I've been looking for a round brilliant for an engagement ring. I would prefer a smaller
diamond (1.25 to 1.5 ct) with an ideal cut, and good clarity and color. My soon-to-be
fiancee however, loves size (1.8 to 2.0 carats). With my budget, I can't afford an ideal
cut in that size.
I have looked a lot, I've done tons of research (Internet and books) yet every day I have
new doubts and questions.
I recently saw these two GIA diamonds priced around $13,000:
a) 1.71 ct, E, SI1, D=61.9, T=56, Polish=EXC, Sym=EXC, Girdle= med to thk, cul=none
b) 2.04 ct, G, SI1, D=62.1, T=62, Polish=VG, Sym=Good, Girdle= sl thk to thk, cul=sm
I've seen many like these, some better than otheres. These are just two examples
that sum up my concerns. They are:
Are these stones priced reasonably?
Is it worth sacrificing on the color and cut to get the extra 33 weight points?
How significant is girdle thickness... is thick still OK or should I look for medium only?
What about fluorescence? Depending on which source I'm reading it's either really
good (blue-whites) or really bad (cloudy). Which is it? Is faint fluorescence bad?
The GIA cert does not show crown and pavillion angles, how do I obtain them?
If I can't afford an AGS 000 cut, what measurements should I look for to ensure
the diamond, though not ideal, still has a good cut and a lot of brilliance?
I hope you can help. I'm so confused!!!

diamond (1.25 to 1.5 ct) with an ideal cut, and good clarity and color. My soon-to-be
fiancee however, loves size (1.8 to 2.0 carats). With my budget, I can't afford an ideal
cut in that size.
I have looked a lot, I've done tons of research (Internet and books) yet every day I have
new doubts and questions.
I recently saw these two GIA diamonds priced around $13,000:
a) 1.71 ct, E, SI1, D=61.9, T=56, Polish=EXC, Sym=EXC, Girdle= med to thk, cul=none
b) 2.04 ct, G, SI1, D=62.1, T=62, Polish=VG, Sym=Good, Girdle= sl thk to thk, cul=sm
I've seen many like these, some better than otheres. These are just two examples
that sum up my concerns. They are:
Are these stones priced reasonably?
Is it worth sacrificing on the color and cut to get the extra 33 weight points?
How significant is girdle thickness... is thick still OK or should I look for medium only?
What about fluorescence? Depending on which source I'm reading it's either really
good (blue-whites) or really bad (cloudy). Which is it? Is faint fluorescence bad?
The GIA cert does not show crown and pavillion angles, how do I obtain them?
If I can't afford an AGS 000 cut, what measurements should I look for to ensure
the diamond, though not ideal, still has a good cut and a lot of brilliance?
I hope you can help. I'm so confused!!!