Do they really get the color that wrong or is it more on the clarity side? I don't want to be buying/returning over & over to get a eye clean white looking diamond. Dont want to get a stone that is dark in normal lighting conditions either. Im not to concerned with the tradeup/resale value because when we upgrade this stone would be turned into a pendant and a new stone purchased at that point in time.

 

[Aysle]

Well Ive been reading on here all day long and started looking at ID Jewelry. There are a number of stones Im going to inquire about tomorrow.

In my searches I came across this stone H-VS1 1.01 $4,161 and the cert.

From the FireTrace on the cert it appears that it would be a very good stone. I plan on calling IDJ tomorrow and seeing what they can do for me. The HCA is only 2.7. What do you guys think?

 

[c-k]

1.06 I VS1 HCA: 1.2 $3,556
This on the report is not online but they emailed it to me. 6.58x6.55x4.04 Total Depth 61.5%, Table Width 57%, Crown Height: 15%, Pavilion Depth: 43%, Girdle Thickness: Medium, Polish: Ex, Symmetry: Ex, Cutlet: None, Fluorescence: None. Reports says its a Hearts & Arrows cut grade excellent but its the older style EGL report that doesnt show the H&A image

The specs on this look good, EGL uses % vs angles in Crown & Pavilion which is not as precise, but Dia/Depth/Table/Girdle look great and the % of the crown & Pavilion look good......grading is the ??? may be close/on/off vs GIA, but if it is off by 2 color/2 clarity grades compare to a GIA that is a J/K- SI2 for cost...could be a good deal if is is a H or I or a VS2 or VS1, there are stones graded EGL that are graded correctly.

I did just a brief search looks like a GIA 1.05 J/K-SI2 would run $2500-$3500, so I say you could be getting a good deal. Remember you are buying the stone not the paper. If you plan to sell it or whatever, then the lab report comes into play.

You have a 30 return, that way you can look at it, even get it appraised.

 

[Aysle]

Well I talked to ID Jewelry and he said I dont want that stone its not going to look good. The grading was extremely soft. He is emailing me shortly with a number a GIA stone that meets my needs and comes in at just about the same price.

 

[04diamond<3]

Well I talked to ID Jewelry and he said I dont want that stone its not going to look good. The grading was extremely soft. He is emailing me shortly with a number a GIA stone that meets my needs and comes in at just about the same price.

Best thing to do IMO, with a limited budget. He will find you a gorgeous stone!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Well I talked to ID Jewelry and he said I dont want that stone its not going to look good. The grading was extremely soft. He is emailing me shortly with a number a GIA stone that meets my needs and comes in at just about the same price.

Best thing to do IMO, with a limited budget. He will find you a gorgeous stone!

I agree. It is best to go with GIA and let him find you a great stone! If you were happy with EGL H-I SI1, you'll be happy with GIA J SI1-SI2 easily.

 

[Aysle]

Well here is what he found me. It looks amazing, there is one crystal that he can cover with a prong that he is going to send me a 60x magnification of in the morning. price is 4750 total. This looks like a really great stone & deal. Someone want to chime in and tell me that this is as good as I believe it is.

1.02 carat J SI1 GIA cert
Cut Excellent
Polish Excellent
Symmetry Very Good
Fluorescence Strong Blue

Depth 61.7 %
Table 56 %
Crown Angle 34.5°
Crown Height 15.0%
Pavilion Angle 41.0°
Pavilion Depth 43.5%
Star Length 55%
Lower Half 80%
Girdle Thin to Slightly Thick, Faceted, 3.5%
Culet None
HCA: 1.8

 

[Christina...]

I think that by far this is your best option. Accurate grading and the images look fine, no guess work and that goes a long way! I completely trust IDJ's recommendation and think you should go for it!

 

[SB621]

Will the strong blue flur make it look milky at all? I thought that had a tendancy to happen or is that only when the color grade is higher?

 

[mcosme]

yay congrats you found a good one

stones with fluorescence rarely appear milky/cloudy - just double check with IDJ though

 

[Aysle]

Well I have the ring in hand now. It arrived about an hour ago. I must say it is just amazing!!!!

Yekutiel was so helpful and worked amazingly fast. On Friday morning after he sent me the magnified pictures I sent the wire then inquired about delivery & the time frame to set. Im kinda impatient and wanted to see it in person right away. Since Monday is a holiday I asked about Saturday delivery and what additional cost for rushing it would be. He told me to give him a couple of hours to have it set and make sure it meets his standards then he would call me back. He called just around his close of business to tell me that is was all boxed up and will be sent FedEx Saturday delivery for no extra charge.

Indoors it is stunning and looks perfectly colorless, there isnt a hint of cloudiness or it being milky looking. It truely is an amazing stone for a great price. When I take it out into the sun light it is actually hard to look at as there is so much light and fire coming out of it.

I must say I will recommend ID Jewelry to everyone, they work fast and take your requirements to hart and deliver exactly what your looking for at a great price.

Now I have to figure out how to take some good pictures of it to put up here... Proposal will be happening on either Monday or Tuesday.

 

[tyty333]

That's wonderful!

Idjewelry comes through again! They are awesome!

Pics please!