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Advice please: Trying to find best round 1.25-1.50 or <$10k

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tonycpsu

Rough_Rock
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Aug 11, 2008
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First time shopper here. I was hesitant to shop online, but after a trip to Jared, I realized the retail markup is insane, and I need to at least consider it.

My parameters are:
Price range: Around $10k, not much higher
Size: 1.25 - 1.50. I''m basing that on the fact that 1.0 looked a bit too small with the settings I think she''ll like.
Cut: The best I can get for the money. I''ve rated this as the most important quality.
Color: I felt like I could tell the difference between G and H visually, but I could have been just guessing correctly. I don''t think I''d go lower than H, though from what I''ve read, I could probably go with an I as long as it had some blue fluorescence.
Clarity: Trying for VS2, but will settle for SI1. Buying online, it''s going to be hard for me to know if I can see the inclusions or not.

So far, I''ve been impressed with the selection on Blue Nile, and the fact that I can save 10% off the listed prices is pretty persuasive. The following stones are ones that seem to fit what I''m looking for, and I was hoping for some more informed opinions from you folks:

1.30 H VS2 (HCA 1.2) http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-signature-ideal-cut-h-color-vs2-clarity_LD01335247

1.51 I SI1 (HCA 2.4) http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-very-good-cut-i-color-si1-clarity_LD00452582

1.41 H SI1 (HCA 2.9) http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-very-good-cut-h-color-si1-clarity_LD00278911

The first one is the best HCA, but the smallest size, with good color and better clarity. The second one is a nice jump up in size, with a decent HCA, but color is questionable (unless the medium blue fluorescence helps in that area.) The last one is a bit of a compromise in size, with H color and medium blue fluorescence, but the HCA isn''t quite there.

So, what''s everyone think? These are some of the ones that jumped out at me, but I really don''t know what I''m doing, so if my criteria sound way off, please let me know. Thanks!

-Tony
 
I found you a stunning diamond for just a smidge over your budget... $10342 bank wire price.

This diamond at GoodOldGold is 1.39cts, G, VS2 and is a H&A AGS0 Ideal cut.

2.1 on the HCA.

x x x
 
Thanks for the recommendation, Cleo.

It looks to me like the clarity on that one is graded SI1, not VS2 as you said. I''m pretty sure I can see the inclusions in the picture, but I don''t know that I''d see them with my naked eye. I definitely can tell the difference between that one and a VS1 round from the same site.

I don''t know anything about Good Old Gold, but testimonials here appear to be positive, so I will take a closer look at what they have to offer. On the other hand, since I can save 10% at Blue Nile, I should probably be looking in the $11k-$12k or so range there, so I can compare apples to apples. Maybe I''ll up my price criteria there and see what I can find.
 
I do apologise, you''re right, it''s an SI1. *doh!*

If you call GoodOldGold, they can actually look at the diamond for you, as they have it in-house. If you tell them what *your* standards are for being eyeclean (ie from what distance & what angles you want the stone to appear clean) they will give you an honest opinion of whether it matches up with your preferences.

Do bear in mind that the photo on the site is hugely magnified and there''s a good chance that the stone''s eye clean. It''s certainly worth asking. Someone on another thread has recently bought an eyeclean SI2 from Whiteflash... such stones do exist and are great value when you find them.

You are actually saving money at GoodOld Gold too - their full price is around $400 more for this diamond.

GOG also have a lifetime upgrade policy, which means you can trade the diamond up at any point for a larger stone, if you wish. To my knowledge, Blue Nile don''t have any kind of upgrade policy.

The advantage of some of the other PS vendors is that you get to see a photo of the actual diamond being sold - along with scans & reports which Blue Nile won''t provide you with - and which are invaluable in assessing the likely performance & beauty of a diamond.

In fact, Good Old Gold can even provide you with a *video* of the actual diamond if you ask nicely!

x x x
 
Hi Tony,

The first diamond from BN looks promising, but I would pass on the others. Cleo also offers good advice also!
 
