Diamond decision

[zaijian]

So i''m shopping for the diamond for an engagement ring!

My guidelines are Round Brilliant, cost < $6000 (preferably < $5500), 1.0 - 1.1 carat, and the best quality for the money. I''ve been looking for ideal cuts, excellent HCA scores, no lower than H/SI1.

Here''s the stone I currently have, from my local jeweler

1.03ct G SI1
cert: EGL (israel?) #285302xxxx
meas: 6.40-6.35x4.02
depth: 63.1%
table: 57.0%
Crown: 15%
Pavilion: 43%
HCA: 1.4

Price: $5850 + s&h + tax = $6273.36

After my jeweler ordered it in, I asked around here and found out that this wasn''t a great diamond - just based on the numbers alone, it''s a deep cut that looks small for it''s weight, plus I was able to see a flaw in the H&A pattern when looking through the idealscope. Compared to similar stones online, the price was pretty high.

So I set out to find a better diamond on my own, and I''d appreciate your feedback on these!
(Right now, i''m leaning towards diamond #1)

Diamond #1

1.017ct E SI1
cert: AGSL
meas: 6.47-6.52x3.97
depth: 61.1%
table: 55.8%
crown: 34.3
pavilion: 40.8
HCA: 1.1
Price: $5418 wire

Diamond #2

1.010 H VS2
cert: AGSL
meas: 6.44-6.48x3.96
depth: 61.3%
table: 54.8%
crown: 34.9
pavilion: 40.5
HCA: 0.4
Price: $5457 wire

Diamond #3

1.017 G SI1
cert: AGSL
meas: 6.42-6.46x3.98
depth: 61.8%
table: 56.3%
crown: 33.9
pavilion: 40.9
HCA: 1.2
Price: $5143 wire

Thanks to all here for their expertise and advice! Without PS I never would''ve gotten the best quality for my money!

History here

 

[Lorelei]

They all look good, but I really like the look of the first 2 diamonds you picked - good job! Can you get an Idealscope image for them? Also with the SI clarity, make sure it is eyeclean to your comfort level, the vendor should be able to advise you there.

 

[Ellen]

I pick #1!

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 3/27/2008 8:18:18 AM
Author: Ellen
I pick #1!

agree, if the IS looks good and its eyeclean.

 

[zaijian]

Date: 3/27/2008 8:12:19 AM
Author: Lorelei
They all look good, but I really like the look of the first 2 diamonds you picked - good job! Can you get an Idealscope image for them? Also with the SI clarity, make sure it is eyeclean to your comfort level, the vendor should be able to advise you there.

No idealscope for either;

#1 doesn''t have an image, but the AGS report shows a couple of pinpoints through the table, and a couple of feathers on the pavilion.

#2 has an image, and to my eye I can see some inclusions in the outer table and that''s it.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 3/27/2008 8:37:21 AM
Author: zaijian

Date: 3/27/2008 8:12:19 AM
Author: Lorelei
They all look good, but I really like the look of the first 2 diamonds you picked - good job! Can you get an Idealscope image for them? Also with the SI clarity, make sure it is eyeclean to your comfort level, the vendor should be able to advise you there.

No idealscope for either;

#1 doesn''t have an image, but the AGS report shows a couple of pinpoints through the table, and a couple of feathers on the pavilion.

#2 has an image, and to my eye I can see some inclusions in the outer table and that''s it.

You can''t judge clarity by the grading report, you need the vendor''s experienced eye to help you there.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 3/27/2008 8:41:26 AM
Author: Lorelei

You can''t judge clarity by the grading report, you need the vendor''s experienced eye to help you there.

Ditto.

 

[zaijian]

Date: 3/27/2008 8:41:26 AM
Author: Lorelei
You can''t judge clarity by the grading report, you need the vendor''s experienced eye to help you there.

Ok, called about #1, they''ll take a look at it and get back to me about if it''s eyeclean.

If it came down to Blue Nile or James Allen, which one should I go with?

 

[Ellen]

Date: 3/27/2008 8:50:13 AM
Author: zaijian

If it came down to Blue Nile or James Allen, which one should I go with?

Is an upgrade even a remote possibilty? Because BN has no policy for that, and while JA has one, it''s rather unforgiving. The new stone has to be 2x or greater in value. Not my kind of policy. But, if no upgrade will ever be needed, I''d go with the stone you like best, where ever that is.

 

[Jenn5504]

Date: 3/27/2008 8:50:13 AM
Author: zaijian

Date: 3/27/2008 8:41:26 AM
Author: Lorelei
You can't judge clarity by the grading report, you need the vendor's experienced eye to help you there.

