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Assistance in narrowing between 3 diamonds or general advice

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FliegerCQ33

Rough_Rock
Joined
Dec 26, 2014
Messages
7
Good evening all,

First off thanks to everyone who takes the time to post on these forums, it was a fun and educational process for me. I feel like I have enough of a working understanding to narrow down my diamond choices appropriately based on my preferences but wanted to get any feedback from the more experienced users available to answer questions.

I am looking to buy an engagement ring on a somewhat limited budget between 5-6k. After reading through multiple forums, my general approach in looking for a diamond was to focus on cut first and foremost, then color/carat 2nd, and go for VS1 or better clarity.

I have arrived at a few diamonds which I am debating between and was hoping for general input on selections in addition to help deciphering the depth, table, and girdle as these seems to significantly affect price between diamonds.

The setting I have landed on is:

http://www.brilliantearth.com/Petite-Twisted-Vine-Diamond-Ring-Platinum-BE1M54D-316898/?did=&is_tab=1

I like the lower setting as well as the simplified side diamond setting as opposed to diamonds on both intertwining bands.

THe diamonds I am looking on currently are:

http://www.brilliantearth.com/rings/cyorings/view_diamond/879378/?sid=316898

My hesitation with this diamond is the medium fluoresence on a higher color diamond- I have read that it should not have any haziness as it is not strong or very strong. The benefit is that it is more within my price range and desired size ~2/3-3/4 carat.

A very similar diamond is :

http://www.brilliantearth.com/rings/cyorings/view_diamond/921706/?sid=316898

This diamond has no fluoresence but at the sacrifice of symmetry grade from excellent to very good which lowers the cut from super ideal to ideal. It is also slightly more expensive and has a thin girdle which I may worry about chipping in a ring (although ive also read this risk is really only with very thin).

Finally I have

http://www.brilliantearth.com/rings/cyorings/view_diamond/847306/?sid=316898

THis diamond has the super ideal cut and has slightly reduced color at E, faint fluoresence (which really concerns me not at all), but improved clarity at VVS2. It is also slightly larger at 0.73 carats.

The table and depth are very similar for all of these diamonds however I noticed on other online retailers that I can get similar diamonds based on 4Cs for almost $1000 less however the table/depth seem to be the only major difference to account for price. Is the table/depth worth the extra money or is there even an ideal number for these? The other caveat would be that the setting I very much like is not available standalone therefore I would be unable to buy the setting and fit in with a diamond from another website which is cheaper.

I would appreciate any thoughts regarding the specific diamonds, general selection process, setting, or if I seem to be veering off the road significantly in the wrong direction. I appreciate everyone's time and help in advance.

Andy
 
Re: Assistance in narrowing between 3 diamonds or general ad

The first diamond you listed, GIA # 5186741432, has an HCA score of 5.4 :snooty:

The second diamond you listed, GIA # 2186267552, has an HCA score of 2.7 :snooty:

The third diamond you listed, GIA #2186536971, has an HCA score of 5.5 :snooty:

Anything with an HCA score of less than 2 is worth taking a look at. Basically the tool rules out duds. Honestly I wouldn't select any of these stones. Plus there are no actual photos of the diamonds, only stock photos. You want to be able to see photos, along with ASET and ideal-scope images.

Also is your lady colour sensitive? Just wondering why you have selected such a high colour. This could also be said about clarity. No need for VVS clarity.

I assume you mean your total budget (including the setting) is $5-$6K?

Cut is KING, so unfortunately none of the stones you posted will perform well.
 
 
Re: Assistance in narrowing between 3 diamonds or general ad

As for the setting, you could get a very similar one or have it custom made. I have seen similar ones before. I'm off to bed in a few minutes but will try and come back tomorrow and do a search for the setting.
 
Re: Assistance in narrowing between 3 diamonds or general ad

Little birds,

Thanks for the feedback, exactly the kind of info I was looking for. I hadn''t used the HCA much so I will have to go back and do some advanced search options. My SO has owned some passed down diamonds through the family which have typically been "high quality" such as D color, IF clarity, etc... Fortunately she is very level headed and understands my 5-6k budget (total including setting, yes). To be honest I was trying to select highest quality cut and then get the most out of the other "C"s as I could for my budget but clearly I wasn't fully informed about cut. I will take a look at some lower color diamonds as well as look exclusively in VS1-VS2 and see what I come up with.

