Confused with finding a diamond

[edmontonflora]

I've read a number of tutorials on here and I'm confused. I have a $6000 budget(diamond only) and my initial thought was to go for something under 1 carat, with a G/H color and VS2. Now I'm coming across threads where people say that anything up to a J is not noticeable(along with pics where it looks pretty white to me). So I go back and change my search fields(lower color to J and set clarity to SI1) and of course much higher carats are available to me. I thought I had my mind set on a smaller diamond with better clarity and color...but if anything up to a J is not that noticeable...then should I go for something bigger?? I guess my question is if I should get something bigger since most people won't really see the difference between the SI 1/J color and what I initially thought I wanted(better quality stone).

Oh, a good cut is also important(is there a big difference between ideal, excellent and superior). Sorry if I sound like a total noob but I've read so much information that it's all starting to blur.

 

[Lorelei]

Welcome to Pricescope!

A well cut reliably graded J ( GIA or AGS) will still look white to many, the best thing would be to see if you can check out some J diamonds in person, same size, cut quality, lab grade and shape. This will help you decide if a J is for you.

As to cut, don''t go by labels such as Ideal Cut, Superior etc, this terms are often misused and no guarantee of you getting a well cut diamond. Evaluate each diamond on it''s own proportions, and consider AGS0 for a top make stone and GIA Excellent and evaluate each diamond from there.

 

[Cleo]

Date: 8/20/2008 3:42:23 AM
Author:edmontonflora
I''ve read a number of tutorials on here and I''m confused. I have a $6000 budget(diamond only) and my initial thought was to go for something under 1 carat, with a G/H color and VS2. Now I''m coming across threads where people say that anything up to a J is not noticeable(along with pics where it looks pretty white to me). So I go back and change my search fields(lower color to J and set clarity to SI1) and of course much higher carats are available to me. I thought I had my mind set on a smaller diamond with better clarity and color...but if anything up to a J is not that noticeable...then should I go for something bigger?? I guess my question is if I should get something bigger since most people won''t really see the difference between the SI 1/J color and what I initially thought I wanted(better quality stone).

It''s a real steep learning curve round here, isn''t it?!

First off to say that you might well distinguish a small amount of warmth in a J colour stone - but they''re certainly not yellow. As you''ve already seen, a well-cut J colour (or lower) diamond can face up incredibly white.

If you can visit a jeweller that sells extremely well cut diamonds (like Hearts on Fire), take a look at different colours and see exactly where your preferences lie. You might find that an I or J colour diamond looks great to you (as it does to many PSers!).

Regarding clarity, as long as you can get the vendor to look at the diamond for you and confirm it''s eyeclean to your standards (be specific as to the distance & angles you want it clean from), then SI1 and SI2 diamonds can be amazing value for money... and if they''re eye clean, it looks the same as a flawless diamond to the naked eye!

The most important ''C'' is the cut - and as long as you get an amazingly well-cut stone then you''ll be blown away.

x x x

 

[edmontonflora]

Stupid question: So why spend thousands more on a D/E/F and VS1/VS2 when no one can see the difference(especially with good cut)?? The reason I was planning on getting the G/H VS2 was because I thought there was a visable difference...

 

[panda08]

Hi! Don''t worry, it all seems like a blur when you first start searching. There''s a LOT of information to digest and process and then try to apply in real life. I would suggest that you go to a local jeweler and look at loose stones in varying color grades to get an idea of what you like. Be sure to compare them on a white background, like a sheet of paper. Look at them upside down and then face up. When I first started searching and had never seen a loose diamond, I thought I only wanted a D-H color, VS2 or better stone based on what I read. I had this fear that anything above a H would look yellow. But after I looked at some diamonds in real life, I realized that my preconceptions were unfounded. I saw some incredible J, K, and even L color stones that faced up beautifully white. Everyone''s color sensitivity is different. I''m not as color sensitive and had trouble distinguishing between G and I''s, etc.

As for the diamond''s cut, IMO, that is the most important of the 4 C''s. A good cut can make a J color diamond sing while a poor cut can make a D color diamond lifeless. GIA grades RB''s cuts as excellent, very good, good, fair but does not grade the cut of fancy shape stones. I''ve seen vendors attach their own description of the cut to fancy shapes, e.g., ideal, premium, etc. If you''re looking for a RB, you can use the HCA.

Happy hunting!

 

[Dancing Fire]

Date: 8/20/2008 4:10:00 AM
Author: edmontonflora
Stupid question: So why spend thousands more on a D/E/F and VS1/VS2 when no one can see the difference(especially with good cut)?? The reason I was planning on getting the G/H VS2 was because I thought there was a visable difference...

love that combo

G SI1 would be nice too.

 

[edmontonflora]

Thank you so much for all the suggestions so far. I guess the next step is to go to the jewellery store and do some comparing. I''m looking for a RB and can''t believe how much more I can get by dropping my color and clarity. I will focus on GIA excellent cuts only at this point and hopefully come up with something that works!

 

[panda08]

Whoops, I was typing my response while the others responded, all of whom make great points and have much more experience/knowledge than me.

As for your question about why pay more if no one can tell the difference? Well, that''s up to you to decide. Some feel better knowing that their diamond is D-F, VS2 or better, i.e., having a "mind clean" stone, and are willing to pay for it. Some don''t want to pay a premium for qualities of a diamond that they do not think is easily visible. I think you can get a feel for which way you lean as you become more knowledgeable and see more of what''s out there.

