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Down to Three - Help Me Choose!

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readyconsumer0809

Rough_Rock
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Aug 4, 2009
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I''ve been researching for awhile now and decided on the criteria I''m looking for in a diamond. I spent last night creating a master spreadsheet of diamonds that fit my criteria and used it to narrow my choices down to three, all of the same carat. Now I need your help! Which of the following three should I buy?

1) Round / Hearts & Arrows Ideal / G / VS2 / Depth: 62.1% / Table: 56.3% / Polish & Symmetry: Ideal (both) / Crown Angle: 35 / Crown %: 15.3 / Pavilion Angle: 40.9 / Pavilion %: 43.2 / Girdle: Thin to slightly thick / Measurements: 5.83 x 5.88 x 3.64 / Fluorescence: Negligible

2) Round / Ideal / G / SI1 / Depth: 61.1% / Table: 56.0% / Polish & Symmetry: Excellent (both) / Crown Angle: 34.5 / Crown %: 15.0 / Pavilion Angle: 40.8 / Pavilion %: 43.0 / Girdle: Thin to slightly thick / Measurements: 5.92 x 5.96 x 3.63 / Fluorescence: None / Clarity Characteristics: Crystal, Cloud

3) Round / Ideal / G / VS2 / Depth: 62.4% / Table: 55.0% / Polish & Symmetry: Excellent (both) / Crown Angle: 35.0 / Crown %: 15.5 / Pavilion Angle: 40.8 / Pavilion %: 43.0 / Girdle: Thin to slightly thick / Measurements: 5.86 x 5.88 x 3.66 / Fluorescence: Faint / Clarity Characteristics: Feather

If you need more information to aid in your advice, let me know. I would very much appreciate any and all input/advice/opinions. Thanks!
 
What is the respective weight, lab report and type and star and lower facet numbers.

From the info so far, I pick #2.
 
The respective weights are identical for all three diamonds, and none of them have a culet. As for lab report:

1) AGS

2) GIA

3) GIA

Can you claifry what you mean by type and star and lower facet numbers?
 
Star and lower facet number will be given as a % in the profile diagram of the diamond. The star will be the number above the girdle, typically 50-60%, lower facet below the girdle, typically 75-85%.
 
1) Star Facet: 56.3% / Lower Facet: [did not see on AGS diagram]

2) Star Facet: 55% / Lower Facet: 75%

3) Star Facet: 55% / Lower Facet: 75%

Also, all three girdles are faceted.

Let me know if you need any other information and I will try to turn it up. If you could include your reasoning behind your choice so that I can learn by tracing your train of thought, that would help a ton, too. Thanks!
 
Just tried and it returned:

For more information about this diamond,
please contact a client service representative at
(702) 233-6120 x2003.

I''ll need to contact them directly to get the information..
 
Looked up the AGS. The report on the vendor website is a little blurry, but looks like lgf is 79 and star is 56.
 
Date: 8/4/2009 11:51:45 AM
Author: jet2ks
Looked up the AGS. The report on the vendor website is a little blurry, but looks like lgf is 79 and star is 56.
Click to expand...

Then the AGS could be good too. Is there an Idealscope image that comes with the stone? Can you post it here?
 
Idealscope for the AGS (Stone #1) attached.

Idealscope 1.jpg
 
#2 is the easy choice without images for all 3, the angle ranges are a bit ' safer'. Star and lower girdle facet percentages are good to have but don't tell the whole story, the overall proportions are what matters.
 
What puts #2 over the top? If I can't get further information on #2, meaning I can't determine if it is an eye-clean SI1, should I be concerned at all?
 
Date: 8/4/2009 12:08:10 PM
Author: readyconsumer0809
What puts #2 over the top?
Click to expand...
The angle ranges are ' safer' as I added above even though GIA round the numbers these fall within a fairly safe area where one wouldn't expect any issues such as leakage, also make sure this SI1 clarity is eyeclean to your standards by asking the vendor to inspect the diamond for you.
 
