first diamond purchase

[joshlam27]

hey team

narrowing down my selection for E-ring. going to be my first diamond purchase and hoping to get your expert opinions on this one
https://www.bluenile.com/ca/diamond...DiamondDetails&action=newTab&catalogView=true

our biggest concern is the fire and brilliance of the diamond. i know best to judge in person, but based on the video provided, what are your thoughts?

really appreciate it!

 

[ctsamg]

The typical advice here is that unless there's cultural reasons, D color is overkill. That's one expensive stone for the size!!

Can't say much about the cut without an ASET.

 

[joshlam27]

not cultural, just happened with my browse, the facets for this one looked to my untrained eyes to be very nice.

unfortunately, BN doens't provide ASETS...

 

[lovedogs]

I agree that it seems very overpriced, likely bc of color. Hopefully others can chime in soon, as I am no expert on pears. However, I feel like this one has "mush" in the tip, which I don't really like.

 

[sledge]

Agree with @lovedogs on the crushed ice at the tips. Not my cup of tea, but what I've learned about fancy cuts is it's more about wearer preferences than hard numbers (like in round diamonds). Also, fancy shapes tend to show tint more, plus I just really, really like colorless stones so while I think you are paying a premium for D color I'm also okay with it as long as you know the trade offs. I might also add clarity matters more in fancy shapes as well.

FYI, diamonds are a zero sum game, meaning if you have a fixed budget then as you increase/decrease the various C's it has a direct and opposite effect with the other C's. Better color means decrease size or clarity for instance. Maximized size means a decrease in color and/or clarity. And so on and so on. Obviously the trick is finding the "happy medium" for your specific tastes.

You need videos and ASET's to buy fancy shapes IMO. I'm not the best at picking pears, but happen to know a few people who can help. @rockysalamander @farrahlyn @OoohShiny

 

[HappyNewLife]

not affiliated, but make sure you sign up with ebates for 1% back if you go with blue nile

 

[joshlam27]

Agree with @lovedogs on the crushed ice at the tips. Not my cup of tea, but what I've learned about fancy cuts is it's more about wearer preferences than hard numbers (like in round diamonds). Also, fancy shapes tend to show tint more, plus I just really, really like colorless stones so while I think you are paying a premium for D color I'm also okay with it as long as you know the trade offs. I might also add clarity matters more in fancy shapes as well.

FYI, diamonds are a zero sum game, meaning if you have a fixed budget then as you increase/decrease the various C's it has a direct and opposite effect with the other C's. Better color means decrease size or clarity for instance. Maximized size means a decrease in color and/or clarity. And so on and so on. Obviously the trick is finding the "happy medium" for your specific tastes.

You need videos and ASET's to buy fancy shapes IMO. I'm not the best at picking pears, but happen to know a few people who can help. @rockysalamander @farrahlyn @OoohShiny

what do you mean by crushed ice at the tips?

what about this one? https://www.bluenile.com/ca/diamond...DiamondDetails&action=newTab&catalogView=true

would love to also hear from @rockysalamander @OoohShiny @farrahlyn

thanks!

 

[sledge]

what do you mean by crushed ice at the tips?

Maybe this helps...

 

[joshlam27]

ahhh i see what you mean. would love to see some pears that dont' have this apperarance...very difficult to find.

if any of you have suggestions
looking for a 1.5-1.8 ct pear shape

 

[rockysalamander]

ahhh i see what you mean. would love to see some pears that dont' have this apperarance...very difficult to find.

if any of you have suggestions
looking for a 1.5-1.8 ct pear shape

In a pear, you'll always have a bit of crushed ice at the tip. You are aiming to the rounded end the most "round like" in performance and minimize the persistent bowtie (but you can't eliminate it). I can have a look over the weekend, but its been slim pickings of late for fancies. You might reach out to Diamonds By Lauren. They are fancy pros.

 

[joshlam27]

In a pear, you'll always have a bit of crushed ice at the tip. You are aiming to the rounded end the most "round like" in performance and minimize the persistent bowtie (but you can't eliminate it). I can have a look over the weekend, but its been slim pickings of late for fancies. You might reach out to Diamonds By Lauren. They are fancy pros.

yes i appreciate it @rockysalamander

i did reach out to lauren. unforutnately, as you mentioned, slim pickings for what im looking for

1.5-1.8ct
pear diamond
L/W >1.55
D-G
VS2+

most important factor is fire and brillance.

ive been looking at
https://www.bluenile.com/ca/diamond...DiamondDetails&action=newTab&catalogView=true

https://www.bluenile.com/ca/diamond...DiamondDetails&action=newTab&catalogView=true

any other suggestiones VERY welcome.

thanks

 

[WillyDiamond]

most people on this forum will not buy without an ASET, which eliminates BN
Best of luck.

