Buying a diamond locally

[janetjoan64]

I am so appreciative of all the information I have gathered on this site. Unfortunately for me its now become an addiction! I wish I had never found this site because everything I have learned on here is true. I needed to work with a jeweler her in town because thats where my husband purchased the diamond initially and they have an upgrade policy so I was trying to work within my parameters.To make a long story short I was able to find a vs2 i color diamond which is beautiful and sparkly and I love it but..... the slight color is driving me absolutely crazy. It bothers me. I gave the salesgirl all of the specifications on table crown angle depth and pavillion angle that were provided to me through ps and she made it seem like I had a better chance of finding a needle in a haystack. I wanted gia xxx as well.I am thinking of wearing the stone I currently have and calling her to tell her to let me know when a stone of better color comes in that is within these parameters. My problem is I see all the beautiful stones now on Whiteflash and BGD and am so frustrated. How can a store that bills itself as having the largest diamond selection in the area only have subpar stones. I am wondering just how long it will actually take...

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Hi and welcome! Many of us can relate to your dilemma. I completely agree that you should return the stone that you have doubts about! My personal cut off is about H color but I prefer G ideally (realistically). I would insist on GIA Excellent cut for sure. Every jeweler has diamond suppliers and they just need to check every few days for a stone that meets your approval. I experienced the same thing when I was searching for my anniversary diamond. The local stores just could not produce excellent cut stones for me. Even the higher end ones! So I would not settle for less than GIA Excellent, either. Good luck and let us know if they find another one for you!

 

[janetjoan64]

Thanks so much. I think it was actually you who gave me the dimensions to look for.I feel so foolish being unsatisfied yet again but once you see the fire and sparkle in a diamond you cant settle for less but the same thing can also be said for color or lack thereof.I wont purchase the next stone without first posting details and getting feedback. I wonder if I should go down to si1 again only this time without an actual cloud in the middle of the table lol! SIGH You should have an actual paying job giving your wondeful advice to us newbies. Hey didnt I see in another thread that you live in my neck of the woods. I need to bring you with me and let you do all the talking.jk I am learning havent gotten there yet but I am trying. I had no idea that diamond buying was so complicated Wish me luck and I will keep you posted

 

[diamondseeker2006]

You are very welcome! I can't afford to buy diamonds all the time, so I do have fun helping others spend their money!

Okay, if we do live in the same area, we need to make sure we connect with you the next time we have a get together! We should be able to manage to have one once a year! I don't want you to have to name your exact location, but give me a hint. Or tell me the name of the jewelry store (other than if it is a chain, that won't do me much good!).

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I looked back and I do remember your gorgeous ring!!! Such a beautiful setting..I love it! Since you are going to return the stone and try again, would you mind if I made one suggestion? I am thinking it would be safer to set that center stone a little lower, maybe just above the surrounding stones. I am afraid it will get whacked on things sitting that high which might make it more prone to chipping or coming loose from the setting. It is really beautiful regardless, and I just hope you find the perfect stone SOON!

 

[Gypsy]

Even with huge selections, sometimes you have to know how to ask for the best quality. Can you replace it with an AGS0? Those are pretty much all lovely.

 

[janetjoan64]

Unfortunately no They only have gia and egl diamonds

 

[janetjoan64]

Thanks for the suggestion. My jeweler suggested the same as well but I wanted to wear it as I bought it first. Now I know why both the two of you suggested it. It does present a small issue. I think with the next stone I will have him set it lower. I think the setting will look more fluid as well. Its a little busy with the diamond set up so high. Thanks for the suggestion. Much appreciated.

 

[Gypsy]

Here are some cheat sheet specifications for round brilliant specs/numbers-- stick to GIA EX/EX within these parameters ( PRINT THIS OUT AND TAKE THIS WITH YOU WHEN SHOPPING IN PERSON-- GIVE IT TO THE VENDOR, don't LISTEN to anything they say against it):

depth - 60 - 62% - although my personal preference is to allow up to 62.4%
table - 54- 57%
crown angle - 34- 35 degrees
pavilion angle - 40.6- 41 degrees
girdle - avoid extremes, look for thin to slightly thick, thin to medium etc
polish and symmetry - very good and above

note - with crown and pavilion angles at the shallower ends ( CA 34- PA 40.6) and steeper ( CA 35- PA 41) check to make sure these angles complement in that particular diamond - eyeballs, Idealscope, trusted vendor input - check as appropriate!

Also, configurations depend on each other. A little give here can still work with a little take there.

With that said, here''s a "Cliff''s Notes" for staying near Tolkowsky/ideal angles with GIA reports (their numbers are rounded): A crown angle of 34.0, 34.5 or 35.0 is usually safe with a 40.8 pavilion angle. If pavilion angle = 40.6 lean toward a 34.5-35.0 crown. If pavilion angle = 41 lean toward a 34.0-34.5 crown.

