Fluorescence???

[pmerino76]

Hi, everybody. I found this diamond http://www.exceldiamonds.com/Diamonds-1/GIA-Graded-Round-Diamond-0-82-Carat-E-Color-VS2-Clarity-433603.html and it has a comparable price to this diamond http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.81-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-293282 ... It seemed to be of better quality and still in my price range. Both were GIA certified and that's when I realized the first had a strong blue fluorescence. Should this concern me or should I buy this diamond? Also, I read some good reviews of the second place. I haven't read anything about the first. This is for an engagement ring and I just don't want to screw this up. Thanks for the help!

 

[Lorelei]

Hi, everybody. I found this diamond http://www.exceldiamonds.com/Diamonds-1/GIA-Graded-Round-Diamond-0-82-Carat-E-Color-VS2-Clarity-433603.html and it has a comparable price to this diamond http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.81-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-293282 ... It seemed to be of better quality and still in my price range. Both were GIA certified and that's when I realized the first had a strong blue fluorescence. Should this concern me or should I buy this diamond? Also, I read some good reviews of the second place. I haven't read anything about the first. This is for an engagement ring and I just don't want to screw this up. Thanks for the help!

Hi pmerino and welcome!

Excel are a reputable vendor, so no worries there. The E could be discounted because of the strong blue fluorescence, but you would want to make sure the SB fluorescence wasn't having a negative effect on the diamond such as making it appear cloudy in some lighting, the vendor would be able to advise, this is rare in strong blue but best to check. Also you would need to be sure the receiver of the ring was ok with possibly seeing their ring glow in nightclubs! I love this effect with SB or very strong blue fluorescence but not everyone feels that way. The proportions have potential but it is possible there could be some light leakage depending on various factors and how well all the proportions work together, but we would need a reflector image such as ASET or Idealscope to get any meaningful info on how well this diamond might perform, otherwise as I like to say, it's buying blind.

The James Allen diamond has potential, again an Idealscope image would be the next step, I believe James Allen will provide up to 3 at one time, after that there is a charge. So it might be an idea to select three from this vendor and then request images. We could also offer some suggestions if you post your budget and other requirements.

Good for you for finding Pricescope, you won't get this wrong and we will gladly guide you. I would also think about the level of cut quality you would like, for example, if you wish to get the very best performing diamond possible and if you would also like a stone cut to hearts and arrows precision - you might have done some reading already on this precision cutting style. Or if you aren't bothered about having a superideal diamond but just a nicely cut and pretty diamond, a stone cut to proven proportions but without perfect optical symmetry ( h&a) might be the way to go.

But with the above diamonds if you want to find out more, images would be the next step. Let us know if you would like us to post some selections for you. With SI clarity, those are certainly an option as long as you ensure each stone is eye clean to your particular standards. That you are considering GIA or AGS H colour is also a good thing as this can also enable a bit more bang for the buck. You could if you wish also consider I or J colour, if you have a Hearts on Fire dealer near you, go and have a look at the various colour grade diamonds so you can get a better idea.

I hope this helps start you off, I see DiamondSeeker is up and about so she might give you her thoughts and as the day progresses, some of the others might offer you their advice too.

 

[pmerino76]

Thanks for the info. I'd like to keep the diamond to around $3,500-4,000. We're not gemologists but I certainly want an eye clean stone and she's seen around .8 c stones that she liked. I wish I could go the full 1 but I don't want to sacrifice cut and color any more than I have to. I appreciate ANY recommendations anyone would like to give me. And THANKS again!

 

[Lorelei]

Thanks for the info. I'd like to keep the diamond to around $3,500-4,000. We're not gemologists but I certainly want an eye clean stone and she's seen around .8 c stones that she liked. I wish I could go the full 1 but I don't want to sacrifice cut and color any more than I have to. I appreciate ANY recommendations anyone would like to give me. And THANKS again!

Understood and you are welcome! I am going to look for you but just to check, is your $4k for the diamond only or does it have to cover the setting too please?

