Buying a diamond in the next couple of weeks in Chicago

[eddiechi]

Hey all - i've used this site a lot to learn about diamonds so i thought i'd post my question here for...

I am looking for a 1.4ct 1.8ct round diamond that's eye clean so vs2, h color, best possible cut. I would like it to be on a six prong setting with a thin band, probably platinum but i could go with gold for now to save a little money.

The only catch is my budget is $7,000. Will this be possible or should i step down in carats? Any ideas?

The only reason i want to go with 1.5 is b/c i've noticed that the thick prongs on a setting may hide a smaller stone.

 

[Gypsy]

Your budget will not get you what you want. Period.

Dimend Scaasi in Chicago is well known on these boards. You can check them out. Mention Pricescope.


Here is some additional information for you:

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 even GIA Ex is not enough for that. (Do not consider EGL, they are a bad value: [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. Over 2.5 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. James Allen 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.

 

[eddiechi]

Gypsy - Thanks so much for responding!

I'm going to get her sized today but i'm 90% sure she's a 4.5 but i will confirm today.

She is more on the petite side, so i think a 1.5ct would look best on her. Anyhow - i will focus on cut but let me know if you see anything special.

So far i know i'd like to be around 1.5ct (give or take .25), round cut. I think i'm going to have to up my budget a little bit, i don't mind spending $5k extra as long i get something perfect. $5K over 30 years is nothing, especially considering how much i paid for college!

PS - Thanks for the chicago recommendation but i just realized i'd save 9% on sales tax buy buying online so i don't want to go to Scaasi and waste their time.