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1stdiamondbuy

Rough_Rock
Joined
May 11, 2005
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I am looking for a round diamond around $6300 and planning to spend around $700 for a platinum cathedral setting. From what I can tell so far, here are the 2 I have come up with. From what I can tell, the fluorescence and girdle are the only real differences. How much do these matter? Am I missing anything? Anybody know of anything better? Any preference between the 2? I don''t know much about this stuff and would appreciate any feedback. Thanks.

http://search.virtcert.com/cgi/u/1012/v.cgi?stock=3550835&_s=1012&_p=sdf348gd743&_c=&_fs=1&prestock=&_ln=ps
Certificate GIA 13542391
Cut ROUND BRILLIANT
Carat 1.04
Color G
Clarity VS2
Price $ 6284.68
Price per Carat $ 6042.96
Measurements 6.49 x 6.53 x 4.01 mm
Depth Percentage 61.6 %
Table Percentage 56 %
Crown Angle
Pavilion Percentage %
Pavilion Angle
Girdle M
Culet N
Polish EXCELLENT
Symmetry EXCELLENT
Fluorescence FAINT BLUE
Certificate Notes
Other Notes
Clarity-Enhanced NO


http://search.virtcert.com/cgi/u/1012/v.cgi?stock=3543953&_s=1012&_p=sdf348gd743&_c=&_fs=1&prestock=&_ln=ps

Certificate GIA 13759853
Cut ROUND BRILLIANT
Carat 1.04
Color G
Clarity VS2
Price $ 5713.34
Price per Carat $ 5493.60
Measurements 6.54 x 6.57 x 4 mm
Depth Percentage 61 %
Table Percentage 56 %
Crown Angle
Pavilion Percentage %
Pavilion Angle
Girdle TN-M F
Culet N
Polish EXCELLENT
Symmetry EXCELLENT
Fluorescence MEDIUM BLUE
Certificate Notes
Other Notes ACDSG
Clarity-Enhanced NO
 
The Ex-EX finish grades do not make much of a difference, but the lack of info about proportions (crown and pavilion angles/%) has a good chance at that.
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From the info available there, the two can look as different as night and day!

With pictures and full stats in place, this 1 carat G/VS2 leaves allot less to the immagination, and the cost is the same 6.2k. There must be others of the sort - you don't have to go for this stone or seller. My intention was to show the level of detail provided with the stone.
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They will probably supply you with the crown/pavillion measurements if you ask them....why don''t you give them a call tomorrow???????
 
I was just thinking the same thing. What should they be? Also, when I search on pricescope, there are usually several places that have the same diamonds, but this usacerteddiamonds always has them the cheapest. Does anybody know anything about them? The diamonds that are available to all of them usually have the least amount of info available ... sounds like they are all going through same wholesaler and none of them have possession of the diamond. Should this affect buying decision? Thanks again for the help.
 
I love the first one that Aljdewey listed. Can't go wrong with that one, IMHO.
 
From the 3 diamonds recommended, it looks like the crown/pavilion data should be:
crown angle: 34 - 35 (34.7, 34.8, 34.8 on recommended ones)
crown %: 15 - 16 (15.9, 15.7, 15.1)
pavilion angle: 40 - 41 (40.8, 40.7, 40.8)
pavilion %: 43 (42.9, 42.9, 43)

Is that acccurate? Can somebody give me a link that gives some education on that stuff so I know what to look for? Thanks.
 
The price is lower at their website but on pricescope USAcerteddiamonds has it for $6084. It is often the case that the price they list on pricescope is different than their site but they say they give the pricescope price. I''m guessing a phone call would let me know for sure.
 
There is a good tutorial on this website, and on others, such as goodoldgold.....you can get some good information about the parameters for ideally cut diamonds....but then, it depends on how the different angles "interact" with each other to provide a look that is pleasing to the eye......If you stick around here, you will discover that many people go to a lower clarity (such as SI1), in order to reduce price (of course you have to check to make sure that stone is eye clean)....also some go with H, I, J color in order to maximize value, and possibly get a bigger stone for the same $$$....Just don''t compromise too much on CUT....that''s the most important C for a diamond to look sparkly!!!!
 
Date: 5/15/2005 6:35:33 PM
Author: 1stdiamondbuy

Can somebody give me a link that gives some education on that stuff (angles) so I know what to look for?
Click to expand...
Check out the "Cut Adviser" under "Tools" on top of this page.

Most sellers give slightly different prices for CC versus wire payment and some would list the smaller number of the two on Pricescope. Whiteflash does this - and the stone in my message comes at 6k on the "Search by cut quality" because of this.

BTW, a simple cathedral setting can easily be less than $700. Since the prices of those diamonds are just a couple hundred apart... the setting''s cost makes a difference in the balance.

What ring do you have in mind ?
 
