Another "Which Diamond Do You Prefer?" Thread

[MRHammar]

First of all, I sincerely want to thank everyone who has helped provide me with guidance, opinions & chuckles. I have learned more from you in a few minutes than I have from any B&M visits on my quest for the first of (hopefully) many diamonds I will be purchasing for my special lady

I have narrowed my choices to two stones and am looking for opinions OR alternatives. Specifically, why would you choose your preferred stone? Which stone would you GUESS would appraise higher and why?

Candidate #1 with HCA=1.8 (EEVV) & inclusions that are not obtrusive IMHO.

Candidate #2 with HCA=1.2 (EEVV) & a great H&A pattern but with a very slight hint of yellow (compared with Candidate #1).

I cannot discern any difference in fire, brilliance or overall visual performance (or size, for that matter) between the stones (which are in my posession). I can see the color difference without difficulty...

Lastly, any recommendations on simplistic platinum 6-prong solitaire settings (possibly with small round sapphire accents?) for a lady with size 4.5-5 fingers?

Thanks again so much for your input. As soon as my budget allows, I think I will be a full-fledged diamond addict

-Matt

 

[Magnum]

That's a tough call. It sounds like the color difference is more apparent to you then the clarity difference, which would lead me to suggest the E I1. Just to throw some spice in the mix, here's a "compromise" stone.

Dirtcheapdiamonds .805 G SI2

It's SI2 clarity, which is right between SI1 and I1, and it's G color, which, how about that, is right between E and I. Don't mean to make the search more complicating with another stone, but since they're all DCD stones, you might be able to get the third for comparison, as well. It sounds like the color in the I SI1 is noticeable, and while you say it's not obtrusive, it sounds like you can see the inclusions in the E I1. it might be worth it to ask for the vendor's opinion on the G SI2. Hope this helps. Good luck in your search.

 

[MRHammar]

Thanks Magnum...throw another shrimp on the barbie

I am pretty indecisive at this point, even after optimistically thinking that seeing both stones "in the flesh" would help to sort out the choice. Your option is another good one...arrrgh

Which stone would appraise more highly? Why??

Once I do decide on the stone, any personal perspective on settings beyond what is in the FAQ and recent threads?

Thanks again.
-Matt

 

[Giangi]

Out of the 2, I'd pick #1, the E/I1. BUT you have to be sure that inclusions won't bother her. It's absolutely normal that you are seeing a color difference between E and I. I would consider that G/SI 2, too. It may be a good and more balanced choice.

 

[MRHammar]

I appreciate your thoughts, Giangi. I KNOW she won't notice/be concerned with the inclusions...she is genuinely not a jewelery lover and one of those "a wal-mart ring would be more than enough" kind of ladies.

I cannot wait to see the look on her face!

How about some setting advice for a petite platinum/white gold ring, possibly with some very small round sapphires?

Gracias!
-Matt

 

[valeria101]

The E-I1 "has been ordered" - is this your doing or the competition at work?

There are a bunch of color grades between E and I to blurr the choice, but this is your call.

As for setting, I would not completely cal off the makes of Ingwer and other generics, as long as they get some attention from the jeweler ( so that they end up nicely polished inside out, with the prongs trimmed to fit the stones (and the sapphire sides would be smaller, right?) and such. The seller of the diamonds could likely recommend a setter or take up the task of putting the ring together, I would think.

It should not be much of a struggle to get a pair of really blue sapphires in the size I guess would fit the center stone...

 

[valeria101]

Maybe G-SI1 sounds good ?

And the setting could be: THIS with the little blues instead of side diamonds

or

one of these LINK (I alwasy forgeet what the originalsite is!, but the things can be ordered basically by anyjeweler).

 

[MRHammar]

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On 5/5/2004 2:16:34 PM valeria101 wrote:

The E-I1 'has been ordered' - is this your doing or the competition at work?
----------------

Haha...luckily for me, that was my doing!

I just received both stones yesterday and they are both stunning. I am leaning towards the E-I1 because the color difference is more noticeable to me than the inclusions.

Has anyone had any experiences, good or bad, with DCD doing the actual settings of their stones?

To the appraisers out there: would the contrast in both color and clarity sort of balance each other out in terms of replacement value?

And valeria101, thanks for your response and setting choices...you are a treasure!

-Matt

 

[MRHammar]

Still looking for input and comments!

 

[hoorray]

DCD not only set my new earrings, but had the martini settings made for me, and they did a great job. Plus, I believe they guarantee their work, so that is extra assurance.






I have an E colored stone, and just love it. If you can't easily see the inclusions, I'd go that way. Just make sure you can be comfortable with them long term and they don't break the surface.

 

[MRHammar]

Thanks! That's great news about your experience with DCD's craftsmanship...I probably will send my baby back to get mounted there

Anyone else care to share their $0.02 before I take the plunge?

-Matt

 

[Sheree]

When I first upgraded about 4 weeks ago, I bought a 1.10ct RB, E, I1. I thought I would be OK with the inclusions. I loved the whiteness of the E color but the inclusions got to me and I became very unhappy with it. So I took it back. Then I ended up getting a 1.31ct, J, SI2-eye clean. I never thought that I would go for a J but unless I am comparing it to other better colored diamonds it looks very white. For me I realized that I don't want to see the inclusions and I was willing to go down in color and I was also able to go bigger too! I am very happy with my diamond now. It just depends on what you want the most!