Ok, called about #1, they'll take a look at it and get back to me about if it's eyeclean.

If it came down to Blue Nile or James Allen, which one should I go with?

In my opinion you will get better info on the front end from James Allen, and at least there is some sort of upgrade policy, although not great. I purchased an SI1 stone through Blue Nile that they assurred me was eye clean.........let me tell you, it's not.

I now go with vendors who are more upfront---WF told me very clearly how eye clean or not eye clean the stones were that I've looked at with them. They also offer sarin, IS, etc. BN just doesn't give me enough info for such a large purchase personally. So to me, if you're down to which vendor, I'd go with the one that can offer more service/info.

ETA: I can tell you from experience that returns and exchanges with BN are very smooth. They don't give you the run around one bit.

 

[zaijian]

Date: 3/27/2008 9:12:43 AM
Author: Ellen
Is an upgrade even a remote possibilty? Because BN has no policy for that, and while JA has one, it''s rather unforgiving. The new stone has to be 2x or greater in value. Not my kind of policy. But, if no upgrade will ever be needed, I''d go with the stone you like best, where ever that is.

Nah, I doubt i''ll upgrade... Given what prices are nowadays, I hope I don''t have to buy much more jewelry for awhile

I figure next time I buy jewelry, i''ll just get new pieces.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 3/27/2008 9:12:43 AM
Author: Ellen

Date: 3/27/2008 8:50:13 AM
Author: zaijian

If it came down to Blue Nile or James Allen, which one should I go with?

Is an upgrade even a remote possibilty? Because BN has no policy for that, and while JA has one, it''s rather unforgiving. The new stone has to be 2x or greater in value. Not my kind of policy. But, if no upgrade will ever be needed, I''d go with the stone you like best, where ever that is.

Ditto.

 

[zaijian]

Hmm, I decided to lower my standards a bit and search on eyeclean SI2s.

This one isn''t (I can see a big black mark near the girdle), but how will this look when it''s set in a 6-prong ring?

Diamond #4 @ JA

1.055 F SI2
cert: AGSL
meas: 6.53-6.57x4.05
depth: 61.8%
table: 54.0%
crown: 34.6
pavilion: 40.8
HCA: 1.4
Price: $4270 wire

The price is certainly right!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 3/27/2008 10:38:40 AM
Author: zaijian
Hmm, I decided to lower my standards a bit and search on eyeclean SI2s.

This one isn''t (I can see a big black mark near the girdle), but how will this look when it''s set in a 6-prong ring?

Diamond #4 @ JA

1.055 F SI2
cert: AGSL
meas: 6.53-6.57x4.05
depth: 61.8%
table: 54.0%
crown: 34.6
pavilion: 40.8
HCA: 1.4
Price: $4270 wire

The price is certainly right!

It would be best to ask them if this diamond is eyeclean, or if the dark inclusion could be placed and hidden under a prong.

 

[zaijian]

Ok, now i''m down to these 3 diamonds.

Diamond #1, still waiting to hear back if it is eyeclean.
Everybody seems to like Diamond #1, but it commands a hefty price premium over the others, and is not the vendor''s idea of "signature ideal" (H&A?).

1.017ct E SI1
cut: Ideal (below "signature ideal")
cert: AGS
meas: 6.47-6.52x3.97
depth: 61.1%
table: 55.8%
crown: 34.3
pavilion: 40.8
HCA: 1.1
Price: $5418 wire

Diamond #4, still waiting to hear back if it is eyeclean.
It is rated by the vendor as "H&A", and shows some inclusions, but based on the website pics, they look small enough and out of the way enough to be ignored.

1.055 F SI2
cut: "H&A"
cert: AGS
meas: 6.53-6.57x4.05
depth: 61.8%
table: 54.0%
crown: 34.6
pavilion: 40.8
HCA: 1.4
Price: $4292 wire

Diamond #5 - heard back from them that it was extremely eyeclean, but has vendor''s rating of "Ideal", which is below their rating of "H&A".

1.038 F SI2
cut: "ideal"
cert: AGS
meas: 6.47-6.51x4.02
depth: 62.0%
table: 54.7%
crown: 34.6
pavilion: 40.7
HCA: 1.1
Price: $4320 wire

I''m liking #5 in that it''s very eyeclean, but I have to wonder at how big of a difference it is between "Ideal" and "H&A" - if going for the H&A cut is worth having some visible inclusions.


I''m feeling like the eye doctor "What''s better, 1 or 2? 2 or 3? 3 or 5,233,278?"

 

[Ellen]

You have to decide if you want the "very best" cut you can get, or just a really nice diamond. None of these would be a "bad" choice.

