Embarrassing question

[roisin2000]

ok, we are trying to save money but want a carat. Would you guys be embarrassed to wear an L color, SI2, ideal cut, 1.01, round. Strong blue flor.

Does that sound scary and pathetic? I''m sorry i''m clueless here. I just don''t want to look foolish.

 

[Cravin My Emerald cut]

Only you can decide the sacrifices you are willing to make.

Have you ever seen an L color in person? seen flourescence in person? seen the difference between 0.9 and 1? etc etc

Bottom line.....get what makes YOU happy.

 

[dmus]

I don''t think it''s foolish. It''s personal preference. You have to see it and decide if you like it.


Two points in your favor if you like the white icey look versus the warmer look talked about here:

- I''ve been told strong fluorescence makes a diamond look whiter
- I''ve been told ideal cut makes a diamonds look whiter

 

[babysteps]

You''re not scary, foolish or anything else! The real question is, what will YOU be happy with? And how much have you looked/tried on etc.? A carat is a nice size, but what is your ultimate wish? If it is just to have a gorgeous ring vs. being able to say ''it''s a carat'' - cut is key! (I''m a total convert) A beautiful, ideal cut smaller stone will visually outperform a larger, poorly cut stone any day - when it comes to the other factors (color and clarity) it''s very subjective - some people are more color sensitive (me) and I''m not happy below a ''G'' - but I have seen GORGEOUS ''J'' stones here recently - they are wonderfully cut and face up very white. You have to try on and see the various color gradations for yourself to see how you feel; I think SI2 clarity (as long as it is eye-clean) is fine, again as long as the cut is terrific. IMO, I would try a lot first and then decide for yourself if carat-weight is still your most important quality for your stone.

 

[kcgunesq]

Date: 4/16/2008 8:51:56 PM
Author:roisin2000
ok, we are trying to save money but want a carat. Would you guys be embarrassed to wear an L color, SI2, ideal cut, 1.01, round. Strong blue flor.

Do you mind if I ask what budget you are trying to hit?

Personally, I love flor and would avoid buying a diamond without it just because I like it.

Really, I think it comes down to if you find a stone like you describe, and you really like it, I don''t think anyone here would say that you should be embarrassed.

Personally, I''d probably rather go a bit smaller and get at least the color up a bit. But I''m sure you can find many around here that have JKL stones and like them.

 

[Kath1609]

The most important thing is that YOU have to love the ring, regardless of its specs. If you love the colour of an L with fluor, then go for it. It''s not like anyone is going to know what colour and clarity it is, unless you chose to tell them.

Having said that, I second Dmus'' comments. An ideal cut stone willl face up whiter than average cuts, and the fluor will make it appear whiter too. There are some stunning, very white looking, rings around here in the K, L and even M colour grades!

With the clarity, make sure that it is eyeclean. If it isn''t, then ask yourself if you can love any visible inclusions. Some people view them as the birthmarks of their diamonds, unique to them.

If you have a chance to see the stone in person, before you purchase, I would advise you to do so. But the people here on PS are amazing at finding fabulous stones for just about every budget and specifications!

 

[roisin2000]

hi everyone, thanks so much for your replies. I actually have the ring here. I feel foolish because i don''t know if it looks good. I have been inspecting it for hours....I see most people have lower color stones, when I look at the pictures on here. Our budget at the most was $4000 and I found a J in that range but then I talked myself into thinking that a J and an L can''t be that different. I like the fluoresence though and I thought it might help it look white?
So this stone and setting together was $2700. It''s in 18 carat yellow gold. My husband keeps telling me if I like it, but I''m not sure if I like it. I am worrying about what everyone else thinks. I know I shouldnt do that, but I feel like I have no "taste". I''ve been obsessing about milkiness and fisheyes and I''m so tired.
LOL, not trying to be down on myself. Just being honest. Truly appreciate your opinions!

 

[Cravin My Emerald cut]

Can you post pics?

Don''t worry about fisheyes etc when it''s only color!!!

 

[roisin2000]

I tried to take a couple photos but they are very blurry. Will have to try to take some more.. I am feeling better that you guys answered me. I didn''t know if it was rare and unheard of for people to spend money on L''s. Thanks so much for your help. This is a great site!

