Diamond Guidance Counselor Needed

[KeepItSecret]

After reading posts and educating myself in the knowledge portion of the forum for the past 3 weeks I finally decided to post because this process is driving me crazy. I still feel like I may never be able to pull the trigger and buy a diamond due to fear I won''t be happy with it.

Let''s review my situation. I want to purchase a diamond between .98 to 1.05 carats. I am color sensitive and often find diamonds to be slightly yellow. When I see G''s in stores (IGI certs) they sometimes appear faintly yellow but when viewed outside they appear white and good to me. I thought about keeping to the F color level but I don''t want to overspend and would consider G as long as it won''t appear yellow. The setting I have been considering is the Tacori model #2259 which is a 3 stone setting with G color VS sidestones. Due to the diamond being set high in this ring and being highly visible I want to ensure that the diamond will be eye-clean when looking at it. Under the scope I don''t mind a few inclusions but under eye inspection I want it to look good at 6 inches. Should I stick with a G center stone because thats what is mounted in the setting?

I want to buy a very nice sparkly princess cut diamond with a high-grade cut but if it isn''t the mercedes benz I will still be content as long as it still glistens like new. Will premium/very good cut stones with very good symmetry and polish still perform well. I know princess cuts are hard to rate on numbers alone but what order should I be looking at characteristics based on the setting I am considering.

Can I get a nice stone for 5k or less OR will I need to spend more? Any recommendations on diamonds? AGI stones or higher only.

I''ll check back and comment.

 

[Allison D.]

KIS, I think part of the problem you''re having as far as color sensitivity has to do with looking at stones from a softer grading lab such as IGI. Their "G" grade is considerably more lenient/generous than a G stone from AGS or GIA, for example.

Cut plays an important part, too, in how you will perceive color. Well cut stones tend to mask body color better than lesser cuts.

I''m guessing that you''re likely shopping in the larger chain stores (who typically carry IGI graded goods). Go instead to a local fine jeweler who stocks high quality goods from GIA and perhaps even AGS. ABSOLUTELY try to find somewhere you can see an AGS Ideal Princess stone in person; you''ll be STUNNED at how sparkly they look and how much a good cut does to mask body color.

Focus your search on stones from a better lab for starters - AGS or GIA. If you want to get even more focused than that, focus on AGS Ideal Princess stones; that takes much of the guesswork out because you KNOW it scores a top cut.

I don''t know if you''re shopping locally or through online vendors, so I''m going to reassure you that most of the vendors here have awesome return policies. If you choose something and you find it''s just a bit warm for your taste, you aren''t stuck with it. You can return it for something else.

Your $5K budget should get you into the 1-carat mark at around G, VS2 range or so with a fantastic cut.

Best of luck in your search.

 

[NeverEndingUpgrade]

You might need to spend more like $6000 for Ideal cut diamonds with higher colors. However, with Ideal cuts, you can go lower in color and the diamond will still face up white, maybe less so in princess cuts than in rounds since the color tends to concentrate in the corners. No need to match the color of the side stones IMO. Here are some absolutely gorgeous Ideal cut princesses from GoodOldGold.com.

1.003 ct. G/VS2 at $6454 http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/2891/

1.008 ct. F/SI1 at $5738 http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/1976/

1.01 ct. E/VS2 at $6883 http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/3777/

0.99 ct. I/VS1 (lower color, cut still ideal cut) at $4617 http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/3394/

1 ct. H/VS2 at $4628 (probably the one I would pick coz I have an H and love it!--Good price too!) http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4197/

GoodOldGold has a great lifetime trade up policy, if you ever decide to one day go with a larger, higher color or clarity stone. And Jonathan there really knows his stuff. His customer service is second to none. I bought a 1.05 ct. H/SI1 Jubilee and just had it set into a Tacori wedding set and I couldn''t be happier!

 

[KeepItSecret]

I am definately looking to purchase online due to cost savings and larger selection. The reason I said IGI stones is because thats what a few of the Tacori dealers around here have carried when looking at rings. Selection of GIA and above stones is limited on hand at most jewelers, they usually just have one stone that comes close to what I''m looking for. When they do have a GIA stone I usually just laugh to myself at the price they present to me. Like the other day a GIA D VS1 1ct with horrible proportions 5.84*5.34*3.xx good polish and symmetry for 10k.

I have read all of the positive reviews of GOG''s stones, their viewing process is the next best thing to being in store.

When it says Microscope pic on GOG''s detail viewings is that at 10x magnification?

From the recommendations above I like the F SI1 or H VS2. Wire price on the F SI1 is still comfortable to me at the high end ($5500), anything over that is where I start to lose my comfort level. Do Pricescope members receive any additional discount?

Does anyone else sell nice ideal cut stones with good online visibility? Anyone ever purchase from Excel Diamonds?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Date: 5/2/2008 7:59:35 PM
Author: KeepItSecret
I am definately looking to purchase online due to cost savings and larger selection. The reason I said IGI stones is because thats what a few of the Tacori dealers around here have carried when looking at rings. Selection of GIA and above stones is limited on hand at most jewelers, they usually just have one stone that comes close to what I''m looking for. When they do have a GIA stone I usually just laugh to myself at the price they present to me. Like the other day a GIA D VS1 1ct with horrible proportions 5.84*5.34*3.xx good polish and symmetry for 10k.

I have read all of the positive reviews of GOG''s stones, their viewing process is the next best thing to being in store.

When it says Microscope pic on GOG''s detail viewings is that at 10x magnification?

From the recommendations above I like the F SI1 or H VS2. Wire price on the F SI1 is still comfortable to me at the high end ($5500), anything over that is where I start to lose my comfort level. Do Pricescope members receive any additional discount?

Does anyone else sell nice ideal cut stones with good online visibility? Anyone ever purchase from Excel Diamonds?

The wire price listed on the site is the discounted price. There is no additional discount. Excel is not a pricescope vendor, but there have been a few people who have purchased from there in the past. They sell a popular Tiffany reproductions setting, and that is where you will most hear them mentioned. I have bought from Good Old Gold and can''t say enough about their integrity and passion for quality diamonds. So I would probably stick with the stones you''re looking at there.

I think those magnified images are more than 10x, but I am not positive.

 

[NeverEndingUpgrade]

KeepItSecret, I forgot to mention that if you are considering several diamonds from GoodOldGold, you might want to ask Jonathan to shoot a video comparing 3 or 4 diamonds. I don''t think he minds. I myself have had him shoot a couple of videos just for the sake of comparison.

I love that H color princess. It looks just gorgeous. Another vendor that people have been happy with is Whiteflash. However, I don''t think that they show photos of the actual diamond on the site. I have personally never bought from them because I live in Texas (they are in Houston) and I would have to pay sales tax, something I avoid by buying from GoodOldGold.