Almost there!!! Some last minute questions...

[Sparkles4Luv]

Hi Everyone! I apologize if this post gets really long but after learning so much about diamonds on this website I have so many more questions now. So my fiance and I finally gave up on trying to find a diamond at a local store because we couldn't find specifically what we were looking for! Returned the badly cut overpriced stone and started a new search!!! After being on this website for over a month we have a MUCH better idea of what we would like and the quality we can afford....so I have a few random questions before I buy the diamond online...I have a setting from Coast Diamonds but I'm contemplating getting one online instead...here it goes!

1) Are there any settings that maximize light return or is this a silly question because light enters thru the top of the diamond and is reflected back no matter how much of the setting encloses the diamond? Will a setting that is closed underneath the diamond make the diamond look dark?

2) This is more of question for experienced jewelers out there...the last stone I had set into my e-ring didn't seem to be aligned table-wise...hopefully I can explain this. How is the diamond placed in a prong setting..does it matter that when you look down at the table you see it kind of turned around a bit? I want to see it straight across but maybe this doesn't matter.

3) Coast Diamond says that their designs are handcrafted and they are really beautiful but no two rings of the same design are identical because of various details...what are the opinions on die cast vs hand-made? Does anyone know if the rings on whiteflash such as the Legato pave are die cast?

4) GIA Diamond Dossier certificate---why is it different than the regular GIA cert? Also if it says that the clarity characteristic is "CLOUD" on a VS2, does it mean the diamond only has one cloud???

5) Independent appraisers in the Los Angeles area. I've seen the ones listed on Pricescope and spoken with a couple on the phone but I was wondering if someone could share their personal experience!

Once again sorry for the lengthy post...I'd appreciate any help you can offer!!!!

 

[PollyPrissyPants]

Very good questions, Sparkles! I can''t help you with any answers, but I will stay tuned to your thread to see what the experts have to say.

Especially your question #2. I''ve noticed this with my own engagement ring and am curious about the answer. I have a RB stone, and the arrows don''t seem to be symmetrically distributed about the prongs (if that makes any sense). The table looks a bit crooked is what I''m trying to say. First I wondered if the jeweler did that to hide an inclusion in my stone under a prong, but when I looked at the plot on the cert, that should not be the case.

 

[Sparkles4Luv]

Thanks Polly! Yes I am anxiously awaiting to hear what the experts say as well! I hope someone responds soon! I am contemplating buying something today or tomorrow!

 

[luckynumber7]

i''m not an expert but i can partially answer question #4. the main difference between a gia dossier report vs the "regular" gia diamond grading report is that dossier reports don''t show the clarity plot of the diamond. here is a link to gia''s website regarding its diamond grading reports: http://www.gia.edu/GIAReports/31514/section_main_page.cfm

hope that helps. good luck.

 

[Dreamer_D]

I can take a stab at a couple of your Qs:

1) From what I have read on here, an ideally cut stone will look great no matter whether it is in a bezel or a prong set or whatever. Light indeed enters from the top and returns that way too, so the setting should not matter.

2) If you have preferences about arrows and table alingement then tell the setter and give them a picture. They should be able to do it the way you like, though of course this takes a little longer and is probably a more skilled job, so some might not be able/willing to take the time to do it...

Can''t help with the others, but my response will bump you to the top and hopefully others will respond.

DD

 

[Sparkles4Luv]

Lucky Number 7- thanks for your response..I''m getting worried that no one is responding

maybe it''s because it''s Sunday and everyone is busy! So regarding the Dossier certificate-- if it only notes something like "cloud" on the clarity characteristics does that mean the only inclusion it has is one cloud? Since there is no plotting I will probably get it appraised, but I just want to understand what I''m buying up front? Hope that makes sense....

 

[Sparkles4Luv]

dreamer_dachsie- thanks for helping bump me to the top!!!! LoL

Yeah i don''t really think the setting should affect light reflection that much, but I wasn''t sure. But about the actual setting process is there a right or wrong way to set a round brilliant?

