Deciding on the diamond

[bosquetropical]

Hi,

I am looking for opinions on diamonds. I am thinking of doing a custom ring...think similar to a T&C Lucida (bezel) but with a round diamond.

I have been looking at PS for months now...probably only driving myself (and BF) crazy, because I still don''t understand what the % mean, and if 1-2% differences make a difference, etc. I''ve read a lot on here comparing WF''s ACA and ES, and now I''m in the same situation.

Having said that, I''ve looked at several diamonds...and I want to know if I''m on the right track. I don''t see the differences in the images. I''ve thought I wanted to stay VS1-VS2, but then I saw the 1.2 in SI1. If I have never looked at SI1 in person would I be disappointed given the other specs? Or, can my untrained get a larger stone for the money. (although I have always thought quality of diamond over carat wt.) Maybe someone(s) can tell me what the differences would mean among these three:

http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/Diamond_Details.aspx?idno=1844703
http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/Diamond_Details.aspx?idno=2135185
http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/Diamond_Details.aspx?idno=2080406

I could also keep my eye out for .90 in the ES with similar specs, and save a bit of $$. But...would the specs in the first two be good? BF says to just get what makes me happy, and he wants a nice stone. I''m the one that always wants to get the best value for our money!!

Thank you! I have been in contact with WF (so awesome!), but I like third-party opinions, and always love seeing what people write on here! I have not purchased any stone yet, so please don''t hold back. I''m just ready to move on to the next part - the proposal!!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 6/24/2009 9:23:29 AM
Author:bosquetropical
Hi,

I am looking for opinions on diamonds. I am thinking of doing a custom ring...think similar to a T&C Lucida (bezel) but with a round diamond.

I have been looking at PS for months now...probably only driving myself (and BF) crazy, because I still don't understand what the % mean, and if 1-2% differences make a difference, etc. I've read a lot on here comparing WF's ACA and ES, and now I'm in the same situation.

Having said that, I've looked at several diamonds...and I want to know if I'm on the right track. I don't see the differences in the images. I've thought I wanted to stay VS1-VS2, but then I saw the 1.2 in SI1. If I have never looked at SI1 in person would I be disappointed given the other specs? The trick with SI clarity diamonds is to make your expectations very clear to the vendor, for example if you don't want to see any visible inclusions from any angle at close scrutiny, make sure you tell them that so you are both on the same page. SI clarities are not created equal but if you can find one which suits you and is eyeclean then they can be a great buy.



Or, can my untrained get a larger stone for the money. (although I have always thought quality of diamond over carat wt.) Maybe someone(s) can tell me what the differences would mean among these three:

http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/Diamond_Details.aspx?idno=1844703
http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/Diamond_Details.aspx?idno=2135185
http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/Diamond_Details.aspx?idno=2080406

I could also keep my eye out for .90 in the ES with similar specs, and save a bit of $$. But...would the specs in the first two be good? BF says to just get what makes me happy, and he wants a nice stone. I'm the one that always wants to get the best value for our money!!

Thank you! I have been in contact with WF (so awesome!), but I like third-party opinions, and always love seeing what people write on here! I have not purchased any stone yet, so please don't hold back. I'm just ready to move on to the next part - the proposal!!

Out of the ones you posted I prefer the first ACA.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 6/24/2009 9:23:29 AM
Author:bosquetropical
Hi,

I am looking for opinions on diamonds. I am thinking of doing a custom ring...think similar to a T&C Lucida (bezel) but with a round diamond.

I have been looking at PS for months now...probably only driving myself (and BF) crazy, because I still don't understand what the % mean, and if 1-2% differences make a difference, etc. I've read a lot on here comparing WF's ACA and ES, and now I'm in the same situation.