I''ve purchased from USACerted. They are a Canadian company and do not have the stones in house. That said, they are trained and knowledgable, but you need to have a local appraiser who knows their stuff to send the stone to for evaluation and your viewing. This is how I did it and it worked out well. Some vendors will bring these brokered stones in house before sending them out to you and give you their opinion. I liked going with an objective third party for this step, but there are pros and cons to both. If you are careful and smart (have it sent before you pay for it, do some reading so that you know what you are looking at, and make sure the person who helps you evaluate it knows their stuff and is objective) either way will work fine.

Nothing wrong with saving a little cash if you can... just be smart about it.
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Do you have a total budget in mind??? Is the 1.4 range where you want to be in terms of carat weight???? How mauch does the color matter?
 
I''m thinking total budget of about $7,000. I was thinking roughly $6300-$6400 for the diamond and $600-$700 for the setting. I would like to get the best diamond for the money. My research has led me to believe that cut is the most important characteristic. I definitely don''t want any visible blemishes so I was looking VS2 or better. For color I don''t really know. I was thinking F-G range, but would be willing to go lower if it is not noticeable. After those things are covered, I am looking for the biggest diamond. Size isn''t all that important as long as it is at least 1 carat. Most of what I have been finding is in the 1.02 - 1.04 range.
 
i think with your budget,you will be able to get a beautiful cut 1-1.10ct H&A H VS2 stone.
 
Date: 5/15/2005 8:33:11 PM
Author: Dancing Fire
i think with your budget,you will be able to get a beautiful cut 1-1.10ct H&A H VS2 stone.
Click to expand...
H would be less expensive and so would SI1 for what that matters.

But 1 carat G/VS2 ideals seem to fit budget nicely, no ? There are a few on this thread already... No good ?
 
I''m partial to the one that aljdewey and kaleigh have pointed to, also, and think you can stay with G & VS2 all right. DF notes:


Date: 5/15/2005 8:33:11 PM
Author: Dancing Fire
i think with your budget,you will be able to get a beautiful cut 1-1.10ct H&A H VS2 stone.
Click to expand...
If H&A is something you''d want to include in your criteria, with a slightly tight budget, yes, you might need to opt for G or H H&A, could do so by choosing one of each to look at from the same vendor, if you like, perhaps getting in cohootz with an appraiser to look at both, and have them make a judgement with you.

I might be partial to the better color, but comparing would be the safest thing. If you choose this strategy, you''d be best to clue in your partner appraiser in advance, to know any predisposition they might have at the outset.

Best,
 
Date: 5/15/2005 9:47:20 PM
Author: valeria101

Date: 5/15/2005 8:33:11 PM
Author: Dancing Fire
i think with your budget,you will be able to get a beautiful cut 1-1.10ct H&A H VS2 stone.
Click to expand...
H would be less expensive and so would SI1 for what that matters.

But 1 carat G/VS2 ideals seem to fit budget nicely, no ? There are a few on this thread already... No good ?
Click to expand...
Ana
i was just thinking of something like what RG posted above,an H&A stone.
 
From the numbers put forth, I really like the second one you posted. I like the combo of G w/ med blue fluor & the VS2 clarity. The price seems very good. Can you request more information on that stone?
 
Based on feedback on this page, I have done a bit more research. I am now looking at the following diamond.

Cut ROUND BRILLIANT
Carat 1.06
Color G
Clarity VS2
Price $ 6201
Measurements 6.61 x 6.65 x 4.02 mm
Depth Percentage 60.6 %
Table Percentage 56 %
Crown Angle 34.8
Crown Height 15.0
Pavilion Percentage % 42.8
Pavilion Angle 40.7
Girdle THN - MED
Culet NO
Polish EXCELLENT
Symmetry EXCELLENT
Fluorescence NONE
Certificate Notes
Other Notes
Clarity-Enhanced NO

The girdle thickness ranges from 0.4 - 1.4%. Should I be concerned about how thin it gets at the 0.4? The HCA came in at 1.0. Any other thoughts on this diamond? What about in comparison to the one that aljdewey posted (thanks aljdewey)? Thanks again to everybody on this page for making this process easier for us novices.
 
I would find out a little more about the girdle on this diamond. If that thin in only one place, that might pass muster, but honesty, that is an extremely thin girdle point.

Given that the diamond I posted (and you''re welcome, by the way!
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) had a more desirable girdle...not as much risk of chipping, etc., and given that the other stone didn''t cost materially more than this latest stone, I''d still go with the one I listed before. Why take a chance on having any problem with the girdle if you could get just as nice a diamond for the same money with less risk of problems?
 
I really like the stone al posted, it''s one I would highly consider buying myself. However, if the girdle checks out OK on the one you found, I would lean towards that one. Why? Becasue is has a bigger spread by 0.15 mm. All other things being equal, I chose the bigger (looking) one
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