 

[lesco]

Date: 4/16/2008 9:17:24 PM
Author: roisin2000
hi everyone, thanks so much for your replies. I actually have the ring here. I feel foolish because i don''t know if it looks good. I have been inspecting it for hours....I see most people have lower color stones, when I look at the pictures on here. Our budget at the most was $4000 and I found a J in that range but then I talked myself into thinking that a J and an L can''t be that different. I like the fluoresence though and I thought it might help it look white?
So this stone and setting together was $2700. It''s in 18 carat yellow gold. My husband keeps telling me if I like it, but I''m not sure if I like it. I am worrying about what everyone else thinks. I know I shouldnt do that, but I feel like I have no ''taste''. I''ve been obsessing about milkiness and fisheyes and I''m so tired.
LOL, not trying to be down on myself. Just being honest. Truly appreciate your opinions!

I can guess how you feel. When I got my e-ring upgrade, I must have looked at the thing 100,000,000 times and second guessed myself time and time again. Although I am happy with the stone, I was very queasy about the setting.

What I did was I called the vendor, I told him I was not 100% sold on the setting and that I needed a few days to see if this is really what I wanted. I took pictures of it left and right , asked for opinions from both people in this forum and my friends and decided, a few days later, that I would be happier with a few modifications the vendor was willing to do for me at no charge.

With that said, my suggestion is that you take that puppy out on a field trip, see how you like the color in different lighting conditions, including sunlight (cause of the fluoro) and then decide if this is the one.

.

BTW let me tell you, fluoro ROCKS... My stone has some and I love it ! It makes the stone look brighter in the sun as opposed to "greyish". My original diamond has no fluoro so I can clearly see the difference.

 

[Kath1609]

If you have a couple of days left on your return policy, perhaps you can go to a couple of jewellery stores and have a look at other stones in different colour ranges. Perhaps you can even take yours to compare with other rings (though that might earn you funny looks in the store? Perhaps just hold it against the rings in the window?)

It''s not a matter of having ''taste'', as everyone''s taste is different Seriously, most people will only notice the size and sparkle. Not many will notice the colour

 

[ksinger]

Date: 4/16/2008 9:33:52 PM
Author: roisin2000
I tried to take a couple photos but they are very blurry. Will have to try to take some more.. I am feeling better that you guys answered me. I didn''t know if it was rare and unheard of for people to spend money on L''s. Thanks so much for your help. This is a great site!

Not rare or unheard of. There are plenty of folks on here who have j/k stones. If I had found an L, I might have gone for it. I love color!

That said, CUT CUT CUT CUT CUT!!! Cut IS KING! Color will always take a backseat to CUT. A great cut will make an L, or an O for that matter, look WAY better than an average D, E, or F.

Worry about the cut first!!

And take advantage of the great helpers here! The only price they try to extract from you at the end of the process is PICTURES!!!

 

[Gypsy]

Why on earth would that be a silly/embarrasing question!

I would wear one if it were eyeclean and it were either a) ideal cut or b) an antique vintage stone.

Only you can decide what you are comfortable with though. If it looks good to you, makes you happy, AND you''ve seen it in natural light, outdoors, in the sun, in the shade and so forth... I''d get it.

 

[cinnamon013]

First of all, you are not pathetic. It sounds like you don't love the ring, though. And that is probably the reason you should return it. Better to do it now than think you will grow to love it. For spending $2700, you should be wowed!

One thing to consider, if it is not well cut, it will show color more, and it will actually measure smaller than other well cut stones of a lighter weight. You said your budget was $4k at the first. Did you consider this?

http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-684414.htm#

It's a beauty, and you could still get the setting and be under $4k.

 

[ImpatientOne]

In addition to the stone cinnamon possted above, how about this one for $3373 with Pricescope discount? It an Ideal cut .92 J VS1:

http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-684410.htm

or:

Ideal cut .90 I SI1 for $3434 w/Pricescope discount:

http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-684409.htm

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 4/16/2008 9:17:24 PM
Author: roisin2000
hi everyone, thanks so much for your replies. I actually have the ring here. I feel foolish because i don''t know if it looks good. I have been inspecting it for hours....I see most people have lower color stones, when I look at the pictures on here. Our budget at the most was $4000 and I found a J in that range but then I talked myself into thinking that a J and an L can''t be that different. I like the fluoresence though and I thought it might help it look white?

So this stone and setting together was $2700. It''s in 18 carat yellow gold. My husband keeps telling me if I like it, but I''m not sure if I like it. I am worrying about what everyone else thinks. I know I shouldnt do that, but I feel like I have no ''taste''. I''ve been obsessing about milkiness and fisheyes and I''m so tired.