#2 is a Blue Nile stone. Is it true they won''t inspect it for you?
 
Date: 8/4/2009 12:10:57 PM
Author: readyconsumer0809
#2 is a Blue Nile stone. Is it true they won't inspect it for you?
Click to expand...
They can ask whoever has the diamond if it is eyeclean and get a description of whether any inclusions are visible or not as the case may be, but some have found that on receiving SI diamonds from there that they weren't eyeclean to their standards, but this is only what I have heard. Most of their diamonds aren't in house but are what are called virtual stones and are owned by the suppliers. BN don't offer Idealscope images either regrettably. They do have a good return policy so plenty of time to inspect the stone yourself.
 
Good to know! Thanks. What''s your take on 1 & 3? Worth buying, just not as good as 2?
 
#1 Idealscope image is tilted somewhat but looks good.

I would go with that if that is the only stone you can get an Idealscope image of.
 
Date: 8/4/2009 12:21:45 PM
Author: readyconsumer0809
Good to know! Thanks. What's your take on 1 & 3? Worth buying, just not as good as 2?
Click to expand...
I will take a look for you....

#1 has a good IS image so we can see all the proportions work well together ( with this angle combo sometimes you can get light leakage).

#2 has ' safe' angle ranges and if you wanted to buy without IS I would say this one is as safe a bet as many.

#3 has similar proportions to #1 so again the risk is without IS that there could be light leakage ( particularly as GIA round the numbers) so I would really want to see an IS for this one before purchase.

So for me it would be 1 or 2. Just in case you might ever be thinking of upgrading, JA has an upgrade policy whereas BN does not, so if this might be a future consideration you might want to factor that into your decision process.
 
So would you all recommend JA over BN? Or is that too much of a blanket statement to make?

Perhaps it might be better for me to state my criteria and see if you all agree with the three I''ve narrowed down to.

I want to get the best looking diamond possible at .77 carat and under $3,000. I figured to do this, G was my best bet and likely VS2 or an eyeclean SI1. Thoughts?
 
Great recommendations, thank you. Unfortunately, because of special significance the number 77 carries with my girlfriend and I, I''m actually trying to get exactly .77 carats. It''s crazy, I know. But I will certainly use your stone recommendations to aid my search.
 
So I contacted BN to get an idealscope and an "eye clean" assessment on stones 2) and 3). As expected, they couldn't provide an idealscope image, but they did confirm that both diamonds were "eye clean" and put both on hold for me. With this is mind, do you all still think #2 is the best? I've posted links to all three below for you. I hope to make a purchase by the end this week, so if any of you could help me find the one, I would be very appreciative.

1) http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1253600.asp

2) http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-or-less-ideal-cut-g-color-si1-clarity_LD01395914?tempcurr=USD&rf=pd

3) http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-or-less-ideal-cut-g-color-vs2-clarity_LD01395923?tempcurr=USD&rf=pd

Of course, if you all are willing to find me one you think is even better, my hope is to find the best-looking stone that is exactly .77 carats, and under $3000. Thanks!!
 
With only #1 having an Idealscope Image, that would be my pick, safest bet.

BN''s stone might be good, probably is from the number but you cannot be sure. Also, as they are a drop-shipper, they do not own the stone, when they check if a stone is eye-clean it is actually with the vendor that owns that particular stone, so their definition of eye-clean is dependent on the owner of the stone and that varies as there are a few reports of they eye-clean stone not being so.
 
Date: 8/5/2009 9:32:36 AM
Author: readyconsumer0809
So I contacted BN to get an idealscope and an 'eye clean' assessment on stones 2) and 3). As expected, they couldn't provide an idealscope image, but they did confirm that both diamonds were 'eye clean' and put both on hold for me. With this is mind, do you all still think #2 is the best? I've posted links to all three below for you. I hope to make a purchase by the end this week, so if any of you could help me find the one, I would be very appreciative.

