Final Decision - views on SI1 clarity diamond from Blue Nile

[manwithaplan]

Hi All,

Over the last month I have been relying on PS forums for a heap of advice and diamond education. FIrst of all thanks to all the posters in the forums who have provided me with the best education a man can get!

I am planning to propose to my gf in January. I have decided to go with Blue Nile (for a diamond purchase, and have the ring set at my local jeweller) after consulting several forums and people, and am set on this. However, I wanted some views before I pull the trigger on paying for the diamond. The main views being on clarity and the inclusions listen on the GIA report attached.

The diamond I am going with is attached below. Any thoughts or comments would be really helpful, especially on the inclusions which I am still not 100% sure on the significance. As long as it is eye clean I am happy. I don't care if you can see it at 10.0x as long as there is nothing that impacts the visual performance. Also, if anyone has dealt with Blue Nile before and if you have had any success in obtaining additional info on the diamond you have shortlisted e.g. 10x image, H&A images, eye clean confirmation etc.

My criteria is:
Budget: US$8,800
Carat: 1.25 - 1.50* (see my narrative below)
Colour: H (min.)
Cut: GIA Ideal (with a max 4.0 HCA score)
Clarity: SI1 / S12 (as long as it is EYE CLEAN)

I have chose this diamond (ahead of others due to):
Budget: it is within budget at $8,400
Carat: at 1.38 is in range
Colour: H is in range
Cut: GIA ideal (with HCA of 1.7)
Clarity: SI1 is in range

Thanks in advance

*Carat narrative - you dont have to comment on this if you dont feel like as my focus is still on clarity and the SI1 v SI2 decision.

BUT - Just for everyones background, this was the major point which would drive my indecision. I will explain my decision making to help any other man in the future, if it helps at all! I initially settled on 1 carat, after viewing a 1 carat in store in my setting of choice (classic 4 prong solitaire) and was happy with the size after one of the ladies at the store (with similar sort of size hands as my B2B) modelled it for me.

But this changes after speaking to a very close female friend: "1.0 carat looks small"
My female cousin also chimed in after doing some investigations of girls with partners in similar situations and age to me - she said 1.25 will be nice but if you get her a 1.5 she would be the happiest woman in Singapore (where I am from).

At a ct of 1.25 - I can get a E/G colour SI1/ VS2 with a HCA score of 2.0.

At a ct of 1.50 - I can only get a H colour SI2 with a HCA score of 2.0 - 4.0. Obviously with the 1.50 i sacrifice on the clarity and am very hesistant to purchase an unseen SI2 from Blue Nile.

However things get interesting around the 1.35 - 1.40 mark. I have settled on this 1.38 baby as I avoid the SI2 and get what looks like a good cut. My aim was to get a 1.40 and tell my B2B that it is a 1.40 but if she likes she can just tell her friends its a "one and a half carat"

 

[Diamondbug]

Re: Final Decision - views on SI1 clarity diamond from Blue

I just bought a stone from Blue Nile and waiting for it to arrive end of the week so I have not personally seen the stone. But I will share my shopping experience with BN . While browsing the site, I picked a few stones, called BN and asked them abt the stones I was interested in. I had a 2 SI2's and 2 SI1's. I asked if they can send me photos and IS and confirm eye clean. They do not provide IS but can provide photos and eye clean confirmation. Two of the stones already had notations in the system as being not eye clean so they were out. One was already confirmed eye clean and had a photo on file. I had to wait for photo and eye clean confirmation on the last one. One of the stones also had strong blue flo, they also confirmed that it did not have negative impact on the stone. Surprisingly the only one that came back eye clean was an SI2. The stone you picked looks good. I would pick a few options before calling them and ask for photo and about eye clean. Maybe you'll get lucky and will already have photos and notations on file about the stones

 

[Gypsy]

Re: Final Decision - views on SI1 clarity diamond from Blue

If they confirmed for you that it is eyeclean, it's a nice stone. And I think the size is a very smart choice!