Having said that, I've looked at several diamonds...and I want to know if I'm on the right track. I don't see the differences in the images. I've thought I wanted to stay VS1-VS2, but then I saw the 1.2 in SI1. If I have never looked at SI1 in person would I be disappointed given the other specs? Or, can my untrained get a larger stone for the money. (although I have always thought quality of diamond over carat wt.) Maybe someone(s) can tell me what the differences would mean among these three:

http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/Diamond_Details.aspx?idno=1844703
http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/Diamond_Details.aspx?idno=2135185
http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/Diamond_Details.aspx?idno=2080406

I could also keep my eye out for .90 in the ES with similar specs, and save a bit of $$. But...would the specs in the first two be good? BF says to just get what makes me happy, and he wants a nice stone. I'm the one that always wants to get the best value for our money!!

Thank you! I have been in contact with WF (so awesome!), but I like third-party opinions, and always love seeing what people write on here! I have not purchased any stone yet, so please don't hold back. I'm just ready to move on to the next part - the proposal!!

The first stone is the best. It has great angles (plus all other specs) and therefore a great IS. It will be a nice bright diamond. The other two are "ok", not great, but not horrible. Angles are not as desirable, and therefore show slight leakage. Might not be quite as bright and pretty.


No, if you've never seen an SI1 in person, it does not mean you would automatically be dissapointed with one, IF it's eyclean. Many are, and offer a real savings, allowing more size. Cut is key to a beautiful stone, clarity doesn't play much of a part, until you get to some SI2's and lower.

If you wanted to go larger, without spending much more, this one would be a great size, coming in with discount at around 5400. If eyeclean of course.

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/Whiteflash-ACA-cut-diamond-1938876.htm#

 

[jet2ks]

Both the ACA that you posted and the one Ellen linked are scrumptious!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 6/24/2009 9:52:35 AM
Author: jet2ks
Both the ACA that you posted and the one Ellen linked are scrumptious!

" Truly scrumptious...."

 

[johnkorean]

Wow, I hadn''t thought about Chitty Chitty Bang Bang in years.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 6/24/2009 10:44:36 AM
Author: johnkorean
Wow, I hadn''t thought about Chitty Chitty Bang Bang in years.

 

[jet2ks]

Great, now I''ve got the song stuck in my head. Thanks.

 

[bosquetropical]

Thanks, Ellen and Lorelei - that helps!

I asked about eyeclean on the one Ellen sent, and the response was:

It is an SI1 and completely eyeclean from 6 & 10 inches from the top view with 20/20 vision as well as from the side! Which means you would not be able to see any inclusions!! ..........This would be a sparkly, white, beautiful choice--I have nothing bad to say about it.


I understand the last part! But i''m not sure what the first part means. I want to make sure both explanations (PS and WF) are the same.

Just found out we will not be purchasing the diamond for 2-3 weeks, so I may ask about the two finalists at that time!

Thank you!

 

[Coffee_28946]

bosquetropical,

My personal opinion is to view the diamond in person. When I was shopping for my fiance''s engagment ring I looked at over 100 different stones. I am lucky that I live close to many Jewelry Exchanges. There are many diamonds, that perfect on paper (GIA/AGS Cert) should sparkle like no other Diamond, but are dull even under the Jewelers lighting. You will also find some diamonds that fall into the Tolkowsky Standard have a lackluster brillance. The same goes for diamonds that have a good cut and good symetry can shine brighter than the best cut H&A.

What I am describing is not always the case, but it can happen. I personally went with a F Color, Excellent Cut and excellent symmetry H&A diamond and went with the SI1 Clarity. This allowed me to get a bigger diamond for the price as my fiance wanted a 1+ carat diamond. There is an inclusion in the table that can be viewed within 8 inches, but this is under perfect light settings. The brilliance and scintilation of the diamond distract from the inclusion which help make it unotiicable.

The first diamond on your post is the best, I love the VS1 clarity. Remember, you will be wearing this for the rest of your life...If you want the bigger diamond, than you will need to sacrifice on Clarity...If you don''t mind knowing there are inclusions, than go for the SI1. Trust me, unless someone is looking scrupiously at your ring they will not notice the inclusion.

