First time engagement diamond buyer - need reality check

[travel77]

Hello Rockytalk!

I'm a first time engagement ring diamond buyer and could use a reality check. I've been looking online at a few different sites and have found a setting I like at James Allen. Her ring size is small, a 4.5.

Here's the setting: 18K WHITE GOLD SCALLOPED SHARED PRONG ENGAGEMENT RING / SKU: 17246W - $ 2,475
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagemen...lloped-shared-prong-engagement-ring-item-7899

I'm looking for a round diamond to put in the center - minimum of 1 carat. Total budget < $10,000.

I've seen a few different diamonds on their site, but I'm having trouble distinguishing between them, and understanding the price differences between them. I would appreciate some guidance on the diamonds, are these good deals? Should I be looking elsewhere? Is there a better diamond I should consider?

1.05 CARAT I-SI1 IDEAL CUT ROUND DIAMOND / SKU: 359018 - $6050
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-dia...arat-i-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-359018

1.01 CARAT I-SI1 EXCELLENT CUT ROUND DIAMOND / SKU: 325510 - $5600
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-dia...-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-325510

1.01 CARAT I-VS1 EXCELLENT CUT ROUND DIAMOND / SKU: 328551 - $6330
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-dia...-i-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-328551

Also, I've read about a discount for pricescope.com memebers, is that true? How do I redeem it? What's the %?

Thanks in advance for all your help!

 

[Gypsy]

The entire purpose of faceting a diamond is to reflect light.
How well or how poorly a diamond does this determines how beautiful it is.
How well a diamond performs is determined by the angles and cutting. This is why we say cut is king.
No other factor: not color, not clarity has as much of an impact on the appearance of a diamond as its cut. An ideal H will out white a poorly cut F. And GIA Ex is not enough. And you must stick to GIA and AGS only. EGL is a bad option: [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/egl-certification-are-any-of-them-ok.142863/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/egl-certification-are-any-of-them-ok.142863/[/URL]
So how to we ensure that we have the right angles and cutting to get the light performance we want?
https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/diamond-cut
Well one method is to start with a GIA Ex, and then apply the HCA to it. YOU DO NOT USE HCA for AGS0 stones. HOWEVER -- we don't need to do that with your stone. A stone wtih 64% depth is NOT going to have the right angles for optimal light performance AND is going to face up small for it's stated carat weight (which this one is doing).
https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/holloway-cut-advisor is how you can determine if your stone has the right angles.
The HCA is a rejection tool. Not a selection tool. It uses 4 data points to make a rudimentary call on how the diamond may perform.
If the diamond passes then you know that you are in the right zone in terms of angles for light performance. Under 2 is a pass. Under 2.5-2.1 is a maybe. 2.6 and over is a no. No score 2 and under is better than any other.
Is that enough? Not really.
So what you need is a way to check actual light performance of your actual stone.
That's what an idealscope image does. https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/firescope-idealscope
It shows you how and wear your diamond is reflecting light, how well it is going at it, and where you are losing light return. That is why you won't see us recommending Blue Nile, as they do not provide idealscope images for their diamonds. BGD, James Allen, GOG, HPD, ERD and WF do.

The Idealscope is the 'selection tool'. Not the HCA.
So yes, with a GIA stone you need the idealscope images. Or you can buy an idealscope yourself and take it in to the jeweler you are working with to check the stones yourself. Or if you have a good return policy (full refund minimum 7 days) then you can buy the idealscope, buy the stone, and do it at home.


Now if you want to skip all that... stick to AGS0 stones and then all you have to do is pick color and clarity and you know you have a great performing diamond. Because AGS has already done the checking for you. That's why they trade at a premium.

 

[HappyNewLife]

Ask James Allen for idealscope images for all three diamonds-- they will do 3 for free. It takes a few days to get the images. Post them here when you do.

Ask them what the PS discount is. I think it's a couple hundred $, certainly worth asking about.

They have great customer service. You can request all this in a live chat, on the phone or email. GL!

 

[drk14]

Ask James Allen for idealscope images for all three diamonds-- they will do 3 for free. It takes a few days to get the images. Post them here when you do.

Ask them what the PS discount is. I think it's a couple hundred $, certainly worth asking about.

They have great customer service. You can request all this in a live chat, on the phone or email. GL!

You're only allowed 3 IdealScope/ASET requests from JA, so I wouldn't waste it any diamond that you haven't first calculated the HCA for.

The "Pricescope Discount" doesn't exist anymore, from any vednor. Some have suggested asking nicely if they can offer a "preferred customer" discount, and hoping for the best. Since it is not a given that this will work, I would not figure the availability of a discount into any of your purchasing decisions.

 

[travel77]

Thank you for your thoughtful and complete response. I've read your advice and have selected this stone based on everything you said:

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-dia...arat-i-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-263389

SKU: 263389

Carat weight:1.10
Certificate:AGS
Color:I
Shape: Round
Clarity: SI1
Cut: True HeartsTM Ideal
Depth %:62.00
Girdle: Thin - Slightly Thick
Table %:54.90
Culet: Pointed
Polish:Ideal
Crown ∠: 34.40
Symmetry:Ideal
Crown %:15.50
Fluorescence:None
Pavilion ∠:40.90 L/W/D (mm): 6.60*6.65*4.11 Pavilion %: 43.20

It is AGS 0 as you recommended, and from the pricescope.com search has a 1.6 HCA.

My question, looking at the surface of the diamond in the 40X view, it looks like there are lots of "twinning wisps". Will these be visible to the eye? Is this a good diamond?

 

[drk14]

Your new pick is AGS0, which is good, but in my opinion it faces up very dark (lot's of obstruction). The twinning wisps, as far as I understand, are one of the more benign types of inclusions (they are harder to see with the naked eye). Nonetheless, when you have narrowed down your choices to a shortlist, you will need to ask the vendor to confirm whether or not the stone is "eye clean".

 

[Gypsy]

I actually think it's just fine. There is a small amount of leakage in the idealscope. But I think it's within a reasonable range. And the crown height and the pavillion angle put it in the 'normal' AGS range, not one of the broader "why did this get an AGS0" range. So I think it's a good conservative choice.

Do I think it's the best stone I've ever seen? No. But I think it's easily better than 98% of stones out there and the price is good too.

I would have the gemologist pull it, make sure the twining wisps aren't having an affect on brilliance and also have them tell you if they think it's a great choice, or just a good one.

 

[drk14]

I actually think it's just fine. There is a small amount of leakage in the idealscope. But I think it's within a reasonable range.

I agree that the IS doesn't look too bad (and even if I disagreed, I would have to defer to your assessment!). However, in JA's 40X image and 360 viewer, four of the crown mains are almost completely dark in the face-up view. This doesn't show up at all in the IS (no corresponding blue areas), so maybe this is just an artifact of the JA's photo set-up. For the best-performing stones, shouldn't the crown mains face-up bright (except for the "arrow heads")?

 

[travel77]

I would have the gemologist pull it, make sure the twining wisps aren't having an affect on brilliance and also have them tell you if they think it's a great choice, or just a good one.

I've asked them to pull it and give an opinion on the twining wisps. Also, they offered a $120 discount for Pricescope members, so apparently it is still an option.

I've also identified this diamond as an alternative to my prior pick (twining wisps).

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-dia...arat-j-color-vs1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-287499

Thank you both so much for your help and commentary, it's made things so much easier.