1) http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1253600.asp

2) http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-or-less-ideal-cut-g-color-si1-clarity_LD01395914?tempcurr=USD&rf=pd

3) http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-or-less-ideal-cut-g-color-vs2-clarity_LD01395923?tempcurr=USD&rf=pd

Of course, if you all are willing to find me one you think is even better, my hope is to find the best-looking stone that is exactly .77 carats, and under $3000. Thanks!!
Click to expand...
Your BN links aren't showing diamonds?

The JA diamond looks good, there is a very small amount of what could be leakage showing in the IS image ( it could be a result of the image backlighting too) but it if is leakage it might not be perceptible to the naked eye in reality. Also as it is being sold as h&a you could request a hearts image which would be very useful.
 
Date: 8/5/2009 9:48:38 AM
Author: Lorelei
Your BN links aren't showing diamonds?

The JA diamond looks good, there is a very small amount of what could be leakage showing in the IS image ( it could be a result of the image backlighting too) but it if is leakage it might not be perceptible to the naked eye in reality. Also as it is being sold as h&a you could request a hearts image which would be very useful.
Click to expand...

Think that is the UK website. US website is showing the linked stone but throws me to the main page when I switch the .com to .co.uk

EDT:
Use this.

#2 http://www.bluenile.co.uk/round-diamond-1-carat-or-less-ideal-cut-g-color-si1-clarity_LD01395914

#3 http://www.bluenile.co.uk/round-diamond-1-carat-or-less-ideal-cut-g-color-vs2-clarity_LD01395923
 
Thanks for the help, StoneCold.

Once I decide on the stone, I also have a question regarding settings.

Here is the one I''m currently leaning towards: http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-engagement-ring-setting-platinum_3736?filter_id=1&collection_id=234

Here is the one I was previously in favor of: http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/platinum-engagement-solitaire-ring.html (I also looked at the 4-prong version)

This may be a stupid question, but should I be concerned about the first setting not showing as much of the diamond as the second setting?
 
Date: 8/5/2009 10:22:05 AM
Author: readyconsumer0809

This may be a stupid question, but should I be concerned about the first setting not showing as much of the diamond as the second setting?
Click to expand...

No, personal preference again. Some like their diamond be expose, some do not. Well cut diamonds like these should not be taking light in from the pavilion, so covering that up will not affect the optical performance, aka. light return, of the stone.
 
Date: 8/5/2009 10:03:19 AM
Author: Stone-cold11


Date: 8/5/2009 9:48:38 AM
Author: Lorelei
Your BN links aren't showing diamonds?

The JA diamond looks good, there is a very small amount of what could be leakage showing in the IS image ( it could be a result of the image backlighting too) but it if is leakage it might not be perceptible to the naked eye in reality. Also as it is being sold as h&a you could request a hearts image which would be very useful.
Click to expand...

Think that is the UK website. US website is showing the linked stone but throws me to the main page when I switch the .com to .co.uk

EDT:
Use this.

#2 http://www.bluenile.co.uk/round-diamond-1-carat-or-less-ideal-cut-g-color-si1-clarity_LD01395914

#3 http://www.bluenile.co.uk/round-diamond-1-carat-or-less-ideal-cut-g-color-vs2-clarity_LD01395923
Click to expand...
Thank you SC,

RC I would prefer the first diamond out of these two, the first BN link above, the second I would definitely want an Idealscope image to check out that angle combo. Check carefully that the diamond is eyeclean to your standards and that the grade setting cloud mentioned is not impacting brilliance.
 
Date: 8/5/2009 10:22:05 AM
Author: readyconsumer0809
Thanks for the help, StoneCold.

Once I decide on the stone, I also have a question regarding settings.

Here is the one I''m currently leaning towards: http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-engagement-ring-setting-platinum_3736?filter_id=1&collection_id=234

Here is the one I was previously in favor of: http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/platinum-engagement-solitaire-ring.html (I also looked at the 4-prong version)

This may be a stupid question, but should I be concerned about the first setting not showing as much of the diamond as the second setting?
Click to expand...
I can''t see the settings again, tried altering the address to .com and it didn''t work.
 
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