Am I crazy to do it all online?

[magicspot]

hopedream,

those are good suggestions.

especially the second one.

ive never heard of that site.

im meeting a local guy tomorrow. ill have to see what he says/has.

but the 2.41 from ERD is tempting.

im still trying to think about if i can swing the 2.51 from WF tho.

i looked at a few stones in person and im going back and forth on size.

tbh maybe 2.51 is too big?

also thinking the VS2 may be unnecessary?

and you think the 2.41 without idealscope, ASET, sarin etc would perform just as well? i assume thats based on the AGS0, HCA and hearts and arrows? i guess that makes sense.

thanks again.

 

[magicspot]

the BGD stone is supposed to be eyeclean, and i will get in depth pictures, sarin, H&A, idealscope etc.

may i ask why you rejected the BN stone? the AGS report looked nice, light performance pic on cert etc. they are verifying if its eyeclean and should provide me with a picture. downside obv is the HCA.

also the AGSL performance looks very similar to the 2.41 stone from ERD and the 2.51 from WF. just HCA lacking.

i thought i found a great stone from BN =P im just trying to understand why i didnt.

thanks so much!

 

[HopeDream]

Why not the BN stone? Because I don't like to gamble with other people's money.

If I can't see a picture of the stone and the HCA doesn't come back favourably, I generally keep looking. AGS0 is definitely a good start, but I would consider it a filter to weed out lesser performing stones, rather than a guarantee of quality.

When I look at the grading report, the computer simulated ASET looks ok, but the large green patch at the center could indicate a dimmer area around the culet (Note this isn't what the stone will actually look like, only what it will probably look like based on the numbers.

When I look at the inclusion map I notice that it has significant clouds and crystals right under the table centre-9:00ish. Normally for a SI1 I'd want a prong-able inclusion near the edge of the diamond or perhaps a series of small inclusions that camouflage well near the edges. Clouds can interfere with light performance (CLOUD: A group of tiny, white inclusions which give a cloudy appearance) Crystals are like little grains of sand in your diamond and can be distracting (CRYSTAL: a mineral deposit trapped inside the diamond.) I think the chances of eye-cleanliness aren't 100%

So the BD diamond could have a little foggy patch like Diamond A or It could be a little wonky looking like diamond B - (AGS 0 going generally for brightness, but not necessarily for precision facet alignment).

I'm picky, and if you're spending 25k on a diamond I want you to have a fantastic rock, not just an "ok" one.

 

[HopeDream]

For comparison, here's a stone with nice crisp faceting, so you can tell what I mean whenI say stone B looks wonky.

 

[HopeDream]

If you like anything at BGD, The're having a 10% off their signature diamonds until Monday (10% off is huge for online diamond sales - usually 3%-5% off is considerd a pretty good deal for diamonds).

 

[Glitteratti]

If you like anything at BGD, The're having a 10% off their signature diamonds until Monday (10% off is huge for online diamond sales - usually 3%-5% off is considerd a pretty good deal for diamonds).

HopeDream - do you mind looking at the thread I started? My inclusions are also right underneath the table, although the vendor has confirmed it is eye-clean. Should I not worry about them as long as the vendor says it's eyeclean? (Sorry to divert from this thread, but I really like your detailed reponses.)

 

[Imdanny]

Of Course. You saw what you did because they are not graded SI1 and 2 for nothing.

"eye clean" means only what vendors' definitions say.

Do you want to kook at and have other people look at your diamond from a predetermined distance to avoid seeing visible inclusions?

I care a lot more about clarity myself than to want this.

Some people do get spectacular SI2's. To be brutally honest, you would have to see the SI 1 and 2 AND VS2 in person to know what you are looking at.

I'd raise the clarity, lower the size, and make some compromise on color- down 1 or 2 grades.

But that's just me.

MAKE SURE you have an airtight cash back return policy. Make sure all of the policies are in writing, ahead of any money changing hands, and that you have read and understand them.

Good luck and once again this is my reply to the OP. I'm under thereafter and can't read as many threads as I'd like to right now.

 

[Imdanny]

Of Course. You saw what you did because they are not graded SI1 and 2 for nothing.

"eye clean" means only what vendors' definitions say.

Do you want to look at and have other people look at your diamond from a predetermined distance to avoid seeing visible inclusions?

I care a lot more about clarity myself than to want this.

Some people do get spectacular SI2's. To be brutally honest, you would have to see the SI 1 and 2 AND VS2 in person to know what you are looking at.

I'd raise the clarity, lower the size, and make some compromise on color- down 1 or 2 grades.

But that's just me.

MAKE SURE you have an airtight cash back return policy. Make sure all of the policies are in writing, ahead of any money changing hands, and that you have read and understand them.

Good luck and once again this is my reply to the OP. I'm under thereafter and can't read as many threads as I'd like to right now.

