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Advice on Warmer Colored Diamonds (J,K,L and M)

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Goldie

Rough_Rock
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Sep 3, 2006
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I really want a 2.5ct+ diamond, but I also do not want to spend a small fortune to purchase one.
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I initially thought I would not be willing to go lower than an I SI1, but after viewing many impressive posts of very "white" looking warmer colored diamonds...well I am starting to think warmer might be the way to go, as I would be able to purchase a larger stone for less money!

Any advice from individuals with wamer colored diamonds would be greatly appreciated.

Goldie
 
My advice would be to go to a store and look at the diamonds in person. While I agree that there are many gorgeous rings here in the J-K range, when I saw J-K stones in person they were a little too warm for my tastes. That said, they are a great way to get a larger stone, the price difference can be huge.
 
I have a .93 k and I agree that you have to see them in person. When you see them, make sure that you look in them in all kinds of light. If they'll let you, try outside (they let me). The lower you go on color, the larger the range gets, so just because you see one k that is too warm, doesn't mean that k's in general are too warm for you. You might be looking at one that's closer to an L, and it's the same for all warmer color grades.
 
Ditto you will have to see them in person to decide if they are too warm for you. I have a 3.39 carat L round, which has faint flourescence which is quite noticeable, and it faces up plenty white to me, a softer sort of white, but you can see some tint from the side. If you can find a warm colour with some blue flourescence so much the better, but I really think you need to look at some in person, similar size and cut and graded by the same lab, e.g GIA to make sure you are comparing apples to apples. A great cut will make any colour grade look fabulous, so make sure you concentrate on that. Also it can depend on whether a K colour for example is a " high" or a " low" K, or to go more in depth, what the colour tone is with the diamond as this can make a difference.

The success of your proposal will depend what your expectations are. Bear in mind that in some lights the diamond may look more tinted than others too, it will show many different faces to you with it's extra colour. But if you like the warmer colours and they are beautiful to you, you could end up with the rock of your dreams for far less money. It just depends on your comfort level, but I really can't stress enough look in person for yourself to avoid disappointment and make sure your expectations are realistic. Also once you get to an M colour, the tint is really quite noticable.
 
Date: 9/7/2006 9:08:14 AM
Author: Lorelei
Ditto you will have to see them in person to decide if they are too warm for you. I have a 3.39 carat L round, which has faint flourescence which is quite noticeable, and it faces up plenty white to me, a softer sort of white, but you can see some tint from the side. If you can find a warm colour with some blue flourescence so much the better, but I really think you need to look at some in person, similar size and cut and graded by the same lab, e.g GIA to make sure you are comparing apples to apples. A great cut will make any colour grade look fabulous, so make sure you concentrate on that. Also it can depend on whether a K colour for example is a '' high'' or a '' low'' K, or to go more in depth, what the colour tone is with the diamond as this can make a difference.

The success of your proposal will depend what your expectations are. Bear in mind that in some lights the diamond may look more tinted than others too, it will show many different faces to you with it''s extra colour. But if you like the warmer colours and they are beautiful to you, you could end up with the rock of your dreams for far less money. It just depends on your comfort level, but I really can''t stress enough look in person for yourself to avoid disappointment and make sure your expectations are realistic. Also once you get to an M colour, the tint is really quite noticable.
Where can I see pics of this beautiful rock???
 
I haven''t posted any yet Lizzie, I will have to send them to Irina as I don''t know how to do it! I took some a couple of months back in a rose a la Mara, but the pics are nowhere NEAR as good as hers! I don''t have any decent handshots though...
 
Date: 9/7/2006 10:54:32 AM
Author: Lorelei
I haven''t posted any yet Lizzie, I will have to send them to Irina as I don''t know how to do it! I took some a couple of months back in a rose a la Mara, but the pics are nowhere NEAR as good as hers! I don''t have any decent handshots though...
You''ve gotta get on that, lady!
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I understand though, I have a hard time getting good pics too. Time for me to get a new camera!
 
I will get some sent off to Irina soon! I was just looking through them and they aren''t very good - I have tried everything to make the pics come out well, but the camera is old and we have had probs with it.
 
My feelings on lower color diamonds is that they are a great way to get a big rock without breaking the bank. J''s and K''s face up white enough to me, but I do see a warm tint from the side. If I were to go any lower than J or even some K''s, I would definitely put the stone in a setting that hides the side view, like a bezel. But, as the owner of a 2.3 I/J colored stone, I can tell you I am very pleased with the warmer stones and I don''t regret not going whiter for a minute!
 
I know it''s been said but I can''t stress it enough - go see some warmer diamonds in person with your own eye. You can''t tell true color from a picture on a computer screen. Go to a store, hold the ring up to a white piece of paper, walk around, look in sunlight (get near a window if you can!) as opposed to jeweler''s lights. Make sure you love the color in person.
 
Date: 9/7/2006 7:45:38 AM
Author:Goldie
I really want a 2.5ct+ diamond, but I also do not want to spend a small fortune to purchase one.
20.gif
I initially thought I would not be willing to go lower than an I SI1, but after viewing many impressive posts of very ''white'' looking warmer colored diamonds...well I am starting to think warmer might be the way to go, as I would be able to purchase a larger stone for less money!