 

[luckynumber7]

Date: 3/30/2008 7:24:21 PM
Author: Sparkles4Luv
Lucky Number 7- thanks for your response..I''m getting worried that no one is responding

maybe it''s because it''s Sunday and everyone is busy! So regarding the Dossier certificate-- if it only notes something like ''cloud'' on the clarity characteristics does that mean the only inclusion it has is one cloud? Since there is no plotting I will probably get it appraised, but I just want to understand what I''m buying up front? Hope that makes sense....

if it says "cloud" then that might be the only inclusion (but i''m not sure if it''s just one cloud). i actually know someone who works there. i can probably ask her tomorrow and then get back to you.

ya, i think sunday is somewhat a slow day in ps.

 

[Sparkles4Luv]

luckynumber7-- yes if you could ask the person you know on how many "cloud" as a clarity characteristic means on GIA Dossier Certs that would be phenomenal!!!! Just like you I would think it''s one...Thanks for your help!!!

 

[arjunajane]

Hello, don''t worry that you don''t get answers straight away, the weekend is often slow..

Anyways,
1.) The marketing behind a tiffany style solitaire is that it ''elevates the stone so as to maximise brilliance, fire and scintillation" (or something along those lines!)
However personally I agree with dreamer, as long as you choose a really well cut stone it should sparkle very nicely no matter what the setting - i''m not a jeweller but the bezels I''ve seen haven''t made the stone dark at all.

2.) If this matters to you, just let the person setting your stone know. I''m not sure what the standard way is but people can request to have their arrows lined up with the prongs, or in between the prongs, etc. I would have a look at SMTR and see what your preference is, as I''m not sure what you mean by "straight across"..?

3.) not sure sorry..
4.) I would presume that it means one cloud, but the easiest thing here would just be to ask the vendor to grab the stone out and check the clarity for you. That said, personally and many other people believe that a cloud or other transparent inclusion in a VS2 is totally nothing to worry about -if it has been graded properly, chances are you will never be able to spot it, unless you try very hard with a loupe. Many people on here have great eye clean SI1 and SI2''s, so an GIA VS2 should cause you no worry

5.) I don''t live in US sorry..

 

[Sparkles4Luv]

Arjunajane- thanks so much for your help!!! I appreciate you taking the time to go through it. This will be our big first purchase as a couple and we want to make sure we know as much as possible going in. I''m trying to get a stone at Whiteflash or GOG since it seems to be the popular choice around here but it''s been difficult finding diamonds in the 0.90-0.91 range of excellent quality. WF seems to have more selection I they don''t always post all the necessary reports and I don''t always have the time to call..the search continues!

Once again I appreciate your help! Have a great monday.

 

[arjunajane]

Date: 3/31/2008 5:39:38 AM
Author: Sparkles4Luv
Arjunajane- thanks so much for your help!!! I appreciate you taking the time to go through it. This will be our big first purchase as a couple and we want to make sure we know as much as possible going in. I''m trying to get a stone at Whiteflash or GOG since it seems to be the popular choice around here but it''s been difficult finding diamonds in the 0.90-0.91 range of excellent quality. WF seems to have more selection I they don''t always post all the necessary reports and I don''t always have the time to call..the search continues!

Once again I appreciate your help! Have a great monday.

Not a problem!
I know how it feels to stress all the details, but i''m sure if you go with either of the vendors you mentioned you''ll be in safe hands

My personal experience is with Jon at GOG, and I couldn''t have asked for a better experience. It is true that this range of size isn''t readily available, so I would advise just calling Jon (or WF) and asking him what stones he has access to in your specs. I can say from experience that not even half the stock he has access to are listed on his site. Plus that way you can have him check them out clarity wise for you. If you''re not stuck specifically on VS, maybe you can consider dropping to an eyeclean SI1 and getting over that 1ct mark..

 

[luckynumber7]

Date: 3/31/2008 3:52:16 AM
Author: Sparkles4Luv
luckynumber7-- yes if you could ask the person you know on how many ''cloud'' as a clarity characteristic means on GIA Dossier Certs that would be phenomenal!!!! Just like you I would think it''s one...Thanks for your help!!!

per my friend, if it says "cloud" then it normally is just one cloud. but there is a section in the report for additional comments and it would say if there are additional inclusions or something to that effect. i would suggest getting a copy of the report just to make sure.

hope that helps.

good luck again.