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Any help greatly appreciated, looking for round brilliant

soontobe_do_ob

Rough_Rock
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Hello everyone, I have been lurking on this site for quite some time and have decided to ask for some help picking out a stone. I have been researching stones and shopping online now for what feel like forever ( >6 months). Unfortunately, I am currently in Maine and the local selection of diamonds to go and see in person is severely lacking. However, here is what I am looking for.

A round brilliant stone that will be set in a rose gold solitaire setting. Budget for the stone ~$9500

Color: I am OK with warmer colors (especially since it will be set in rose gold) K-M
Clarity: not that significant for me, I just want an eye-clean stone or a stone where visible inclusions near the edge could be hidden by the setting. SI1-SI2 is absolutely fine
Cut: I want an excellent cut stone. This is where I am having trouble, and I have read some somewhat conflicting information. It seems to me that an AGS 000 that is evaluated for light performance is never a bad choice (however there is variation is what AGS terms ideal) but that there is MUCH more variation in GIA excellent cuts. I do not necessarily need a GIA XXX or AGS 000 (as I have read that a polish of very good or symmetry of very good is not that noticeable of a difference from excellent). Some of the stones I have looked at near the larger end of the spectrum have fairly large tables (~61%) which from some of my research excludes them from being top light performers but they still receive excellent cuts by GIA. From my research to weed out the top cut diamonds the parameters to stay within are:

Table: 54-57%
Depth: 61.0 -62.5 %
Crown angle: 34-35
Pavilion angle: 40.6-41

Are these too strict? I know that each stone is a case by case situation due to variations in the individual facets. Also, will I really be able to tell the difference between the top excellent cut stones and ones that are well cut (graded excellent) but not the cream of the crop?

Also, several of the stones I have been looking at do not have ASET images available to view which makes things a bit more difficult.

Here are a few that I have been looking at

#1: 2.05 ct, K, SI1, GIA XXX
Table: 56%
Depth: 61.3%
Crown: 34
Pavilion: 40.8
HCA: 1.0

Link: http://www.zoara.com/diamonds/p_round_excellent_cut_k_si1#p=6800429


#2: This one was recommended to me by usacert diamonds, the vendor stating that the stone is eye clean, faces up very white, and has excellent light performance. He sent me a few OK images of the stone and he does not currently have the stone in his possession and there are no light performance images of the stone. I am thinking paying to have this one set to an appraiser to have it evaluated.

2.51 ct, M, Si1, GIA X, VG, VG
Table: 61%
Crown: %60.6
Pavilion angle: 40.8
Crown Angle: 35

- I will try and upload a few photos of this stone. Here is a link to the stone with GIA report on enchanteddiamonds. Note that the price from usacert diamonds is $8700. https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/R251-MBD9QQ

Now obviously the second stone is quite a bit larger at the same price point, but has a significantly lower color rating and what appears to be a worse cut.

How far off base am I thus far? Would an M colored diamond go well with a rose gold settling with no side stones?

Thanks in advance for any help!!!
 

soontobe_do_ob

Rough_Rock
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Messages
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Re: Any help greatly appreciated, looking for round brillian

Sorry forgot to post the HCA score for the second stone it is 2.6
 

soontobe_do_ob

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jun 20, 2016
Messages
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Re: Any help greatly appreciated, looking for round brillian

Here are a few pictures of the second stone. Sorry for the less than stellar quality (and I hope that I uploaded them correctly)


img_0713_1.jpg

img_0714.jpg
 

msop04

Super_Ideal_Rock
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Re: Any help greatly appreciated, looking for round brillian

OP, is this ring for you or your FF?

Also, would you be open to old cuts?
 

soontobe_do_ob

Rough_Rock
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Re: Any help greatly appreciated, looking for round brillian

Its for my FF (assuming that means future fiance haha). I would be open to other cuts as well as I think some of them compliment rose gold settings well but I do want a stone with high brilliance and sparkle. I absolutely love the GOG august vintage European cuts but they are a bit out of my price range for the size stone I would ideally like. I know that narrowing down my criteria would be more helpful :wall: .

I am also having trouble finding a setting that I like. I really want something that is fairly simple from a top view with some amount of vintage-esque ornate filigree or scrolling on the bridge of the ring.

and thanks for the reply!
 

msop04

Super_Ideal_Rock
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Re: Any help greatly appreciated, looking for round brillian

Okay, great! So you're 100% positive she loves lower colors, right??
 

soontobe_do_ob

Rough_Rock
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Re: Any help greatly appreciated, looking for round brillian

She saw a few K and L colored stones in store with me and really liked them (although to be fair she said she could not really discern the color difference unless they were placed directly by a higher color stone), this was the same trip that she told me that she 100% wanted a rose gold setting and did not want any form of small side-stones such as pave or channel set stones in the band (she really dislikes how they look which was great for me to know!).
 

msop04

Super_Ideal_Rock
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Re: Any help greatly appreciated, looking for round brillian

soontobe_do_ob|1466721682|4047304 said:
She saw a few K and L colored stones in store with me and really liked them (although to be fair she said she could not really discern the color difference unless they were placed directly by a higher color stone), this was the same trip that she told me that she 100% wanted a rose gold setting and did not want any form of small side-stones such as pave or channel set stones in the band (she really dislikes how they look which was great for me to know!).

