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Diamond for pendant advice

Izzy70

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Jul 3, 2018
Messages
221
Hi all
I am looking to purchase a 1ct G colour certificated solitaire pendant for myself with a budget in the region of GBP5,000.
I have been looking on line for ideas and can see that I can get a good stone from one of the online US sites in my budget and I would be looking at about duty of approximately GBP100.00 . I won’t have to pay VAT as I am on a small island off the UK and we don’t have VAT.
I have contacted 2 local jewellers For initial enquiries and one has a G colour 80 pointer at GBP8,000.00 in white gold. The other has a starting price of GBP1395.00 for a G uncertificated in white gold. There is another jewleer that I would also purchase from that I have used before for a sapphire and diamond ring.
To get to the point, what questions/requests should I make to them? Should I give them certain proportions that I am looking for?
 
If you are looking at GIA Excellent cut stones (don't look below that), here are the measurements to aim for to hopefully get one of the best cut stones.

table: 54-58

depth: 60-62.3

crown angle: 34-35.0

pavilion angle: 40.6-40.9
 
If you are looking at GIA Excellent cut stones (don't look below that), here are the measurements to aim for to hopefully get one of the best cut stones.

table: 54-58

depth: 60-62.3

crown angle: 34-35.0

pavilion angle: 40.6-40.9

Thank you Diamond seeker.
I provided those parameters to the jeweller and he told me they don’t matter it’s all about the cut and clarity. I think I will continue with my search…!
 
Thank you Diamond seeker.
I provided those parameters to the jeweller and he told me they don’t matter it’s all about the cut and clarity. I think I will continue with my search…!

Yeah, I'd suggest skipping the local jewelers and look online. We have many UK members on the forum who have bought from US vendors in order to get high cut quality stones. Cut is #1 in a diamond's beauty, and color and clarity are preferences (although poor clarity can sometimes hurt a diamond's light return).
 
@Izzy70, since this is for a pendant, I wouldn't rule out H color (or even I, if I'm being honest). How will you set it?
 
Also, I would strongly consider going just below the 1 ct mark to save money. You can get the same size diamond -- look at the diameter, not the carat weight. Those stones are all approximately 6.4 mm... I'd look for H color in the 0.94-0.99 ct range.
 
Also, I would strongly consider going just below the 1 ct mark to save money. You can get the same size diamond -- look at the diameter, not the carat weight. Those stones are all approximately 6.4 mm... I'd look for H color in the 0.94-0.99 ct range.
Thank you, I will keep searching :)
This is the setting I am looking at
https://www.jamesallen.com/fine-jew...op-basket-diamond-pendant-mounting-item-56095
I like the 6 prongs so it still keeps a round shape, personally the 4 prong makes me feel that it’s a square stone.
 
@Izzy70, what is your budget?
Thank you
It’s it the region of GBP 5,000 or USD6,500
I can spend more but don’t want to run away with the budget..
I will also be wearing the pendant all the time as it’s a memorial pendant to remember my Mum that passed away this year.
 
That's a very pretty setting -- I love that it's six prong. I'd ask JA if you could have the back made such that it would lie flat on your chest to keep it from flipping.
Do you think that it would flip? I am concerned about that. They also have another 6 prong settling but I like the scallop shape.
 
Thank you
It’s it the region of GBP 5,000 or USD6,500
I can spend more but don’t want to run away with the budget..
I will also be wearing the pendant all the time as it’s a memorial pendant to remember my Mum that passed away this year.

I'm sorry to hear of your mother's passing. A memorial pendant is a lovely way to remember her.
 
Last edited:
Thank you
It’s it the region of GBP 5,000 or USD6,500
I can spend more but don’t want to run away with the budget..
I will also be wearing the pendant all the time as it’s a memorial pendant to remember my Mum that passed away this year.

I’m sorry to hear about your mother. It’s tough. I think your pendant, close to your heart, is a wonderful way to remember her. Good luck with your search!
 
Do you think that it would flip? I am concerned about that. They also have another 6 prong settling but I like the scallop shape.

