Choices choices

[kyojin]

Hi! Greetings from Singapore!

I'm planning to propose to my girlfriend of 4 years soon and I've been reading about engagement rings and diamonds. I've found Pricescope to be extremely valuable in my search.

I'm aiming for a round, Hearts and Arrows, 0.5ct, E-G, VVS-VS2 diamond.

I've found 3 which fit the profile. These are all within my (somewhat limited) budget:

0.47ct F VS1
HCA: 1.6
Price: $1530

0.5ct G VS2
HCA: 1.2
Price: $1680

0.51ct G VS1
HCA: 0.6
Price: $1610

From previous threads, I understand that it's very subjective. Unfortunately, due to my location, I'm not in the position to use the 30-day money back method to view the diamonds individually. So, I'd like to get some opinions.

I'm not sure which of these I should go for:
- should I go for a higher color and clarity to trade off for a G-color with slightly more weight?
- GOG offers a "Megascope" report which shows the B/F/S, but JA doesn't show this. Should i ask to see something similar?

What are your thoughts?

Thanks for your help!

 

[swingirl]

They are all nice stones. I would go for larger size just to hit the "half carat" mark.

 

[kyojin]

swingirl>> that''s a thought that I''ve been having too... I guess it''ll be a huge consideration.

But is a F to a G discernible?

 

[JulieN]

You could trade color to I, and clarity to SI1, and still be very safe.

In the case of JA, they don''t take ASET pictures. But it is not a big deal here.

I like the F VS1 the most, but it''s the smallest, and it''s F VS1 (which, if you are comfortable with G VS2, is just more expensive.)

 

[:)]

$1460
0.55 G VS2
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1193815.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131

 

[:)]

Date: 1/17/2009 1:26:03 AM
Author: kyojin
swingirl>> that''s a thought that I''ve been having too... I guess it''ll be a huge consideration.

But is a F to a G discernible?

Not in that size

 

[kyojin]

Date: 1/17/2009 3:06:31 AM
Author:


$1460

0.55 G VS2

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1193815.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131

Thanks for pointing this out.

I saw it earlier, actually. But I''m a wee bit concerned about the light leak at the 11 o''clock position in the inner circle. will this give the diamond an uneven contrast? also, i''m just being picky but HCA rated the scintillation as ''only'' "Very Good".

no doubt it''s a value for money for the size (compared to the one I listed earlier). but i''m guessing it''s the performance (and clarity) that makes the 0.51-G/VS1 $150 costlier?

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/18/2009 5:12:25 AM
Author: kyojin

Date: 1/17/2009 3:06:31 AM
Author:


$1460

0.55 G VS2

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1193815.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131

Thanks for pointing this out.

I saw it earlier, actually. But I''m a wee bit concerned about the light leak at the 11 o''clock position in the inner circle. will this give the diamond an uneven contrast? also, i''m just being picky but HCA rated the scintillation as ''only'' ''Very Good''.

no doubt it''s a value for money for the size (compared to the one I listed earlier). but i''m guessing it''s the performance (and clarity) that makes the 0.51-G/VS1 $150 costlier?

Its fine and I doubt not perceptible to the human eye, check with JA if you are unsure.

 

[kyojin]

Date: 1/17/2009 1:28:34 AM
Author: JulieN
You could trade color to I, and clarity to SI1, and still be very safe.


In the case of JA, they don''t take ASET pictures. But it is not a big deal here.


I like the F VS1 the most, but it''s the smallest, and it''s F VS1 (which, if you are comfortable with G VS2, is just more expensive.)

I''m reluctant to go below a G actually, after I saw a I-0.51/VS2 at TIffany''s the other day. I could immediately see the yellowish tint. I couldn''t see musth on the H, but just to be on the safe side, i''m looking for something above a G.

 

[kyojin]

Date: 1/18/2009 5:22:36 AM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 1/18/2009 5:12:25 AM
Its fine and I doubt not perceptible to the human eye, check with JA if you are unsure.

that's a good idea!

it's larger and if the performance is just as good, it's certainly value for money.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/18/2009 5:33:28 AM
Author: kyojin

Date: 1/18/2009 5:22:36 AM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 1/18/2009 5:12:25 AM
Its fine and I doubt not perceptible to the human eye, check with JA if you are unsure.

that''s a good idea!

it''s larger and if the performance is just as good, it''s certainly value for money.

