Expert help with this PoH-please!?

[arjunajane]

Hi everyone, I am looking for as many opinions as possible on my dilemma - I have posted this previously, but still need more help, so excuse my repetition!
I am currently trying to choose between a 1.01 J I1 PoH, which I''m unsure of due to the I1 (the J colour is cool, not a concern for me).
I will post the microscope image of the inclusions below, can i pls have as many expert and non-expert opinions as possible, as to whether this inclusion is "acceptable" or not, how it may affect the performance, etc? (Sorry in advance to the experts, I don''t have more photos - can post the idealscope etc if it helps..)

So, to my dilemma - in my price range, to get close to 1ct in a PoH, this is really the only option available at the moment (I think, I''m waiting to haer back from Jon re other options). Otherwise, if I didn''t get this stone, I would be going with something about 0.5 - 0.7, maybe similiar colour, but slightly better clarity..
So, need to know if this is an "ok" I1 stone, as I''m totally clueless!
thanks everyone

 

[bem3231]

While I''m no ''expert'', I have been looking at a lot of I1 stones lately as I''m considering a pair of I1''s for studs. I think that this stone looks exceptional for an I1. If Jon is backing it I would have no qualms. FYI my studs will be coming from him, too. I don''t think that I''d consider I1''s from a vendor that I did not have 110% confidence in, but I happen to have that and more for Jon and GOG. Good luck!

 

[sera]

Please, please, please reserve this diamond while you''re considering it!

 

[sera]

Here''s the info the experts will ask for:

Shape: Princess of Hearts
Carat Weight: 1.01ct
Color: J
Clarity: I1
Optical Symmetry: Superior
Polish: Ideal
Symmetry: Excellent
Fluorescence: Medium
Girdle: 3.47%
Lab Report: AGS
Width: 5.60mm
Length: 5.61mm
Depth: 4.11mm
Table Percentage: 58.07%
Depth Percentage: 73.42%
Crown Depth: 14.55%
Pavilion Depth: 51.53%

 

[arjunajane]

''bump"

 

[Lorelei]

Hi again Jane,

If Jon says this diamond is eyeclean then I would jump at it, if it was for me - also the inclusion is positioned well on the edge which I prefer. For me as an I1 owner, if Jon okayed this diamond and said it was eyeclean, then I would say it is a good I1. Also in a strict sense you can't say for sure whether an inclusion definitely affects performance as it depends on how far you want to study each particular diamond for this ( you could go very in depth with even an expert testing). But from the point of view that this diamond has what appears to be a reasonably unobtrusive inclusion and that this diamond is well cut and hence a good performer, I would say yes. I ditto reserving this diamond so lurkers don't grab it.

 

[arjunajane]

Date: 1/28/2008 6:30:12 AM
Author: Lorelei
Hi again Jane,

If Jon says this diamond is eyeclean then I would jump at it, if it was for me - also the inclusion is positioned well on the edge which I prefer. For me as an I1 owner, if Jon okayed this diamond and said it was eyeclean, then I would say it is a good I1. Also in a strict sense you can''t say for sure whether an inclusion definitely affects performance as it depends on how far you want to study each particular diamond for this ( you could go very in depth with even an expert testing). But from the point of view that this diamond has what appears to be a reasonably unobtrusive inclusion and that this diamond is well cut and hence a good performer, I would say yes. I ditto reserving this diamond so lurkers don''t grab it.

Hey lorelei, Yeah i''m starting to come around to your guys way of thinking-i guess you can only second guess yourself for so long! Any idea if u actually have to make the $$ deposit by credit card to reserve at GOG??

 

[bem3231]

I''ve been thinking about your dilemma and another couple of thoughts popped into my mind. First off, even if you downgrade size you are still looking at SI clarities, I believe, so it''s not like you''re comparing the inclusion in this stone to VS''s or VVS''s - you could be looking at an SI stone that still has inclusions that you''re wondering about. The fact that this one looks clean under the table is very significant. As Lorelei mentioned you can probably begin investigating to death potential effects of an inclusion, but remember that inclusions aside, the reality is that a 1 carat stone is likely to have more ''wow'' factor than a .5 carat stone (although both are beautiful of course!!) given that they would both be well-cut stunners.