 

[zaijian]

Date: 3/28/2008 11:24:09 AM
Author: Ellen
You have to decide if you want the 'very best' cut you can get, or just a really nice diamond. None of these would be a 'bad' choice.

Is there a visible difference in how good the stone looks to the naked eye, between a H&A/ACA/Signature cut and an Ideal cut? Or is the difference only visible in the patterns underneath a microscope?


[my apologies in advance if I keep asking questions that have been answered ad nasaeum]

 

[Ellen]

Date: 3/28/2008 11:26:10 AM
Author: zaijian


Is there a visible difference in how good the stone looks to the naked eye, between a H&A/ACA/Signature cut and an Ideal cut? Or is the difference only visible in the patterns underneath a microscope?

lol Depends on who you ask.

Some on here swear there is no difference. Some of us swear there is, we've seen it. And that "some" includes true experts/diamond cutters. Yes, I do believe there is a difference in performance. But it wouldn't be like choosing between the ugly diamond and the pretty one, more like choosing between a very beautiful diamond, and an exceptional one.

And no apology needed!

 

[zaijian]

I found an interesting 1.20ct I VS1 diamond, but it''s got some interesting dimensions - 6.47-6.82x4.22 ! Is this huge variation in width/length something to be concerned about? Also, would a 1.20ct diamond fit in a 1.0ct mounting without any problem?

 

[Ellen]

Date: 3/29/2008 2:26:45 AM
Author: zaijian
I found an interesting 1.20ct I VS1 diamond, but it''s got some interesting dimensions - 6.47-6.82x4.22 ! Is this huge variation in width/length something to be concerned about? Also, would a 1.20ct diamond fit in a 1.0ct mounting without any problem?

In a round?? If so, YES, unheard of variation. That is horrible. Do not even consider. Please.

Stick with the stones you already have. If you''re trying to save money, then go down is size, or color, but stay with quality stones.

 

[zaijian]

Date: 3/29/2008 9:22:37 AM
Author: Ellen

Date: 3/29/2008 2:26:45 AM

Author: zaijian

I found an interesting 1.20ct I VS1 diamond, but it''s got some interesting dimensions - 6.47-6.82x4.22 ! Is this huge variation in width/length something to be concerned about? Also, would a 1.20ct diamond fit in a 1.0ct mounting without any problem?

In a round?? If so, YES, unheard of variation. That is horrible. Do not even consider. Please.


Stick with the stones you already have. If you''re trying to save money, then go down is size, or color, but stay with quality stones.

It''s in the James Allen H&A collection. I would think that such an oblong shape would distort the H&A, but looking at the idealscope picture, it seems ok. I wonder if it''s a typo?

link

 

[honey22]

It''s a typo on the JA site, if you click on the GIA report, it''s actually 6.79 x 6.82 x 4.22 which is fine!

 

[Ellen]

Date: 3/29/2008 10:43:06 PM
Author: honey22
It''s a typo on the JA site, if you click on the GIA report, it''s actually 6.79 x 6.82 x 4.22 which is fine!

Yep. That''s a beautiful diamond!

 

[zaijian]

I made a purchase! Not from any of the ones I listed here, actually.

1.060 I SI 1 ACA from Whiteflash
meas: 6.54-6.56x4.02
depth: 61.3%
table: 56.5%
crown: 34.7
pavilion: 40.6
HCA: 0.8 (ex/ex/ex/vg)

Pricescope price: $5287! That's awesome.

Hopefully everything will go through today and i'll have it tomorrow morning!

 

[Ellen]

You picked a great one!

 

[zaijian]

Date: 3/31/2008 8:17:08 AM
Author: Ellen
You picked a great one!

Whew! Good to hear!

The amount of time I''ve spent researching everything has been OBSCENE.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 3/31/2008 8:20:00 AM
Author: zaijian

Date: 3/31/2008 8:17:08 AM
Author: Ellen
You picked a great one!

Whew! Good to hear!

The amount of time I''ve spent researching everything has been OBSCENE.

It happens.

But it paid off, no worries with this one! Do you know how you''re setting it?

 

[zaijian]

Date: 3/31/2008 8:34:40 AM
Author: Ellen

Date: 3/31/2008 8:20:00 AM

Author: zaijian

Date: 3/31/2008 8:17:08 AM

Author: Ellen

You picked a great one!

Whew! Good to hear!


The amount of time I''ve spent researching everything has been OBSCENE.

It happens.

But it paid off, no worries with this one! Do you know how you''re setting it?

Yup, it''ll be going into a Leo Ingwer setting, which should also arrive tomorrow.

 

[Ellen]

Very nice!! Good luck with everything!