Confused

[mags0615]

I am very excited that I found this site, I have been doing so much research on the internet and just feel more confused than ever! I have some questions, but to let you know I am looking for a cushion or radiant cut about 1 carat.

1. Most diamonds I have seen are GIA certified, I am familiar with their grading system, but I am not familiar with AGS, is their grading system the same i.e. E, F, G for color and VS1, SI1 for clarity? Is one better than the other?

2. I am not clear on what %depth and table are? How do they configure in to the diamond?

3. My budget is not that great so I am wondering what can you skimp-pardon the word- on and still get a good diamond? (Color vs. Clarity?) The sparkle of the diamond is what I am most interested in.

4. I was going to look in the diamond district in NYC but after reading about it online I changed my mind, now I am interested in purchasing online any recommendations? I have looked in retail stores and it seems they are soooooo much more is this true or am I just looking a really great diamonds?

5. What cut and flourecence and cut should I be looking for?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

 

[Skippy123]

Date: 1/6/2008 10:33:55 AM
Author:mags0615
I am very excited that I found this site, I have been doing so much research on the internet and just feel more confused than ever! I have some questions, but to let you know I am looking for a cushion or radiant cut about 1 carat.

1. Most diamonds I have seen are GIA certified, I am familiar with their grading system, but I am not familiar with AGS, is their grading system the same i.e. E, F, G for color and VS1, SI1 for clarity? Is one better than the other? AGS a very strict lab as far as grading their stones.

2. I am not clear on what %depth and table are? How do they configure in to the diamond?
Look at the HCA; that may help know which depths, etc are good performers http://www.pricescope.com/cutadviser.asp or the tool below will do that for you

3. My budget is not that great so I am wondering what can you skimp-pardon the word- on and still get a good diamond? (Color vs. Clarity?) The sparkle of the diamond is what I am most interested in. Lots of Pricescopes have bought H, I, J colored stones and say the best cuts do not really show color; you can also find some SI1 and SI2's that are eye clean but you need to ask the vendor and find out their definition of eye clean.

4. I was going to look in the diamond district in NYC but after reading about it online I changed my mind, now I am interested in purchasing online any recommendations? I have looked in retail stores and it seems they are soooooo much more is this true or am I just looking a really great diamonds? I bought online through Whiteflash and I am very happy. I also seen lots of positive review w/WF, Good Old Gold and James Allen. I was searching retail too and found online a better deal.

5. What cut and flourecence and cut should I be looking for? Cut is king so the tool I listed below should help you

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

Welcome Mags

use this tool to find the best cut stones online by choosing excellent excellent for the cut while searching http://www.pricescope.com/sift.aspx

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/6/2008 10:33:55 AM
Author:mags0615
I am very excited that I found this site, I have been doing so much research on the internet and just feel more confused than ever! I have some questions, but to let you know I am looking for a cushion or radiant cut about 1 carat.

1. Most diamonds I have seen are GIA certified, I am familiar with their grading system, but I am not familiar with AGS, is their grading system the same i.e. E, F, G for color and VS1, SI1 for clarity? Is one better than the other?

2. I am not clear on what %depth and table are? How do they configure in to the diamond?

3. My budget is not that great so I am wondering what can you skimp-pardon the word- on and still get a good diamond? (Color vs. Clarity?) The sparkle of the diamond is what I am most interested in.

4. I was going to look in the diamond district in NYC but after reading about it online I changed my mind, now I am interested in purchasing online any recommendations? I have looked in retail stores and it seems they are soooooo much more is this true or am I just looking a really great diamonds?

5. What cut and flourecence and cut should I be looking for?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

Welcome Mags!

I would strongly recommend you contact Mark at www.engagementringsdirect.com as you are hoping for a cushion or Radiant. Mark is known as the cushion king for good reason - he is!!! He is also considered to be great with fancy shapes so he could possibly look into Radiants also for you, but for cushions, he is definitely the go to guy. He has an online inventory and also premises in the DD, so you could make an appointment.

Also www.goodoldgold.com is in Long Island, Jon also has a great rep with fancy shapes, so you could see what he has online and make an appointment if you wished.

Grading systems are the same for colour and clarity, however AGS and GIA are the top tier labs, but you will find the same systems in place for all.