Sounds like you're looking for exactly what she wants! Good for you, OP! :clap:
 

soontobe_do_ob

Rough_Rock
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Re: Any help greatly appreciated, looking for round brillian

Thanks! Any thoughts on any of the stones I picked out? The gentleman I am working with from usacerted diamonds has really been pushing the one I posted photos of. The one from zoara which looks to be an excellent cut stone he immediately threw out because it is a K-brown (stating that the brown color will make it dull/dark and not appealing) which I thought odd. I have seen some K, brown stones and they look quite nice, and anyhow I would think a K with brown hues will still be more colorless than any M. Not sure at this point that I love his advice.
 

msop04

Super_Ideal_Rock
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If I were going with a lower color, I think a brown tint would be better than a yellow one... Especially to be setting in rose gold. [emoji7]
 

soontobe_do_ob

Rough_Rock
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Re: Any help greatly appreciated, looking for round brillian

That was my thought as well!
 

soontobe_do_ob

Rough_Rock
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Re: Any help greatly appreciated, looking for round brillian

Also, would it be worth it to have the diamond above (the m with photos ) sent to have ASET and IDEAl scope images taken?
 

soontobe_do_ob

Rough_Rock
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Re: Any help greatly appreciated, looking for round brillian

Well the one from Zoara sold ... darn. Any input at all from anyone on the stones?
 

JDDN

Ideal_Rock
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Re: Any help greatly appreciated, looking for round brillian

I would strongly suggest seeing an M diamond first or see if they will send you the stone for viewing. Personally I don't love the proportions on the 2.50 M, especially with GIA rounding. And the photos don't help my bias.

What's your budget and can you buy from any vendor?
 

soontobe_do_ob

Rough_Rock
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Re: Any help greatly appreciated, looking for round brillian

My budget is ~$9500 for the stone and yep I can buy from any vendor! Also here are some settings that I like (it has been REALLY difficult to find what I was looking for from any of the big online retailers). However, im not sure about the vendors selling the settings, they are local pawn shop type places and it seems are just listing generic mass produced settings that they can procure. Nothing wring with that per-se but I would like to pick up the stone and setting at the same place is possible and I wonder if the other online retailers would have access to these settings.

http://alfred-frame.jewelershowcase.com/products/122912/12470307/?groupId=192894&categoryId=21344

http://alfred-frame.jewelershowcase.com/products/123049/?groupId=193662&categoryId=21344

http://alfred-frame.jewelershowcase.com/products/build/122563/11414133/?groupId=122657

http://alfred-frame.jewelershowcase.com/products/build/122903/12277249/?groupId=193107#/mounting-options

http://alfred-frame.jewelershowcase.com/products/build/123044/12708308/?groupId=194656

Ill keep on searching for stones! However would like to get things rolling and am trying to have the ring within a month or so.

Thanks!
 

ac117

Ideal_Rock
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Re: Any help greatly appreciated, looking for round brillian

I haven't really been able to find stones that fit your criteria, but I'm still looking. Does it have to be 2 cts or would a little smaller be ok?

The settings you linked are all Stuller settings (http://www.stuller.com/browse/mountings/bridal/solitaire/?page=1&facetValues%5B1%5D.Second=3_10979_11040_11049&facetValues%5B1%5D.First=cat4&facetValues%5B0%5D.Second=rose&facetValues%5B0%5D.First=metalcolor).

ID Jewelry can order Stuller rings and might be able to find you what you're looking for in a stone. They won't be back in the office until July 11th (annual NYC diamond district holiday) but give them a call then and speak to Yekutiel!

ETA: http://www.stuller.com/products/122912/12470379/?groupId=192894&categoryId=11040 - this is one is specifically one you posted but keep in mind some cannot be made for the size stones you are looking at (this one says the max is a 7.4mm stone).
 

soontobe_do_ob

Rough_Rock
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Re: Any help greatly appreciated, looking for round brillian

A little smaller is OK. Thank you for the input on the settings! Does Stuller make good quality settings?
 

