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phil0383

Rough_Rock
Joined
Feb 10, 2014
Messages
11
hello i have been looking at a lot of information and planning on pulling the trigger within the next 2 months been deciding on which C's i want to go with.

i know there is white flash, GOG, and some store fronts out there but i also seen guys on here got from BN so i looked at those as well

what i am after is a really good quality stone. with the ideal cut on it and i would want a True Hearts and Arrows as well

i know white flash A Cut Above are hand picked and are H&A and i just want your expert opions on who had bought from BN or sites like that which doesn't have the stones in-house.

i looked at
http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?pt=sig&track=NavDiaSigRD#diamonds_pid=LD02067739

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?pt=sig&track=NavDiaSigRD#diamonds_pid=LD01423344

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?pt=sig&track=NavDiaSigRD#diamonds_pid=LD01720840

are BN sig stones any better or less than other Premium stones? i hate to have the hassle to refund the stone in case of something happens


i really prefer something in VVS1/2

but i saw this VS2 what is you guys opion on VS are they THAT CLEAN from personal experience?
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3045751.htm

i know I'm new but i would appreciate all the help i can get.

the bottom line i am looking for is D/E(possibly F) around 1.25 area. VVS1/2 H&A

one more question

if same specs stone
at a store front location such as white flash/GOG are the in-house stones more expensive then a Virtual inventory ones?
 
VVS is a waste of money in an ideal round.
You are spending money where you don't see it at all. Stick to eyeclean VS2 and you're fine.

Also I would suggest you consider G color as well as D,E,F.

D-G and Vs2 is conservative and smart.

Next is cut:

The entire purpose of faceting a diamond is to reflect light.
How well or how poorly a diamond does this determines how beautiful it is.
How well a diamond performs is determined by the angles and cutting. This is why we say cut is king.
No other factor: not color, not clarity has as much of an impact on the appearance of a diamond as its cut. An ideal H will out white a poorly cut F. And GIA Ex is not enough.
So how to we ensure that we have the right angles and cutting to get the light performance we want?
https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/diamond-cut
Well one method is to start with a GIA Ex, and then apply the HCA to it.
https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/holloway-cut-advisor
The HCA is a rejection tool. Not a selection tool. It uses 4 data points to make a rudimentary call on how the diamond may perform.
If the diamond passes then you know that you are in the right zone in terms of angles for light performance.
Is that enough? Not really.
So what you need is a way to check actual light performance of your actual stone.
That's what an idealscope image does. https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/firescope-idealscope
It shows you how and wear your diamond is reflecting light, how well it is going at it, and where you are losing light return. That is why you won't see us recommending Blue Nile, as they do not provide idealscope images for their diamonds. James Allen and WF do.

The Idealscope is the 'selection tool'. Not the HCA.
So yes, with a GIA stone you need the idealscope images. Or you can buy an idealscope yourself and take it in to the jeweler you are working with to check the stones yourself. Or if you have a good return policy (full refund minimum 7 days) then you can buy the idealscope, buy the stone, and do it at home.


Now if you want to skip all that... stick to AGS0 stones and then all you have to do is pick color and clarity and you know you have a great performing diamond. Because AGS has already done the checking for you. That's why they trade at a premium.
 
Regarding Hearts and Arrows, please read this thread: [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/likelihood-of-finding-a-signature-super-ideal-diamond.174235/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/likelihood-of-finding-a-signature-super-ideal-diamond.174235/[/URL]


And that's another reason to not go with Blue Nile. They do not provide Hearts images or Arrows images for their diamonds. How are you going to know it is a true hearts and arrows then? If you are paying the premium superideal precision patterning demands, you absolutely should verify that you are getting what you pay for.
 
Thanks for the quick reply.... I know bn does not have the actual pic provided... I just read other forpurm members got bn stones that performs well.. Just wanted some first hand input

Yea I have read and bought ideal scope. Aset scope and ready to look and compare if I go to a store front.....

I just don't look at diamonds that much to know the diff of the vvs and vs to me better is better of course it comes with a cost.... But if majority of you guys recommend vs I will look into that.... I just want a really nice stone that reflects the most light back.... I just noob at diamonds just reading information does not equal looking at them first hand.... That my inexperience so I appreciate all the feedback you guys give.....
 