Any advice from individuals with wamer colored diamonds would be greatly appreciated.

Goldie
Although a smaller example than what you are talking about, I just had an interesting experience with diamond color.

I had a client come in for a 5 year anniversary, wanted a nice diamond for not a lot of money, ended up with an F color quarter carat over an N colored forty point EightStar that I had. Loved the look and size of the forty, did not thinik his wife would like the color as her wedding ring is also an F.

We ended up putting the stone in a glass topped presentation box so that he could let her choose the mounting. When they came in to pick a mounting he asked me to show her the stone in the ASET as I had shown him and also to show her the forty pointer.

She instantly fell in love with the sparkle and size of the warmer color stone, particularly since she could hardly tell the difference from the top, although it was quite evident from the side.

Since you have the larger size in mind, it seems to me that you might want to go look at some warmer stones in your local jewelry store and determine if you like the look from the face up position. If so you can then do some serious shopping, if not, then you will have to go to plan B.

Wink
 
Date: 9/7/2006 8:15:41 AM
Author: robbie3982
I have a .93 k and I agree that you have to see them in person. When you see them, make sure that you look in them in all kinds of light. If they''ll let you, try outside (they let me). The lower you go on color, the larger the range gets, so just because you see one k that is too warm, doesn''t mean that k''s in general are too warm for you. You might be looking at one that''s closer to an L, and it''s the same for all warmer color grades.
Also please note that the quality of cut will bear hugely in the appearance of color from the top. A well cut stone might look two or even three color grades higher from the top than it actually is, while poor cutting can actually make a stone look lower in color than it is. That is why looking at the stone is so important.

Wink
 
HI:

I would also like to add that the shape of the diamond can influence how much color you see: e.g. "pears and radiants are some of the best at showing their color" (Holloway, 8/21/06).

cheers--Sharon
 
I own more than a couple "warm" colored diamonds in the K-N range. They really are something you have to see live to be able to tell if you like them or not. Digital pictures might be helpful, but should not considered definitive.
I am very sensitive to color - I can easily tell if a stone is tinted, but it''s not like I mind the color. I just can notice it very easily. That said, L-M stones in the 2.5-3 carats range are not going to look white. They might look whiter than you''d expect, but not really white per se. Especially if observed from the side.
We have seen many lovely rings with L-M colored stones here on the forum, but I wouldn''t call them colorless. That doesn''t make them less beautiful for sure...But I''m telling you since it seems like you are choosing a lower colored stone mainly to go up in size. That''s perfectly reasonable and legit, but please do make sure you like them.

I am attaching a picture I took of some stones I own - hoping it will be helpful. All stones but the last one to the right are above 1ct. Particularly, the biggest one falls right in the size range you are considering.

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colore diamanti.jpg
 
Giangi, slight hijack...I just love that picture you put up. It''s really helpful. Do you have any more similar pics in other lighting?
 
Your wish is my command.
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Here are a couple more shots - keep in mind it''s night over here, so lighting conditions were limited to say the least.
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diamanti colore 2.jpg
 
Thanks so much! It''s interesting looking at this pics to see the comparison. If I cover up the other stones, the K still looks very white. But with the other stones it looks tinted. Also, it appears that one of the L''s is more tinted than the other. Thanks again for these pics!
 
Date: 9/7/2006 10:48:22 AM
Author: LizzieC

Date: 9/7/2006 9:08:14 AM
Author: Lorelei
Ditto you will have to see them in person to decide if they are too warm for you. I have a 3.39 carat L round, which has faint flourescence which is quite noticeable, and it faces up plenty white to me, a softer sort of white, but you can see some tint from the side. If you can find a warm colour with some blue flourescence so much the better, but I really think you need to look at some in person, similar size and cut and graded by the same lab, e.g GIA to make sure you are comparing apples to apples. A great cut will make any colour grade look fabulous, so make sure you concentrate on that. Also it can depend on whether a K colour for example is a '' high'' or a '' low'' K, or to go more in depth, what the colour tone is with the diamond as this can make a difference.

The success of your proposal will depend what your expectations are. Bear in mind that in some lights the diamond may look more tinted than others too, it will show many different faces to you with it''s extra colour. But if you like the warmer colours and they are beautiful to you, you could end up with the rock of your dreams for far less money. It just depends on your comfort level, but I really can''t stress enough look in person for yourself to avoid disappointment and make sure your expectations are realistic. Also once you get to an M colour, the tint is really quite noticable.
Where can I see pics of this beautiful rock???
Exactly!!!! Excuse me my dear dear Lorelei........but get off the elliptical for 5 minutes, stop baling hay for the horse and take some pictures pronto. Do you hear us????????!!!!!!!
 
As the VERY happy owner of a gorgeous AGS-0, 2.36 J/SI2 (totally eye-clean) RB, I agree with everything written so far. I had a beautiful AGS-0, 1.53 G/VS2 that I traded up for the stone I now have. I have NEVER regretted the drop in color or clarity. It allowed me to get a KILLER diamond in the size I wanted without breaking the bank.