Date: 8/12/2008 6:10:41 AM
Author: Lorelei
Hi Tony,

The first diamond from BN looks promising, but I would pass on the others. Cleo also offers good advice also!
Click to expand...
Ditto.
 
Thank you all so much for the advice. I expanded my price range a bit on Blue Nile to reflect the discount I''ll get, and I found a couple others that seem to have good specs.

1.51ct I VS1 (2.3 HCA) Very Strong Blue Fluroescent $9,115 after discount

This one is under 10k after discount, a very nice size, and close to the 2.0 HCA that people here consider good. Plus, the VS1 means less worrying about visible inclusions. From what I''ve read, the I color should be at least partially covered up by the fluorescence. It''s a bit risky, but I think the fluorescence could add character. Does anyone here have "very strong blue" fluorescent, and if so, are you happy?

1.33ct G VS2 (1.5 HCA) $11,272.50 after discount

This one costs more, but seems to have everything I want. A safer choice than the fluorescent one above, and hence more expensive. Might be worth it for the peace of mind.

Finally, I know there''s not a lot of love for Jared here, but I did see a setting there I really liked, and was thinking I might buy the stone online and have Jared set it. Has anyone done this and been happy with the result?
 
Date: 8/12/2008 2:33:06 PM
Author: tonycpsu
Thank you all so much for the advice. I expanded my price range a bit on Blue Nile to reflect the discount I''ll get, and I found a couple others that seem to have good specs.

1.51ct I VS1 (2.3 HCA) Very Strong Blue Fluroescent $9,115 after discount

This one is under 10k after discount, a very nice size, and close to the 2.0 HCA that people here consider good. Plus, the VS1 means less worrying about visible inclusions. From what I''ve read, the I color should be at least partially covered up by the fluorescence. It''s a bit risky, but I think the fluorescence could add character. Does anyone here have ''very strong blue'' fluorescent, and if so, are you happy?

1.33ct G VS2 (1.5 HCA) $11,272.50 after discount

This one costs more, but seems to have everything I want. A safer choice than the fluorescent one above, and hence more expensive. Might be worth it for the peace of mind.

Finally, I know there''s not a lot of love for Jared here, but I did see a setting there I really liked, and was thinking I might buy the stone online and have Jared set it. Has anyone done this and been happy with the result?
Click to expand...
The second diamond looks promising, would you consider the first diamond in your first post, the 1.30? That one has great proportions. The first one above has a large table, smaller between 54 - 57/ 58 is generally preferred.
 
I would definitely check out this gorgeous 1.4 H/SI stone from James Allen: http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1166348.asp It faces up almost the same as a 1.5 carat stone and it''s under 8k for a pricescoper. This would give you plenty left over to buy a gorgeous setting. Jamesallen is great because they have prices similar to bluenile, but they also offer an upgrade policy and images. A gorgeous stone slightly under 1.5 carats won''t last...

Personally, I wouldn''t get my diamond set at Jared''s because I wouldn''t trust them to do a good job or with my stone. Stones do occassionally chip and one of the most vulnerable times is during the setting process.

What type of setting does she like? Maybe we can help you find a similar setting from a trusted vendor.
 
Date: 8/12/2008 2:44:41 PM
Author: Lorelei

The second diamond looks promising, would you consider the first diamond in your first post, the 1.30? That one has great proportions. The first one above has a large table, smaller between 54 - 57/ 58 is generally preferred.
Click to expand...

Yes, I sure would, but the prospect of getting a larger stone for a similar price was appealing. I didn''t know smaller table was more desirable. Is that because it reflects more light somehow?
 
Date: 8/12/2008 3:12:14 PM
Author: tonycpsu

Date: 8/12/2008 2:44:41 PM
Author: Lorelei

The second diamond looks promising, would you consider the first diamond in your first post, the 1.30? That one has great proportions. The first one above has a large table, smaller between 54 - 57/ 58 is generally preferred.
Click to expand...

