Feedback Appreciated - Here are our choices

[gregc4]

Hi All,

We are ready to make a purchase and have narrowed it down to .92 - 1.0 carat, G-H color, VVS1-SI1 with an Ideal cut. We would appreciate any and all feedback and other suggestions.

Both of these are on the very far end of our price range. I would really like to be around $5,000.00 for the ring max!
http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?track=head#diamonds_pid=LD02634162
http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?track=head#diamonds_pid=LD02554380


We found these 2 and they seem nice.
http://www.uniondiamond.com/control/showDiamondDetails?productId=AE0298278
http://www.uniondiamond.com/control/showDiamondDetails?productId=AE0294051

We also looked at James Allen and found 2 smaller diamonds but they look really nice.
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VVS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1500359.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1493121.asp

She is not too fond of something smaller than .90ish so we are going to B&M stores tomorrow to look at the size difference between .85ish and 1.00 carat.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Okay, the problem with the first 2 is that there are no pictures and they are a little on the deep side. My cut off is 62.3% for depth but I prefer 62.0 or less. If a stone is deeper, it often has a diameter that is smaller than usual for the weight when the stone is less deep. Those might be okay otherwise, but I am not wild about buying diamond with no magnified images or idealscope images.

The Union Diamond diamonds can be ruled out because they are graded by EGL which is extremely unreliable. GIA is the most common trustworthy lab and AGS is also, but fewer diamonds are graded there.

The James Allen stones are both excellent. I am assuming they didn't have any excellent/ideal cut stones in the .90 range due to you posting 2 stones in the .80 range?

 

[Dancing Fire]

the two from Union Diamond are EGL graded stone.they aren't in the same league as GIA and AGS lab.

 

[gregc4]

The James Allen stones are both excellent. I am assuming they didn't have any excellent/ideal cut stones in the .90 range due to you posting 2 stones in the .80 range?

We reduced the size based on price and quality. If we kept the size the price went way up.

We also just looked at some diamonds in the 1.00 - 1.25 range but had to go to I-J color, VS2-SI1 keeping the cut at Excellent/Ideal.

When we actually get to see the size differences tomorrow that will help narrow it down. We are starting to like the idea of a larger stone with not so high quality but keeping the cut Excellent/Ideal.

The comments about EGL confirmed our research and we will stay clear of diamonds graded by them.

Thoughts and suggestions welcomed.

Thanks,

Greg & Jen

 

[diamondseeker2006]

You are totally fine with VS2 and many SI1's are eyeclean. You just have to ask them to examine the stone for you. I'd stick with James Allen and you can also look and see if Whiteflash or Good Old Gold have anything in stock.

 

[gregc4]

You are totally fine with VS2 and many SI1's are eyeclean. You just have to ask them to examine the stone for you. I'd stick with James Allen and you can also look and see if Whiteflash or Good Old Gold have anything in stock.

I really appreciate your insight.

 

[Laila619]

I posted this stone in your other thread:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI2-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1490952.asp

It's a 0.94 GIA 3excellent cut for only $3500. You would have a ton left over for a pretty setting!

J will still be very white in this size, and you get a lot more bang for your buck IMO.

 

[E B]

What do you think of this one? Might check to see if it's eye-clean.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1452959.asp

 

[GMUAlum08]

just curious, why are you looking at vvs clarity in a stone that size? that seems like wasted money to me. you are paying for something you are never going to see and appreciate. why not go down to at least VS clarity and get a bigger size?

 

[blinglover78]

I know its an I but it looks like a beauty.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1452958.asp

 

[gregc4]

just curious, why are you looking at vvs clarity in a stone that size? that seems like wasted money to me. you are paying for something you are never going to see and appreciate. why not go down to at least VS clarity and get a bigger size?

Great advice and thanks. We never thought of it that way.

 

[gregc4]

I know its an I but it looks like a beauty.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1452958.asp

We found this one that is a little smaller. Is it similar to the one that you posted?

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1458139.asp

 

[blinglover78]

Similar...but not loving it as much.
Here is a better one.
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1500697.asp

check with them to make sure eye clean.