First-Time Diamond Buyer - Please HELP!

[danbright]

Hi everyone,

I've dug around a bit in these forums and they seem really helpful, but I could really use some specific advice. I'm engagement ring shopping and am trying to decide on a stone. The rest of the ring will be brushed rose gold in a bezel setting with a 1.7mm band. Here are my options:

• .54 carat round, AGS ideal cut rated excellent (and 2.7 or "very good" by the Holloway Cut Advisor), F color, SI3 clarity for $1,979.
  
  .70 carat round, cut rated fair according to GIA Standards by Sarin software (and 5.6 or "good" by the Holloway Cut Advisor), J color, I1 clarity for $2,690.

Now I am by no means a diamond purist, nor is my future wife. The color and clarity of the bigger diamond don't bother me very much because it will be in the rose gold bezel setting. Also, I can get around a stone with an inclusion as it's hard to see with the naked eye. But will I regret not going with the bigger diamond? In terms of "real world" performance, and without making any more comparisons once she's wearing it, will the difference in cut be obvious? Does carat weight (size) rule all in most cases?

I know much of this conversation is subjective, but any thoughts or opinions would be SO much appreciated! This entire process been one of the hardest decisions of my life!

Thanks in advance,

Dan

 

[JulieN]

The highest grade from AGS is Ideal. If it is graded Excellent, we need to know why it missed the Ideal grade. Also AGS does not give the SI3 grade.

That price for the J I1 is outrageously expensive.

 

[danbright]

The highest grade from AGS is Ideal. If it is graded Excellent, we need to know why it missed the Ideal grade. Also AGS does not give the SI3 grade.

I was told the .54 carat round was ideal cut. Not sure how the clarity was graded SI3 if AGS does not recognize that grade. I could provide the specific measurements if that would be helpful!

 

[JulieN]

Do you have the report number?

 

[danbright]

Do you have the report number?

It says 51883, but when I tried looking it up, it said it was not a valid number.

 

[RockyRacoon]

Why not order online, with prove metrics showing performance? Take the guess work out of it.

For your budget, I would look at these options, all of which are top-of-the-line stones:

.757ct, I, SI1 (not sure if eye-clean - ask for Pricescope discount)
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.757-i-si1-round-diamond-ags-c-104071302038

.75ct, K, SI1 (confirm if eye-clean) - about $500 less expensive than the other options!
http://www.highperformancediamonds.com/index.php?page=view-id-diamond-infinity-new&id=941

.7ct, I, VS2
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/12221/

.648ct, H, VS2 (ask for Pricescope discount)
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.648-h-vs2-round-diamond-ags-c-104070408012

 

[JulieN]

An AGS report number is much longer.

#1: AGS Ex (?) with SI3?
#2: poor HCA, overpriced.

Sorry, seems like you may have hit a dead end. We can help you find something from an online vendor if you post your budget.

 

[danbright]

Why not order online, with prove metrics showing performance? Take the guess work out of it.

For your budget, I would look at these options, all of which are top-of-the-line stones:

.757ct, I, SI1 (not sure if eye-clean - ask for Pricescope discount)
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.757-i-si1-round-diamond-ags-c-104071302038

.75ct, K, SI1 (confirm if eye-clean) - about $500 less expensive than the other options!
http://www.highperformancediamonds.com/index.php?page=view-id-diamond-infinity-new&id=941

.7ct, I, VS2
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/12221/

.648ct, H, VS2 (ask for Pricescope discount)
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.648-h-vs2-round-diamond-ags-c-104070408012

Thanks so much for finding these! I guess the reason I didn't look online was because I have been shopping at a store my parents have gone to for years and the woman helping me has been wonderful. I never looked around to compare prices and qualities online as I planned to do everything at this particular store. Are there any downsides to shopping online other than obviously not seeing the stone in person?

 

[danbright]

Hey everyone!

Just wanted to get a buy in from the experts. What's the consensus on the cut of this diamond? It is AGS Excellent with SI2 clarity. I'd really appreciate any and all opinions from people who understand these numbers more than I!

depth: 60.9%
table: 56.6%
crown: 33
pavilion: 40.5
culet: pointed

 

[Gypsy]

So it's an AGS1? Do you have an idealscope or an ASET?

 

[danbright]

So it's an AGS1? Do you have an idealscope or an ASET?

Yes, it is AGS1. I have the grading report PDF, which has the below ASET.

 

[Lorelei]

Hi Dan,

Can you post a link to the report please or the report number so we can look it up?

 

[danbright]

Hi Dan,

Can you post a link to the report please or the report number so we can look it up?

No problem! Here's a link to the PDF:

http://www.agslab.com/pdf_sync_reports/104071166011-PLDQR.PDF

 

[Lorelei]

Hi Dan,

Can you post a link to the report please or the report number so we can look it up?

No problem! Here's a link to the PDF:

http://www.agslab.com/pdf_sync_reports/104071166011-PLDQR.PDF

Hi Dan, thank you, that helps!

A couple of things jump out at me here, as it is AGS1 for light performance and looking at the proportions, you might find it preferable to go with a diamond which is AGS0 or one that has slightly less shallow crown and pavilion angles, these might not in any way be a problem, but the concern is that the diamond might look slightly dark at close scrutiny due to a phenomenon called obstruction, the stone darkens due to the shadow of the viewer's head. I would want the opinion of a trusted vendor whether this is going to be a problem, also whether the inclusions are in any way problematic causing loss of brilliance or that the indented naturals have any negative effect, this is not usual but best to check. Also you would need to make sure the stone is eye clean to your particular standards by checking with the vendor or checking carefully yourself if this diamond is from a jewellery store.

 

[WillyDiamond]

Perhaps if the PS community knew your total budget, that would help.

 

[danbright]

Hi Dan,

Can you post a link to the report please or the report number so we can look it up?

No problem! Here's a link to the PDF:

http://www.agslab.com/pdf_sync_reports/104071166011-PLDQR.PDF

Hi Dan, thank you, that helps!

A couple of things jump out at me here, as it is AGS1 for light performance and looking at the proportions, you might find it preferable to go with a diamond which is AGS0 or one that has slightly less shallow crown and pavilion angles, these might not in any way be a problem, but the concern is that the diamond might look slightly dark at close scrutiny due to a phenomenon called obstruction, the stone darkens due to the shadow of the viewer's head. I would want the opinion of a trusted vendor whether this is going to be a problem, also whether the inclusions are in any way problematic causing loss of brilliance or that the indented naturals have any negative effect, this is not usual but best to check. Also you would need to make sure the stone is eye clean to your particular standards by checking with the vendor or checking carefully yourself if this diamond is from a jewellery store.

Thanks for the quick response! The other diamond I looked at was a GIA "Good" cut, but it scored a 1.7 on the HCA. Interestingly it seemed like the GIA stone has less of the obstruction effect, but that hardly seems possible since it's even more shallow than the AGS stone correct? Maybe I just don't know what to look for since this is my first time! At any rate, thoughts on the below GIA stone and why it scored so well on the HCA?

 

[danbright]

Perhaps if the PS community knew your total budget, that would help.

Also, just wanted to follow up and say thanks for this response. I'm not really looking online for diamonds right now, just looking for opinions (and analysis) on the two mentioned. Thanks in advance!