 

[magicspot]

Appreciate the responses as always. Hope dream you're a rockstar.

I'm trying to find some good stuff on BGD but I dont see anything that jumps out at me. The stone you linked earlier has already sold. I'm really trying to find something because as you said that 10 percent off is huge.

One thing that stands out from some of your previous posts is color. You brought up color a few times. So far I've been looking to get an I. I'm considering sizing the ring down and perhaps getting an H.

This seems to also contradict what the previous poster said about going down in color.

The last thing is for the right stone im increasing my budget for the right stone.

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2696793.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2696792.htm

http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/2.41-carat-i-vs2-hearts-and-arrows-round-cut-diamond-gid-62112.html

(still unsure if this one because it doesn't have pics. Just Ags cert posted)

Hope dream I owe you a holiday present!

 

[HopeDream]

Danny makes a very good point about the "eye cleanliness" of SI stones. Different people have different sensativities when it comes to inclusions. How much do they bother you? How much will they bother her? ( is she a perfectionist?)

Color is probably the most flexible of all the C's and also the most individual - everyone's eyes have a different color sensativity, and to some extent a really superb cut can mitigate color like a mirror (look at the side of mirror glass and you'll see a light green tint, look at a mirror straight on and you'll see a clear multicolored image because of the reflectifity of the backing).

Diamonds reflect light in the same way a glass watch dial can reflect light if you aim it properly - if all the light reflecting facets are pointing in the same direction you're going to get an almost mirror-like reflection of the incoming light (also kind of like a solar collector). Cut precision is important for making sure that all the facets are pointing towards the same focus point (smash a mirror and then arrange the bits do that they're all reflecting light to the same area.) A diamond will never return 100% of the light it takes in, but the more light it does return, the less you're going to notice body color (up to a certain point)

Diamond body color is judged by placing the diamond shiny side down against a white backgroud, and looking through the side of the diamond. This is far from the normal viewing angle of the diamond, but it takes away the influence of cut quality. GOG has a good tutorial on diamond color: http://www.goodoldgold.com/content.php?c=14

I can't tell you what your color cut-off should be because I don't have your or your girlfriend's eyes. PS general wisdom indicates I is a safe spot for most people, (I'm quite color sensative and got myself an F, many ladies love the creamy warmth of an L) It all depends on whether you prefer Icy white or creamy warmth. Check out the show me the bling section to see a wide range of colors https://www.pricescope.com/forum/sh...agement-ring-folder-eye-candy-t5429-7350.html

Inclusion wise, I like the second WF stone (#2696792) better than the first because the inclusions are all clouds and crystals and are fairly spread out, The first stone is also quite nice, but some of the feathers(fractures) run right across one of the arrows (an area of dark obstruction) so I think it would be more obvious. Numbers-wise I like the first WF stone ( #2696793) because the angles are more condusive to fire. The second stone is going to give more white light return than fire, based on the numbers Some people like fire (rainbow sparkles), some people don't. I've posted the pics of the two stones at as close to actual size (8.5 mm) a I can make them - which one do you like? would inclusions or lack of fire be more of a concern to your fiancee? Can WF shoot you a video comparing the 2 stones?

The ERD stone could be a nice one - certainly the numbers are excellent, but I'm a little wary of the needle (needle shaped crystal) on the inclusion plot, and would need to see a picture of the stone and have it verified eye-clean and of good symmetry before I would choose it.

The nice thing about working with PS vendors is that you can order a stone and if you decide it's a total dog when you get it, you can almost always send it back for refund/exchange (do read the fine print of each vendor re: return policies). Usually you have 30 days.. so if you propose quickly, your fiancee always has the option of saying "Honey the rock's lovely, but I'd actually prefer xyz" and you can exchange it for xyz ( We are looking at some amazing stones, but if she secretly loves cushions, even the most perfect RB in the world won't make her truly happy).

If you're comfortable with it, propose with the stone in a temporary setting, and have her help pick out her "forever setting" (unless she's already provided you with a picture and said "I want this").

 

[magicspot]

I really lime the idea of using a temp setting and asking her to choose.

Looked at a few more stones today I don't mind the color.

Against a white background I can see it but tbh the warmth is kind nice.

My preference is towards fire. I like to see it sparkle.

I've asked ERD for additional pics of that stone plus there's another stone that I thought was iteresting there.

http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/2.51-carat-h-si2-hearts-and-arrows-round-cut-diamond-gid-61959.html

But no cert is listed.

If the 2.41 performs I think that's the choice.

You've been great.

I'll keepnyou guys updated.

Shame I can't find something a BGD to use with the sale. Also don't see anything at James Allen.

Thanks

 

[toblerone]

Magicspot - did you end up making a purchase? Curious how this turned out