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Bit of a POLL. Which of the C''s is the most important to you, and why?

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mani5ha

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I am trying to get clued up on diamonds, initially I was looking for an EVS1 0.75 ish (I haven''t decided on cut yet, I keep changing my mind! - Asscher, Jubilee or Cushion! Or Octavia one day
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) I prefer a more rounded look, i.e. i don''t like rounds and i don''t like squares...!

Basically I want a diamond larger than 0.75 but my budget is about $3000. Which of the C''s should I compromise to get a larger rock? I know that I shouldnt compromise on CUT but what about clarity. I am willing to drop to a G/H as well because I beleive they are both still white!

I am looking on GOG mainly because of thier upgrade policy and because I love thier site and the fact that you can see videos of the diamonds!

Thanks in advance, look forward to your replies!

Manisha
 
You can certainly go down on color and clarity. In general G/H color and eye-clean SI1s should help you with your budget.
Some PSers even like their stones with a slight hint of color and will go with I/J/Ks. Obviously cut is the most important and
you dont want to sacrafice there.
 
Did you see these?
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/3645/ - need to ask them if the flaw is visible or if it affects the integrity of the stone
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/6190/

EDIT - I dont know much about these cuts so you would need to have some of the other PSers verify whether they are good stones
or not (but they look pretty to me
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).
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Asscher-Diamond-1135604.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-VVS2-Ideal-Cut-Asscher-Diamond-1203584.asp
 
thank you so much for taking the time to do that, i''ll have a look!
 
If you want something that looks bigger (for your budget), pears and ovals are an option.
 
i am mostly cut and color. now--it depends because on faceted stones i think an si1 is fine but on a step cut stone like an emerald cut or asscher the clarity often needs a vs2. i would rather a lower color with higher clarity on a emerald cut--but not too low a color. rounds and other faceted stones are often the most forgiving with regard to color and clarity....and cut is more important there.

i know this is babble and makes little sense --sorry!
 
CUT is the most important to me. After that color/clarity are a combo that I value depending on the stone/project.

There''s seem to be a lot of .75-.8 rounds in your price range, cushions or asschers could be trickier.

In an assher I would not go below an eyeclean SI1 (and would prefer VS) for color I would stay above H. The steps cuts show color and clarity much more easily than other cuts.

Cushion, I only like chunky cushions and enjoy more warmth so I''d go down to a J-K and eyeclean SI1 ir even SI2 if I found it.
 
Cut.

More than any other C, cut determines how beautifully the diamond looks and performs with light.

IMHO the Octavia will be more forgiving of going down in color and clarity compared to a other step cuts.
Those long bars on the 4 sides of previous step cuts make the diamond naked so it reveals body color and inclusions.
 
I don''t think what''s most important to anyone will be the same as most important to you. But since you asked, I would keep it colorless and wouldn''t go below a very clean VS1 for step cuts. For cushions, even GOG''s new line, I still wouldn''t go below an H. I don''t like to see tint in any type of lighting. In rounds it depends on the size and what it''s being used for.

Since you''re showing a preference for cuts that can exhibit more color, I think your best bet would be to go out and see these types of stones in person. Just make sure they have GIA certs so you can get a better understanding of what a true D, G, or I looks like.
 
For me, cut is most important - to a point. If I''m on a strict budget and I really, really want a certain size I''d forgo branded H&As and find a larger excellently performing non-H&A.


Clarity - find me a nice prongable I1 by all means! Colour - down to an I, or M+.



With step-cuts colour and clarity would have to be a little higher, though - I''ll say H and VS.
 
I might just hold out for an Octavia. I wonder if there will be one within my budget to accomodate for me, or i might just have to blow my budget and get one... or should i say blow my fiance to be''s budget.. haha!
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I''m actually thinking if I got a really good cut stone I could get a J, I just saw a thread with a whole load of J rings and they all looked gorgeous to me. I want to order from GOG as I trust that they focus more on cut but i''ll probably go out to B&M places to check out the colours! I actually quite like the warmer colours, but i''m Indian so I wonder if a J color would look darker on me because of my skin tone? Lol...
 
I'm Indian too
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the more tinted colours actually seem to lose tint, and look brighter and whiter on my finger, I think, than on my very pale friend (she agrees!). I think because the contrast between diamond and skin is so much more intense the small differences in diamond colour just fade away. I'm not particularly dark right now, but I can't wait 'til summer - I'll roast, and it'll look like I'm wearing a D
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Diamonds of any color will pick up the colors in their environment, be it your clothing, the walls or your skin tone.

Personally I would pay no attention to my skin tone or the colors in my wardrobe or on my walls when selecting a diamond's color grade.
 
A great cut can make a dull, included, badly colored rock shine. My deciding factor is usually how well cut the stone is, and then I take it from there.
 
The next thing is...how can I tell if something is well cut? Do i just go by the opinions of the experts...? to me... all diamonds look nice, but i''d love someone to say... here buy this one, the cut is AMAZING! lol..i''m guessing GOG would do that, but I can''t rely on these B&M''s. Maybe I need to get a bit more educated on diamond cuts so that I can tell when it''s a good one?