I would like to stress, though, that when you go looking in person at diamonds, be sure you look at ideal-cut stones (preferably graded by AGS or GIA). You simply CANNOT compare a poorly cut stone (from the mall or elsewhere) to a super-ideal cut stone like those found here from the PS vendors.

When you consider lower color/lower clarity diamonds (while NEVER compromising on CUT) you maximize your budget and usually can end up with a LOT MORE diamond than you ever dreamed of, while not giving up ANY beauty or sparkle.
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beautifulbauble.jpg
 
Date: 9/7/2006 5:15:37 PM
Author: Lynn B
As the VERY happy owner of a gorgeous AGS-0, 2.36 J/SI2 (totally eye-clean) RB, I agree with everything written so far. I had a beautiful AGS-0, 1.53 G/VS2 that I traded up for the stone I now have. I have NEVER regretted the drop in color or clarity. It allowed me to get a KILLER diamond in the size I wanted without breaking the bank.

I would like to stress, though, that when you go looking in person at diamonds, be sure you look at ideal-cut stones (preferably graded by AGS or GIA). You simply CANNOT compare a poorly cut stone (from the mall or elsewhere) to a super-ideal cut stone like those found here from the PS vendors.

When you consider lower color/lower clarity diamonds (while NEVER compromising on CUT) you maximize your budget and usually can end up with a LOT MORE diamond than you ever dreamed of, while not giving up ANY beauty or sparkle.
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That is SO drool worthy Lynn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I''m currently wiping my keyboard dry as I type this......sigh.........
 
I will start my diamond search tomorrow.

Thank you guys for all your help.
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Goldie
 
Date: 9/7/2006 7:45:38 AM
Author:Goldie
I really want a 2.5ct+ diamond, but I also do not want to spend a small fortune to purchase one.
20.gif
I initially thought I would not be willing to go lower than an I SI1, but after viewing many impressive posts of very ''white'' looking warmer colored diamonds...well I am starting to think warmer might be the way to go, as I would be able to purchase a larger stone for less money!

Any advice from individuals with wamer colored diamonds would be greatly appreciated.

Goldie
woooowooo!!!! I have a J but I''d go to a K in a heartbeat! My stone is a funky cut so it doesn''t hide color at *all* and I still prefer it over the white stones... I saw a 3 carat D oval today and it was WHITE and I could DEFINITELY see the difference but I did not prefer the D at all. I honest to goof like my antique looking stone way better. Personal preference though, do you paint your walls in white or ivory, kwim? I had jewelers today try to underscore my stone because of it was so yellow ::snort:: but really they had nothing else they could say about it so they fell back on color like D was the only thing to accept and J was subpar LOL That''s old school. New school is you pick the color YOU LIKE and take advantage of the warmer stones now, because once everyone else starts realizing that they''re a deal and just a *different* look, the prices will even out LOL
 
Date: 9/7/2006 11:20:29 AM
Author: FacetFire
My feelings on lower color diamonds is that they are a great way to get a big rock without breaking the bank. J''s and K''s face up white enough to me, but I do see a warm tint from the side. If I were to go any lower than J or even some K''s, I would definitely put the stone in a setting that hides the side view, like a bezel. But, as the owner of a 2.3 I/J colored stone, I can tell you I am very pleased with the warmer stones and I don''t regret not going whiter for a minute!
I agree with everything here except the hiding it in a bezel LOL I think it''s time to embrace the warmer hues and just say YEAH it''s a J/K/L/M or whatever and be proud of that! heheheh
 
Date: 9/7/2006 12:30:41 PM
Author: Wink

Date: 9/7/2006 8:15:41 AM
Author: robbie3982
I have a .93 k and I agree that you have to see them in person. When you see them, make sure that you look in them in all kinds of light. If they''ll let you, try outside (they let me). The lower you go on color, the larger the range gets, so just because you see one k that is too warm, doesn''t mean that k''s in general are too warm for you. You might be looking at one that''s closer to an L, and it''s the same for all warmer color grades.
Also please note that the quality of cut will bear hugely in the appearance of color from the top. A well cut stone might look two or even three color grades higher from the top than it actually is, while poor cutting can actually make a stone look lower in color than it is. That is why looking at the stone is so important.

Wink
also depends on the cut SHAPE because I think my stone is well cut but the facets are too large and weird to hide anything lol
 
Date: 9/7/2006 12:42:31 PM
Author: canuk-gal
HI:

I would also like to add that the shape of the diamond can influence how much color you see: e.g. ''pears and radiants are some of the best at showing their color'' (Holloway, 8/21/06).

cheers--Sharon
oops shoulda read ahead LOL
 
I have a 3.12 ct L to M pear shape diamond that I wear as a pendant. Pear shape really brings out the color and it is very bright and sparkling. At first I used a G color diamond Halo with a 24 ct to bring out the yellow color. However, the 24 kt basket makes the diamond looks champagnish in some lighting. I eventually embrace the natural warm color and wear the pendant solo without the halo setting.

I think the very light and light yellow are very pretty and a bargain.
 
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