Depth is the measurement of how deep a diamond is, the table is the largest facet on top of the diamond.

To get the most bang for the buck, you could look at G or H, even possibly I or J for colour, and SI1 or SI2 for clarity. Cut is the most important factor for a diamond's beauty, so your vendors can help you there with fancy shapes you are looking for. Always check that an SI clarity is eyeclean by knowing your comfort level and making sure the vendor knows it. Colour sensitivity varies, fancy shapes are thought to show more colour, so if you can see some GIA or AGS colour graded diamonds of similar shape and size in person, this is the best way to see what appeals to you. Also be aware that in a Radiant, your colour cut off may be lower, as Radiants are thought to show more colour than other shapes.

Blue fluorescence - many here love it! You may or may not perceive the effects in person, it is thought that med and above is what is needed to help a lower colour diamond face up whiter. Rarely strong blue may show a negative effect of making a diamond look milky in some sunlight or similar, but your vendor is again the best person to advise you there.

You really want to try to get the best cut you can, but in a fancy shape this is more difficult. There are agreed and proven proportions in round diamonds which can offer the best light return, but not so much in fancy shapes, this is where your vendor's experienced eye and expertise can be invaluable. Cut is what makes a diamond sparkle, so that is what you need to centre your search around, along with a trusted vendor's assistance. Hope some of this helps!

See this page also for help with shopping for fancy shapes - https://www.pricescope.com/fancy.asp

Also the advanced tutorial, see the sub titles to the left for fancy shapes - http://diamonds.pricescope.com/

 

[Skippy123]

Thanks Lorelei, Old Skippers here need some new glasses.

I second ERD and GOG

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/6/2008 11:56:11 AM
Author: Skippy123
Thanks Lorelei, Old Skippers here need some new glasses.

I second ERD and GOG

Skippers NOT old!

 

[avlis]

1. Yes, the grading systems use the same terms for clarity and color. (D E F G H etc... ). The nomenclature for the other graded aspects are a little different. GIA uses Excellent for their top grades, while AGS uses Ideal. GIA does not have a light performance grade where AGS does. Some say that AGS has a stricter cut grade as well. Either lab, GIA or AGS is perfectly OK. other lab''s certificates you may want to look at with more scrutiny.

2. Table is the flat top of the diamond. Depth % is the ratio of diamond depth versus diamond width. for example a diamond 10mm wide and 7mm tall would have a depth% of 70%. If a diamond is too shallow (not deep enough) or too deep it will have a bad effect of the light performance (sparkle) of the diamond. I cannot tell you what the best depth is for the diamonds you are interested in, but for a round diamond i like 61% (ish). The HCA is only good for round diamonds I believe.

3. Sparkle is ALL ABOUT CUT. so find the best cut proportions ( do research to find what the best proportions are for the shape you want, then see what the cost is. if cut is a constant then you can "skimp" on color, clarity or size to reduce the cost. which one is a personal preference. there is probably no need to go higher (better) than vs2, or g if you are on a budget.

4. Retail stores have a lot more overhead and a lot more uneducated buyers, they charge what they can to maximize profit. online retailers have much slimmer margins and less overhead. I bought from Good Old Gold and it was a wonderful experience and will do so again on my next diamond purchase.

5. Florescence is a personal preference again. Some like it some dont. I think it is kind of cool.

hope this helps.

 

[Skippy123]

Date: 1/6/2008 11:57:38 AM
Author: Lorelei

Skippers NOT old!

LOL, older and needs glasses

friend.


Mags, Lorelei, gave you some excellent info; you will find a gorgeous stone!

I agree Flor is a personal preference ask a vendor to show you what it looks like so you have an idea.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/6/2008 12:00:20 PM
Author: Skippy123

Date: 1/6/2008 11:57:38 AM
Author: Lorelei

Skippers NOT old!

LOL, older and needs glasses

friend.


Mags, Lorelei, gave you some excellent info; you will find a gorgeous stone!

I agree Flor is a personal preference ask a vendor to show you what it looks like so you have an idea.

Hehehee....tanks Skippers, actually it is ME who needs a visit to the optometrist....

 

[mags0615]

Thanks everyone for all of your help!

Mags