Yes, I sure would, but the prospect of getting a larger stone for a similar price was appealing. I didn''t know smaller table was more desirable. Is that because it reflects more light somehow?
Click to expand...
This should help you concerning table sizes. http://diamonds.pricescope.com/tablesize.asp

I would also strongly consider the diamond KC found, that was a great catch and if it is eyeclean, it could be a great choice!
 
Date: 8/12/2008 3:00:34 PM
Author: kcoursolle
I would definitely check out this gorgeous 1.4 H/SI stone from James Allen: http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1166348.asp
Click to expand...

Specs-wise that one looks *great*, but the larger inclusion towards the center looks (to my uneducated eye) like it could be visible without any magnification. What do you guys think? I know "eye clean" is different for everyone, but does that one speck in the middle look like it would be a problem to anyone else? Again, I really don''t know the terrain here so I might be overestimating the problems.

Personally, I wouldn''t get my diamond set at Jared''s because I wouldn''t trust them to do a good job or with my stone. Stones do occassionally chip and one of the most vulnerable times is during the setting process.


What type of setting does she like? Maybe we can help you find a similar setting from a trusted vendor.
Click to expand...

I''ve actually had very good experiences with Jared''s customer service and repairs, but this is a much bigger deal, so I understand your point. I did like that their service plan is affordable, and I''d be able to find one anywhere I move to and still get it serviced /cleaned / whatever at no additional cost.

The setting I liked was white gold, channel cut, with some smallish side stones in kind-of a "C" pattern on the left and right side of the center diamond. It seemed to hit a sweet spot between too glitzy to be distracting and just glitzy enough to make her friends jealous. :) The style of it also matched a pearl and diamond ring I bought her when we first started dating, and that she really loves. I wish I could find a good picture of it online but Google has failed me so far.
 
Date: 8/12/2008 3:24:50 PM
Author: tonycpsu

Date: 8/12/2008 3:00:34 PM
Author: kcoursolle
I would definitely check out this gorgeous 1.4 H/SI stone from James Allen: http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1166348.asp
Click to expand...

Specs-wise that one looks *great*, but the larger inclusion towards the center looks (to my uneducated eye) like it could be visible without any magnification. What do you guys think? I know ''eye clean'' is different for everyone, but does that one speck in the middle look like it would be a problem to anyone else? Again, I really don''t know the terrain here so I might be overestimating the problems.


Personally, I wouldn''t get my diamond set at Jared''s because I wouldn''t trust them to do a good job or with my stone. Stones do occassionally chip and one of the most vulnerable times is during the setting process.


What type of setting does she like? Maybe we can help you find a similar setting from a trusted vendor.
Click to expand...

I''ve actually had very good experiences with Jared''s customer service and repairs, but this is a much bigger deal, so I understand your point. I did like that their service plan is affordable, and I''d be able to find one anywhere I move to and still get it serviced /cleaned / whatever at no additional cost.

The setting I liked was white gold, channel cut, with some smallish side stones in kind-of a ''C'' pattern on the left and right side of the center diamond. It seemed to hit a sweet spot between too glitzy to be distracting and just glitzy enough to make her friends jealous. :) The style of it also matched a pearl and diamond ring I bought her when we first started dating, and that she really loves. I wish I could find a good picture of it online but Google has failed me so far.
Click to expand...
The nice thing about jamesallen or other pricescope vendors is that you can call them up and actually ask them to look at it for you and tell you how eye clean it is. It''s hard to say from a picture as you mention.
 
Date: 8/12/2008 3:33:24 PM
Author: kcoursolle

The nice thing about jamesallen or other pricescope vendors is that you can call them up and actually ask them to look at it for you and tell you how eye clean it is. It''s hard to say from a picture as you mention.
Click to expand...
Ditto, I would definitely ask them and they will be honest with you concerning if this diamond is eyeclean to your standards, that rock is well worth investigating!!
3.gif
 
I called the CS number for James Allen and the representative said it is "absolutely eye clean." Has anyone been burned with bad inclusions on an SI1 purchase before, either from James Allen, or another vendor?