GIA "EX" in cut is great at its heart, but it ranges a bit wider than some people prefer, particularly in deep combinations (pavilion > 41 with crown > 35).


ETA; Above copied from Lorelei and John Pollard.

Then when they source it, put it on hold and post the GIA certificate here for us.

 

[janetjoan64]

Thanks sounds like a plan.The diamond I currently have is a 58 table 33.5 crown angle 41.0 pavillion and 61.3 depth. It scored 1.2 hca Please tell me what the difference in the 58 table size will mean in the looks of the diamond compared to a table size of 54-57

 

[diamondseeker2006]

The stone you have is good. I personally don't think the difference between 57 and 58 makes that much difference. Those measurements are just the safe zone to get an ideal cut stone.

You may have missed my post above where I asked if you could tell me the jeweler or some hint to give me an idea where you are. We do have pricescope member get-togethers about every year in this area and I would certainly want you to come!

 

[janetjoan64]

Ooops must have missed it I am referring to DD IN C-- did you get it? I know you did!

 

[Gypsy]

The stone you have is good. I personally don't think the difference between 57 and 58 makes that much difference. Those measurements are just the safe zone to get an ideal cut stone.

Ditto, but I'm not a round numbers expert and DS knows much more about rounds than I do. I just have this saved and post it when it's warranted and know when something is totally out of wack with the numbers. LOL. When it comes to hair splitting the actual numbers for ideal rounds I'm a one trick pony.

Have you considered buying an idealscope... I'm not sure how much they are but I know some of our actively shopping posters looking for a great round have bought them and been happy for it.

 

[janetjoan64]

I want to make sure on this-- I need to make sure cut is excellent but polish and symmetry can be very good and stone is fine That means I dont need a triple x stone?????

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Yes!!! The last time we had a get-together, we went to the mall across the street and then over to DD. But I have been to DD several times. Lots of fun places to visit around there! I need to go to Tiffany's just to see some things and get ideas and then get less expensive versions made or find them second hand! I live about an hour NW of there.

 

[janetjoan64]

thanks I may look into it.Seems like a great tool.

 

[janetjoan64]

Keep me in mind and let me know when you will be coming next. Would love to meet up with you. Maybe this whole fiasco will have ended well by then!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I want to make sure on this-- I need to make sure cut is excellent but polish and symmetry can be very good and stone is fine That means I dont need a triple x stone?????

It depends on how much of a perfectionist you are! I prefer XXX, but it is likely because I have been here so long! I would want excellent on symmetry, especially. But you really wouldn't be able to see very good on polish, so that is the one that I would consider.

My daughter got married last year and her diamond was from WhiteFlash and everything was ideal except polish was excellent (AGS, different scale than GIA) and they got a better price because of that.

GIA Excellent is a pretty broad range and we don't even recommend all stones within GIA EX. You'll be fine if you use the parameters Gypsy listed, and if they get a new stone in, then just get a copy of the cert and post the numbers here. You'll get honest opinions.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Keep me in mind and let me know when you will be coming next. Would love to meet up with you. Maybe this whole fiasco will have ended well by then!

I'd love to meet up and go to those places! I know it may be hard to find a time to do it before the holidays. Do you work weekdays?

 

[janetjoan64]

I do but I am off on Mondays and Thursdays. I am available anytime those days! Just let me know!

 

[janetjoan64]

The salesgirl may run if she sees me coming AGAIN!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Haha! Well, I will definitely tell you if I can work it out to come! It is not as fun to go to those places by myself. And I think all of us value a second opinion! If I decide to go, I will post in the Hangout section of this site with your user name or the city name we are talking about. So just check in here in the evenings because I am usually on here at night and at various other times as well! Our anniversary is coming up and I am on here a lot just trying to get ideas of what I might want! Maybe we could do this next week. I think at least one other person in the area might be available during the week, too. I just think it will be too crazy to venture over there on the weekends for the next month!

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Thanks sounds like a plan.The diamond I currently have is a 58 table 33.5 crown angle 41.0 pavillion and 61.3 depth. It scored 1.2 hca Please tell me what the difference in the 58 table size will mean in the looks of the diamond compared to a table size of 54-57

If the stones were 10carat each you might almost be able to pick a difference in table size 54% to 58%

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Thanks sounds like a plan.The diamond I currently have is a 58 table 33.5 crown angle 41.0 pavillion and 61.3 depth. It scored 1.2 hca Please tell me what the difference in the 58 table size will mean in the looks of the diamond compared to a table size of 54-57

If the stones were 10carat each you might almost be able to pick a difference in table size 54% to 58%

Lol!!! So true, Garry!!!! (Even so, when matching up diamond pairs, I still like to get tables within a point just for the mental aspect! )

 

[janetjoan64]

keep me posted Just checked with them and they get a new shipment in January so I guess I jst need to hang tight til then, The good news is that my birthday is in January- then of course thee is Valentines Day right behind that hmmmm.....