soontobe_do_ob
Rough_Rock
- Joined
- Jun 20, 2016
- Messages
- 27
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!!!
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!!!