Basic stone properties decided--now how to fine-tune?

[tguy2012]

Hey folks,

I'm looking for some advice on how to fine-tune the properties of an engagement ring diamond. I'm a technical person, so based on specs I can you why to get one TV over another, or one type computer RAM vs. another. But when it comes to the qualities of a diamond, I'm somewhat baffled. I do think that I would have a keen eye for picking a stone based on visual appearance, but since I'll be buying online, that might prove difficult; I'm relegated to buying based on the specs. A few facts:

Shape: Round
Carat: 1.7 - 2.0 (I know this is a huge range)
Color: H+ (H only considered for a 2.0 carat, otherwise G+)
Cut: Ideal
Clarity: VS2+
Budget (diamond only): $20k-$25k

I have a strong feeling I'll be buying from BlueNile; I've been giving them my business for years and they've yet to disappoint. I'm fairly set on this setting:
http://www.bluenile.com/solitaire-diamond-engagement-ring-platinum_1

Classic solitaire setting. So the diamond is going to be visible from multiple angles; only 4-prongs to hide any defects.


So what next? How do I begin to evaluate based on technical specs alone the right combination of the 4Cs, plus the other things like symmetry and fluorescence, to not only get a good value for the money, but also be fairly confident that it's going to look good in this setting?

This is my first post--I apologize if my question is too broad. If I should come back with more information, please let me know what. Thanks everyone!

 

[tyty333]

Use the HCA to help evaluate the stones initially. Any stones scoring 2 or under are worth a further look.
https://www.pricescope.com/tools/hca

 

[kenny]

Here's a huge basic . . . good cut is more important to the beautiful light show of a diamond than color or clarity.
Yet cut is much harder to understand.
Most diamonds are cut to be as heavy as possible even though optimum light return would require them to keep polishing away more material and end up with a lighter diamond.
They obviously do this for higher profits since few people understand good cut, but everyone understands carat weight.
Fortunately for the round shape there are two tools that guarantee what is widely agreed to is a well cut diamond.

Yes like Ty said first use the HCA tool to find rounds that score under 2.0.
Next step is to evaluate an Idealscope picture of the actual diamond. https://www.pricescope.com/tools/ideal-scope
Compare it to this chart.



The reason a good HCA score is not enough is two of the four numbers you must enter into the HCA program are averages.
The crown and pavilion angles are each averages of the eight angles around the diamond.
They might all be exactly the same (good) or may vary from high to low (bad) yet still average out to a good number.

Since an Idealscope pic is a pic of the actual diamond variations in these angles will be revealed.

I've also bought from Bluenile and while they are certainly reputable they refuse to get on board and offer Idealscope pics.
That's the reason I'd suggest one of the other reputable online diamond vendors who specialize in well cut diamonds.
All these vendors have been vetted by years of public scrutiny here on PS forums.

www.whiteflash.com
www.goodoldgold.com
www.briangavindiamonds.com
www.jamesallen.com
www.infinitydiamonds.be

 

[SweetAsscher]

For me persobally, I don't know that I'd feel comfortable spending a large amount of money on something I couldn't even see a picture of.
Since you're a techy I bet you'll love all the info and data that's available at GOG.
Here's a link with some great info on the technologies available to analyze diamonds and performance.
http://www.goodoldgold.com/Technologies/
Have fun!


ETA another option is that if you do find a stone at BN that you think you really like, since it's from virtual inventory, it's probably accessible by other vendors that will provide photos, videos, and ideal scope images.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I also would not buy such a significant diamond without magnified images and at least an idealscope image. I am going to post a couple of stones from very reputable vendors that provide such information.

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2231135.htm ($26,130 with pricescope/wire discounts, a little above budget)

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8856/ ($23,999, faces up like a 1.7 diameter)

I am also going to encourage you to consider a higher quality simple solitaire setting. I also favor simple classic settings, but you can get a much better quality one than that.

 

[tguy2012]

Thank you everybody for the replies. I have used the HCA to eliminate some stones, but I'm still baffled how two diamonds with nearly identical C's can vary so much in price. For example, why is this diamond so much cheaper than this one? Four C's and HCA are pretty darn close--what the heck am I missing?