 
I'd get neither. But NO WAY IN HECK would I get the D VVS stone.

Is there a reason you are going for such high color and clarity? Unless there are cultural reasons, you REALLY don't need any of it.

The E VS2 is a much better diamond and you will NOT be able to see any difference between that and the D VVS, so that's a no brainer.

But really, I urge you to drop to F VS2 if it saves you more money.

Or go up in size.
 
OK. That's different.


I get what we are working with now.

Since you budget is up to 17:
http://www.highperformancediamonds.com/index.php?page=view-id-diamond-infinity-new&id=934 My first choice given her background Because it's Infinity and that's pretty much the penthouse when it comes to top of the line, and because it's over 1.2 carats. But it is pricey. Very pricey.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.26-carat-f-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-259192 Second choice, for value. It's a lovely stone.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.30-carat-e-color-vvs2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-73652 But this one does a fabulous job, as it is an AGS- E VVS (so it trumps hers in every way) and 1.3 carats to boot. Plus it's 1,000 less than the Infinity stone. So... this might be the most "WOW" for the dollar from her.


That was great information. And now I understand your restraints.

:-)
 
thanks for the super fast reply... yea i wish my gf wasn't into diamonds (or doesn't own one) so i can get just a 1 ct. lol... things doesn't always go my way.. lol.... i just want something that performs well (sparkles all the time) yea 17K is near my max i can spend on the stone itself...

i like that E vvs2 and it fits my criteria... i just wish it was maybe $1000 less (dreaming)
 
phil0383|1392062649|3612052 said:
i haven't looked at any setting yet I'm focus on the stone right now... my gf is from Hong Kong, and all the girls who knows stones KNOWS them... so i had to buy something in the better quality... she herself have a 1.07ct VS1 G color(she's been upgrading her's every year in the last 4 years)... so i kinda have to 1 up that.... and they have stores there called (Chow Sang Sang) and she gets her diamonds from them (infini love brand) i think it's all hearts n arrows....

also i guess my budget is about 15K in that neighbor hood
Click to expand...

If she is from HK, I assume color/clarity are most important.

If she cares less about clarity, and more about color, here are a couple great options:
1.535ct, F, SI1 (verified eye-clean)
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.535-f-si1-round-diamond-ags-bl-104066186015

1.328ct, D, SI1 (verified eye-clean)
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.328-d-si1-round-diamond-ags-104068964014


If she cares more about clarity, and less about color, here is an option:
1.13ct, G, VVS1
http://www.highperformancediamonds.com/index.php?page=view-id-diamond-infinity-new&id=1102

1.03ct, H, IF
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8855/


If she wants a high-color, high-clarity stone, but to stay around the same size, here are two options:
1.041ct, D, VS1
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.041-d-vs1-round-diamond-ags-104063263007

1.05ct, F, VVS2
http://www.highperformancediamonds.com/index.php?page=view-id-diamond-infinity-new&id=1110
 
RockyRacoon|1392064070|3612079 said:
phil0383|1392062649|3612052 said:
i haven't looked at any setting yet I'm focus on the stone right now... my gf is from Hong Kong, and all the girls who knows stones KNOWS them... so i had to buy something in the better quality... she herself have a 1.07ct VS1 G color(she's been upgrading her's every year in the last 4 years)... so i kinda have to 1 up that.... and they have stores there called (Chow Sang Sang) and she gets her diamonds from them (infini love brand) i think it's all hearts n arrows....

also i guess my budget is about 15K in that neighbor hood
Click to expand...

If she is from HK, I assume color/clarity are most important.

