Diamond shopping for an engagement ring?

[carguy]

Just found this website, and there appears to be a ton of good information here!

The time has come to look for an engagement ring. For a newbie who knew nothing about diamonds 2 weeks ago, I've done a pretty good amount of research (online and in store), but I'm still confused as to where to purchase the diamond (round brilliant), GIA certified for the best price.

We've been to a few places in the diamond district. The owner of one store is a family acquaintance, and that is where we came away with the most information and the best prices.

We've come to rank the 4 C's in the following order: Cut, Color, Carat, and then Clarity.

For Cut: Ideal, with the table and depth being as close to optimal as possible
For Color: E or F, preference towards E
For Carat: 2.50 - 2.70, preference towards 2.70
For Clarity: Si1. I looked at a few eye-clean Si1's with white inclusions under a hand-held magnifying lens, and I personally had a very difficult time finding the inclusions (And I work in tight spaces all day long with magnifying glasses). If the naked eye can't see it, IMHO, this is the C where I can slide. I couldn't see the inclusions at all without magnification. I've read that there can be some cases where Si1's are not totally eye clean, and there are some cases where Si1's are cleaner than VS2's, so it depends on the diamond. In general, if i can find a clean Si1, that would be great, which would probably allow me to meet my other preferences in the other C's while still staying in my budget.

I'm also looking for excellent polish and symmetry, with no fluorescence.

I was quoted for an Ideal (although I don't know the exact table/depth yet), E, 2.70, Si1(eye-clean) Round Brilliant, GIA ~35k at the store. This is for the diamond only. I did an online search on a diamond search engine and I found the same exact specs (with a very desirable table/depth, no fluorescence) for 39k,..but of course I haven't seen them in person . My budget is around 35k for the diamond. I'd love to go lower if possible. I have a friend doing the setting.

I'm going back to the diamond district to shop around for the best price. Does anyone think I can do better than 35k for an Ideal, E, 2.70, Si1, eye-clean, round brilliant? As far as purchasing one, I would really like to do it in store so that we can see it from all angles, different lighting, magnifying lens, etc.

If anyone has any ideas as to where the best place to buy a diamond is/or if i'm getting a good/bad deal, or a reputable dealer in the NY tri-state area I would be immensely appreciative!!! I'm very open to suggestions or opinions about anything.

Thanks in advance!!!

 

[antelope1]

Most PS merchants (except GOG, which is a short LIRR ride from Grand Central) have offices in the diamond district, so if you bought from one of them, you could inspect it before you bought it. That's not the issue.

The issue is that your parameters are really tight (2.7 ct, E, SI1, GIA cert under $35k is what I'm hearing) . The only things you haven't specified are
- whether you mean a Tolk round by an "ideal" or whether a 60-60 is also acceptable, and
- whether you want H&A in the cutting.
Of course, if you also had preferences over these dimensions, there might be no diamonds currently on the market that meet those specs....

If the diamond that your family friend is offering really is ideal cut, then it's a bargain. I don't see anything from a PS merchant that is in that ballpark, so maybe the family friend is doing you a favor.

The other possibility is that the diamond isn't really an ideal cut. Post the cert # (and photos and ASET and Idealscope, if possible) when you get the information and perhaps the experts can help you decide.

 

[yssie]

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?filter_id=0&track=head#diamonds_pid=LD01849449
33k wire price, BN has a generous return policy, can additionally take it to an appraiser and play w/ their toys..

You do say you've looked at SI1s, did you look at SI1s specifically in this size range (2.5cts+)? Clarity grading is taught (and defined by GIA/AGS/etc.) on 0.5ct stones, and in general need higher clarity as size increases to get an "eyeclean" stone.. another possibility is to look for "non-eyeclean" stones with prongable inclusions: you get the appearance of a much higher clarity at a doable pricepoint


"ideal" is a very specific term, if the stone is indeed an AGS ideal w/ the platinum report you're in good hands. If your merchant is using the term 'ideal' loosely though, as antelope said it could mean whatever he wants it to mean.. a well proportioned stone consists of much more than table and depth.

 

[carguy]

Thanks for the feedbacks!

I realize the parameters I gave seem tight, i'd be flexible in the carat and color, say from 2.50 - 2.70, and E-F. I can be a little flexible in price too. You're right, maybe the price is very good.

I didnt request to see the certification report, as i was overwhelmed with information and just browsing at the time, but I was told that the cut was "ideal". Of course, before I purchase, I would look at the certification report.

The Si1's i looked at ranged from 2-2.70, and they looked pretty darn clean. I love this helpful info. Now I'm starting to doubt myself on the "cleanliness", but they looked good. I will of course double, and triple check before purchasing.

I had a google H&A, since i didn't know what it meant. I'm not sure i'll be looking for this? Is the purpose just to purely look down the table and see the hear shapes?

Also, I wanted to make sure I have this right. Best cut for AGS is ideal-0, and for GIA it's excellent? I'd like to have the best possible cut.

Thanks!

 

[yssie]

Ah, didn't mean to scare you w/ clarity, I have a 2.7ct SI2 that I'm very happy with.

Hearts & Arrows (diamonds exhibiting this phenomenon often called 'superideals') refers to perfect optical symmetrywithin a stone, that results in arrows visible through the table and hearts through the pavilion (only) w/ a viewerthat. Precise hearts require very precise cutting to achieve.

You do not need H&A in a round to get a beautiful stone, and H&A will afford you no visibly 'better performance', 'more sparkle', etc. than a well-proportioned non-H&A stone. In fact if you find that you prefer 60/60 types you will not find a H&A stone..

In your shoes I would give the BN I linked above serious consideration.

ETA:
yes, GIA's highest cut grade is "ex". Note though that to get this cut grade GIA first averages the diamond's eight sections then rounds that averaged result, and those averaged proportions are used to determine the grade
AGSL's highest grade is 0, AGS has multiple report types in circulation - look for the printed ASET image, this is the 'platinum' report, to get cut grade 0 on the plat report stone is run through 3D ray tracing and simulation of light return is factored into the final grade, so it's not just proportions based like GIA or AGS Gold

 

[carguy]

Thank you yssie for being very detailed in that explanation...I'm definitely going to give that BN link some serious consideration. THank you also antelope for that good insight and honest opinion!

 

[starryeyed]

Hi carguy.

Call BN and ask about the inclusions in the stone. Have them examine it and tell you if it's really eye-clean.

Here is a stone from James Allen. They have offices in NYC. It a 2.66 F SI-1 for $34,670 Pricescope Price:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1325219.asp

Call them. You'll have to ask if it's eye-clean. Maybe you can make an appointment to see the stone too. You could always ask if they have anything else you should see. Magnified, you can see the inclusion under the table, but IRL maybe you can't see it.