 

[arjunajane]

Date: 1/28/2008 9:30:17 AM
Author: bem3231
I''ve been thinking about your dilemma and another couple of thoughts popped into my mind. First off, even if you downgrade size you are still looking at SI clarities, I believe, so it''s not like you''re comparing the inclusion in this stone to VS''s or VVS''s - you could be looking at an SI stone that still has inclusions that you''re wondering about. The fact that this one looks clean under the table is very significant. As Lorelei mentioned you can probably begin investigating to death potential effects of an inclusion, but remember that inclusions aside, the reality is that a 1 carat stone is likely to have more ''wow'' factor than a .5 carat stone (although both are beautiful of course!!) given that they would both be well-cut stunners.

Hi bem, thanks for giving thought to my dilemma , although as frustrating as it is, its not really a bad one to have right?
I think you and the other posters are right, and to be honest probably the only reason I haven''t reserved it by putting a deposit is a technical/personal one..I''m currently in the process of changing banks for my credit card, and so don;t actually have the physical details (card number etc) in order to make a reservation!
I have sent Jon an email, so hopefuly everything will work out smoothly..I''l be sure to keep you posted..

 

[sera]

Date: 1/28/2008 7:49:14 AM
Author: arjunajane
Hey lorelei, Yeah i'm starting to come around to your guys way of thinking-i guess you can only second guess yourself for so long! Any idea if u actually have to make the $$ deposit by credit card to reserve at GOG??

When I reserved my diamond and it was held for me, I did not put any money down. I actually don't even recall putting in bank info.

 

[arjunajane]

Hey sera

yeah i know, thats how i figured it should be, but honest, i''ve gone up, down around and thru the "reserve/checkout" option like 5 times, and always come to asking for a credit card deposit - i dunno, maybe its different as I''m international..?
Thanks for checking back though!

 

[chrono]

Warning: Debby Downer post coming up...

The stone looks quite nice for an I1. My concern is that you may not be able to hide the inclusion under a prong. The PoH will require prongs on the clipped coners (which are inclusion free) so you will still be able to see the inclusion on that side. Will this bother you?

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/29/2008 12:21:38 PM
Author: Chrono
Warning: Debby Downer post coming up...

The stone looks quite nice for an I1. My concern is that you may not be able to hide the inclusion under a prong. The PoH will require prongs on the clipped coners (which are inclusion free) so you will still be able to see the inclusion on that side. Will this bother you?

I was wondering that too, but I am hoping that the inclusion may not show up too much when Jon eyeballs it, I guess we will see what he says.

 

[sera]

Date: 1/29/2008 12:28:56 PM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 1/29/2008 12:21:38 PM

Author: Chrono

Warning: Debby Downer post coming up...

The stone looks quite nice for an I1. My concern is that you may not be able to hide the inclusion under a prong. The PoH will require prongs on the clipped coners (which are inclusion free) so you will still be able to see the inclusion on that side. Will this bother you?

I was wondering that too, but I am hoping that the inclusion may not show up too much when Jon eyeballs it, I guess we will see what he says.

In the other thread she mentioned Jon had said the inclusion was transparent. Other than that, not sure.

 

[arjunajane]

hi guys..yeah, Jon actually said to me the inclusion is transparent (whatever that means!) but i figure thats a good thing...
Any final opinions, thoughts before i decide whether to put a hold on it...or should i ''hold out'' for a better stone? To be honest, originnaly I wasn''t looking for something this big..I would be happier with 0.8 or 0.9 with slightly higher colour and clarity..(and hopefully closer to my price range)
I realise te inclusion is in a pretty impractical place as far as setting goes, however from what Jon said, maybe it is slightly "stricter" graded I1...?
hears hoping!

 

[bem3231]

I know that I''ve already chimed in on this but... I will reiterate that if you ''hold out'' for another stone, SI stones could easily have black inclusions and/or inclusions under the table, which would be a whole other issue. I think that at this point you need to decide based on what your instincts tell you.

 

[arjunajane]

Hi Bem and others
Just thought I''d let you guys know I have put this one on reserve..we''ll see what happens from here! thanks for all ur input, its helpful and appreciated always

 

[Lorelei]

Keep us posted!!

