Diamond question?? need advice

[rockymountain]

Hey guys, just want to say hi to the forum. I am a newbie and just been trolling around the forum for a couple of days now. This is such a great forum, and definitely helpful and knowledgable people. I learn so much just from browsing this site, and the search function is a very helpful tool.

I am actually in the process of purchasing an engagement ring, and now currently looking for diamonds. I am so overwhelmed by the information and in need of some guidance and help. I ve browsed a couple of different online retailers and a few B&M stores and I have looked at many diamonds with my gf. So now I actually have a clue what she wants at last.

Now I have looked at Solasfera diamond on GoG and the official website, and I think that she would love to have this diamond. I am just wondering how much of a premium I need to pay when comparing it with a traditional hearts and arrow diamond of same quality?


Thank you guys
Henry

 

[rockymountain]

BTW How do you send private messages? I have no idea

Thank you

 

[JulieN]

Sorry, we don't have PMs.

What size are you anticipating?

 

[rockymountain]

O ok I did not realize that. Ive been trying desperately to find the PM button that it makes me confused

I am currently looking at diamonds in the 1.7 to 1.85 carat range with a g color and clarity of vs2-vvs1 and an ex/ideal cut. I am still not sure how these 4cs interrelate or whether im getting the best diamond for its price. I also have looked at a selection of diamond such as these:

http://www.bluenile.com/diamonds_details.asp?__fun_frm=i&pid=LD00101806&filter_id=0

and

http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/2554/

and

http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/2371/


Ive been trying to decide whether I should go with a Solasfera diamond or just a simple H&A diamond. It''s really confusing since I have never actually seen both types of diamonds, and the B&M I visited never mentioned H&A types either.

I have to say that this is the first time I ever bought a diamond and I must say it is really hard to find the right one

At least I know that my gf is looking for the sparkly type. She has seen the typical 58 facet diamond and she doesnt seem to like it as much as those with more facet and more sparkly. From this I am just assuming that the solasfera has more sparkle and from the reviews I see at this forum it seems so. I was also wondering whether a traditional ideal cut H&A will have more sparkle when compared to an ideal cut diamond that is considered not a H&A.

Thanx
Haenry

 

[Ellen]

If she likes more facets, she''d probably like the Solesfera, I believe they are more firey too if I recall. GOG sells them. I would call and talk to them about the differences between those and regular rounds. They are great to work with!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Gosh, that is a hard decision! I just got a 1.63 regular H&A diamond from GOG, and I can hardly imagine anything more beautiful. So for me, I''d say I am not sure a premium would be worth it. I absolutely love the stones you chose..as a matter of fact, that #2554 would be my #1 pick for an upgrade for myself if I were going larger! My stone is also the Towlkowsky cut and it is just perfect!

 

[belle]

Date: 10/24/2006 2:19:45 PM
Author: rockymountain

At least I know that my gf is looking for the sparkly type. She has seen the typical 58 facet diamond and she doesnt seem to like it as much as those with more facet and more sparkly. From this I am just assuming that the solasfera has more sparkle and from the reviews I see at this forum it seems so. I was also wondering whether a traditional ideal cut H&A will have more sparkle when compared to an ideal cut diamond that is considered not a H&A.

if your gf prefers more facets, then you should probably be focusing on getting a stone with more facets.

do you know what it was she was looking at?

 

[rockymountain]

Belle, I think she like the ones with the more facets. When we visited the B&M she seems to prefer the ones that have more sparkle or more white in color and therefore choose the diamonds that are cut differently or the vendors signature diamonds.

But the problem is whether the quality of the ideal H&A is sparkly enough to be the same or better than the signature diamonds(more facet than 5 we saw at the B&M stores. I believe one store mentioned it's signature has 68 facets, and one has 80 facets. I am pretty sure I will not be buying the diamonds from B&M because their selection is very limited and it seems that their overhead cost really put a big premium on their diamonds.

For example an AGS traditional ideal cut 1.78 with a G and VS 2 with HCA score of 2.7 goes for $22,000. I don even think it displays hearts and arrows when I saw it.

