Decision Made --- almost! Thoughts on these ACAs?

[First_Timer_Guy]

Hi All,

Again, many thanks for the wealth of info available on these boards. I have never partaken in as much interesting and somewhat emotive reading in all my life!

So I think I have finally whittled it down and would love some 'professional' opinions on the following stones if possible!?
I made this a poll, so you don't need to go in depth with your analysis, you good people have spent enough of your valuable time on noobs like me :

G - http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2424941.htm?a_aid=dmnd1357
F - http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2231164.htm
D - http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2632195.htm

Brief overview of the 'lucky' lady lol:

~ She is not overly showy or 'blingy'.
~ She has fairly 'normal' sized hands and fingers i.e. not long and thin or short and stubby etc.
~ She doesn't know too much about diamonds (though I am no doubt underestimating her on that point!).
~ She deserves the best I can possibly pick!

I think for these reasons that picking a higher quality stone over size is the right way to go for my situation.

Now, I know there are some extreme views on D - G colour differences etc, and emotionally I would love to be able to think 'thats a D stone, they dont come any whiter than that' (based on my viewing a G and D over here and definitely being able to see the difference), however the general consensus from a plethora of threads seem to believe that the extra cost may not be worth it, the G is still white anyway!

I would love the D stone, however with the 20% duty it would push me over my anticipated budget (circa $15k), it is probably do'able...not part of the original plan...but do'able!

Appreciate any thoughts you may have! Thanks!

 

[slg47]

Hi All,

Again, many thanks for the wealth of info available on these boards. I have never partaken in as much interesting and somewhat emotive reading in all my life!

So I think I have finally whittled it down and would love some 'professional' opinions on the following stones if possible!?
I made this a poll, so you don't need to go in depth with your analysis, you good people have spent enough of your valuable time on noobs like me :

G - http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2424941.htm?a_aid=dmnd1357
F - http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2231164.htm
D - http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2632195.htm

Brief overview of the 'lucky' lady lol:

~ She is not overly showy or 'blingy'.
~ She has fairly 'normal' sized hands and fingers i.e. not long and thin or short and stubby etc.
~ She doesn't know too much about diamonds (though I am no doubt underestimating her on that point!).
~ She deserves the best I can possibly pick!

I think for these reasons that picking a higher quality stone over size is the right way to go for my situation.

Now, I know there are some extreme views on D - G colour differences etc, and emotionally I would love to be able to think 'thats a D stone, they dont come any whiter than that' (based on my viewing a G and D over here and definitely being able to see the difference), however the general consensus from a plethora of threads seem to believe that the extra cost may not be worth it, the G is still white anyway!

I would love the D stone, however with the 20% duty it would push me over my anticipated budget (circa $15k), it is probably do'able...not part of the original plan...but do'able!

Appreciate any thoughts you may have! Thanks!

when you were looking at G vs D was it face up or from the side? all of these stone are extremely high quality. my personal preference would be to stick with G VS and go a bit larger (if within your budget)...so something like this
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2631624.htm

 

[First_Timer_Guy]

Hi slg47, thanks for the feedback.

I was looking at them both face up. The D was a princess cut though and the jeweller did not at all mention cut quality of either...so its entirely possible that the brilliant wasn't a particularly well cut stone hence my perceptions of it being 'duller'.

I did see that other stone you mentioned, along with this:

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2684400.htm

This diamond lark It gets out of control, its addictive, however I think you are right, they are all beautiful stones and I probably need to suck it up and make a d@mn decision

 

[tyty333]

I would go for that G/VS1 that slg posted, however I go for more size over color/quality when you are this high up on the scale.
G is usually plenty white for most of us. Does your GF come from a culture where they value high color/clarity. Then it may
be worth going for the D else I wouldnt pay for the extra cost.

 

[First_Timer_Guy]

Thanks tyty, nope, no culture preferences. I guess the D thing is more in my head. I love he icy white look, but understand what people think about the small difference in colour for large hike in price!

Definitely gives me something to think about.

Incidentally, everyone thus far has said G is the stone to go for, makes me wonder if size is more important than colour when it comes to the top end of the scale?!

 

[lorark7]

Hello!

Just noticed your post mentioned you are in Scotland! Where abouts are you?

 

[slg47]

Thanks tyty, nope, no culture preferences. I guess the D thing is more in my head. I love he icy white look, but understand what people think about the small difference in colour for large hike in price!

Definitely gives me something to think about.

Incidentally, everyone thus far has said G is the stone to go for, makes me wonder if size is more important than colour when it comes to the top end of the scale?!

G is still very white!

ETA some people like to know that they have a D...if this is your preference there is nothing wrong with that! but given that you said your GF isn't much into diamonds/bling/etc...I think a G is a good safe bet.

 

[First_Timer_Guy]

Thanks again slg, i know they are white, i honestly think I was 'scarred' with my visit where i viewed a D and G together ! It has clouded my judgement no end!

Lorark, I am in Glasgow. You?

Hopefully you will back up my theory that it is totally difficult to get a stone close to the quality of the US ones over here!