The following statement concerns me, "It is an SI1 and completely eyeclean from 6 & 10 inches from the top view with 20/20 vision as well as from the side! Which means you would not be able to see any inclusions!! ..........This would be a sparkly, white, beautiful choice--I have nothing bad to say about it." You should find out if this references the loose stone, if so I doubt the validity of the statement. Remember all vendors are in the business to make money. To me the above statement describes a F-G color, VS1-VS2 diamond, which is not the case. With Clarity Grading all stones are graded from the diamond face up. This is due to the cuts on the side and bottom of the diamond can actually magnify the inclusions. You can acutally buy a VS2 diamond and see inclusions from the side. You will definitely notice some warmth (yellow) with an I color diamond. If you are going for a Yellow gold setting, than you can pull off an I color diamond. If you are going for a white gold/platinum setting than you should go for a G color or better diamond.

The price for this stone is a little too high...If the color was a G, than I would say go for it, but don''t spend that price for an I color diamond.

If you able to do this, I suggest going to a jewelry store and seeing an F, G, H and I stone next to each other. You will not notice a difference between the F and G stone, but you should notice a differnece between a G and I stone. Also, compare a VS2 and SI1 diamond side to side. This will help make you more comfortable in whatever your decision is.

I do apologize for the long post...my advice, go for the diamond you can afford! Trust me there are plenty of expenses for the wedding that you could use the money for. I am sure you will love whatever diamond you pick. If you live in the NJ,NY area I suggest checking out the Jewelry exchanges. If not, find a website which will let you return a diamond if you don''t like it. Good luck and best wishes.

Good Luck and please post pictures of the Engagment ring once he proposes.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 6/24/2009 11:02:28 AM
Author: jet2ks
Great, now I''ve got the song stuck in my head. Thanks.

Welcome!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 6/24/2009 8:24:04 PM
Author: bosquetropical
Thanks, Ellen and Lorelei - that helps!

I asked about eyeclean on the one Ellen sent, and the response was:

It is an SI1 and completely eyeclean from 6 & 10 inches from the top view with 20/20 vision as well as from the side! Which means you would not be able to see any inclusions!! ..........This would be a sparkly, white, beautiful choice--I have nothing bad to say about it.


I understand the last part! But i''m not sure what the first part means. I want to make sure both explanations (PS and WF) are the same.

Just found out we will not be purchasing the diamond for 2-3 weeks, so I may ask about the two finalists at that time!

Thank you!

That sounds fine, for Mike above this description applies to the loose diamond. Bosq, WF are extremely used to advising on the '' eyecleanliness'' of diamonds and whether the stone matches a potential buyer''s expectations, the above sounds promising. Also Mike Whiteflash do have a return policy.

 

[jet2ks]

bosque, it sounds like WF was giving you the description of how they checked for eye-clean. Someone with 20/20 vision inspected the diamond from the top and the sides at distances of 10in and 6in and did not pick out the inclusions. As Lorelei said, they are used to customers asking the eye-clean question and have a good reputation for being up front with customers. If they saw something that would be of concern, they would certainly let you know.

mike0983, your willingness to help is appreciated. I do feel, however, that several of the statements you make are misleading. There are a multitude of PSers who own I & J stones that have them set in white gold and platinum and they look great--I happen to be one of them. Also, there are many eye-clean SI clarity stones out there and when working with a highly respected vendor such as WF, a customer can expect them to be honest. No, every SI1 is not eyeclean, that is why we encourage posters to ask the question. Sure, a vendor wants to make a sale, but they also have other diamonds to choose from. There have been many cases on PS where a customer has requested an evaluation of a certain diamond and vendors have recommended to go with a different stone because it fits what the customer wants better. Once again, your opinions and experiences are appreciated, just please think twice before casting doubts on the reputation of a very respected vendor.

Threadjack over.