It looks like it would be prone to flipping... the back needs to be flat and as large as possible without ruining the aesthetic, but they could probably flatten out the backside for you.
 
hugs. I'm sorry about your mom.

that pendant style is beautiful. I like the look of the third diamond you linked. You can ask for 3 idealscope images by the way - I'd go ahead and do that before deciding on which diamond to purchase.

A lot of overseas peeps also like to look at Blue Nile. I have a Blue Nile diamond pendant and love it
 
I'm sorry to hear about your mom and think this is a beautiful idea to remember her by.

This is a beautiful stone (look at the ASET in the report) and gives you a larger size. Should be very white and eye clean at this size: https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...rat-i-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-5331149

Also pretty: https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...rat-i-color-vs1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-5361565

Okay... so I like this diamond. (and I wasn't looking for such a high color, but there it was...) I feel like it will be eye clean enough for a pendant. The main inclusions are twinning wisps.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...f-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-4382191 - superhigh color, eye clean, 6.41 mm, HCA 0.9, $5800

Thank you. I like the look of the first one you have linked AC117 and also the one you have linked MSOP..
I have asked James Allen what the rear of the settling looks like as it’s not easy to see. I hope it has the normal round opening like other settings.
 
Since they're both resting against your neck, I don't think the hole in the back matters in terms of letting light in. I'd go with the first one since it's the one you like.
 
It’s back to the drawing board for me! James Allen does not ship to my location, Guernsey Channel Islands and have suggested I send it to the Uk! :cry:
 
Well if the diamond you picked is virtual and in the US, IDJ can get it for you. They might even find you better options.

Verify they can send it to your location.
 
Well if the diamond you picked is virtual and in the US, IDJ can get it for you. They might even find you better options.

Verify they can send it to your location.
Thanks. How would I find out the location of the diamond? Is it possible to search from the certificate number?
 
Well if the diamond you picked is virtual and in the US, IDJ can get it for you. They might even find you better options.

Verify they can send it to your location.
Thank you Pintobean, I sent them an email over the weekend and they have come back saying hey can ship to me. I just need to pay any customs duty.
Right off to look at their website!!
 
Thank you Pintobean, I sent them an email over the weekend and they have come back saying hey can ship to me. I just need to pay any customs duty.
Right off to look at their website!!
It's easier to give them your criteria and ask them to search for you. Ask for Shulamit or Yekutiel.
 
I am really pleased, both Whiteflash and ID Jewelry will ship to me.
Now to begin the search!!
 
Good news! IDJ can hunt for a stone like I found you earlier and provide imaging. WF takes the guess work out by having their inventory in stock and already providing imaging on all in house stones, have top of the line cut, but come at a slight premium (at the size you're considering...the premium gets higher as the size increases!).

Here are a few beautiful WF options:
:love::love: https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-4007481.htm
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3172023.htm
Say inquire under eye clean but might be fine at this size and being that it's going in a pendant: https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3646312.htm
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-4006535.htm
 
Good news! IDJ can hunt for a stone like I found you earlier and provide imaging. WF takes the guess work out by having their inventory in stock and already providing imaging on all in house stones, have top of the line cut, but come at a slight premium (at the size you're considering...the premium gets higher as the size increases!).

Here are a few beautiful WF options:
:love::love: https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-4007481.htm
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3172023.htm
Say inquire under eye clean but might be fine at this size and being that it's going in a pendant: https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3646312.htm
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-4006535.htm

Thank you AC117. I asked after the 3rd diamond and it isn’t eye clean.

I have looked at all the certificates and have found the following:
No 1 has feathers/ twinning wisps and additional wisps and surface graining.
No 2 has cloud/crystal and additional clouds
No 3 discounted as not eye clean
No 4 has crystal/cloud/pinpoint and additional pin points

So maybe number 2? Looking at the certificate the crystal is at 12pm and the cloud at 9pm.

I have searched again and found the above and also this one:
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-4015030.htm
Which has crystal at 1pm and 9pm and a cloud on the edge

The associate at WF has been really helpful, they don’t have a 6 prong setting listed but I am able to go for a semi custom order :)
 
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