I am getting a new engagement ring for my 10 year anniversary. My husband has asked me to do the research and find what I want as he knows I could take forever and doesn''t have the patience to visit countless jewelers and websites with me. Anyhow, I''ve been doing a lot of research and looked at countless diamonds online and in stores. I was expecting to buy online after being disappointed at the sparkle of the diamonds at Tiffany''s. Although they were rated ideal cut, the HCA rated them only as good. I''ve been having a hard time finding a large diamond in the colorless range that rates excellent on the HCA.
I''m looking for something in the colorless range, 2.5ish rb diamond, ideal cut. Something that HCA rates Excellent or under 2.0. I''ve only been looking at VS2 or better. In any case I happened to walk into Alpha Omega at the mall yesterday and absolutely fell in love with a 3.03 ct, E color, S1 clarity, AGS Ideal cut diamond ring. The mounting is from coast diamond and has side baguettes .83 tw. Anyway, the price was 76k and the sales person indicated she would give us a really good deal (she''ll discount, but I have no idea how much), I guess she''ll talk to my husband.
My problem is this:
1) I know you shouldn''t be getting a diamond at the mall, but I''ve been looking a lot and the fire and brilliance in this diamond is amazing.
2) I was expecting to get VS1 or better but this is an S1. I absolutely loved the way it looked to the eye. I examined it under the loop and could see the inclusions but should I care if I love it?
3) When I look at diamonds online in the E category, S1, ideal cut, the price is closer to 50k. However, I couldn''t find one that rated excellent like this one did in the HCA. Also, I''m not sure how much of the 76k would be attributable to the setting. So, I''m not sure what a fair price would be for this ring.
4) The AGS certification is one before they started including light performance. Should I care if it is absolutely beautiful and Excellent in the HCA?
Thank you anyone who can respond with your thoughts!!
Allison