If she cares less about clarity, and more about color, here are a couple great options:
1.535ct, F, SI1 (verified eye-clean)
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.535-f-si1-round-diamond-ags-bl-104066186015

1.328ct, D, SI1 (verified eye-clean)
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.328-d-si1-round-diamond-ags-104068964014


If she cares more about clarity, and less about color, here is an option:
1.13ct, G, VVS1
http://www.highperformancediamonds.com/index.php?page=view-id-diamond-infinity-new&id=1102

1.03ct, H, IF
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8855/


If she wants a high-color, high-clarity stone, but to stay around the same size, here are two options:
1.041ct, D, VS1
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.041-d-vs1-round-diamond-ags-104063263007

1.05ct, F, VVS2
http://www.highperformancediamonds.com/index.php?page=view-id-diamond-infinity-new&id=1110
Click to expand...

i know she def wants H&A for sure(thats why she bought the inifni love brand) and in terms of color i know G and VS2 is the lowest she will go....(she just upgraded her ring .97-1.07 in Nov i was there when she upgraded so i over heard what minimum she wants) and she will most likely get upgraded again in Nov(1 year upgraded @100% cost) so i want something 1.25 range.... and i personally want DEF VVS thats just me tho...

but i know it comes down to either drop the grades or pay more....

and i appreciate u listing a few stones for me... Thanks i really need all the help i can get...

i have been to a couple store fronts and looked a few stones w/ my eyes and they all look the same to me :eek:

I really appreciate all the help from this forum experts guiding me find the best stone for what i need
 
phil0383|1392064722|3612087 said:
i know G and VS2 is the lowest she will go....(she just upgraded her ring .97-1.07 in Nov i was there when she upgraded so i over heard what minimum she wants) and she will most likely get upgraded again in Nov(1 year upgraded @100% cost) so i want something 1.25 range....
Click to expand...

Here's another option, at the very top of your price range (after Pricescope discount):

1.504ct, G, VS1
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.504-g-vs1-round-diamond-ags-bl-104068959057
 
RockyRacoon|1392066720|3612130 said:
phil0383|1392064722|3612087 said:
i know G and VS2 is the lowest she will go....(she just upgraded her ring .97-1.07 in Nov i was there when she upgraded so i over heard what minimum she wants) and she will most likely get upgraded again in Nov(1 year upgraded @100% cost) so i want something 1.25 range....
Click to expand...

Here's another option, at the very top of your price range (after Pricescope discount):

1.504ct, G, VS1
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.504-g-vs1-round-diamond-ags-bl-104068959057
Click to expand...

thanks for the info... i think 1.5 really pushing it on ct size wise... want to stay in the 1.25... and i would pass on the BG blues... ( i know its just as good as the sig just have the florescent)


can u guys comment on these..... the JA is sig less than the BG one is the BG specs much better?

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.318-g-vvs2-round-diamond-ags-104054185004

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.30-carat-e-color-vvs2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-73652



her's in the bigger one(1.07) smaller one is her mom's .... i think 1.5 gonna be too big for her small fingers.... :D
 
phil0383|1392014097|3611809 said:
hello i have been looking at a lot of information and planning on pulling the trigger within the next 2 months been deciding on which C's i want to go with.

i know there is white flash, GOG, and some store fronts out there but i also seen guys on here got from BN so i looked at those as well

what i am after is a really good quality stone. with the ideal cut on it and i would want a True Hearts and Arrows as well

i know white flash A Cut Above are hand picked and are H&A and i just want your expert opions on who had bought from BN or sites like that which doesn't have the stones in-house.

i looked at
http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?pt=sig&track=NavDiaSigRD#diamonds_pid=LD02067739

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?pt=sig&track=NavDiaSigRD#diamonds_pid=LD01423344

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?pt=sig&track=NavDiaSigRD#diamonds_pid=LD01720840

are BN sig stones any better or less than other Premium stones? i hate to have the hassle to refund the stone in case of something happens


i really prefer something in VVS1/2

but i saw this VS2 what is you guys opion on VS are they THAT CLEAN from personal experience?
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3045751.htm

i know I'm new but i would appreciate all the help i can get.

the bottom line i am looking for is D/E(possibly F) around 1.25 area. VVS1/2 H&A

one more question

if same specs stone
at a store front location such as white flash/GOG are the in-house stones more expensive then a Virtual inventory ones?
Click to expand...

Just a comment. True Hearts is a branded designation and has no actual gemological meaning.

Also, while it is possible to get a great looking diamond from many places, if you truly want a great cut, you should probably concentrate on AGS graded diamond rather than GIA graded diamonds, as the GIA XXX cut grade really does not tell you anything about the quality of the cutting, which is pretty tragic if you think about it. The GIA X rating encompasses about 40% of all diamonds being cut today, including some real dogs due to their inclusion of steep deep cut diamonds.

