dithering about selecting a diamond

[Mainer]

I am picking out an engagement ring after 54 years of marriage. (Don't ask, it's complicated.) I have decided to buy on line because I can print and keep information for comparison. I've done quite a bit of reading and now have just enough knowledge to confuse myself throughly. I have picked out a setting (no trouble there) and 5 diamonds but I haven't a clue how to make the final decision. How do I know if I've picked out 5 good ones. Then how do I get off of dead center dithering and make a decision. Darts? Close my eyes and point? Ouija Board?

 

[artdecolover71]

That is so exciting- congrats! Are you buying from a site that has photos? You can post links with specs and photos here to narrow down.

 

[Mainer]

You can help? That would be great! I'm new to buying a diamond and new to this site. Here are the diamonds I've picked out:


http://p0.a-ritani.com/uploads/diamonds/certificate/pdf/237738/D-MMJP5S.pdf

http://www.ritani.com/diamonds/round-diamond-1-13-Carat-I-color-AGSL-certified/D-G3YPY6

http://www.ritani.com/diamonds/round-diamond-1-07-Carat-J-color-GIA-certified/D-MW259W

http://www.ritani.com/diamonds/round-diamond-1-05-Carat-J-color-GIA-certified/D-T1W351

They are to go in a Ritani Masterworks halo setting in yellow gold.

Any thoughts on the quality of diamonds would be gratefully appreciated. As I said I am currently in a total dither about making a choice.

 

[TC1987]

sorry that I don't have time to check into those further. But here are quick thoughts:

Holloway cut adviser score of 2 or less (it's under Tools tab at top of page) It's a rejection tool. Lower score is not better, just look for 2 or less.

Search "cheat sheet" and that''ll take you to a long thread that gives ranges of values that most PS people favor for table sz, depth, ect. of a modern round diamond

The I color range (GIA I grade, other labs can be soft, GIA is the strictest on color) is where a lot of people start to notice tint, especially from the side. J range is what I'd call "warm", and although there are lots of people who like J and K colors and warmer, there are also lots who think that J is too tinted for an engagement ring. And G is a sweet spot for almost colorless but at a good price. Generally H and up are what most people will call "white" face up & from side. I can see tint from the side in an I color stone.

eta: The best-cut stones get sent to AGS by the cutters. The GIA triple excellent grade is more lenient, and there are some poor-er performers included in there, so be a bit careful with those.

 

[c-k]

My choice would be the I color AGSL Ideal cut 1.13, should be a beautiful stone.

AGSL grades the I color correctly, the nice VS1 clarity and it will be perfect in a yellow gold setting.

 

[Mainer]

Thanks so much both of you. I will look into the carat advisor tomorrow and see if I can figure it out. CK's comment about going with the AGSL I VS1 brings up an issue I really don't understand. Why is a VS1 diamond considered a Reserve Ideal, Ritani's top rating and those diamonds with IF ratings considered less than Reserved quality. Additionally most of the Reserve Ideal's are VS1 or lower. If clarity doesn't count what is it that makes a diamond a Reserve?

I got a lot to learn.

 

[c-k]

Thanks so much both of you. I will look into the carat advisor tomorrow and see if I can figure it out. CK's comment about going with the AGSL I VS1 brings up an issue I really don't understand. Why is a VS1 diamond considered a Reserve Ideal, Ritani's top rating and those diamonds with IF ratings considered less than Reserved quality. Additionally most of the Reserve Ideal's are VS1 or lower. If clarity doesn't count what is it that makes a diamond a Reserve?

I got a lot to learn.

Clarity does matter, but why pay for something you can not see? Most diamonds have inclusions, the number, size, location, type etc determines the clarity grade. Clarity grading from VS2 and above are usually diamonds you would need a 10x loupe to see any inclusions. You will not see the inclusions in a VS1 without at least a 10x and even then I bet it would take a while for you to find them.

For some they want a FL, IF, VVS1, VVS2 but you are paying much money for these clarity grades. It is great if you want such a grade, or if the cost is not a concern, then by all means do so. Same goes for color where D E F color are the highest grades, but color of GHI and even J still look very white.

It is a matter of balancing your priorities, for myself, I am comfortable with diamonds that are Ideal cut, clarity VS-SI1 eye clean, colors G H I even J within my budget.

Oh, and that term reserve ideal, some phrase that someone came up with, makes it sound better. Look for diamonds graded AGSL Ideal, these are the best cut grades...check Infinity, GoodOldGold, Whiteflash, Brian Gavin Diamonds.