Choosing a diamond without seeing it?

[rome22]

I am trying to select a round diamond for an engagement ring. It will be going in a tacori 2620 halo setting (which I have not purchased yet).

I am targeting an excellent cut (AGSO or GIA 3x), "I" color, SI1, and a minimum of 1.20 carat. My budget for the diamond would be $5.800 - $7000.

After reading countless posts and information, (pricescope has been amazing), I still am not confident in my diamond choice. I really like the BGD blue line, but since these cuts are all ideal/signature they are a little more expensive as compared to those that pop up on my pricescope search. All results, except one, are from B2C Jewels. I've read some good reviews however as we all know they do not have readily accessible pictures or ASETs available.

I thought this diamond seemed like a great deal based on the stats, (HCA 0.6), but I know this is just one metric and without an ASET I'd be taking a leap of faith, especially since I'm not sure if its fluorescence will have a negative effect. B2C offered to provide me an actual picture as well as comments from their gemologist which I will be receiving Monday.

http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-3339413...m_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pricescope.com

Long story short, is this a mistake ordering this diamond without an ASET? Is it a mistake not going with ideal/signature cuts? I would appreciate anyone's expertise or opinions, and/or any recommendations on a better stone.

Thanks so much!! (this is stressful)

 

[JulieN]

You need to not limit the HCA score if you want the results for all vendors, instead of just B2C. That one could be ok, needs an Ideal Scope.

 

[rome22]

Hi Julie, thanks for the speedy response. I didn't use the HCA to eliminate results, rather just saw that as one way to identify a possible good choice out of what came back since I got a full page of b2c results based on my above criteria

 

[rome22]

Just came across this one.

Anyone opinions?

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10391/

 

[JulieN]

this is a better choice if it is not hazy: http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.20-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-sku-200661

 

[rome22]

Thanks. That looks great. Would the next step be to ask JA for an ASET/ideal scope image (not sure what the difference is) to know whether or not it is cloudy?


Thank you again. I really appreciate all your help

 

[JulieN]

Ideal Scope for rounds. Ask them if it is hazy, IS won't tell you that.

 

[rome22]

OK will do right now.

Thanks so much

 

[JulieN]

Good luck! Oh, and if it is hazy, no ideal Scope needed.

 

[rome22]

Ok, I should hear back from JA by Wednesday regarding if there is any hazy effect, and I also asked for the ideal scope.

Just curious, what makes this one a better choice as compared to the good old gold one posted above? I'm still trying to learn... is it just that this is VS1 and GOG is S1, or are there other factors a rookie like myself is unaware of?

Also, the inclusion on the JA diamond has a crystal almost directly in the center of the table. I tried scaling the image down to what I think would be an approximate "real life" size, and I could not see the inclusion. In your experience, will this hold true? Obviously, I know there will be some inclusions, but will this one be more noticeable due to where it is?

Thanks Again (and again)

 

[JulieN]

2 clarity grades better (VS1 clarity, you shouldn't need to worry about the visibility of an inclusion)

better cut/proportions

 

[rome22]

Ok,I was on the right track then.

Lastly, the price of that diamond seems almost too good to be true in comparison to other similar diamonds at JA (as its cheaper than other 1.20 carat, I, SI1, Excellent Cuts on the site). Is this due to the fluorescence? I can't wrap my head around why a 1.20 carat, I, VS1, Ideal Cut would be cheaper?

I hope you're not sick of all my questions.

TY

 

[diamondseeker2006]

The discount is probably due to the strong blue fluorescence, but that is to your favor because I consider SBF a bonus!

 

[rome22]

Hi diamondseeker, I agree the SBF is a bonus in my opinion! I didn't realize the potential savings could be so dramatic. I loved the Brian Gavin blue diamonds.....Could the SBF on the JA diamond I'm considering be as brilliant as the Brian Gavin blues, or are the BGD blues flourescence much better than another vendor's diamond with SBF, since it's a signature line?