Wink
 
phil0383|1392067505|3612150 said:
RockyRacoon|1392066720|3612130 said:
phil0383|1392064722|3612087 said:
i know G and VS2 is the lowest she will go....(she just upgraded her ring .97-1.07 in Nov i was there when she upgraded so i over heard what minimum she wants) and she will most likely get upgraded again in Nov(1 year upgraded @100% cost) so i want something 1.25 range....
Click to expand...

Here's another option, at the very top of your price range (after Pricescope discount):

1.504ct, G, VS1
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.504-g-vs1-round-diamond-ags-bl-104068959057
Click to expand...

thanks for the info... i think 1.5 really pushing it on ct size wise... want to stay in the 1.25... and i would pass on the BG blues... ( i know its just as good as the sig just have the florescent)


can u guys comment on these..... the JA is sig less than the BG one is the BG specs much better?

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.318-g-vvs2-round-diamond-ags-104054185004

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.30-carat-e-color-vvs2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-73652



her's in the bigger one(1.07) smaller one is her mom's .... i think 1.5 gonna be too big for her small fingers.... :D
Click to expand...

I don't know if it's just me but the idealscope image on the James Allen diamond show arrows that are offcenter (they seemed skewed to the right). This could just be bad picture taking though. The light performance pattern on the BG diamond looks more symmetrical and nicer than the JA diamond (notice the green patches around the girdle) compared to the nice pattern in the BG diamond, but I don't know if you would be able to tell that visually and if that difference is worth $2000 to you.
 
Wink|1392074877|3612277 said:
phil0383|1392014097|3611809 said:
hello i have been looking at a lot of information and planning on pulling the trigger within the next 2 months been deciding on which C's i want to go with.

i know there is white flash, GOG, and some store fronts out there but i also seen guys on here got from BN so i looked at those as well

what i am after is a really good quality stone. with the ideal cut on it and i would want a True Hearts and Arrows as well

i know white flash A Cut Above are hand picked and are H&A and i just want your expert opions on who had bought from BN or sites like that which doesn't have the stones in-house.

i looked at
http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?pt=sig&track=NavDiaSigRD#diamonds_pid=LD02067739

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?pt=sig&track=NavDiaSigRD#diamonds_pid=LD01423344

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?pt=sig&track=NavDiaSigRD#diamonds_pid=LD01720840

are BN sig stones any better or less than other Premium stones? i hate to have the hassle to refund the stone in case of something happens


i really prefer something in VVS1/2

but i saw this VS2 what is you guys opion on VS are they THAT CLEAN from personal experience?
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3045751.htm

i know I'm new but i would appreciate all the help i can get.

the bottom line i am looking for is D/E(possibly F) around 1.25 area. VVS1/2 H&A

one more question

if same specs stone
at a store front location such as white flash/GOG are the in-house stones more expensive then a Virtual inventory ones?
Click to expand...

Just a comment. True Hearts is a branded designation and has no actual gemological meaning.

Also, while it is possible to get a great looking diamond from many places, if you truly want a great cut, you should probably concentrate on AGS graded diamond rather than GIA graded diamonds, as the GIA XXX cut grade really does not tell you anything about the quality of the cutting, which is pretty tragic if you think about it. The GIA X rating encompasses about 40% of all diamonds being cut today, including some real dogs due to their inclusion of steep deep cut diamonds.

Wink
Click to expand...


Thanks wink for correcting me on the True hearts as a branded .... I meant was to have a good hearts n arrows diamonds ( not ones that says h&a but it looks all jacked up in the viewer)
 
here is the ideal image and H&A
 
phil0383|1392360564|3615071 said:
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.30-carat-e-color-vvs2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-73652

i think i have my heart set on this particular diamond but i have one more last question about the HCA, I read that anything under 2 is great. i plugged in the numbers and this came out to be 2.1 what is you guys expert thoughts on the HCA?
Click to expand...

No need to worry. The stone received AGS0 - Ideal rating.

You don't have to use the HCA when working with AGS stones, as they have already been evaluated for light performance.

Best of luck!
 
It looks great, but 1.5 is definitely not "too big"
 
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