Glad to help! JA will be able to advise no problem!

 

[kcoursolle]

Given just these stones I would definitely go for one of the 2 last ones to get a little more size. I agree with others about possibly going down a notch in color/clarity. Honestly, in this size range you can get away with the G/H SI range without a problem. A .6 stone will look a great deal larger than a .4.

 

[kyojin]

Date: 1/18/2009 7:16:25 AM
Author: kcoursolle
Given just these stones I would definitely go for one of the 2 last ones to get a little more size. I agree with others about possibly going down a notch in color/clarity. Honestly, in this size range you can get away with the G/H SI range without a problem. A .6 stone will look a great deal larger than a .4.

But i read that SI is often a gamble... I'm just a little worried because of this. I've come across a few E/F-S1 listings and for the same price, I can get a 0.6+, but i'm just afraid that they are not eye clean

like this for example:
0.62ct F-SI1
HCA: 1.1 ex-ex-ex-ex

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/18/2009 9:53:15 PM
Author: kyojin

Date: 1/18/2009 7:16:25 AM
Author: kcoursolle
Given just these stones I would definitely go for one of the 2 last ones to get a little more size. I agree with others about possibly going down a notch in color/clarity. Honestly, in this size range you can get away with the G/H SI range without a problem. A .6 stone will look a great deal larger than a .4.

But i read that SI is often a gamble... I''m just a little worried because of this. I''ve come across a few E/F-S1 listings and for the same price, I can get a 0.6+, but i''m just afraid that they are not eye clean

like this for example:
0.62ct F-SI1
HCA: 1.1 ex-ex-ex-ex

That looks like a nice diamond, the only way to tell if a diamond is eyeclean to your standards is to ask the vendor and make your expectations clear.

 

[Imdanny]

My thoughts are: there''s a large premium for hitting the .5 mark, for going over G in color, and for going above the VS range in color. So I would go to Whiteflash.com under "diamonds" and plug in different values for size, clarity, and color, to see how these parameters might affect price.

 

[kyojin]

Author: Lorelei
That looks like a nice diamond, the only way to tell if a diamond is eyeclean to your standards is to ask the vendor and make your expectations clear.

Do you think asking for eye-clean (both face up and side) 6 inches away is reasonable?

What are some of the inclusions that are big no-nos? (I''m a little confused with cloudy, crystal, etc).

 

[JulieN]

It's not the type of inclusion that is a no-go. It's how severe it is. In an SI1 of a half carat... any inclusions would be pretty minor.

They will tell you if it is eye-clean from 6 inches.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/19/2009 1:47:39 PM
Author: kyojin

Author: Lorelei
That looks like a nice diamond, the only way to tell if a diamond is eyeclean to your standards is to ask the vendor and make your expectations clear.

Do you think asking for eye-clean (both face up and side) 6 inches away is reasonable?

What are some of the inclusions that are big no-nos? (I''m a little confused with cloudy, crystal, etc).

Absolutely. And as Julie says, SI1 inclusions ( GIA/ AGS) in that size will be minor.

 

[kyojin]

after some thought and speaking to my future sister-in-law and a few friends, i think i "should" be aiming for something in the colorless and VS range. it seems to be the "norm" from where i''m from. and i don''t wish to disappoint!

i''ve found this and spoken to the guys at JA about it and it seems like a good deal to me.
0.51 F-VS2
HCA: 1.3 ex-ex-ex-vg
Price: $1530

i am comparing this to #3 (link here) of my first post.

both are 0.51ct, and the guy at JA says both have identical performance side-by-side.

my reservations is the light leak at the 11 - 2 o''clock area in the Idealscope.

what do you think?

 

[EricaR]

Date: 1/19/2009 2:56:01 PM
Author: kyojin
i''ve found this and spoken to the guys at JA about it and it seems like a good deal to me.
0.51 F-VS2
HCA: 1.3 ex-ex-ex-vg
Price: $1530

I think that stone looks good. In a stone that small I doubt you''d see that super tiny bit of light leakage. It is an AGS Ideal with a great score on the HCA so you wouldn''t have anything to worry about.