Gypsy

Super_Ideal_Rock
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soontobe_do_ob

Rough_Rock
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Re: Any help greatly appreciated, looking for round brillian

Where can I view a larger selection on OEC's? And one of the first diamonds I posted from Zoara is now available again (2.05 ct K Si1). The HCA on the zoara is excellent (1.0) and enchanted diamonds gave it a cut score of 100. It looks completely eye clean and the customer service rep I was speaking with from enchanted diamonds said that it would pair extremely well with a rose gold setting, even with the K, faint brown color. What do you guys think of that stone?

https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/R205-CNRCFG
 

ac117

Ideal_Rock
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Re: Any help greatly appreciated, looking for round brillian

soontobe_do_ob|1467300986|4050096 said:
Where can I view a larger selection on OEC's? And one of the first diamonds I posted from Zoara is now available again (2.05 ct K Si1). The HCA on the zoara is excellent (1.0) and enchanted diamonds gave it a cut score of 100. It looks completely eye clean and the customer service rep I was speaking with from enchanted diamonds said that it would pair extremely well with a rose gold setting, even with the K, faint brown color. What do you guys think of that stone?

https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/R205-CNRCFG

What area are you located in?

The enchanted diamonds stone looks nice! I advise you put it on hold so it's not snatched up again! Could they get you an IS or ASET image? That would be best.
 

diamondseeker2006

Super_Ideal_Rock
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Re: Any help greatly appreciated, looking for round brillian

If you'd like to consider an OEC, try Love Affair Diamonds and Jewels by Grace. I would not go with a round brilliant under J color. I agree with Gypsy that OECs are better in K-L colors. I wouldn't go below that for an engagement ring unless maybe the stone was huge.

I am not seeing many in your range now that I really love, though.

http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/loose-diamonds/1-ct-to-2-00/1-55ct-old-european-cut-diamond-gia-l-vs1#.V3U_uvkrLIU

http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/loose-diamonds/1-ct-to-2-00/1-64ct-old-european-cut-diamond#.V3U_PvkrLIU
 

diamondseeker2006

Super_Ideal_Rock
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Re: Any help greatly appreciated, looking for round brillian

soontobe_do_ob|1467300986|4050096 said:
Where can I view a larger selection on OEC's? And one of the first diamonds I posted from Zoara is now available again (2.05 ct K Si1). The HCA on the zoara is excellent (1.0) and enchanted diamonds gave it a cut score of 100. It looks completely eye clean and the customer service rep I was speaking with from enchanted diamonds said that it would pair extremely well with a rose gold setting, even with the K, faint brown color. What do you guys think of that stone?

https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/R205-CNRCFG

They don't even have that stone there to look at. So I don't think they ought to be encouraging you without even seeing the stone. I would only buy from a vendor that provides light return images and with lower colors, somewhere like James Allen is good because you can see the exact tint in the stones.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/?CaratFrom=1.79&CaratTo=2.00&Color=K,J&Clarity=SI1,VS2&Cut=Ideal,Excellent,TrueHearts&PriceFrom=&PriceTo=&ViewsOptions=Images&advancedParameter=Table&showAdvanced=show&Polish=EX,ID&Symmetry=EX,ID&Lab=GIA&Flour=&DepthFrom=45&DepthTo=62.3&TableFrom=50&TableTo=58
 

soontobe_do_ob

Rough_Rock
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Re: Any help greatly appreciated, looking for round brillian

I'm located in southern (ish) Maine. Yeah I do feel a little nervous making a purchase without additional photos/videos/light performance testing. However, when speaking to the representative from Zoara (same exact stone as the one listed by enchanted diamonds, only a bit cheaper) they informed me that their 30 day return policy applies and that if I really did not like the stone I could send it back which is somewhat comforting.
 

jaaron

Brilliant_Rock
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Re: Any help greatly appreciated, looking for round brillian

I'm pretty sure there's a Springer's Jewellers in Portland and they have estate pieces and sometimes OECs -- I've never bought anything there, but have had repairs done by their Bath store (although they send them to Portland) and have only good things to say about them. It might be worth giving them a call and seeing if they have anything.
 

soontobe_do_ob

Rough_Rock
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Re: Any help greatly appreciated, looking for round brillian

I live about an hour from Portland so I will try and check them out this weekend. In the meantime, I found a few more possible candidates. Going to see if I can get some actual images of the stones.

Here are links to the AGS reports, what do you think? Both stones have are 000, and also 0 for light performance.

http://www.agslab.com/pdf_sync_reports/104087373004-PLDQR.PDF

http://www.agslab.com/pdf_sync_reports/104086829034-PLDQR.PDF

Thanks again everyone!
 

soontobe_do_ob

Rough_Rock
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Re: Any help greatly appreciated, looking for round brillian

Hope everyone is having a great 4th of July weekend. Anyhow still looking for stones and a setting! Any ideas on where I could see a larger selection of settings online? Still struggling to find exactly what I am looking for. And of course any input on the above diamonds would be super helpful and appreciated!!

Thanks everyone!
 

Gypsy

Super_Ideal_Rock
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Re: Any help greatly appreciated, looking for round brillian

Call Adam at Old World Diamonds.

He will send out stones for you to check out in person. Tell him you want to see the nicest OEC's he has in your budget at K-M color. Okay>
 

soontobe_do_ob

Rough_Rock
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