Am I at least on the right path?

[bergey]

Hi, first of all, thanks for reading this. I've been looking at engagement rings and diamonds now for a few months and have learned so much from this site and all of the users on the forum. Since this will be the second largest purchase I have ever made (behind my home and yes ahead of my car), I have tried my best to learn as much as possible before diving in. I am looking for a great round diamond to be set in a classic cathedral solitaire white gold ring. Having looked at a few diamonds in a B&M store (featuring Lazare diamonds), I feel like I am getting close to figuring out what she would like! Knowing my girlfriend, I am fairly certain the order of importance when it comes to the 4 c's would be 1. Cut, 2. Color, 3. Carat, 4. Clarity. She wants something that shines like crazy but isn't the type to need to brag about size. With a budget of $13000 (that could be stretched some if needed), I've come across the following and would love for some opinions as well as other suggestions if anyone has any.

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3244534.htm

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.312-g-vs2-round-diamond-ags-104074500012

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/12675/

One other question if someone would like to chime in: It is often stressed that it is important to work with a company with idealscope images as well as (especially for a beginner like myself) to look for the Hearts and Arrows, Signature, Cut Above. To ensure good cut. Is this really that much better than say the Signature Ideal that another site may offer? Does compromising clarity to increase carat on a diamond similar to the ones above make sense? Meaning if you need a microscope to see any imperfections, would it make sense to just go larger since odds are we wont be showing the ring to many people with microscopes? Thank you to all the PS users for your wealth of knowledge!

 

[Diamondbug]

You have picked three great stones from three top awesome vendors. Specs are similar and all 3 will be awesome performers so I would pick the GOG stone since it is the biggest ( not by much but still....) and cheapest as long as it is eye clean for you. Can't wait to see which one you pick.

 

[apacherose]

One other question if someone would like to chime in: It is often stressed that it is important to work with a company with idealscope images as well as (especially for a beginner like myself) to look for the Hearts and Arrows, Signature, Cut Above. To ensure good cut. Is this really that much better than say the Signature Ideal that another site may offer?

This is a great discussion on your question aboveiscussion of value of 'near' ideals versus 'super' ideals: [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/likelihood-of-finding-a-signature-super-ideal-diamond.174235/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/likelihood-of-finding-a-signature-super-ideal-diamond.174235/[/URL]
From what I have read folks can tell the difference when the diamonds are lined up in a tray- I think that Wink wrote that in the case of cut "better really is better"- that people who look at diamonds lined up pick the best cut ones, not knowing anything about the statistics on the stones.

In my limited experience, 'hearts on fire' diamonds blew my mind, and I didn't even know what that was. So, I ((heart)) ideal cuts, and would pay the premium. But that is just me and that is a personal choice- there are many gorgeous and beautiful diamonds without that super ideal pedigree.

Does compromising clarity to increase carat on a diamond similar to the ones above make sense?

Yes- totally makes sense, if the selection is there. The logic is why pay for what you don't see, and many saavy shoppers go eye-clean SI1 to get the most bang for their buck. Moreover, some really experienced folks have commented on how they love their stone's 'birthmarks'- they can get out their loupe and definitively identify their diamond- that is a pretty cool thought.

If I was based in the states I would have a couple of diamonds sent to me to look at, like a 1.3 G VS2 and maybe an eyeclean 1.5 H SI1, just to see a couple of options of what my money would buy. Not saying you should do that, it is just something I personally would love to do if I were to ever put that kind of money out for a diamond again.

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