I am also going to encourage you to consider a higher quality simple solitaire setting. I also favor simple classic settings, but you can get a much better quality one than that.

diamondseeker2006--can you elaborate on this? I've ordered lots of jewelry from BN in the past, and they've never failed me. Is the comment merely based on the price of the setting compared to the price of the stone? I originally thought the same thing, but I'd rather put the money toward the stone. I think she'll like the setting, and she definitely doesn't want any side stones or anything like that. Can you suggest specific, better quality settings that look similar?

 

[SweetAsscher]

Thank you everybody for the replies. I have used the HCA to eliminate some stones, but I'm still baffled how two diamonds with nearly identical C's can vary so much in price. For example, why is this diamond so much cheaper than this one? Four C's and HCA are pretty darn close--what the heck am I missing?

I haven't looked at the diamonds' numbers but I think BN is more like a drop shipper, vs GOG is an actual store and they provide all the tests and analysis you see in the link for the diamond and actually have the diamond in their possession. In addition GOG also offers a lifetime guarantee. I know BN offers one as well on the signature ideal but their trade-in requirements are different.
You might want to take a peek at the GOG & BN guarantees and see if they are something that you value. My guess is the price difference is due to the level and type of service offered.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Thank you everybody for the replies. I have used the HCA to eliminate some stones, but I'm still baffled how two diamonds with nearly identical C's can vary so much in price. For example, why is this diamond so much cheaper than this one? Four C's and HCA are pretty darn close--what the heck am I missing?

I am also going to encourage you to consider a higher quality simple solitaire setting. I also favor simple classic settings, but you can get a much better quality one than that.

diamondseeker2006--can you elaborate on this? I've ordered lots of jewelry from BN in the past, and they've never failed me. Is the comment merely based on the price of the setting compared to the price of the stone? I originally thought the same thing, but I'd rather put the money toward the stone. I think she'll like the setting, and she definitely doesn't want any side stones or anything like that. Can you suggest specific, better quality settings that look similar?

There is a difference between excellent/ideal cut and hearts and arrows cut..the hearts and arrows cut just designates stones that have the top of the top cut quality. There is no information as to how well cut the BN stone is in comparison because it has no images, but it likely is a regular excellent cut stone, which may be fine. Another factor is the BN faces up an average of 7.5mm and the GOG stone faces up 7.6mm. And last, as SweetAsscher already said, the Blue Nile upgrade policy requires you spend double the amount of the original stone whereas Good Old Gold would allow you to upgrade to a different stone with full credit for the original stone if it only cost $500 more than the original stone.

Let me make an analogy for you about the settings. A Toyota Corolla is a very good quality basic car. Two of my daughter's drive them, in fact. But if money were no object, I'd probably rather drive a Lexus. There are a lot of cars in between there, obviously. The thing is, when someone comes on here with a $3000 budget, there is little choice but to go with the most basic stock setting. But it does not really do anything besides hold the stone. There are settings that make the whole ring beautiful, and I will post a couple of examples for you:

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/engaged-vatche-caroline-w-whiteflash-1-728-aca-diamond.167900/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/engaged-vatche-caroline-w-whiteflash-1-728-aca-diamond.167900/[/URL]

https://www.pricescope.com/blog/jewel-week-mark-morrell-petite-torchiere-engagement-ring

 

[SweetAsscher]

And last, as SweetAsscher already said, the Blue Nile upgrade policy requires you spend double the amount of the original stone whereas Good Old Gold would allow you to upgrade to a different stone with full credit for the original stone if it only cost $500 more than the original stone.

GOG trade-up policy is greater or equal value.

"Trade Up: Trade back the diamond you purchased from Good Old Gold for the full amount of the purchase price (less shipping). At any time you can trade in the diamond you purchased from Good Old Gold and get exactly what you paid (less the cost of shipping) toward a diamond of (at least a $500.00 greater ~ this part crossed out) equal or greater value than your past purchase."



ETA: I love the Caroline for a four prong solitaire.

 

[tyty333]

I would definitly not put a $20-25k stone in that setting you picked (unless it is a temp setting so she can pick out her own).
Since you have such a nice budget, spend a little less on the stone and more on a beautiful setting. That one that DS posted
is very nice. Remember, its the whole package.