 

[1820blue]

Re: Final Decision - views on SI1 clarity diamond from Blue

HI! I find myself in a similar position. I have heard the négatives about blue nile but really like one of the settings and trust it more as it was recomended to me by friends.

Can I ask if you decided to buy this one? have you received it yet and overall how was the experience?

Thanks and good lukc with the proposal

 

[garybloom]

Re: Final Decision - views on SI1 clarity diamond from Blue

Hi ManwithaPlan,

Based on the cert you showed, it appears that the stone in question has "clouds" these typically detract from the brilliance of the light coming out the diamond. If it is not too late, make sure you call the company you bought and ask them directly about the clouds.
Secondly, your focus (in my opinion) is balancing within your budget Size (carat) and Cut (the proportions and symmetry that bring out the fire). Try your best within your budget to get the biggest stone with the best cut. The clarity and color you can go down a bit.
I agree with you - eye clean is HUGE - and really in the end of the day it is what she and her friends will notice. They'll never see the inclusion(s) if properly set, and the clouds (if they are indeed there) might have an impact on the brilliance.
----- if you are set on this stone, get it polished as best as you can and get it set by a jeweler you trust. Add that to giving it with love and your B2B will absolutely love it.

Hi All,

Over the last month I have been relying on PS forums for a heap of advice and diamond education. FIrst of all thanks to all the posters in the forums who have provided me with the best education a man can get!

I am planning to propose to my gf in January. I have decided to go with Blue Nile (for a diamond purchase, and have the ring set at my local jeweller) after consulting several forums and people, and am set on this. However, I wanted some views before I pull the trigger on paying for the diamond. The main views being on clarity and the inclusions listen on the GIA report attached.

The diamond I am going with is attached below. Any thoughts or comments would be really helpful, especially on the inclusions which I am still not 100% sure on the significance. As long as it is eye clean I am happy. I don't care if you can see it at 10.0x as long as there is nothing that impacts the visual performance. Also, if anyone has dealt with Blue Nile before and if you have had any success in obtaining additional info on the diamond you have shortlisted e.g. 10x image, H&A images, eye clean confirmation etc.

My criteria is:
Budget: US$8,800
Carat: 1.25 - 1.50* (see my narrative below)
Colour: H (min.)
Cut: GIA Ideal (with a max 4.0 HCA score)
Clarity: SI1 / S12 (as long as it is EYE CLEAN)

I have chose this diamond (ahead of others due to):
Budget: it is within budget at $8,400
Carat: at 1.38 is in range
Colour: H is in range
Cut: GIA ideal (with HCA of 1.7)
Clarity: SI1 is in range

Thanks in advance

*Carat narrative - you dont have to comment on this if you dont feel like as my focus is still on clarity and the SI1 v SI2 decision.

BUT - Just for everyones background, this was the major point which would drive my indecision. I will explain my decision making to help any other man in the future, if it helps at all! I initially settled on 1 carat, after viewing a 1 carat in store in my setting of choice (classic 4 prong solitaire) and was happy with the size after one of the ladies at the store (with similar sort of size hands as my B2B) modelled it for me.

But this changes after speaking to a very close female friend: "1.0 carat looks small"
My female cousin also chimed in after doing some investigations of girls with partners in similar situations and age to me - she said 1.25 will be nice but if you get her a 1.5 she would be the happiest woman in Singapore (where I am from).

At a ct of 1.25 - I can get a E/G colour SI1/ VS2 with a HCA score of 2.0.

At a ct of 1.50 - I can only get a H colour SI2 with a HCA score of 2.0 - 4.0. Obviously with the 1.50 i sacrifice on the clarity and am very hesistant to purchase an unseen SI2 from Blue Nile.