LOL, not trying to be down on myself. Just being honest. Truly appreciate your opinions!

I think the issue is more what the cut is than what the color is. Most of the gorgeous J colored stones here are ideal cut. This masks the color quite a bit. Unfortunately, for $2700 for the setting AND stone, it is unlikely your diamond is ideally cut which will make it face up smaller and also will look less white.

Is it important to YOU to hit a carat? If not, getting a smaller ideal cut stone will sparkle a LOT more!

 

[swingirl]

First of all it''s the cut that is really important so when you say ideal cut, who is it certified by and does it actually say ideal. A beautifully cut stone can take a lower color and clarity and still look good. If you are considering returning it PSers can refer you to another stone. But if you aren''t considering or can''t return it, then base your decision on how much you like it when you look at it.

 

[roisin2000]

hi, the certification is GIA. I am trying to get my camera to take better photos.......thanks again to everyone.

 

[Elmorton]

So, I can''t answer 100% without seeing it, but yeah, I think I would! There are a lot of I,J,K,L, shoot, Ms! around here and they''re all absolutely stunning. I don''t mind a little warmth at all - my jeweler had a HUGE, beautiful K marquis, and you could tell it was warm, but he played it up with a rose gold halo and a yellow gold split shank and it was a total stunner - and gone by the time I went in next (which I was totally bummed about!!).

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 4/16/2008 11:21:04 PM
Author: roisin2000
hi, the certification is GIA. I am trying to get my camera to take better photos.......thanks again to everyone.

GIA doesn''t grade stones as "ideal cut", so once again, who told you it was an ideal cut? The price just seems obscenely low even if the color is low too...

 

[neatfreak]

See, like here is a GIA stone that has potential to be well cut. Could also not be. But the stone alone is $2600 and that is from Whiteflash who has some of the best prices around.


http://www.whiteflash.com/round/Round-cut-diamond-888217.htm#

Something just isn't adding up here unless it was a $100 gold mounting with the ring and you got a great deal for a B&M store.

 

[roisin2000]

that''s interesting about the cut information.... Mondera said it was Ideal Cut...I just rechecked the order invoice
I''m looking at the actually GIA cert. here is my info:

carat weight 1.03 carat
color grade: L
clarity grade: SI2
cut grade: Excellent

polish: excellent
symmetry: very good
fluorescence: strong blue

shape and cutting style: round brilliant
measurements: 6.49- 6.56 x 3.98 mm

I wish i could get better photos for you. It''s just not working with this camera. Will have to use another one tomorrow.

 

[Cleo]

*hugs* to you, first of all.

You are not silly, and you shouldn't be embarassed. I can understand the feeling of wanting to be reassured about what you have bought, and to know that other people like it too.

Do you have any of your appraisal period left in which to return it if you want to?

If you can post the Total depth, table %, crown angle and pavilion angle from the certificate then we can help identify how good the cut really is (even though it's described as excellent, there can be a big variety even within 'Excellent' stones).

As the others have said making sure you have the best possible cut will do two things:

1) make your diamond look whiter
2) make your diamond look bigger

There's a even picture here that shows you how a well-cut diamond can look bigger that a not-so-well cut diamond of a greater carat weight!

http://diamonds.pricescope.com/spread.asp (top right corner!)

Your ring may well turn out to have a great cut - and you might decide you love it, which is awesome and certainly nothing to be ashamed of!!

If you decide that you are not happy with it, then I would recommend dropping to 0.90cts or thereabouts and getting an ideal cut diamond. You can save a lot of money by coming in at just under a carat... and most people will assume an ideal-cut 0.9ct diamond is a whole carat anyway... and why would you tell them otherwise?

Do let us know the proportions and let's see what you've got so far.

By the way, I love yellow gold too... good choice!

x x x

*edited to add* When you're taking photos try to use natural daylight (like on a windowsill), use the 'macro' setting (mgiht have a picture of a flower on) and try taking photos through a jewellers loupe if you have one (hold the loupe right up to the camera lens).