Hey Yssie!
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i''m pretty tanned, even though i live in London, where its never sunny.
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Date: 1/5/2010 3:39:41 PM
Author: mani5ha
The next thing is...how can I tell if something is well cut?
Click to expand...

I think it is best to learn for yourself as opposed to trusting anyone selling a diamond.

At the top of this screen click on KNOWLEDGE.
Then select Advanced Tutorial.
Read every topic.

After getting informed you will be in a better position to judge not just diamonds but diamond sellers too.
 
Kenny - thanks for that, I need to read up on some stuff! Especially cut, after seeing some of GOG''s online videos i realised that this made a massive difference to the sparkle of the diamond.

I''ll have a look at these tutorials!!
 
Date: 1/5/2010 3:39:41 PM
Author: mani5ha
The next thing is...how can I tell if something is well cut? Do i just go by the opinions of the experts...? to me... all diamonds look nice, but i'd love someone to say... here buy this one, the cut is AMAZING! lol..i'm guessing GOG would do that, but I can't rely on these B&M's. Maybe I need to get a bit more educated on diamond cuts so that I can tell when it's a good one?


Hey Yssie!
9.gif
i'm pretty tanned, even though i live in London, where its never sunny.
39.gif
Click to expand...

The Sarin data, the ASET image, and the Ideal Scope image are all tools that show where and to what degree the diamond "leaks" light. And the BrilliantScope from Gemex (maybe I didn't spell it right) is another tool that I kind of like, to see whether it's three very highs or what. If you don't need H&A, you can drop down to a "premium" cut and still have a very nice diamond. And then there are other round cuts like Solsafera, etc. that give a different look. GOG has the August Vintage rounds (OEC) and cushions, too. Lots of shapes and faceting variations to consider to see what look you prefer.

I rank it as: Cut, Color, Clarity. I have VVS2 down to I1 and I like them all. There are some inclusions that hide better than others. Like for SI2, an inclusion in the table area is probably going to be seen from some distance or angle.
 
Cut is the most important to you - for diamond performance.

Color is second - I like colorless diamonds.

Clarity - I am okay with anything eye clean.

Carat is lowest on my list but lucky for my pocket book I don''t like larger pieces of jewelry.
 
Date: 1/5/2010 3:07:21 PM
Author: mani5ha
I might just hold out for an Octavia. I wonder if there will be one within my budget to accomodate for me, or i might just have to blow my budget and get one... or should i say blow my fiance to be''s budget.. haha!
12.gif


I''m actually thinking if I got a really good cut stone I could get a J, I just saw a thread with a whole load of J rings and they all looked gorgeous to me. I want to order from GOG as I trust that they focus more on cut but i''ll probably go out to B&M places to check out the colours! I actually quite like the warmer colours, but i''m Indian so I wonder if a J color would look darker on me because of my skin tone? Lol...
Click to expand...
Don''t judge by photos. Color is something you really have to live with to know how you really feel about it, I think. Most people will like a colorless diamond, but to know if you like a lower color diamond I think you need to live with it day in and day out and see how it looks in all different lighting environments. I have owned a J a K and now a G and for me, hands down no question, I prefer my G. I am like Elle and don''t like to see tint in any environment. But I didn''t know that until I had lived with my K for about 6 months. To get this color and size I went with an SI2, and I am very happy with my choice.
 
For me, the order is:

Cut- my research and own personal viewing have confirmed its importance. The way light performance works is really about angles and science, and it can largely be measured and calculated. What bothers me the most is that poor cuts are just a way for people to get a higher profit out of a rough, and to me that doesn''t make sense because if they cut for beauty, they''d build a more lasting business because ideal and carefully cut diamonds are very noticeably more beautiful than average, regardless of clarity and color grade differences.

Clarity- for some reason low clarity just bothers me. I know you can''t tell the difference between an IF and many VS2s but in my mind I prefer things in VVS range, maybe eventually an IF when I retire. I know stability is only an issue for low clarities but I still prefer to be well above that range.

Carat, closely tied with color and only because color is such a non-issue for me

Color- Closely tied with carat, and only makes it to the bottom of the list because I''m one of the least color sensitive women I know. Colorless diamonds look like ice to me (although I can like them on other people), white is okay (and the most common), and faint tint have a nice warmth to them. I think I like them so much because it reminds me of some of the diamonds that have been in my family for years, so faint tint has a special place in my heart. Also, color is one of the 4c''s that doesn''t actively contribute to potential problems (like clarity contributing to stability issues, cut leading to a dull diamond). I also already own some faint tint diamonds that I just love.
 
Date: 1/5/2010 12:33:15 PM
Author:mani5ha
I am trying to get clued up on diamonds, initially I was looking for an EVS1 0.75 ish (I haven''t decided on cut yet, I keep changing my mind! - Asscher, Jubilee or Cushion! Or Octavia one day
30.gif
) I prefer a more rounded look, i.e. i don''t like rounds and i don''t like squares...!


Basically I want a diamond larger than 0.75 but my budget is about $3000. Which of the C''s should I compromise to get a larger rock? I know that I shouldnt compromise on CUT but what about clarity. I am willing to drop to a G/H as well because I beleive they are both still white!


