Choosing a stone and the process that follows

[jossdoit]

Hey everyone, been reading these forums and doing research for awhile and I am getting closer to making my purchase but I would like to seek out the help of the more veteran members here. I am looking for a round brilliant, H&A ideal cut, 1.2-1.4 carat, F-G color, and VS2-SI1 (eyeclean) clarity. I have been looking at Good Old Gold and Whiteflash quite a bit as it seems they have a stellar reputation here.

Couple of questions:

-What other vendors do you suggest I look at?

-Can anyone recommend some stones to consider?

-Once I decide on a stone, what is the process from there? Do I get it appraised and then insured before I have it set and then appraised afterwards? I plan on having the setting custom made if that makes any difference.

Thanks for your help!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/9/2009 12:53:41 PM
Author:jossdoit
Hey everyone, been reading these forums and doing research for awhile and I am getting closer to making my purchase but I would like to seek out the help of the more veteran members here. I am looking for a round brilliant, H&A ideal cut, 1.2-1.4 carat, F-G color, and VS2-SI1 (eyeclean) clarity. I have been looking at Good Old Gold and Whiteflash quite a bit as it seems they have a stellar reputation here.

Couple of questions:

-What other vendors do you suggest I look at?

-Can anyone recommend some stones to consider?

-Once I decide on a stone, what is the process from there? Do I get it appraised and then insured before I have it set and then appraised afterwards? I plan on having the setting custom made if that makes any difference.

Thanks for your help!

Hi Joss and welcome!

Also highly regarded for h&a diamonds of top cut quality is Wink Jones at www.winkjones.com . Wink sells Crafted by Infinity h&a so you could check out some of those.

Also you can try -

www.niceice.com

www.exceldiamonds.com

Can you give us an idea of budget please, then we can take a look for you?

As to the appraisal, apparently it is easier to have a loose stone appraised but it can be done when set. You could do it the way you suggest certainly, I would imagine once the diamond has been examined then you could have the appraiser check out the completed ring without another full appraisal being necessary, but what you need to do is to make sure your diamond is insured prior to setting and that you are covered in case of damage - this is rare in a round diamond but things can happen on occasion.

Here is a useful link which describes the appraisal processes - https://www.pricescope.com/appraiser.asp

 

[jossdoit]

Thanks for the quick reply and for the welcome. Budget is around $10K.

 

[jossdoit]

Does Excel Diamonds keep all those diamonds in their inventory? Or do they evaluate only the ones you are interested in? Seems like with all the diamonds there it might be easier to call and go through the process that way.

Question about price: Should diamonds in the same class (1.25-1.5 carat, G color, VS2 for example) be comparable in price in terms of $ per carat? Or are there other factors such as the type of inclusions that have an effect? I read on here that fluorescence lowers the value sometimes... Which brings up another question, are these companies reluctant to have ideal cut diamonds iwth fluorescence? I know on Whiteflash''s site for example none of the ACA''s have fluorescence...hmm?

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/10/2009 2:35:29 PM
Author: jossdoit
Does Excel Diamonds keep all those diamonds in their inventory? Or do they evaluate only the ones you are interested in? Seems like with all the diamonds there it might be easier to call and go through the process that way.

Question about price: Should diamonds in the same class (1.25-1.5 carat, G color, VS2 for example) be comparable in price in terms of $ per carat? Or are there other factors such as the type of inclusions that have an effect? I read on here that fluorescence lowers the value sometimes... Which brings up another question, are these companies reluctant to have ideal cut diamonds iwth fluorescence? I know on Whiteflash's site for example none of the ACA's have fluorescence...hmm?

I believe Excel have in house diamonds, so it would be best to email or call if you find any you are particularly interested in.

Pricing - there are many variables - whether a diamond is eyeclean or not can influence pricing, fluorescence in some cases, level of service/ benefits a vendor offers, cut quality, type of lab report etc etc. Fluorescence, some vendors or experts prefer without or minimal which was the case with WF ACA's to the best of my knowledge, but it depends. Some of the vendors do stock top cut diamonds with various levels of fluorescence.

Some diamonds you might like.

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/Whiteflash-ACA-cut-diamond-1844707.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/Whiteflash-ACA-cut-diamond-1844705.htm

Grading report isn't loaded for this one below so you would need to ask Jon for a copy

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/5203/

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/Whiteflash-ACA-cut-diamond-1848218.htm

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/5208/

 

[jossdoit]

Good Old Gold has a few with the characteristics that I am looking for which makes it harder. Which of these would be your pick:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/5250/ - Diamond 1

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/5369/ - Diamond 2

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4974/ - Diamond 3

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4975/ - Diamond 4

To me, they are all great but I would like more of an expert opinion. Thanks!

I really like Whiteflash''s diamonds but I want to see some that are bigger and they don''t have any right now.