Diamond Question

[oddoneout]

I''ve been dreaming of a round cut (a carat or less) diamond for awhile. I''m new to all of this so I was wondering what is best. I understand D-J is the best colour but clarity etc. I''m not sure about. I checked the advice comments in this forum already. Also does anyone know where I could find info about the best dimensions for the diamond too?

Thanks

 

[oddoneout]

Sorry I forgot to add.....what is better to look for colour or clarity or something else?

Thanks

 

[diamondseeker2006]

You simply need to buy a diamond that is GIA EXcellent or AGS0 Ideal cut. I''d suggest looking at vendors such as Good Old Gold and WhiteFlash, because they mostly carry well cut stones.

As far as clarity goes, many people here enjoy the discount you can get with eye clean SI diamonds. Others prefer higher clarity. It''s just personal preference. Color is personal preference, too, but a good value and still near colorless would be G-H color stones.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Cut is the most important and the other factors are more personal choice. What is your budget?

Read this tutorial on the 4 C's. There are great pictures on color and clarity:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/4Cs/

 

[swingirl]

You''ve come to the right place and there is a lot of information here. Color and clarity are personal preferences but CUT rules all!! As you research on some of the recommended vendor''s sites you will see the grading for cut. You can use the Cut Adviser under the TOOLS tabs where you can plug in a stone''s dimensions (taken off the GIA or AGS certificate) and have it analyzed. Of course magnified photos is a must and many vendors offer a variety of methods to virtually view a stone on the internet. Good luck!

 

[oddoneout]

What if I am looking at diamonds in a setting already at a store? What about in antique ring (would it even have a report?)? I don''t really have a budget now (since I dont'' know what is a good deal and also what I should look for). Thanks for that good old gold link....very helpful. Any other good sites that are good to help with the other proportions of the ring?

Thanks

 

[diamondseeker2006]

As far as antique rings go, many probably would not have lab grading. However, you could buy with the condition that you have the ring independently appraised. Otherwise you''d have no idea what you were getting. It really is safer and easier to buy a new stone that has a grading certificate.