I am looking on GOG mainly because of thier upgrade policy and because I love thier site and the fact that you can see videos of the diamonds!


Thanks in advance, look forward to your replies!


Manisha
Click to expand...

Hi there I had just posted me reset halo ring which is of E VS1 72 pointers, I just thought that its close to what you looking at. However, mine is a round brilliant, which you might not like:) you can check out this link CUT is certainly the most important to me. Just a suggestion that since you are working on a budget of $3000, do give halo setting a thought (it does not matter which shape you are after). I am pleasantly surprise by the outcome:) hope it helps
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Cost- for me, this was very important because the longer i waited to buy, the higher my budget went. I ended up buying a diamond that was like $1500 more than my initial budget. I didn't have the discipline of sticking with my budget. The more I learned about diamonds, the higher my budget went.

Cut - like everyone else is saying, this is the most important and should never be sacrificed. a well cut diamond despite color/clarity/carat will be beautiful in everyones eyes.

color/clarity - they fall in the same ball park for me b/c these two parameters i felt were co-dependent on the price of the diamond (poorly cut diamonds have been eliminated at this point). once i decided on the lowest color/clarity i'd be comfortable with, i played with the numbers to see what color/clarity combinations worked best with my budget

carat - i was on the fence with this because i kept thinking, at the end of the day, girls will notice the cut & carat more than the color or clarity. i had to constantly remind myself who i was buying the diamond for. most girls want their rock to be bigger than their friends. most of the general public will put this C as #1 or #2, including my girlfriend. ignorance is definitely bliss. but as my knowledge of diamonds grew, i found that the weight doesn't weigh in as much as the other 3.

i was in the same boat as you. i didn't know what C's were more important than others. as you continue your research on diamonds, you'll determine what C's will be your most important. The tutorial on this forum is wonderful! GOG has amazing tutorials also! I learned so much through their site and videos.
 
Cut is the most important factor for me (what''s the point of a great color and clarity when it sparkles as much as a chunk of glass?), then basically my goal was to get as low in the color and clarity as my tolerance would allow so I could maximize carat.

I chose an emerald cut diamond, and they tend to show color more and need higher clarity to be eye-clean I didn''t feel I should go as low in color/clarity as I would for a round.

For color, I wanted the stone to face-up as colorless, so I went with a G. For clarity I chose VS2. I felt comfortable in this range that I wouldn''t be able to detect any color in the diamond and it would be eye-clean (which I verified with my vendor of course).

I don''t believe in paying for things I can''t see, so there would be no logical reason for me to buy a D color flawless diamond when it looks no different to my naked untrained eye next to a G VS2. With the money saved by dropping to G VS2 I''d throw it into carat weight because even if I personally can''t tell the difference between a D and a G, or a FL and a VS2 with my naked eye, a 1 carat stone is going to be obviously larger to me compared to a 0.5 carat.
 
Next to cut, color would be most important. . .clarity isn't that big on my list, however, I wouldn't go below an SI1 and would sacrifice a bit of size to keep the clarity at that grade.
 
Cut is king, of course. I''m flex on color - but, I really like a very CLEAN diamond - VERY few inclusions.
 
I could give you the traditonal line about cut first, color second and clarity third, but for the sake of infomation and entertainment, I offer a different approach to the question posed. Self examination of what is important to YOU before making a purchase is the best way to be pleased in the long term.


#1. Clarity better than any eye-visible inclusion or cloudiness. This includes enough UV fluorescence which can inhibit light return and damage appearance. Eye-clean and not cloudy for any reason.

#2. Cut better than the fair or poor standards. Sure, it is ideal to find the super cut stone, but few folks can tell if it is a super cut or right next to super at "very good". As an example look at the Whiteflash ACA versus their Expert Selection stones. I have seen several of each and I find them all highly attractive. Beauty is not totally defined by cut grading, but avoiding certain characterisitics and lower cut grades will give you a very nice looking diamond. There is a large world of near-ideal cut and even reasonably well cut diamonds which almost everyone would love to look at or to wear. Not everyone is a perfectionist, an engineer or rich enough to buy at the very top.

#3 Color is the most misunderstood of these 3''c''s. You can pick any color YOU would like and it can be beautiful to YOU. Just like the skin of people, it is what''s on the inside that is blood, muscle and bone. We are basically all the same, but your own background, your own experience, your own taste and the tastes of your peers may dictate going toward colorless, KLM or even to a fancy color. Simply put, going toward the DEFGH range is most popular in the USA and in some other places around the world, but there are places where top colors are not king. If you want the diamond to look "standard" then G/H-SI1 and well cut, will likely float your boat just fine in the USA. If you want to pay for better cut, better color, better clarity or all three combined, YOU may be more pleased with the purchase, but observers and your peers will not see much difference. This degree of extra selectivity appeals to certain cultures and personalities and it is totally right for them to do it their way, but there is no one way to choose. Color may well be the most visible aspect of diamond choice, but it is much more personal and any color can be right for individuals to select.
 
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