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 4/16/2008 9:17:24 PM
Author: roisin2000
hi everyone, thanks so much for your replies. I actually have the ring here. I feel foolish because i don't know if it looks good. I have been inspecting it for hours....I see most people have lower color stones, when I look at the pictures on here. Our budget at the most was $4000 and I found a J in that range but then I talked myself into thinking that a J and an L can't be that different. I like the fluoresence though and I thought it might help it look white?
So this stone and setting together was $2700. It's in 18 carat yellow gold. My husband keeps telling me if I like it, but I'm not sure if I like it. I am worrying about what everyone else thinks. I know I shouldnt do that, but I feel like I have no 'taste'. I've been obsessing about milkiness and fisheyes and I'm so tired.
LOL, not trying to be down on myself. Just being honest. Truly appreciate your opinions!

Then I have no taste at all then in that case!

I wear a huge L which I adore, I get compliments all the time on this stone! It may be helpful if you post the proportions of the diamond, then we can see how it is cut, if it is well cut then this might settle the question for you. Also the strong blue fluorescence might be a nice feature of this diamond.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 4/16/2008 9:33:52 PM
Author: roisin2000
I tried to take a couple photos but they are very blurry. Will have to try to take some more.. I am feeling better that you guys answered me. I didn''t know if it was rare and unheard of for people to spend money on L''s. Thanks so much for your help. This is a great site!

There are some of us on PS who love and embrace the lower colour grades by the way, but it depends on whether you do.

 

[Imdanny]

Date: 4/16/2008 10:06:22 PM
Author: cinnamon013
First of all, you are not pathetic. It sounds like you don''t love the ring, though. And that is probably the reason you should return it. Better to do it now than think you will grow to love it. For spending $2700, you should be wowed!


One thing to consider, if it is not well cut, it will show color more, and it will actually measure smaller than other well cut stones of a lighter weight. You said your budget was $4k at the first. Did you consider this?


http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-684414.htm#


It''s a beauty, and you could still get the setting and be under $4k.

Ditto.

 

[Cleo]

Date: 4/17/2008 4:33:18 AM
Author: Lorelei

Then I have no taste at all then in that case!

I wear a huge L which I adore, I get compliments all the time on this stone! It may be helpful if you post the proportions of the diamond, then we can see how it is cut, if it is well cut then this might settle the question for you. Also the strong blue fluorescence might be a nice feature of this diamond.

Lorelei - I think a photo of this huge L needs to be seen in this thread

*Any excuse for a bit of bling goggling*

x x x

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 4/17/2008 4:53:43 AM
Author: Cleo

Date: 4/17/2008 4:33:18 AM
Author: Lorelei

Then I have no taste at all then in that case!

I wear a huge L which I adore, I get compliments all the time on this stone! It may be helpful if you post the proportions of the diamond, then we can see how it is cut, if it is well cut then this might settle the question for you. Also the strong blue fluorescence might be a nice feature of this diamond.

Lorelei - I think a photo of this huge L needs to be seen in this thread

*Any excuse for a bit of bling goggling*

x x x

I will be doing a new thread soon * watch this space*

 

[Cleo]

Date: 4/17/2008 5:03:04 AM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 4/17/2008 4:53:43 AM
Author: Cleo

Date: 4/17/2008 4:33:18 AM
Author: Lorelei

Then I have no taste at all then in that case!

I wear a huge L which I adore, I get compliments all the time on this stone! It may be helpful if you post the proportions of the diamond, then we can see how it is cut, if it is well cut then this might settle the question for you. Also the strong blue fluorescence might be a nice feature of this diamond.

Lorelei - I think a photo of this huge L needs to be seen in this thread

*Any excuse for a bit of bling goggling*

x x x

I will be doing a new thread soon * watch this space*

Ooooh, you tease!!!!

Can''t wait to see it!

x x x

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 4/17/2008 5:05:51 AM
Author: Cleo

Date: 4/17/2008 5:03:04 AM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 4/17/2008 4:53:43 AM
Author: Cleo

Date: 4/17/2008 4:33:18 AM
Author: Lorelei

Then I have no taste at all then in that case!

I wear a huge L which I adore, I get compliments all the time on this stone! It may be helpful if you post the proportions of the diamond, then we can see how it is cut, if it is well cut then this might settle the question for you. Also the strong blue fluorescence might be a nice feature of this diamond.

Lorelei - I think a photo of this huge L needs to be seen in this thread

*Any excuse for a bit of bling goggling*

x x x

I will be doing a new thread soon * watch this space*

Ooooh, you tease!!!!

Can''t wait to see it!

x x x

......