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Cushion diamonds - about to purchase

jaime_ss

Rough_Rock
Joined
Aug 14, 2012
Messages
3
Hi,

I've read tons of great articles on this site and I'm about to make the leap and buy an engagement ring! (stone first of course :))

I've searched online and I am hoping that a local jeweller has a comparable price. He has great customer service and is helping me design my ring from scratch. He is really going above and beyond to help me and walk me through the process, I would love to buy from him if the price is right. Of course, if online has better value (and cheaper), I would love to go that route as well, but I'm hoping what he has offered me is competitive.

I have a GIA certified diamond with the following specs:
Measurements: 6.52 x 5.59 x 3.91
Carat: 1.26
Color: H
Clarity: VS1
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Very Good
Fluorescence: Medium

Table: 63%
Depth: 70%
Girdle: thick-very thick (faceted)
Culet: None (I think this is the Culet; it's a line pointing to the bottom of the diamond)

Price: approx $6600

The concerns for me are the depth and the fluorescence. From what I understand, the fluorescence can possibly make my H color, look a little whiter, would this indicate I'm getting better value for the stone overall? I don't imagine I would be reselling this, I'm hoping that this gives the perception of a nicer stone.

As for the depth, I keep reading 70% is OK at best, should I look for less? or considering the rest of the specifications and the overall price, I am getting something of value and the 70% depth isn't too much of a concern?

Any help would be great! Thanks!
 
The things you are reading about the numbers regarding depth etc are for round brilliant diamonds only - you cannot judge other kinds of cut on the numbers.

However, the thick/very thick girdle is of concern - usually you look for medium, as very thick can hide weight so your diamond faces up a little smaller than it would otherwise. But if you are pleased with the visual performance of the stone, I wouldn't be too concerned because it looks like an okay size.

And you have nothing to be concerned about with the H color - it is near colorless, so unless you are extremely color sensitive it should look pretty white. The fluorescence shouldn't be a concern either since it is only medium. It may make your stone look a little whiter, it may look a little blueish in the sun, and it will definitely glow under a blacklight, but it won't be noticeable (except the blacklight thing) unless you're looking for it. There are several threads with pictures of fluorescent stones around if you want to see them in some different lighting conditions.
 
hi distracts,

Thank you so much for your quick reply! I do love the look of it, it's funny, the more I seem to educate myself, the more concerned I become. It feels like a pretty vicious cycle!

I do love it and I hope she likes it too. I want it to be perfect and I don't want to overpay. I'm fairly certain we'll probably spend 0.000001% of our life under extreme UV light, so seeing the blue doesn't concern me either, but having another person share that opinion definitely clears my conscience a little bit more. :)

Thanks for your explanation on girdle thickness. I never thought about it hiding the face up carat weight. Is there a range of face up weight loss that I can associate with girdle thickness? I.e. I'm losing 3%-6% of it's perceived carat weight, etc. Sorry for the strange question, I'm just curious if you can quantify how much weight is being lost due to the girdle's thickness.
 
Just wanted to know if anyone else any opinions regarding the price/quality of the diamond I was looking into. Please anymore advice would be great! Especially opinions on if I should stay away from or definitely go for it. Thanks!
 
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