 

[ctsamg]

You might try Martin at USA Certed, he could at least do a search for you

 

[rockysalamander]

You might try Martin at USA Certed, he could at least do a search for you

For fancy shapes, I think think this would not prove fruitful as Martin won't generally provide ASET.

 

[rockysalamander]

most people on this forum will not buy without an ASET, which eliminates BN
Best of luck.

They usually will provide ASET for fancies, just not rounds.

 

[rockysalamander]

yes i appreciate it @rockysalamander

i did reach out to lauren. unforutnately, as you mentioned, slim pickings for what im looking for

1.5-1.8ct
pear diamond
L/W >1.55
D-G
VS2+

most important factor is fire and brillance.

ive been looking at
https://www.bluenile.com/ca/diamond...DiamondDetails&action=newTab&catalogView=true

https://www.bluenile.com/ca/diamond...DiamondDetails&action=newTab&catalogView=true

any other suggestiones VERY welcome.

thanks

What is your budget for the diamond? What kind of setting are you looking at?

 

[joshlam27]

What is your budget for the diamond? What kind of setting are you looking at?

<25k

i will be getting a custom solitaire setting so would be looking ot purchase a loose stone.

Thanks a lot !

 

[WillyDiamond]

Thanks Rocky, good to know

They usually will provide ASET for fancies, just not rounds.

 

[rockysalamander]

I'm going to flex your criteria a bit to give you more options.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/pear-shaped/2.02-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-sku-6001412 {lively and a lot of light movement. SI1 with clounds, so needs to be examined for effects from this clouds; nice high crown}

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/pear-shaped/2.03-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-35731 {this is a 4-main stone with a nice amount of sparkle. Nice pear shape. This has potential. }

Out of the box suggestion, but its stunning.
https://www.jewelsbygrace.com/1-33ct-vintage-shield-step-cut-diamond-gia-e-vs1

 

[tyty333]

ahhh i see what you mean. would love to see some pears that dont' have this apperarance...very difficult to find.

if any of you have suggestions
looking for a 1.5-1.8 ct pear shape

Ditto rockysalamander...almost all pears will exhibit crushed ice (and possibly mush) at the pointed end. It's the nature of the cut. I find ASET in pears to be of limited use. It's a one time shot of how the stone might do at one angle. Videos really tell what's going on as the stone moves. Are there nice distinct facets lighting up as the stone moves? Or are the facets not well defined and somewhat mushy?

I like your first stone from BN. The rounded end appears to be lighting up nicely and the pointed end looks to have crushed ice returning light (versus mush). It is quite expensive at a D though but, if its in your budget its a nice choice IMO.

 

[elizat]

Are you ok with an antqian pear? I think this is beautiful and it's in your color, clarity and carat weight range. It is not the l/w you wanted but it's a beautiful stone if you are open to non-payment modern faceting.

http://www.loveaffairdiamonds.com/1-99ct-vintage-pear-cut-diamond-gia-g-vs2/

 

[elizat]

Sorry for the weird auto correct. It won't let me fix it! Should say antique stone and non-modern faceting.

 

[natasha-cupcake]

Are you ok with an antqian pear? I think this is beautiful and it's in your color, clarity and carat weight range. It is not the l/w you wanted but it's a beautiful stone if you are open to non-payment modern faceting.

http://www.loveaffairdiamonds.com/1-99ct-vintage-pear-cut-diamond-gia-g-vs2/

This one is my favorite. It blows all the other ones out of the water, in my opinion. But as a caveat, I adore the facet patterns and proportions of old cuts, so I may be a little biased.

 

[joshlam27]

thank you all for your suggestions! i will look into them!

i knwo this one is over kill, but im wondering what your thoughts on the facets? this one seems have less of that "crushed ice" apperance?

https://www.bluenile.com/ca/diamond...DiamondDetails&action=newTab&catalogView=true

 

[joshlam27]

Are you ok with an antqian pear? I think this is beautiful and it's in your color, clarity and carat weight range. It is not the l/w you wanted but it's a beautiful stone if you are open to non-payment modern faceting.

http://www.loveaffairdiamonds.com/1-99ct-vintage-pear-cut-diamond-gia-g-vs2/

BEAUTIFUL diamond!! unfortunately SO wants more of a slim vs chubby shaped pear!

 

[whitewave]

I love a D color, so to me it’s not overkill. Having said that, F is my sweet spot.