If the inclusions aren't visible, the only remaining question is whether I can *really* tell the difference between G and H color (or, more at it, whether *she* can tell.) The price jump for a comparable diamond at G color seems significant, like $2-$3k. Is the medium blue fluorescence likely to cancel the color difference out?
 
I can't remember and bad mojo with JA and inclusions. Just be sure that you defined eye-clean, ie. 20/20 vision from 8 inches and all sizes in normal incandescent light.

Yes, the floro should help, but an ideal stone will always face up whiter than a non-ideal because it has better light return. When you looked at colors, was it ideal stones, or something else?

I would also call and put that puppy on hold asap, stones get sniped here all the time, and that's a lovely rock!
 
tony,

just so you''re not caught by any surprises be sure that the offer from bluenile offering you 10% off isn''t just the setting.

I had a 10% discount email from them as well and started looking for rocks with 10% off in mind - after reading the entire offer carefully i realized that it was indeed only for the setting. just a heads up!
 
Date: 8/12/2008 5:16:43 PM
Author: tonycpsu
I called the CS number for James Allen and the representative said it is ''absolutely eye clean.'' Has anyone been burned with bad inclusions on an SI1 purchase before, either from James Allen, or another vendor?

If the inclusions aren''t visible, the only remaining question is whether I can *really* tell the difference between G and H color (or, more at it, whether *she* can tell.) The price jump for a comparable diamond at G color seems significant, like $2-$3k. Is the medium blue fluorescence likely to cancel the color difference out?
Click to expand...
I''m a little biased, but I have an eye clean SI2 from JA. You should probably call and ask them what their "definition" of eye clean is. Do they mean, up to 2 inches away, or over a foot away? From all angles? The good news is that you really can''t get burned that much because you could always return it if you can see something when you get it. Hopefully that won''t be the case, but it''s good to know that they have a reputable return policy.
 
Tony - I hope you put that JA stone on hold as it''s showing as no longer available..

x x x
 
Hi again folks,

I did end up putting a hold on that stone at jamesallen.com. They said I have 48 hours. Over the next couple of days I''m going to look around for some deals locally just in case there''s someone who can compete with the JA prices. They''re going to have to beat the PA sales tax as well, so I''m not holding out much hope, but I figured I''d give an independent local place a shot.

I''ll keep y''all posted. Thanks again for all of the help.
 
I was hoping to be able to post a nice happy story here about how I got the diamond and it looks great. Unfortunately, things haven''t been quite as smooth as I''d hoped.

The rep at JA called me yesterday to tell me he was removing the hold. (Another rep who placed the hold told me I''d have 48 hours, and I really got about 42, but, whatever.) He answered a couple questions I had, then I placed the order. This was around 5:45pm last night. He sent me a quick email telling me I''d get a tracking number today. Today they processed the CC payment, he says it went through, then I get a call an hour or so later telling me the stone was gone. It turns out they had one of their "wholesale partners" who wanted to sell the diamond in a retail store, and someone at JA gave the diamond away to them at around 5:30 without updating the inventory system to reflect that it was no longer available.

I was pretty much apoplectic when I first got the call telling me this. I''ve had a couple of hours to calm down and reflect on things, and I''m still pretty peeved, but what can I do? I asked the guy to look for something else in the inventory that was a close match, but he said he doesn''t have anything. Apparently, there''s a chance that if the other retailer doesn''t sell it, it could come back, but that''s just another roll of the dice. I guess this is the kind of thing you have to deal with when the diamond isn''t sitting in front of you in the store.

So, I guess I''m SOL for now. I''m going to look around at some more local stores to see if I can find another good deal, but there''s little chance I''ll get anything that so closely matches what I wanted in that price range.

