Beginner In Need of Some Help...

[throwawayname]

Hey guys and girls, I've been lurking here for about 6 months now, and finally signed up a couple of months ago, however this is my first post. I've read several online guides, as well as countless threads on here - I think I'm starting to get a pretty good idea of what I want, but as this is my first (and hopefully only) engagement ring purchase, I'd love some advice so that I can get the best diamond for my money (or at least not buy a dud). I'm based in the UK, and will be using blue nile, as its one of the only options where I can see the 360 image before purchase, the GIA is a big plus, and they having my preferred setting.

After some discussion with my girlfriend, and trying to work out what she wants, I've picked the Monique Lhuillier Cathedral Solitaire setting - so I'm pretty set on that - I've included a link in case it makes a difference in diamond choice.

As for the diamond - I've been stalking the blue nile site for several months now, and every time I find one that I think fits the bill, I procrastinate for too long, and by the time I decide that I want the stone, its already sold. Another one came up a couple of days ago - which I think looks about right, I've put this one on hold while I make my mind up. I've got about 48 hours to decide - so any thoughts or comments would be greatly appreciated!

The diamond - 0.86-Carat Round, H, VS2 - GIA xxx, which gets an HCA score of 1.4. The dimensions all seem to be about right, it gets a decent hca score, there aren't any inclusions that would spoil it (that I can see anyway). Face up the cut looks good - but I'm not an expert here, so I could be wrong. As for colour - I was originally looking at J colour to get more for my money, but as the setting is open, and you can see the diamond side on, I was worried it would be a little too yellow, so decided to go up to H, which I think should fine?

I would really, really, appreciate any comments, or suggestions on my choice. Its a big purchase for me, and I really want to get it right first time. Thanks to all for reading - and if you need any more info, please let me know.

TLDR; Is this diamond any good?

Cheers...

 

[TreeScientist]

Looks good. The only thing that may be cause for concern is that "cloud" is the grade-setting inclusion, which may affect light return. There is a small chance of this happening in a VS2, but someone would need to look at the diamond to confirm that the cloud isn't affecting the diamond negatively. Ask a gemologist at Blue Nile to do this once they have the stone in hand.

 

[throwawayname]

Thanks for the reply TreeScientist. I'll ask about the cloud when I speak to Blue Nile tomorrow. I guess you are seeing the cloud mentioned on the GIA report, and not in the diamond? I can't see it on the 360 image - but maybe I don't know what I'm looking for? And as that image is enlarged, pretty sure it shouldn't be noticeable when set (but could have a small chance of affecting light return)?

Anyone else, feel free to chime in if you get a chance.

Cheers...

 

[Natylad]

Looks good. The only thing that may be cause for concern is that "cloud" is the grade-setting inclusion, which may affect light return. There is a small chance of this happening in a VS2, but someone would need to look at the diamond to confirm that the cloud isn't affecting the diamond negatively. Ask a gemologist at Blue Nile to do this once they have the stone in hand.

Good luck with convincing the people at Blue Nile to check the diamond once they have it and report back on this issue. When i made my recent purchase of a 1.14ct RB diamond through the Blue Nile U.K. website (i live in Europe and it was more practical in terms of VAT, avoiding paying for customs, etc) i e-mailed them three times and i also called and asked for this specific thing, because the diamond that i had purchased was of SI2 clarity and i wanted to make sure that there were no clouds causing haziness. To make the long story short, nobody bothered to do this for me and they didn't even email me or give me any explanation whatsoever. They just...ignored me, until one day the bell rang and it was the FedEx guy who delivered my ring. Thankfully, in my case the stone was excellent and crispy but until i had it in my hands i was extremely worried and stressed out, to the point that i couldn't feel happy for my purchase.
I've made many smaller purchases from Blue Nile and they are otherwise a great company but when it comes to checking the stone and giving feedback on it, unfortunately they're not to be trusted. So if for the reasons that the OP mentioned he insists on buying from them (which i totally understand) he'd better choose a stone which is safe, cut and clarity wise. Just my personal opinion according to my own experience with them.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I wouldn't worry about a VS2. The diamond looks very pretty! I really like the setting, but I personally wouldn't buy a setting with a 1.5mm shank. That is SO thin! 2mm is thin and more durable. Not sure if you have alternate choices, but I'd be concerned about that shank going out of round.

 

[throwawayname]

Thanks Natylad. Interesting - and something I'll have to bear in mind. So far, my dealings with them have been very positive - but I haven't asked for the stone to be checked yet. Its a tough one - I'd love to have the option of a site like Brian Gavin or similar, but the VAT and import charges make it too costly.

I guess I have two options (if they can't, or won't check the stone); I can buy it, and hope for the best - sending it back within the 28 days if I don't like it, or I can buy a more expensive vvs (or better) stone. Just had another look at the Blue Nile site - bumping up to vvs significantly adds to the price... I'll need to think on that one.

These comments are really helpful, so thank you! I'd usually talk this sort of thing over with my girlfriend, but for obvious reasons I don't have the chance this time (She very, very much wants it to be a surprise, and to know as little as possible before hand).

Cheers

 

[throwawayname]

I wouldn't worry about a VS2. The diamond looks very pretty! I really like the setting, but I personally wouldn't buy a setting with a 1.5mm shank. That is SO thin! 2mm is thin and more durable. Not sure if you have alternate choices, but I'd be concerned about that shank going out of round.

Thanks diamondseeker2006. I'm pleased you like the diamond! They do have another option, but I don't like the basket, or how it joins the band, as much - its 1.9mm, and slightly more expensive (I can afford the difference however). You can see it here. I'm not sure I like it as much - as soon as I saw the setting I linked in the first post I just knew that was the one (and that she would love it - its simple and clean, but has a little unique twist).

Is going out of round something that can be easily fixed? And if it's going to get damaged easily then maybe I'll need to think about the 2nd option instead.

Thanks again! Cheers...

 

[Natylad]

Thanks Natylad. Interesting - and something I'll have to bear in mind. So far, my dealings with them have been very positive - but I haven't asked for the stone to be checked yet. Its a tough one - I'd love to have the option of a site like Brian Gavin or similar, but the VAT and import charges make it too costly.

I guess I have two options (if they can't, or won't check the stone); I can buy it, and hope for the best - sending it back within the 28 days if I don't like it, or I can buy a more expensive vvs (or better) stone. Just had another look at the Blue Nile site - bumping up to vvs significantly adds to the price... I'll need to think on that one.

These comments are really helpful, so thank you! I'd usually talk this sort of thing over with my girlfriend, but for obvious reasons I don't have the chance this time (She very, very much wants it to be a surprise, and to know as little as possible before hand).

Cheers

I honestly believe that, as diamondseeker said, with a VS2 stone you won't have a problem.

 

[throwawayname]

I honestly believe that, as diamondseeker said, with a VS2 stone you won't have a problem.

Great! - I'll probably just hope that they inspect it, and fall back on my 28 day refund option if that fails, and it's a problem.

Cheers

 

[HappyNewLife]

the diamond and setting look very nice. I have a very thin platinum setting and it is very sturdy

 

[diamondseeker2006]

the diamond and setting look very nice. I have a very thin platinum setting and it is very sturdy

Mine is very thin, too, but it is mostly 2mm and I would think yours is, too!

Throwawayname, I am hoping maybe the setting you like is 1.5mm close to the stone where it tapers in, and perhaps the rest of the shank is closer to 2mm.

 

[HappyNewLife]

Mine is very thin, too, but it is mostly 2mm and I would think yours is, too!

Throwawayname, I am hoping maybe the setting you like is 1.5mm close to the stone where it tapers in, and perhaps the rest of the shank is closer to 2mm.

good point, it probably looks so thin because of the knife-point. It's prob 2mm on the inside

 

[throwawayname]

Thanks for the replies. I spoke to Blue Nile, and it is just 1.5mm all the way round. I'm in two minds - I much prefer the look of the Cathedral Solitaire, as opposed to the Solitaire, however the Solitaire is 1.9mm wide, where as the Cathedral Solitaire is only 1.5mm wide. I did manage to find an article on the setting, which has a picture of the finished ring, and it does look decently thick height wise, which should hopefully help wth the structural integrity.

I still need to think about it - right now I'm leaning toward the Cathedral Solitaire, as I think it is perfect (looks wise), but I'm not 100% - and I still have the 28 Days to return it after dispatch. And I thought picking the stone would be the hard bit - I'm almost more stressed about picking the setting now!

Cheers