Appreciate your help.

Respectfully,

Andy
 
Re: Assistance in narrowing between 3 diamonds or general ad

FliegerCQ33|1419655384|3808207 said:
Little birds,

Thanks for the feedback, exactly the kind of info I was looking for. I hadn''t used the HCA much so I will have to go back and do some advanced search options. My SO has owned some passed down diamonds through the family which have typically been "high quality" such as D color, IF clarity, etc... Fortunately she is very level headed and understands my 5-6k budget (total including setting, yes). To be honest I was trying to select highest quality cut and then get the most out of the other "C"s as I could for my budget but clearly I wasn't fully informed about cut. I will take a look at some lower color diamonds as well as look exclusively in VS1-VS2 and see what I come up with.

Appreciate your help.

Respectfully,

Andy
Click to expand...

Great! You have a good understanding of what is most important. A bad cut on a D/IF is not going to make a nice stone.
 
Re: Assistance in narrowing between 3 diamonds or general ad

Ive been using the HCA calculator and now some of the price differences that were previously difficult to understand are now making more sense. I feel much more comfortable about diamond selection from a cut perspective now. I've been looking for buying a standalone setting and loose diamond to take to a local jeweler. I appreciate the advice about wanting to see the physical diamond before buying- does anyone know if some of the larger online retailers offer this option? Would everyone consider seeing the actual diamond before purchase an absolute must or if you read through the reports and specifications is that a relatively safe way to understand what you are getting? Thanks again for everyones help.
 
Re: Assistance in narrowing between 3 diamonds or general ad

Lots of the vendors here allow you to see the diamond online, WF includes all the images you need and JA shows you a 360 image.
 
Re: Assistance in narrowing between 3 diamonds or general ad

The entire purpose of faceting a diamond is to reflect light.
How well or how poorly a diamond does this determines how beautiful it is.
How well a diamond performs is determined by the angles and cutting. This is why we say cut is king.
No other factor: not color, not clarity has as much of an impact on the appearance of a diamond as its cut. An ideal H will out white a poorly cut F. And GIA Ex is not enough. And you must stick to GIA and AGS only. EGL is a bad option: [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/egl-certification-are-any-of-them-ok.142863/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/egl-certification-are-any-of-them-ok.142863/[/URL]
So how to we ensure that we have the right angles and cutting to get the light performance we want?
https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/diamond-cut
Well one method is to start with a GIA Ex, and then apply the HCA to it. YOU DO NOT USE HCA for AGS0 stones.
https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/holloway-cut-advisor
The HCA is a rejection tool. Not a selection tool. It uses 4 data points to make a rudimentary call on how the diamond may perform.
If the diamond passes then you know that you are in the right zone in terms of angles for light performance. Under 2 is a pass. Under 2.5-2.1 is a maybe. 2.6 and over is a no. No score 2 and under is better than any other.
Is that enough? Not really.
So what you need is a way to check actual light performance of your actual stone.
That's what an idealscope image does. https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/firescope-idealscope
It shows you how and wear your diamond is reflecting light, how well it is going at it, and where you are losing light return. That is why you won't see us recommending Blue Nile, as they do not provide idealscope images for their diamonds. BGD, James Allen, GOG, HPD, ERD and WF do.

The Idealscope is the 'selection tool'. Not the HCA.
So yes, with a GIA stone you need the idealscope images. Or you can buy an idealscope yourself and take it in to the jeweler you are working with to check the stones yourself. Or if you have a good return policy (full refund minimum 7 days) then you can buy the idealscope, buy the stone, and do it at home.


Now if you want to skip all that... stick to AGS0 stones and then all you have to do is pick color and clarity and you know you have a great performing diamond. Because AGS has already done the checking for you. That's why they trade at a premium.
 
Re: Assistance in narrowing between 3 diamonds or general ad

Thanks for the insight Gypsy. I have been looking at the retailers you mentioned for the "selection process." With all the input I'm finding diamonds I know will perform very well well within my budget! Much happier than I think I would have been had anyone taken the easy way out and just told me about one of the initial 3 I suggested . Kind of scary how easy it is to do basic research, feel like you are getting an awesome diamond and then realize you may have been duped.

Very glad I took the time to post, and thanks again for everyone's help.
 
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