For the record, none of this detracts from my thanks and appreciation to those of you who pointed me in this direction and helped me find such a great deal. I''m doubt the staff at JA make a habit of this kind of thing, but it''s such an ill-timed mistake for me, as I''ve been trying to get this ring together for a proposal next week. It''ll probably have to wait now while I try to find a good "plan B" unless this stone finds its way back into JA''s inventory.

In the mean time, I figured I''d share the story. If the situation improves, I will let you all know. Thanks again.
 
Thank you for the update, it was nice of you to come back and share the newest bit of your saga. It sounds like you''re in a pretty lousy position. I wish I could offer you some advice or even wisdom, but I got nothing. You only have my sincerest apologizes. I haven''t shopped with JA before, but have only heard good things about them on the forum. You are definitely putting a lot of work and thought into finding the perfect stone, so I do know that, whatever ends up happening, your lady will end up with something absolutely gorgeous and from the heart.

Good luck, it will all come together soon and you have our support 100%!
 
Sorry to hear about the JA diamond!

Would you consider an I colored diamond without fluorescence? It will face up nice and white because of how well it's cut. This diamond is an I/SI1, and most of its inclusions are twinning wisps. Those are the best kinds of inclusions to have because they're almost always eye-clean. According to the Sarin, its proportions are ideal, although it gets 2.3 on the HCA. It's 1.3 ct and nicely priced.

ETA: Here's a nice looking I/SI1 with medium blue fluor, almost 1.3ct for a good price as well, and a TIC!
 
I'm so sorry, that truly sucks. *hugs*

The diamond I posted previously has gone now, but I have found this stunner...

1.29ct I SI1 H&A for just $7650 (with med blue fluorescence) - check it's eyeclean to your standards


x x x

*ERA* jstarfireb - great minds think alike! :)
 
Hey all,

Thanks for the kind words and encouragement, but I''m afraid I can''t go the I color route. I was definitely able to tell I from H side-by-side, and the I-colored stones I saw definitely looked too yellowish for me. I''ll extend my price range a bit to get something in the G or H range if I need to.

The next closest stone I''ve found so far online is this 1.42 G SI1 at Blue Nile, which has a 1.4 HCA. Unfortunately, I would have no idea whether it''s eye clean until I received it. The GIA report looks like it has a lot of inclusions, but they could be small.

At this point I''m probably going to wait until Monday and see if the other stone comes back to JA. Nothing on Good old Gold, Whiteflash, or JA is grabbing me right now.

Thanks again.
 
Hm, then there''s this 1.36 H VS1 (1.3 HCA) for about the same price. H is the lowest I wanted to go on color, but at least I''d be pretty certain it''s eye-clean.

If the JA stone falls through, I think this one might be the best I''ll do.
 
The VS1 stone looks promising, but the SI might be a better buy as the size and color are a tad better. I was under the impression that the reps at Blue Nile would check to see if a stone is eye clean to your specifications..? I apologize if my assumption is wrong.
 
Date: 8/16/2008 4:21:34 PM
Author: tonycpsu
Hey all,


Thanks for the kind words and encouragement, but I''m afraid I can''t go the I color route. I was definitely able to tell I from H side-by-side, and the I-colored stones I saw definitely looked too yellowish for me. I''ll extend my price range a bit to get something in the G or H range if I need to.
Click to expand...

Did you look at ideal cut stones or "common" stones when you saw that? An ideal cut I stone should not look yellow face-up! Especially one with medium or above fluorescence, which will make it look whiter. Take a look here; even viewing them against a plain gray background, the I color is barely visible face-up compared to the D. In a setting rather than a gray background (and alone rather than next to a D), it would not be noticeable. In fact, when I scroll down the page just paying attention to the G, H, and I, I can not tell the difference between them face-up.
 
Date: 8/16/2008 5:15:36 PM
Author: somehowcollide
The VS1 stone looks promising, but the SI might be a better buy as the size and color are a tad better. I was under the impression that the reps at Blue Nile would check to see if a stone is eye clean to your specifications..? I apologize if my assumption is wrong.
Click to expand...
You are correct - they will if you call and ask.
 
 
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