 

[Cleo]

OK, you might love this one - I do.

It''s rare to find a diamond just under a carat - because the price leaps up when you hit that 1ct magic number... so if you love it, then *reserve* it while you consider it. There are lurkers on PS who snipe good diamonds that get posted sometimes...

0.93ct G SI1 - $5770 bankwire price

Get GOG to confirm it''s eyeclean to your standards, but I think this is a fabulous stone if it is!

x x x

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 8/20/2008 4:27:54 AM
Author: Cleo
OK, you might love this one - I do.

It''s rare to find a diamond just under a carat - because the price leaps up when you hit that 1ct magic number... so if you love it, then *reserve* it while you consider it. There are lurkers on PS who snipe good diamonds that get posted sometimes...

0.93ct G SI1 - $5770 bankwire price

Get GOG to confirm it''s eyeclean to your standards, but I think this is a fabulous stone if it is!

x x x

Preety Cleo!

 

[Cleo]

Date: 8/20/2008 4:37:37 AM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 8/20/2008 4:27:54 AM
Author: Cleo
OK, you might love this one - I do.

It''s rare to find a diamond just under a carat - because the price leaps up when you hit that 1ct magic number... so if you love it, then *reserve* it while you consider it. There are lurkers on PS who snipe good diamonds that get posted sometimes...

0.93ct G SI1 - $5770 bankwire price

Get GOG to confirm it''s eyeclean to your standards, but I think this is a fabulous stone if it is!

x x x

Preety Cleo!

Thankyou.. and the diamond''s not bad either!

x x x

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 8/20/2008 4:38:58 AM
Author: Cleo

Date: 8/20/2008 4:37:37 AM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 8/20/2008 4:27:54 AM
Author: Cleo
OK, you might love this one - I do.

It''s rare to find a diamond just under a carat - because the price leaps up when you hit that 1ct magic number... so if you love it, then *reserve* it while you consider it. There are lurkers on PS who snipe good diamonds that get posted sometimes...

0.93ct G SI1 - $5770 bankwire price

Get GOG to confirm it''s eyeclean to your standards, but I think this is a fabulous stone if it is!

x x x

Preety Cleo!

Thankyou.. and the diamond''s not bad either!

x x x

 

[edmontonflora]

I looked at the diamond and have a few questions(boy do I have a lot to learn still!). Is "ideal" the top classification for the AGS? Although I''m definitely still open to the idea of an under 1 carat stone(though am now slightly tempted since having lowered my specifications), what makes this a great stone in your opinion? This is why I''m confused...I''m really not sure what I should be looking for beyond the color, clarity and cut(even that I''m still learning). Is it based on the pictures they have or the HCA number? Should I pay a premium for the G color when an I color would be just as white with an ideal cut? Sorry to bother you with all these questions but I''d REALLY appreciate any explanation

.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 8/20/2008 4:48:40 AM
Author: edmontonflora
I looked at the diamond and have a few questions(boy do I have a lot to learn still!). Is ''ideal'' the top classification for the AGS? Although I''m definitely still open to the idea of an under 1 carat stone(though am now slightly tempted since having lowered my specifications), what makes this a great stone in your opinion? This is why I''m confused...I''m really not sure what I should be looking for beyond the color, clarity and cut(even that I''m still learning). Is it based on the pictures they have or the HCA number? Should I pay a premium for the G color when an I color would be just as white with an ideal cut? Sorry to bother you with all these questions but I''d REALLY appreciate any explanation

.

Yes AGS0 is the highest grade that AGS will give a diamond, these will generally be excellently performing diamonds, read more here - http://diamonds.pricescope.com/agsideal.asp

The diamond above is a great stone because of the quality of the cut mainly, as it displays very high levels of craftmanship to ensure the maximum sparkle of the finished diamond. We evaluate the diamonds for cut quality on the proportions, grading report - in this case the coveted AGS0 cut grade, and the images which are available which prove the light return/ optical performance. Colour and clarity are personal preferences, if you prefer an I colour, then if you find an I diamond with a fabulous cut, then it will sparkle just as much as a diamond with higher colour if the cut is equally good. So no need to pay for a G if you would rather not, Cleo was just posting that diamond as an example of what you could get.

 

[Paul-Antwerp]

I yesterday had a couple visiting in search of a princess-cut. Since our Antwerp dealer was not available, I assisted them (not used to that).

In the decision between a F and a J, they decided that the slight tint of the J was still sufficiently white for them. In well-cut rounds, colour is even better hidden than in a princess-cut.

In the end, the decision depends upon you.

Take care,

 

[HariSeldon]

Date: 8/20/2008 4:27:54 AM
Author: Cleo
OK, you might love this one - I do.

It''s rare to find a diamond just under a carat - because the price leaps up when you hit that 1ct magic number... so if you love it, then *reserve* it while you consider it. There are lurkers on PS who snipe good diamonds that get posted sometimes...

0.93ct G SI1 - $5770 bankwire price

Get GOG to confirm it''s eyeclean to your standards, but I think this is a fabulous stone if it is!

x x x

Is it just me or does the AGS report plot of this diamond not match the microscope image of the inclusions?

 

[HariSeldon]

microscope image...

 

[MMT]

I thinks J''s are plenty white. Did you say what shape your looking for?