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Clueless guy in search of some guidance

U

UAfanatic

Rough_Rock
Joined
Aug 4, 2012
Messages
7
Hello everyone,

I have been with my girlfriend for going on 8 years and I think it is now time to finally get engaged. :lol: I have been researching for the past few months and I can honestly say I had no idea it would be so difficult to purchase the right diamond. I have read about the 4 C's and I was about to purchase a diamond from Blue Nile until I discovered this site recently. Now I have my doubts about purchasing through BN, and that I can find a better diamond elsewhere possibly after skimming these forums.

My budget for the diamond is $7000 give or take $500. I know my girlfriend wants a princess cut so that should be a good starting point. The two diamonds I narrowed it down to on BN are the ones linked below.

http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-diamond-ring?forceStep=DIAMONDS_STEP&track=tab#diamonds_forceStep=DIAMONDS_STEP|builder=BYOR|pid=LD02572460

http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-diamond-ring?forceStep=DIAMONDS_STEP&track=tab#diamonds_forceStep=DIAMONDS_STEP|builder=BYOR|pid=LD02246776

My first question would be, can I do better? I'd like to propose some time before Oct. 19 so I think have have some time left to get a good one. I would greatly appreciate anyone who is willing to help me out with this.

Thank you
 
Hi! I personally won't buy from a vendor that doesn't provide pictures, and it is especially important with all shapes aside from rounds. Princess cuts vary greatly in cut quality, so I would only consider one with top cut quality.

Here are some princess stones that I like:

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2774475.htm ($6633 pricescope/wire price)

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2517150.htm ($7306 pricescope/wire price)

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2568957.htm ($7319 " ")

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8908/ ($7526)

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9237/ ($7383)

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9419/ ($6363)
 
Thank you for your suggestions diamondseeker. I have a question regarding girdle thickness. I noticed some of those have a thickness specified as "thin". Is that a concern? From my previous research I think I read that if you get a diamond with a thin girdle it has the potential to chip when it is set. Is there an "ideal" girdle thickness I should be looking for? I was thinking medium to slightly thick was the best case, but again I have no idea.

Thanks again.
 
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1512796.asp

I am planning on getting an ideal scope image for this diamond tomorrow. I will be comparing it with the diamonds provided by diamondseeker. I was about to pull the trigger on whiteflash but I noticed they use AGS certification. I have been reading that a "G" rating from AGS can be equivalent to an "H" rating from GIA. Is this true?
 
Regarding the JA diamond above here are the specs while I wait for the ASET image.

Shape: Princess
Carat weight: 1.07
Cut: Excellent
Color: F
Clarity: VS1
Certificate: GIA
Depth: 73.3%
Table: 72.0%
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Girdle: Slightly thick
Culet: None
Fluorescence: None
Measurements: 5.82*5.57*4.09
Ratio: 1.04

Is it concerning that the dimensions are off by 0.25mm? Now after reading these boards it seems like AGS is the only agency that defines whether a diamond is ideal or not? So it seems I have a bit of a dilemma on whether or not the diamond is truly the color grade listed by AGS or if the diamond is truly an ideal cut by GIA. This is so confusing...
 
Of the ones that Diamondseeker linked, my preference would be to the middle one from Good Old Gold...

Speaking of Good Old Gold, have you looked at some of their specialty princess cuts? Just a quick glance at what they had available turned up this diamond:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9234/

I'm not sure if you like the look of the Solasfera-cut princess, or could live with the color (J), but it's almost a 1/4 ct bigger than the ones you were looking at and has as good or better clarity and slightly over your stated budget. Maybe someone who knows more about the ASET pics for princess cuts can chime in on that one.

Best of luck in your search!
 
Thanks for chiming in Haywood! I think I have narrowed down the qualities of the diamond I'd like to get. I would like for it to be in the 1-1.1c range and have a color grade of F or G. The setting I am getting is about 4grand (It is one my girlfriend picked out) so the most I would like to spend on the diamond is about 7.5grand. I have a bout a month window I guess where I can purchase so I am not in a huge rush yet and still trying to learn. I would just hate to spend so much on a rock and get a "dud". I really want the diamond to sparkle.

Two of my friends recently got married and they both spent about the same on the diamond + ring (around 8k). One of the diamonds just looks a lot better then the other, so I am sort of using hers as a bar.

Thanks again
 
Color grading is subjective and it's not unusual for labs to differ by a grade. In your case, I think it would be a mistake to rule out AGS stones. They are the only lab currently offering a cut grade for princess cuts. They also evaluate for light performance which is a huge benefit when purchasing a fancy cut stone.
 
UAfanatic|1344786367|3250173 said:
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2405185.htm

That is the diamond I keep going back to along with diamondseekers middle white flash link. Should I be concerned that the diamond certificate is marked 2010 for those?
Click to expand...

Probably not. I would want to be sure that the report still accurately describes the diamond though. You could ask the vendor about the diamonds history, if it's a traded diamond, or one that has just been sitting in inventory somewhere. You will want to have a independent appraisal done when you receive the stone too, you'll need for insurance purposes as well. The appraiser will be able to determine if the report still accurately matches the diamond.
 
Yeah that is the first thing I was planning to do was getting it appraised. I havn't looked into that yet, but how much does it typically cost for a local appraisal?
 
Depends on the appraiser, the area, the stone, what information you want to obtain, but you can probably expect from $100-250 or so. Be sure to choose an independent appraiser though, someone who does not sell jewelry nor has an interest in what stone you purchase or from whom you purchase it. If you need help finding a recommended appraiser you can search for one in your area under the knowledge tab.
 
I know where you are at there my friend. A little over 3 years ago, I was the clueless guy in search of some guidance, so yeah, I know how ya feel! What you said in this post is pretty close to what I was was looking for as well. All other things aside, I didn't want to spend hard-earned money and end up with a dud that didn't perform well, which I think is what you are feeling as well. Stick to the upper top-shelf performance cut diamonds from trusted vendors and you'll be ok.

I will also give you this advice, what GOG does with customer comparison videos is what sold me on the diamonds they offer. Toss all of the number crunching out the window, you can see with your own eyes how potential diamonds you are looking at are going to perform against each other. 3 years later, my wife still gets a lot of comments on her diamond because of it's performance instead of it's F color, SI clarity, and sub-1ct size. She's never been asked to show people her diamond's GIA report :D

Again, best of luck in your search!
 
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