 

[kyojin]

te:[/b] 1/19/2009 2:56:01 PM
Author: kyojin
0.51 F-VS2

HCA: 1.3 ex-ex-ex-vg

Price: $1530

[/quote]

ARGH! someone beat me to it!

 

[musey]

Date: 1/20/2009 11:23:17 AM
Author: kyojin

Date: 1/19/2009 2:56:01 PM
Author: kyojin
0.51 F-VS2

HCA: 1.3 ex-ex-ex-vg

Price: $1530

ARGH! someone beat me to it!

oh no!

There are lots of lurkers around here... it's generally best to just post all the details with no link so no one snatches it from you!

 

[motownmama]

sorry, but that just wasn''t "the one." Keep going.

 

[stone-cold11]

Date: 1/20/2009 1:47:48 PM
Author: musey

Date: 1/20/2009 11:23:17 AM

Author: kyojin

Date: 1/19/2009 2:56:01 PM

Author: kyojin

0.51 F-VS2


HCA: 1.3 ex-ex-ex-vg


Price: $1530

ARGH! someone beat me to it!

oh no!

There are lots of lurkers around here... it''s generally best to just post all the details with no link so no one snatches it from you!

Or just put a hold on it before asking for opinions around here.

 

[:)]

$1310 - about the same diameter as the one you just missed purchasing...
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/5382/

 

[kyojin]

as luck may have it, someone beat me by 5 minutes to the 0.47ct F-VS1, again!

Anyway, I chatted with Charles at GOG who happened to have sold that piece. Apparently, the other buyer was also looking at the piece suggested by Smiley. Charles is quite confident that the only reason why my earlier choice was more expensive and sold faster was because it''s a VS1. He said both the 0.47 F-VS1 and 0.48 F-VS2 "would make a great pair". I''m trusting his word on this one.

since I won''t be able to spot a VS2 inclusion with my naked eye (especially at this size), I thought being beaten might have been a blessing in disguise. i now get a larger stone (albeit just hundredths of a point), with probably similar performance, at a nice discount. i''m thinking i can channel that savings towards the proposal itself!

i''m waiting for shipment of the diamond and i''ll update again once i''ve received it.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/28/2009 10:40:06 AM
Author: kyojin
as luck may have it, someone beat me by 5 minutes to the 0.47ct F-VS1, again!

Anyway, I chatted with Charles at GOG who happened to have sold that piece. Apparently, the other buyer was also looking at the piece suggested by Smiley. Charles is quite confident that the only reason why my earlier choice was more expensive and sold faster was because it''s a VS1. He said both the 0.47 F-VS1 and 0.48 F-VS2 ''would make a great pair''. I''m trusting his word on this one.

since I won''t be able to spot a VS2 inclusion with my naked eye (especially at this size), I thought being beaten might have been a blessing in disguise. i now get a larger stone (albeit just hundredths of a point), with probably similar performance, at a nice discount. i''m thinking i can channel that savings towards the proposal itself!

i''m waiting for shipment of the diamond and i''ll update again once i''ve received it.

It could well have been!!!! Keep us in the loupe ( pardon the pun....)

 

[Ellen]

Date: 1/28/2009 11:31:19 AM
Author: Lorelei

It could well have been!!!! Keep us in the loupe ( pardon the pun....)

Oh brother.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/28/2009 11:35:13 AM
Author: Ellen

Date: 1/28/2009 11:31:19 AM
Author: Lorelei

It could well have been!!!! Keep us in the loupe ( pardon the pun....)

Oh brother.

* huffs on fingernails and polishes vigorously on shirt*

 

[Ellen]

Date: 1/28/2009 11:43:00 AM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 1/28/2009 11:35:13 AM
Author: Ellen

Date: 1/28/2009 11:31:19 AM
Author: Lorelei

It could well have been!!!! Keep us in the loupe ( pardon the pun....)

Oh brother.

* huffs on fingernails and polishes vigorously on shirt*