However things get interesting around the 1.35 - 1.40 mark. I have settled on this 1.38 baby as I avoid the SI2 and get what looks like a good cut. My aim was to get a 1.40 and tell my B2B that it is a 1.40 but if she likes she can just tell her friends its a "one and a half carat"

 

[1820blue]

Re: Final Decision - views on SI1 clarity diamond from Blue

The more I read the more confusing this all gets!! how do you ever pull the trigger and buy one

Hi ManwithaPlan,

Based on the cert you showed, it appears that the stone in question has "clouds" these typically detract from the brilliance of the light coming out the diamond. If it is not too late, make sure you call the company you bought and ask them directly about the clouds.
Secondly, your focus (in my opinion) is balancing within your budget Size (carat) and Cut (the proportions and symmetry that bring out the fire). Try your best within your budget to get the biggest stone with the best cut. The clarity and color you can go down a bit.
I agree with you - eye clean is HUGE - and really in the end of the day it is what she and her friends will notice. They'll never see the inclusion(s) if properly set, and the clouds (if they are indeed there) might have an impact on the brilliance.
----- if you are set on this stone, get it polished as best as you can and get it set by a jeweler you trust. Add that to giving it with love and your B2B will absolutely love it.

Hi All,

Over the last month I have been relying on PS forums for a heap of advice and diamond education. FIrst of all thanks to all the posters in the forums who have provided me with the best education a man can get!

I am planning to propose to my gf in January. I have decided to go with Blue Nile (for a diamond purchase, and have the ring set at my local jeweller) after consulting several forums and people, and am set on this. However, I wanted some views before I pull the trigger on paying for the diamond. The main views being on clarity and the inclusions listen on the GIA report attached.

The diamond I am going with is attached below. Any thoughts or comments would be really helpful, especially on the inclusions which I am still not 100% sure on the significance. As long as it is eye clean I am happy. I don't care if you can see it at 10.0x as long as there is nothing that impacts the visual performance. Also, if anyone has dealt with Blue Nile before and if you have had any success in obtaining additional info on the diamond you have shortlisted e.g. 10x image, H&A images, eye clean confirmation etc.

My criteria is:
Budget: US$8,800
Carat: 1.25 - 1.50* (see my narrative below)
Colour: H (min.)
Cut: GIA Ideal (with a max 4.0 HCA score)
Clarity: SI1 / S12 (as long as it is EYE CLEAN)

I have chose this diamond (ahead of others due to):
Budget: it is within budget at $8,400
Carat: at 1.38 is in range
Colour: H is in range
Cut: GIA ideal (with HCA of 1.7)
Clarity: SI1 is in range

Thanks in advance

*Carat narrative - you dont have to comment on this if you dont feel like as my focus is still on clarity and the SI1 v SI2 decision.

BUT - Just for everyones background, this was the major point which would drive my indecision. I will explain my decision making to help any other man in the future, if it helps at all! I initially settled on 1 carat, after viewing a 1 carat in store in my setting of choice (classic 4 prong solitaire) and was happy with the size after one of the ladies at the store (with similar sort of size hands as my B2B) modelled it for me.

But this changes after speaking to a very close female friend: "1.0 carat looks small"
My female cousin also chimed in after doing some investigations of girls with partners in similar situations and age to me - she said 1.25 will be nice but if you get her a 1.5 she would be the happiest woman in Singapore (where I am from).

At a ct of 1.25 - I can get a E/G colour SI1/ VS2 with a HCA score of 2.0.

At a ct of 1.50 - I can only get a H colour SI2 with a HCA score of 2.0 - 4.0. Obviously with the 1.50 i sacrifice on the clarity and am very hesistant to purchase an unseen SI2 from Blue Nile.

However things get interesting around the 1.35 - 1.40 mark. I have settled on this 1.38 baby as I avoid the SI2 and get what looks like a good cut. My aim was to get a 1.40 and tell my B2B that it is a 1.40 but if she likes she can just tell her friends its a "one and a half carat"

 

[AprilBaby]

Re: Final Decision - views on SI1 clarity diamond from Blue

Pictures help a lot!

 

[mrs-b]

Re: Final Decision - views on SI1 clarity diamond from Blue

Nice diamond. Great price. If they've said it's eye clean, I'd say go for it.

I've done a lot of business with BN and have bought dozens of diamonds from them. Always happy with where I land with them.