Diamond Specs - Thoughts?

[gdtrfbdiamond]

Hi,

I got the impression that I could post the specs of a diamond I'm considering and get the forums feedback. I'm hoping for some feedback and a sanity check on what I'm considering. Here is what I've dug up - in what I'd like in a diamond.

The items in parenthesis are where I'd go if the item needed to be changed.

Clarity VS1 (VVS2)
Color F (E)
Cut, Polish, and Symmetry - Excellent
Cutlet - None
Fluorescence - None
Girdle - Medium
1.20 to 1.45 Ct.
GIA # Lasered on the Diamond

The jeweler I'm working with found this GIA diamond:

Round Brilliant
Measurements: 6.80 - 6.85 x 4.27 mm
Carat Weight: 1.21 carat
Color Grade: F
Clarity Grade: VVS2
Cut Grade: Excellent

Proportions:
Depth: 62.6%
Table: 57%
Crown Angle: 35.0°
Crown Height: 15.0%
Pavilion Angle: 41.4°
Pavilion Depth: 44.0%
Star length: 50%
Lower Half: 80%
Girdle: Medium to Slightly Thick, Faceted (3.5%)
Culet: None

Finish:
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Fluorescence: None

The price he is offering it for seems in-line (Am I allowed to put price??). The Pricescope cut analyzer gives this a 4.6. I was stuck on VVS2 and the jeweler said VS1 is the way to go, but then found this VVS2.

Thanks for any input.

Dan

 

[Stephan]

This is a steep/deep diamond, not a Pricescoper favorite.
If you buy it, allow the light to enter from the pavilion of the diamond, don''t bezel-set it.

 

[Lorelei]

Ditto Stephan, this is what we call a steep deep, it is likely it will suffer from light leakage. I would ask the jeweler to see if he can suggest any more stones. If you like very high clarity that is fine but it is cut which gives a diamond its beauty so very important to concentrate on that aspect.

 

[FB.]

According to the HCA, fire and scintillation are likely to be poor on that stone. In my eyes, fire and scintillation are the features that really give life to a diamond.

I think that IF and VVS grades are too good for jewellery and that it's usually better to go for VS grades and allocate more money towards a higher cut grade or a larger stone. Many on here would argue a good case for going down to "eye clean" SI grades.
I also think that D and E colour can easily be sacrificed down to F colour if it helps get a better cut or larger stone. Many on here would argue going down to G colour.

It is near-impossible for average people to identify the difference between D, E and F, or between IF, VVS or VS grades with the naked eye.

I'm seeing 1.2ct E/VVS2 for about £8500+tax. I see 1.2ct F/VS2 for about £5000+tax.
You can go up to a 1.6ct F/VS2 (7.5mm) for the same price as a 1.2ct E/VVS (6.75mm) and almost certainly the larger stone would outshine the smaller one. Until you see a larger stone beside a small one, you don't realise just how much better the larger stones look - so long as it's not too clumsy for the wearer.

By all means go for E/VVS2 if that's what your conscience is saying, but don't be surprised if someone who has bought a F/VS2 and allocated more money the size or cut has the more impressive-looking diamond.

 

[gdtrfbdiamond]

Ok. Thanks for the feed back, this was very helpful. I feel as if I''ve found the right vendor - different from the one who offered the diamond I inquired about. Now I''m stuck on VS1, F Color vs. VS2 and G or H. I wouldn''t transfer the savings by going with lower specs into a larger stone, I would stay with the same size stone. That being the case and wanting a quality stone, where do I go? Thoughts?

Thanks.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 8/21/2009 3:58:29 PM
Author: gdtrfbdiamond

Ok. Thanks for the feed back, this was very helpful. I feel as if I''ve found the right vendor - different from the one who offered the diamond I inquired about. Now I''m stuck on VS1, F Color vs. VS2 and G or H. I wouldn''t transfer the savings by going with lower specs into a larger stone, I would stay with the same size stone. That being the case and wanting a quality stone, where do I go? Thoughts?

Thanks.

G-H VS2 is a great place to be. I would just be open to either of those (and F/VS1 if you like), and see what the jeweler can get in the way of a really great cut. Cut is key to a diamond being dazzling and beautiful, not so much the color and clarity. So that should be your first priority.

 

[stone-cold11]

Ditto Ellen.