Diamond Buying HELP!!!!!

[cavsfan3]

So I just chose my diamond, but now I am having some regret.

I was down to two options. I chose to buy a GIA - .70 G SI2 Excellent cut and everything else that was a hearts and arrow diamond. My other option was a GIA - .65 D SI1 Excellent cut and everything else, but did not show the hearts and arrows.

I looked at the SI2 under the scope and did not notice anything wrong with it. The jeweler was guiding me toward the G SI2 because it was larger and hearts and arrow (which the D did not have).

The size difference is not a huge factor to me, so should I go with the D instead of the G? I don't know if I am getting too hung up on the grades and everything, but since the D SI1 is better on paper and is more in terms of price per carat does that mean it is better? or does the hearts and arrows really factor in?

Under the microscope, I actually saw more inclusions on the D SI1 than I did on the G SI2, but I am obviously not an expert. To the human eye, both looked clean.

Any information will be very helpful...

 

[John P]

The size difference is not a huge factor to me, so should I go with the D instead of the G? I don't know if I am getting too hung up on the grades and everything, but since the D SI1 is better on paper and is more in terms of price per carat does that mean it is better? or does the hearts and arrows really factor in?

It's easy to get "hung up" on grades since that's what you are (effectively) taught by the trade. Instead, I suggest you focus on what you and the wearer like and value, personally.

D is not "better" than G: There was less nitrogen present in the earth where the D crystal formed eons ago, so the ensuing rarity commands a higher premium than the G crystal... SI1 is not "better" than SI2: Under 10X magnification the characteristics in the SI1 are less noticeable than those in the SI2, making it go for a higher premium... Hearts & Arrows is not "better" than non-H&A: The planning and crafting of the H&A diamond happened at a higher level of execution and precision than it did with the non H&A diamond.

In terms of what matters, personally, it's up to you: Some people love the icy white of a D or E diamond and want nothing else. Others actively seek warmer tones in the KLM range... Some folks (and cultures) prefer VVS+ clarity in terms of perceived purity. Other people see visible inclusions as "birthmarks" which make the diamond natural and special. Some people want the most precise and pedantic level of precision cut possible, to maximize modern performance potential. Others prefer more abstract/chaotic fashioning and different performance personalities.

My inclination: If size is not a huge factor, go with the diamond that speaks to you the most.

For what it's worth, there is a large jump-in-price between same-diamonds of 0.69 and 0.70ct. So the two candidates you're looking at are in different valuation categories per their carat weights.

Also for what it's worth, be aware that bonafide H&A diamonds trade at higher values - in the B2B world and younger consumer markets - but with no uniform standards in the traditional USA mainstream anyone can call anything "H&A." In that sense I applaud your jeweler for demonstrating cut/clarity in the viewers and scopes to you. Good on him/her.

 

[cavsfan3]

Thank you very much. I guess one of my main concerns in the color. I am satisfied with the SI2 vs SI1 as they both looked very clean to me. My jeweler said the G had something on the outside edge, but I could not see it with magnification and he said it could get covered by a prong. With the G and the D next to each other, I did not notice much of a difference in color, but I did notice a difference. I also looked a an H next to the G and D and I feel that color difference was noticeable.

I am getting a halo style ring so color is going to be a factor because I do not want the center diamond to look darker than the diamonds in the halo. Do you think this would be an issue with a center diamond 'G' color? Also I guess it could have the opposite effect where a 'D' color would look much whiter than the other diamonds which I don't think would necessarily be a negative.

I know it is very difficult to say without actually looking at the ring, but I guess I am wondering how a halo style ring should factor into the color I am getting.

Thanks again for your help. I am very new to this and want to make sure that I get it right.

 

[WinkHPD]

Thank you very much. I guess one of my main concerns in the color. I am satisfied with the SI2 vs SI1 as they both looked very clean to me. My jeweler said the G had something on the outside edge, but I could not see it with magnification and he said it could get covered by a prong. With the G and the D next to each other, I did not notice much of a difference in color, but I did notice a difference. I also looked a an H next to the G and D and I feel that color difference was noticeable.

I am getting a halo style ring so color is going to be a factor because I do not want the center diamond to look darker than the diamonds in the halo. Do you think this would be an issue with a center diamond 'G' color? Also I guess it could have the opposite effect where a 'D' color would look much whiter than the other diamonds which I don't think would necessarily be a negative.

I know it is very difficult to say without actually looking at the ring, but I guess I am wondering how a halo style ring should factor into the color I am getting.

Thanks again for your help. I am very new to this and want to make sure that I get it right.

First, ask your jeweler what color the smalls in the halo are going to be. Chances they are already an F-G color. Chances are excellent that no matter what color the smalls are, that you will not be able to see it table up when the center diamond and the side diamonds are side by side. (That is a really long way to say, No, the color will most likely NOT be a factor.)

Does the jeweler not have some halos that you can lay the stones in to give you a visual idea?

Wink

 

[John P]

Thank you very much. I guess one of my main concerns in the color. I am satisfied with the SI2 vs SI1 as they both looked very clean to me. My jeweler said the G had something on the outside edge, but I could not see it with magnification and he said it could get covered by a prong. With the G and the D next to each other, I did not notice much of a difference in color, but I did notice a difference. I also looked a an H next to the G and D and I feel that color difference was noticeable.

I am getting a halo style ring so color is going to be a factor because I do not want the center diamond to look darker than the diamonds in the halo. Do you think this would be an issue with a center diamond 'G' color? Also I guess it could have the opposite effect where a 'D' color would look much whiter than the other diamonds which I don't think would necessarily be a negative.

I know it is very difficult to say without actually looking at the ring, but I guess I am wondering how a halo style ring should factor into the color I am getting.

Thanks again for your help. I am very new to this and want to make sure that I get it right.

No worries. Setting melee and small side-stones are most commonly F/G in color to pair well with both colorless and near-colorless centers. Just verify that with the jeweler and ask him to show you the setting alongside the diamond.

 

[cavsfan3]

Unfortunately the jeweler is ordering the setting from another company because I found the exact one that I wanted. I basically chose the diamond first and then we are going to give them the measurements so they know what size to make the setting. I agree that I doubt the halo diamonds are going to be a D color so if it is anything less I am sure it will look fine with a 'G' center stone. Here is the setting in case it says somewhere on the site what color the halo is, but I do not see it.

http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER9331W44JJ

 

[John P]

Unfortunately the jeweler is ordering the setting from another company because I found the exact one that I wanted. I basically chose the diamond first and then we are going to give them the measurements so they know what size to make the setting. I agree that I doubt the halo diamonds are going to be a D color so if it is anything less I am sure it will look fine with a 'G' center stone. Here is the setting in case it says somewhere on the site what color the halo is, but I do not see it.

http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER9331W44JJ

Consumer advisory: Do be aware that, like diamond quality, setting quality varies quite a bit depending on source. Your jeweler will have options here, with different setting sources I'd expect. He'll be the quality-control expert so be sure you know his guarantees/warranties etc... To the main concern: I'd wager he will certainly be getting "F-G" melee in the piece. And if it's a mass-fabricator (like the page you linked) any normal deviation will be on the G-H side.