Yeah Seeker, I was also hinting at that #2554. After looking at the HCA score it seems to be a pretty good stone. Also I am not sure why a stone would have an excellent HCA score but does not fall under the ideal/ex cut of AGS/GIA very confusing. The only thing I can think is that they still reflect very good light but does not fall under the GIA/ AGS criteria. Hmm

Well the jury is still out there. Its still diamond hunting season for me

 

[JulieN]

Date: 10/24/2006 8:23:12 PM
Author: rockymountain

Yeah Seeker, I was also hinting at that #2554. After looking at the HCA score it seems to be a pretty good stone. Also I am not sure why a stone would have an excellent HCA score but does not fall under the ideal/ex cut of AGS/GIA very confusing. The only thing I can think is that they still reflect very good light but does not fall under the GIA/ AGS criteria. Hmm

2554 is a GIA excellent cut.

AGS Ideal allows for some steep crown/shallow pavilion combinations, and GIA EX allows shallower stones (but does not extend into FIC territory.) That is one reason why it may not fall in the AGS Ideal or GIA EX box.

 

[rockymountain]

Is the price of $23250 for a 1.8 ct Solasfera diamond with G color and VS1 seems reasonable. I do not have more info because it was an approximate quite from a vendor. Also what kind of cut should I expect from this price?

Also Just a side question does the 4C for a side diamonds should match the main stone in the middle? Example if I get the Solasfera, then I need a solasfera side diamonds with approximately the same quality. I am asking because the b&m salesperson mentioned this or is he just pulling my leg?

I allready picked out the setting for her and I just want to make sure everything match up nicely.

Thank you

 

[JulieN]

color within one color grade.

clarity, doesn''t matter as long as it is eye-clean.

 

[rockymountain]

Thank you Julien.

Good old Gold has placed a new gemex scan of this diamond I mentioned above.

http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/2554/

Apparently it only scored a high in terms of its brightness and I am wondering what does that mean? It scored a 1.2 on the HCA scale I think for his diamond. I am still considering this diamond even though I am kind of leaning towards the Solasfera.

Thanx
Henry

 

[Upside Down Man]

"AGS Ideal allows for some steep crown/shallow pavilion combinations, and GIA EX allows shallower stones (but does not extend into FIC territory.) That is one reason why it may not fall in the AGS Ideal or GIA EX box."

What does "FIC" stand for?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Date: 10/24/2006 8:23:12 PM
Author: rockymountain
Belle, I think she like the ones with the more facets. When we visited the B&M she seems to prefer the ones that have more sparkle or more white in color and therefore choose the diamonds that are cut differently or the vendors signature diamonds.

But the problem is whether the quality of the ideal H&A is sparkly enough to be the same or better than the signature diamonds(more facet than 5 we saw at the B&M stores. I believe one store mentioned it''s signature has 68 facets, and one has 80 facets. I am pretty sure I will not be buying the diamonds from B&M because their selection is very limited and it seems that their overhead cost really put a big premium on their diamonds.

For example an AGS traditional ideal cut 1.78 with a G and VS 2 with HCA score of 2.7 goes for $22,000. I don even think it displays hearts and arrows when I saw it.

Yeah Seeker, I was also hinting at that #2554. After looking at the HCA score it seems to be a pretty good stone. Also I am not sure why a stone would have an excellent HCA score but does not fall under the ideal/ex cut of AGS/GIA very confusing. The only thing I can think is that they still reflect very good light but does not fall under the GIA/ AGS criteria. Hmm

Well the jury is still out there. Its still diamond hunting season for me

That stone falls within both GIA Excellent and AGS0. On the HCA the X is smack in the middle of AGS0 and GIA excellent. It really doesn''t get better than that! It also has been tested as having AGS0 light performance. So this stone is tops in every respect.

But it''s fine if you want a stone with more facets, too. The Star129 is an amazing performer as well as the Solasfera. You should call and talk to Jon or Tim. They might even do a video for you comparing #2554 with a Solasfera or Star129.

 

[rockymountain]

Yeah DS that diamond was on my top 2 choice for diamond. However the new brilliantscope that GoG posted on there was giving me a concern/second thoughts.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/2554/
HCA score 1.2

How come it can only get a high score on the brilliance test. Is that still pretty good? When compared with these diamond over here that achieve a triple VH on the brilliant scope. It seems that the HCA score does not seem to matter regarding these diamonds in regards to the brilliant scope.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/2366/
HCA score 1.5

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/2368/
Hca score .8


I know brilliant scope does not really mean anything until I have seen the diamonds, but according to what I have read on the forum many people prefer a higher brilliant scope and do notice the differences.

Argh so many conflicting thoughts