 

[arjunajane]

Lorelei, Bem, Sera, chrono and others..

Not very happy, and not sure what to do...

So i put the PoH on hold, and sentJon an email requesting a video, to compare the J I1 to something a lil higher in colour and clarity, such as a Poh H SI1. the purpose of this of course is to aid in making my final decision, to be able to see how the J I1 "looks" IRL, so to say, as much as possible..or if I need to choose a different stone...

Now, before I continue, I would like to make a point of saying that Jon and the other GOG staff have been more than helpful in my search so far- I could not say they have placed a foot wrong if I wanted to..

However, in response to my email, Jon''s daughter replied in saying that I would not be able to see the inclusion in a video. a couple of my other Q''s weren''t addressed, such as the durability of the stone.
As mentioned above, just "seeing" the inclusion wasn''t really my main/Sole purpose for requesting a video...
I hope you guys can understand my concerns, that I am purchasing sight-unseen from australia, where no one even cuts a stone like the PoH. Moreover, when I first started to look, I never thought i''d be considering a J colour I1 stone for my final choice- I''ve checked out the B&M''s here, but can''t find anything less than a G-H colour and VS clarity, so its hard to get idea.
Hence, my need to be able to compare the PoH as much as possible thru video, photos, etc, before being able to make an informed decision..

I know that Jon is a Very busy guy at a very busy store, and in so far he has been extremely friendly and helpful. I know that my purcahse is "small potatoes" ($3-4k), compared to the realm that they likely usually get asked about (<420K etc) - however, as I''m still in my low 20''s, its still a very big purchase for me!

I guess what I''m trying to say is, at this late stage in the decision making process, I kinda feel like I''m not getting the assistance I could really use..After speaking continuously with Jon for couple weeks, but now his daughter..

Am I being silly..? Is there something else I can/should do..?
Should I just wait for a new stone to come along - actually on that, does Anyone know when GOG gets new stones in?? Should I just tell Jon how I feel?...

Thanks for reading, and cheers for any thoughts in advance..

 

[Deelight]

arjunajane,
Speak to Jon and see what he has to say also it may be worth asking Jon to ship a couple diamonds for you to an independent valuer in Australia. You will have to pay for the service for the valuation but you can then compare what you after without forking out for both diamonds to compare and having to send one back and stuff around with customs.


I can understand how you would want to see them buying sight is harder especially when you are OS, as for GOG shipments I have no idea sorry

 

[bem3231]

Having dealt with Jon quite a bit myself, my advice would be to just tell him how you''re feeling. I would imagine that if he''s not replying to e-mail himself that he must be very busy indeed. He does participate in these forums so he may well come across your comments anyhow. Better to just be upfront. I''m pretty sure that he''ll do whatever is required to rectify the situation.

 

[chrono]

I know Jon gets swamped with emails and all and being across the pond, telephone calls will not work (time difference and cost). All I can say is to request working directly with Jon.

Hint: If you are interested in a square stone like the PoH but a cleaner one, how about a Jubilee? I hear there''s going to be a 0.7 ct J VS2 coming in soon from a trade in upgrade that measures 5.3 mm.

Ask Jon for more details but it probably will not be available for a month yet. It looks just like the one in my avatar.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/31/2008 12:10:32 PM
Author: Chrono
I know Jon gets swamped with emails and all and being across the pond, telephone calls will not work (time difference and cost). All I can say is to request working directly with Jon.

Hint: If you are interested in a square stone like the PoH but a cleaner one, how about a Jubilee? I hear there''s going to be a 0.7 ct J VS2 coming in soon from a trade in upgrade that measures 5.3 mm.

Ask Jon for more details but it probably will not be available for a month yet. It looks just like the one in my avatar.

Hehehe!

Good advice also Chrono!

 

[arjunajane]

Lorelei, Bem, Chrono, cheers for ur comments.
I know how Jon sometimes goes through the forums,thats cool - maybe you can tell i was just a lil frustrated and needed to vent! Like I said, he''s been great - friendly and helpful, I can''t complain.
Its probably just me, being impatient!
As was mentioned, phone calls are really impractical.
Chrono, thanks for the advice on the jube-to be honest, that shape would actually be my first preference..I''ll definately enquire-granted there''s not already a waiting list!