 

[lorark7]

Yes I would totally agree! Very nearly purchased from America but ended up going with an antique stone from a man in a cafe in Kirkcaldy! The closest I came to finding anything like the choice from online was Ian Gallagher's in Stirling - they sell all their diamonds loose and then set them for you. We ended up getting our setting from there. Good luck with the searching - pricescope is brilliant, although all my friends now think I'm a wee bit mad.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

My stones are mostly G VS1, so that is what I chose! That is still very high quality. The highest I'd really go is F VS1 because F is very white! But if my choice was between a 1 ct. F and a 1.2 ct. G, I'd choose the G. I do think there are places where the culture has different expectations for engagement rings, though, so if in your social circles most women have half carat or smaller diamonds for example, then moving up to a 1 ct. E or F might be fine. I have a comfort range for diamonds and I don't care to wear one that is too large, believe it or not!

 

[First_Timer_Guy]

I went to Ian Gallachers, nice people and definitely some nice settings, however I don't believe they had the quality of stone I am looking for and didnt really focus on cut quality. I did see nice settings there however and will be returning!

Diamondseeker, aawww you are ruining the image! I was convinced all you lovely Ps'ers were decked out like Prince John from Disneys Robin Hood with gigantic oversized diamonds and jewels on every finger! Disappointed

http://img166.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=704334650_prince_john1_122_579lo.jpg

However I completely take on board what everyone has said about the G in colour, probably just the nudge I need to help me decide!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Plenty of people here are, but a few of us are more conservative with our bling!

 

[First_Timer_Guy]

Hey Folks, just a quick update...I have decided to go with the majority of well seasoned opinions and drop the D idea for the moment and go for a G, with a little bit more size!

There's a 1.215ct, 1.218ct and a 1.234ct available (the only one I haven't listed thus far in this post):

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2684399.htm

The good people at WF have been keeping in contact with me, so I will be looking to go ahead and grab one of these asap. Will keep y'all posted with my decision if interested, thanks again for all the help/'nudging' !

 

[slg47]

Hey Folks, just a quick update...I have decided to go with the majority of well seasoned opinions and drop the D idea for the moment and go for a G, with a little bit more size!

There's a 1.215ct, 1.218ct and a 1.234ct available (the only one I haven't listed thus far in this post):

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2684399.htm

The good people at WF have been keeping in contact with me, so I will be looking to go ahead and grab one of these asap. Will keep y'all posted with my decision if interested, thanks again for all the help/'nudging' !

I would pick the one I linked since it is 2k less

again, nothing wrong with wanting a D...but I think you (and she!!) will be pleased with G color. If you are concerned go see some ideal cut stones in person and compare colors.

 

[0-0-0]

Ditto. I would go with the cheaper 1.215 ct as well.

 

[First_Timer_Guy]

Thanks slg, thbmok...I think I agree, thanks again!

Next stages being taken as we speak. I'll keep you updated !

 

[First_Timer_Guy]

Aaaaandd of course that stone is gone now. It was sold as I was on the phone to the good folks at WF.

I guess thats what I get for overthinking things, Kinda back to the drawing board for me There are a couple of alternatives, but it's kinda deflating when you think you have finally made a decision

Swaying towards a similar James Allen True Hearts at the moment as it is slightly larger and slightly less expensive than my WF alternatives, even without counting with the free international delivery (and a 60 day return policy):

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1418773.asp

Makes me feel bad even looking though as WF have been great thus far, would still like to use them lol

 

[First_Timer_Guy]

THANKS!!! Re: Decision Made --- almost! Thoughts on these A

Hi Folks,

Apologies for resurrecting my old thread here, but I just wanted to provide an update since everyone was so helpful and constructive with their opinions on here!

Its pretty belated now, but I finally took the advice you all offered and went down in colour/up in size and actually went for the exact stone slg47 suggested (eternally grateful for that!). Unfortunately as per my last update, this stone was gone (did come back on just after I got mine however...drat!) but I was able to pick up a very similar slightly smaller/higher priced stone:

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2638941.htm

Traci at WF was very helpful and was able to negotiate on the price and delivery etc to get as close to the other stone as possible. Long story short, the stone was with me no longer than a week later!

After selecting the setting I liked best at a local jewellers (platinum very slightly twisted claw solitaire setting), and then parting with my new beloved diamond for almost 3 weeks I went to pick up the finished product...which I could have polished better before taking the pics I know!:





2 days later, proposed to my girlfriend who thankfully said yes and LOVED her new ring!

Thanks again so much to all who provided any guidance, help and advice, I really appreciate it and will now be as active as possible on these boards with my experiences to try and give back !!!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Yay!!! You chose a great stone!!!! And 1.20, too! I am sure she really loves it! Take a hand shot if you get a chance! And congrats on your engagement!!!

 

[First_Timer_Guy]

Thank you so much!

Best I can do for the moment with a hand shot is this one I took secretly when we were out for dinner (on my phone, but its actually a pretty decent shot, the stone looks so bright!):



I'll get a less covert picture on her finger and post it soon !

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Actually that one really captures the beauty of the ring very well!!! Beautiful!