Down to Three - Help Me Choose!

[Lorelei]

Date: 8/5/2009 10:44:34 AM
Author: Stone-cold11
http://www.bluenile.co.uk/diamond-engagement-ring-setting-platinum_7220?metal_filter=platinum&setting_filter=solitaire&set_shape=

This is the ring from BN. Totally different naming system between UK and US site so not work with just a .com switch. Weird page designing.

Thanks- very odd....

Its a beautiful setting, no need to worry about it adversely affecting brilliance of your diamond either.

 

[readyconsumer0809]

The consensus seems to be to go with the JA stone because it comes with an Idealscope, but that the first BN also seems to be pretty good. If so, should the fact that the setting I prefer is from BN affect which stone I purchase?

 

[readyconsumer0809]

How big of a hassle (and cost) is it to order the setting and stone from different vendors? Enough to drive you to choose the diamond from the same place as the stone if the choice between diamonds is close (as it seems to be you all are suggesting here)?

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 8/5/2009 2:57:10 PM
Author: readyconsumer0809
How big of a hassle (and cost) is it to order the setting and stone from different vendors? Enough to drive you to choose the diamond from the same place as the stone if the choice between diamonds is close (as it seems to be you all are suggesting here)?

You would need to check that the vendor who sets the diamond would assume liability if anything happened to the diamond while setting it ( rare but not unheard of), diamonds can occasionally break while being set so it is best to check with the setter first. That is why most opt to have the vendor who sells the diamond set it as in case anything happens, they will normally take responsibility.

Although you can't be 100% sure, this diamond from BN has very safe proportions, I wouldn't expect any nasty surprises with this one cut and beauty wise, so if you ordered it you have plenty of time to inspect it and make sure it is right for you. Make sure it is eyeclean also by asking your BN rep to find out for you and that it is eyeclean from all angles and distances.

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

 

[readyconsumer0809]

Date: 8/5/2009 9:48:38 AM
Author: Lorelei

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.

Here is the H&A image. Thoughts?

 

[stone-cold11]

Nice Hearts image.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 8/5/2009 5:16:38 PM
Author: readyconsumer0809

Date: 8/5/2009 9:48:38 AM
Author: Lorelei

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.

Here is the H&A image. Thoughts?

The hearts image is super!

 

[readyconsumer0809]

Here''s another likely dumb question: are all ideals going to be H&A stones?

I''m leaning towards purchasing stone #2 from my original three, despite the lack of IS. It is the GIA stone from BN. Would you guys support that decision?

 

[stone-cold11]

Date: 8/6/2009 7:34:27 AM
Author: readyconsumer0809
Here''s another likely dumb question: are all ideals going to be H&A stones?

I''m leaning towards purchasing stone #2 from my original three, despite the lack of IS. It is the GIA stone from BN. Would you guys support that decision?

Nope. Two entirely different things. H&A means excellent optical symm while ''Ideal'' cut means great optical performance. A stone can be cut to H&A standard and still leaks light and an ''ideal'' can be non-H&A.

Said before, depends on how much risk you are willing to take.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 8/6/2009 7:34:27 AM
Author: readyconsumer0809
Here's another likely dumb question: are all ideals going to be H&A stones?

I'm leaning towards purchasing stone #2 from my original three, despite the lack of IS. It is the GIA stone from BN. Would you guys support that decision?

Absolutely not. Also it depends on what you mean by Ideal Cut....Basically h&a are the result of excellent optical symmetry but the proportions are the main engines driving the light return, therefore you can have branded h&a as an example which have both excellent optical symmetry to show h&a and top light return because the proportions also are excellent, conversely you can also have diamonds with top light return that don't show h&a because the optical symmetry isn't there, it depends on what you want. Also don't rely on terms such as Ideal Cut to get you a great looking diamond, these terms can be used rather loosely.

Describing this fully is a lot of info for one post so this tutorial will be useful

http://journal.pricescope.com/Articles/65/1/Hearts-and-Arrows-Diamonds-and-The-Basics-of-Diamond-Cutting.aspx

 

[readyconsumer0809]

Thank you both for the clarification!

SC, would you say it is a risky purchase, or just more so than the JA?

Lorelai, what do you think?

I really appreciate the support, encouragement, and advice I''ve received from you both!

 

[stone-cold11]

Date: 8/6/2009 9:10:43 AM
Author: readyconsumer0809
SC, would you say it is a risky purchase, or just more so than the JA?

I would say just more risky compared to JA, the numbers is as safe as it can be without image.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 8/6/2009 9:10:43 AM
Author: readyconsumer0809
Thank you both for the clarification!

SC, would you say it is a risky purchase, or just more so than the JA?

Lorelai, what do you think?

I really appreciate the support, encouragement, and advice I''ve received from you both!

Put it this way, I wouldn''t anticipate any nasty surprises with the BN diamond below.

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

in fact I was inspecting a diamond of very similar proportions in person recently and it was stunning, the proportions are as safe as any without images, plus BN do have a good return policy.

 

[readyconsumer0809]

Great! Barring any negative feedback from BN regarding it being "eye clean" from all angles and distances, then, I will go ahead and lock this one up!

Thanks so much!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 8/6/2009 9:45:25 AM
Author: readyconsumer0809
Great! Barring any negative feedback from BN regarding it being ''eye clean'' from all angles and distances, then, I will go ahead and lock this one up!

Thanks so much!

You are most welcome, should it not be what you are looking for BN do have a great return policy.

 

[stone-cold11]

Good luck.

 

[readyconsumer0809]

Ah! A red flag was just raised for me as I was preparing to purchase the setting: it is engraved with the BN logo. What are your thoughts on this? They told me they could not remove it because it risks thinning out the band, but that I could do it locally. I know JA does this to their bands, too. Where could I find a band that was not engraved like this?

[EDIT: I started a new post to pose this question since we had already wound things up on this post. Plus, I was hoping we might be able to get more people involved.]