First time buying - any help appreciated

[1stTimeDiamond]

Hello Everyone,

I’m planning on proposing to my girlfriend relatively soon(several weeks) and it was time for me to shop for the ring. Over the past couple weeks I’ve been trying to research and learn as much as I could before making this purchase. I’ve read many posts in these forums but this is my first time posting. This site has been a wealth of useful and helpful information and I just wanted to say thanks.

I think I’ve settled on the diamond I’m going to buy but I would love any feedback or opinions any of you have before the purchase is final.

Here are the diamond characteristics:

Report: AGS
Shape: A Cut Above H&A
Carat: 1.010
Color: I
Clarity: SI1
Depth: 60.6
Table: 56
Crown Angle: 34.9
Crown %: 15.4
Pavilion Angle: 40.7
Pavilion %: 42.9
Girdle: Thin to Medium Faceted
Polish: Ideal
Symmetry: Ideal
Culet: Pointed
Fluorescence: Negligible
Measurements: 6.51-6.53X3.95

It scored an EX EX EX VG – 1.0 on the HCA

Here’s the link:
http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/diamond_Details.aspx?itemcode=AGS-5351802#

Again any help or advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you!

 

[strmrdr]

awesome diamond but its sold.
Are you the one that got it?

 

[1stTimeDiamond]

yes im the one holding it

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 12/17/2004 7:16:34 PM
Author: 1stTimeDiamond
yes im the one holding it

Kewl
What do they say about it being eyeclean?
fwiw an I eyeclean si1 would be my pick in an ideal cut RB as the best bang for the buck.
What does Brian, Bob or John have to say about it?
Do you have the actual heart images for it?

 

[1stTimeDiamond]

I dealt with Bob, and he said all SI1s are eye clean, but I asked him to check it out and let me know if its ok and he said he would. I don''t have any heart pictures. I made the order towards the end of the day after i got back from work so there wasn''t too much time to get other pictures. But he said he would check it over.

 

[strmrdr]

Hmmmm..
No way are all si1''s eyeclean.
I think there was a minor breakdown in communication there.

 

[1stTimeDiamond]

i guess before i make the final purchase ill ask for a inspection for any inclusions

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 12/17/2004 7:35:47 PM
Author: 1stTimeDiamond
i guess before i make the final purchase ill ask for a inspection for any inclusions

Id have him pull the diamond out and with you on the phone discuss the diamond with you while he is looking at it.
Its a pretty standard practice to have them do that.
Brian might be available for a second opinion if needed also.
Brian is the final word on diamonds at whiteflash.

 

[1stTimeDiamond]

ill give them a call on monday and ask, Thanks!

 

[1stTimeDiamond]

I was wondering if anyone else had any comments or suggestions, Thanks!

 

[codex57]

Date: 12/17/2004 7:30:57 PM
Author: strmrdr
No way are all si1''s eyeclean.

Yes, not all SI1''s are eyeclean. I''m dealing with a very standup mall jeweler who''s taken the time to show me good diamonds and bad diamonds so I can see the difference. One of the ones he showed me was a SI1 and it was not eye clean. Barely, but I could spot it. Then, there was this LA Jewelry District who showed me some SI diamonds. All of them had spots right smack in the middle.

If you want a general rule of thumb, the VS grades and higher are much more likely to be eye clean. Still, that''s why I''m hesitant on buying a diamond online still. I wanna see the thing and make sure it looks good to me. These things are like snowflakes. THey''re all different.

 

[JohnQuixote]

Date: 12/17/2004 7:27:38 PM
Author: 1stTimeDiamond
I dealt with Bob, and he said all SI1s are eye clean, but I asked him to check it out and let me know if its ok and he said he would. I don''t have any heart pictures. I made the order towards the end of the day after i got back from work so there wasn''t too much time to get other pictures. But he said he would check it over.

Hi 1stXD,

It''s likely that Bob was referring to the SI1s selected for our "A Cut Above" inventory. Not all SI1s are eye clean, but any SI1 branded ACA is carefully screened.

As others have mentioned, there are varying levels of what constitutes an SI1 grade. It''s a good idea to study the grading report as well as having someone look at the stone "live." The grading report for that ACA should be online.

As Strm suggested, Bob or I will be happy to pull that ACA on Monday and give you a read on all of its qualities.

 

[1stTimeDiamond]

Sounds great, thanks for the help!

 

[1stTimeDiamond]

Aside from any clarity concerns, does this appear to be a good stone?

 

[Regular Guy]

I don''t have anything to say...I just thought it was funny to have three of us looking the same (avatar) talking to each other.

No, actually, when I first saw your choice was a Cut Above, I knew you''d be OK, and just noticed your pick of I & SI for colors, both being reasonable, and I know your choice will be good; I''ve developed confidence in WF''s picks to be good ones, where you pay a relatively modest premium to gain a good bit of confidence in your selection. Hearing John''s comments about what you can assume about an SI as an A Cut Above choice only adds to that.

I wonder if John would like to extend the statement...like...any A Cut Above SI2 would also be eye clean?

Anyway, FirstTime, I know you''ve in good shape, and congratulations (and now that I have looked at the pricing, I see that you''re paying what generally seems a relatively conscionable amount for a diamond with good qualities, and over a carat -- seems quite good -- indeed!).

 

[1stTimeDiamond]

Thanks for your input, its greatly appreciated!

 

[JohnQuixote]

Date: 12/18/2004 2:28

4 PM
Author: Regular Guy
I don't have anything to say...I just thought it was funny to have three of us looking the same (avatar) talking to each other.

No, actually, when I first saw your choice was a Cut Above, I knew you'd be OK, and just noticed your pick of I & SI for colors, both being reasonable, and I know your choice will be good; I've developed confidence in WF's picks to be good ones, where you pay a relatively modest premium to gain a good bit of confidence in your selection. Hearing John's comments about what you can assume about an SI as an A Cut Above choice only adds to that.

I wonder if John would like to extend the statement...like...any A Cut Above SI2 would also be eye clean?

Anyway, FirstTime, I know you've in good shape, and congratulations (and now that I have looked at the pricing, I see that you're paying what generally seems a relatively conscionable amount for a diamond with good qualities, and over a carat -- seems quite good -- indeed!).

Ira, thank you kindly for the recommendation. I will extend the statement as such: "A Cut Above" diamonds with SI2 clarity range from eye cleanish to eye clean.

Eye cleanish is a term less frequently used than the more definitive eye clean.
For those interested:

*Eye-Clean: Means that the diamond grader can't see any inclusions in the face-up position with the naked eye under proper lighting.

*Eye-Cleanish: Means that the diamond grader can barely make out some type of inclusion in the face-up position with the naked eye under proper lighting. Further, it is probable that a consumer inexperienced in diamond grading will not be able to find the inclusion in an eye-cleanish stone face-up.

This all assumes 20/20 vision. Short-sighted people (40/20) may be able to pick out inclusions which people with 20/20 cannot.


BTW...lol at your sense of humor, Ira...There are knights o' plenty in this thread!

 

[Regular Guy]

Thanks for the f/u, John.

Also, testing...

Having seen Shreck, I think it's time for my real identity to appear!

Also, FirstTime, since I'm making a nuisance of myself here, you might want to consider confusing yourself slighly by considering a couple of options, one of which is this one, from this database, following this protocol.

But, I do like your first pick, and you may not want to bother yourself!