Cheers guys!

 

[arjunajane]

Date: 1/31/2008 12:10:32 PM
Author: Chrono
I know Jon gets swamped with emails and all and being across the pond, telephone calls will not work (time difference and cost). All I can say is to request working directly with Jon.

Hint: If you are interested in a square stone like the PoH but a cleaner one, how about a Jubilee? I hear there''s going to be a 0.7 ct J VS2 coming in soon from a trade in upgrade that measures 5.3 mm.

Ask Jon for more details but it probably will not be available for a month yet. It looks just like the one in my avatar.

Chrono, would you be kind enough to ppost some pics of your jube, or tell me the link?
Also, when you say it measures 5.3mm (excuse my ignorance) , but which measuerment are you referring to here? is it the table or total width?

 

[kelly630]

Oh my goodness...I''m no expert but to me, that stone is gorgeous! I''ve been sent some photos of I1''s (RBs, though) and your stone far surpasses any that I have seen thus far. Maybe I should have GOG start looking for me! If it were me, I would not hesitate to purchase that stone!

 

[sera]

Date: 1/31/2008 12:10:32 PM
Author: Chrono
Hint: If you are interested in a square stone like the PoH but a cleaner one, how about a Jubilee? I hear there''s going to be a 0.7 ct J VS2 coming in soon from a trade in upgrade that measures 5.3 mm.

Ask Jon for more details but it probably will not be available for a month yet. It looks just like the one in my avatar.

OOH, now *that''s* a good idea, too!

Good luck in your continued search. I hope it all works out. And I agree with the others, just be upfront with Jon.

 

[clammer]

I just wanted to chime in and let you know that I helped my mom purchase an I2 from GOG. I was leary of going with a clarity that low, but they told me it was one of the best that they had seen. I trusted their expert opinion and I''m so glad I did. I actually like my mom''s new stone a little more than I even like my own. In fact the stone was so beautiful, it even made it on another vendors website (where her setting was purchased) for a while.

Here is the link that shows some of the pictures. There are no good close-ups but it can give you an idea of an I1-I2 diamond in real lifrhttps://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/gog-diamond-in-carl-blackburn-from-pearlman%E2%80%99s.63412/

 

[arjunajane]

Date: 1/31/2008 11:27:49 PM
Author: Rebot
I just wanted to chime in and let you know that I helped my mom purchase an I2 from GOG. I was leary of going with a clarity that low, but they told me it was one of the best that they had seen. I trusted their expert opinion and I''m so glad I did. I actually like my mom''s new stone a little more than I even like my own. In fact the stone was so beautiful, it even made it on another vendors website (where her setting was purchased) for a while.

Here is the link that shows some of the pictures. There are no good close-ups but it can give you an idea of an I1-I2 diamond in real lifrhttps://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/gog-diamond-in-carl-blackburn-from-pearlman%E2%80%99s.63412/

Thankyou so much rebot for *chiming in*! I had a look and ur mum''s ring is truely beautiful, a very original design, which is great to see..I also can''t believe thats I2! what a great find. I am looking at designs with both white and yellow gold aswell.
this kind of feedback is very helpful! maybe I should just stop second-guessing myself and go for it..i guess its just the *real life* confirmation of a video or close up photo of my stone that i''m seeking so as to make the final call.
thankyou again for posting it

 

[arjunajane]

Hi everyone..just wanted to post an "update"..
emailed Jon again with my request for a video with a couple diff stones of varying colour and clarity grades..
I explained why I felt I would need a vid to decide, and of course Jon was very quickly obliging..
He is just the best! (and I let him know that i thought this too).
On another tip..can i pls have votes for the style of setting I''m trying very hard to choose between..(you''ll have to excuse my amatuer posts, as I''mnot sure how to post more than 1 pic in each post, or how to run a poll..)

The choices are both A Jaffe, which I''m totally loving, and to be honest, aren''t quite as pricey as I''d expect too *bonus*
Both styles I would be getting in "mixed" yellow and white gold (platinum outta price range

. I know that YG isn''t all that popular over there, neither is it here at the moment - but thats kinda why I like it, for something different (plus, it looks better with my colouring

) Pls remember this is for a RHR, not an E-ring!

Choice one: