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Best stone for my budget? $6500

J

JayC

Rough_Rock
Joined
Sep 19, 2013
Messages
2
Long time lurker and now finally ready to take the plunge!

We were first introduced to Pricescope when researching a custom designed engagement ring. After becoming addicted to this site and everyones photos, we've fallen in love with the idea of a vintage cut stone; however, considering our particular budget we are not limiting our search to just one cut, and are considering the following:

Round Brilliant
Cushion Cut
Vintage Cut

Being first time diamond buyers we could really use some assistance locating and pre-qualifying diamonds worth further consideration. Most important to us with regards to maximizing our budget would be a happy medium between great optical performance and, of course, size.

We are a little nervous shopping over the phone/internet so hoping Pricescope can help to ensure we get the best bling for our buck!

Thanks,
-Jake/Amy
 
http://jewelsbyericagrace.com/loose_antique_and_vintage_diamonds_-_1_to_150_carats The 1.2 J Old Euro (second stone pictured) in this link ($5,775) looks like a lovely stone. And it leaves you a nice amount to up your setting budget a bit.

http://www.oldworlddiamonds.com/detail.php?ID=1769&SHAPE=EU Lovely faceting. Good girdle. Good spread.

I like both of these. I'd be more inclined to go with the one from Old World Diamonds because of the spread. I think Adam will make you a video of the stone too.

How are you planning on setting the stone? Adam has some FREAKING GORGEOUS settings (not posted on his site), and JBEG does lovely custom settings, plus they also sell vintage ones.
 
04diamond<3|1379636639|3523849 said:
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9868/ Completely out of budget.

You could also look into this:

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.38-carat-h-color-i1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-186718 An I clarity stone with a feather? No. That is not bang for buck in a ring stone. She did not say she wanted to sacrifice everything, including safety, for size. She wanted a balanced stone. This puppy is not balanced.

Ask about the inclusion...but it's nearly perfectly cut and very white...and JA offers PS members a 1-5% discount (not including the wire discount). Put it on hold if you're interested and request an ideal scope image. Personally, if you are interested, I'd put this on hold ASAP...
Click to expand...
 
Some cushions.
Top two choices.
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11110/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10579/

Alternate suggestions, but neither is 'just right'.

Chunky cut and pretty. I would ask if the feathers break the surface? I am concerned about an SI2 with a feather, so that is my first question-- is it a safe stone? http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.01-carat-f-color-si2-clarity-sku-191569

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.01-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-sku-21710 Might be too busy a cut for you, but it has promise in terms of potential light performance. And that star pattern under the table is lovely. It caught my eye.
 
04diamond<3|1379636639|3523849 said:
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9868/

You could also look into this:

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.38-carat-h-color-i1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-186718

Ask about the inclusion...but it's nearly perfectly cut and very white...and JA offers PS members a 1-5% discount (not including the wire discount). Put it on hold if you're interested and request an ideal scope image. Personally, if you are interested, I'd put this on hold ASAP...
Click to expand...

04Diamond:
Thank you so much for your suggestions:
1.) the diamond at GOG is an L color -- I realize it is a Vintage cut stone, but I guess I am hung-up on the color and how to prequalify vintage stones? When I search for Modern stones, the consensus seems to be to draw the line around H/I/J color. But when looking at vintage stones, I see people popping on some really nice J, K, L, M + stones. Will these stones still have a yellow hue or tint to them?

2.) I like how you dropped the clarity below Si -- I too found some really nice stones in that range but am put off by what appears to be smudges or inclusions in the high-res photos James Allen provides. Am I likely to NOT see such inclusions at eye distance? Specifically I am referring to what looks like pinholes or splattered paint on the surface of the table, NOT the actual white cloud below. Previously I had been dismissing all stones which appear to contain smudges such as this which I can see in the photo - but maybe the photo is beyond what the naked eye can see?

Gypsy:
Of course she wants a variation of the HW Inspired Cushion Shaped Halo so we have set aside $3500 and plan to either stretch our budget for a handmade setting but prefer to find something in the semi-mount which may allow us to spend more on the stone! (any ideas??? I'll check with Adam)

1.) We came across that 1.02 J/VS2 at JbEG but, the Fair Symmetry and Good Polish left us wondering if the stone would perform anywhere close to our expectations. Again, maybe it is our lack of expertese when pre-qualifying vintage stones?

2.) We also spent some time on OWD site, but most of what we were looking at was EGL (USA). After reading on the forums, EGL leaves a negative connotation in our minds. I realize EGL USA may carry a better reputation than it's international counterparts - but again, we lack the expertese in prequalifying vintage stones, especially in the higher color range? i.e. from our research we should expect EGL (USA) J to face up around a GIA L color? So we had previously been crossing these stones off our list as we expect GIA L to be in the yellow range?



With regards to my GF expectations, she said she wants it to be pretty (I interpreted this as Performance/CUT) and is okay with us dropping down to the SI range as long as it is eye clean since she understands NOBODY is going to be looking at her ring under a microscope :)

We very much appreciate the feedback of the community!
 
Thanks for the additional information.

I think these three should be your top contenders for a diamond, given your post. I think they will look great in a halo. Number three (JA stone) should only be a contender if your lady is okay with modern cushions. For people who want a chunky cushion and modern cushion will not satisfy.


Gypsy|1379638221|3523872 said:
Some cushions.
Top two choices.
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11110/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10579/



http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.01-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-sku-21710 Might be too busy a cut for you, but it has promise in terms of potential light performance. And that star pattern under the table is lovely. It caught my eye.
Click to expand...

As for the issues you raised regarding the JBEG and the OWD stones. You have to understand that TRUE old cuts (like these) are not going to have anything better than good/fair for polish and symmetry unless they've been re-habbed. They are antiques and were A) cut at a time when precison faceting did not exist and B) have been worn and therefore show some wear on the polish.

Also you have to understand that EGL for a true old cut is the standard. So... there are no flags for these stones at all. As for what color an EGL J is going to be on GIA scale. It's case by case. Some stones will be GIA J's others will not. The reason EGL gets dinged is their lack of consistency... there is no standard conversion of color from GIA to EGL. Clarity seems to be more consistent. Still and all for old cuts, EGL is standard.

Not that I am trying to talk you into either of them. But I am trying to explain why these stones are still very good purchases despite the fact that they defy "modern/new cut" diamond rules.

I own several old cuts myself. And I also have owned super ideal RBs, and other modern stones. I love them all, but true old cuts for me have a romance and ... warmth, for lack of a better word, that modern cut precision stones can't match (even ones with similar faceting like the August Vintage Line). Not that both aren't beautiful, but to me the appeal of a nice true old cut trumps any others. If you or your lady wants a true antique then you are going to have to get used to "good/poor" for symmetry and polish and EGL (USA or LA only) certifications.

Also August Vintage line are NOT Vintage stones. They are NEWLY CUT stones with faceting plots similar to that of true vintage stones. But they are cut for light performance. For some that is the perfect combination: old cut faceting but modern standards for faceting and light return. For others... nothing but true vintage will do. It's a personal preference.

For an engagement ring, if you want to play it safe I think the cushions I linked you to above are your best bet. And also this stone posted by Diamondseeker:
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9596/
 
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