 

[Lorelei]

Here we go, a very nice diamond from Good old Gold, it is cut to very exacting standards and it will be a super performer. The optical symmetry is as sold as Premium because it doesn't meet the precision needed to be considered a hearts and arrows stone, but it is still a potentially excellent choice! I colour should face up very white with this calibre of cut, SI1 clarity, Jon would be able to verify whether it is eye clean to your specifications and well within budget.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/12218/

Here is another of similar size from the same vendor. This diamond boasts F colour and SI2 clarity so again, you would need to check it is eye clean to your standards. Also a very fine cut with optical symmetry graded Premium as there are some variations with the hearts and arrows patterning but definitely a worthy contender if verified eye clean.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/12111/

A point to mention, both diamonds come with a limited guarantee concerning any future upgrade policies so if you think you might ever want to upgrade this diamond, it might be better to consider a stone that has an upgrade package. GOG does offer this benefit with some of their other stones.

Another F from Whiteflash, again you would need to check it is eye clean.

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3056392.htm

Another. http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3092783.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2938288.htm?source=pricescope

 

[KenD]

I think the first diamond has an HCA scoring of 3.7 and the second has a scoring 4.0.

 

[proto]

if you plan on setting in yellow gold i would.not.hesitate to drop to.I colour as.long.as.you.get ideal.cut.

 

[blodthecat]

I used to own a 1.15ct Leo diamond with strong blue fluorescence. My advice would be to walk away.

On a sunny day, the diamond emitted a vivid liliac glow. I would never buy a diamond with fluoresence again, and hence why I sold it.

OR...you could just buy it and stay indoors.

Blod

 

[pmerino76]

I was planning on getting a white gold or platinum setting. It's her preference. Will this make even an ideal cut I colored diamond stick out? I really appreciate all the responses.

 

[Lorelei]

I was planning on getting a white gold or platinum setting. It's her preference. Will this make even an ideal cut I colored diamond stick out? I really appreciate all the responses.

No, it should not in my experience. I have seen many happy I and J owners over the years with even huge multi carat stones set in platinum or white gold. I colour is where some in the industry believe that the average consumer's eye might be able to detect a tiny trace of warmth from the side view, but it really depends on the individual's colour sensitivity and preference. You ask above if white gold or platinum will make an ideal cut ( assuming ideal cut as we know it to be here) diamond's I colour stick out, in the size you are considering? My reply is not in my opinion but if you are unsure, go and view some similarly cut, lab graded and similar weight I colour in person so you can see where your preferences lie. If you have a Hearts on Fire dealer or Tiffany near you, try those, Tiffany go up to I colour I believe.

I hope this helps give you some reassurance, but if you are unsure, try the above and go view some in person.

 

[proto]

I colour will be fine in whitegold but would look whiter in yellowgold.

 

[pmerino76]

Thanks to everyone. This has been very helpful for me. I really appreciate the advice.

 

[Lorelei]

Thanks to everyone. This has been very helpful for me. I really appreciate the advice.

You are most welcome! If you are still unsure regarding your preferences concerning whether to set an I colour in white gold or platinum, do see if you can look at some in person then I am sure then you will know what's best. If you do consider yellow gold, I would suggest keeping the prongs and mounting in white gold with a YG band as some believe the yellowness of YG prongs can make the diamond pick up the colour. But it's really impossible to generalize whether one should set in yellow or white gold to make a stone look whiter, in the end it comes down to personal preference. As I mentioned previously, I have seen even huge I colour stones set in WG or platinum and they looked incredibly white but as above, it depends.


Funny how good my memory can be , here is a real blast from the past thread but I am sure many would enjoy seeing this gorgeous I colour, Solange's 4+ carat I colour in white metal.

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/just-received-my-4-carat-whiteflash-ring-great-experience.15348/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/just-received-my-4-carat-whiteflash-ring-great-experience.15348/[/URL]

I am glad we were able to help you, please keep us posted with your progress.

 

[jillianfl]

How about you do unplated white gold? Here is an older forum post with a comparison pic halfway down about of some different versions... [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/unplated-white-gold.172811/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/unplated-white-gold.172811/[/URL] Then you have best of both worlds IMO, you don't get yellow gold which she doesn't want, but the unplated white gold is a softer color and would really compliment the I color stone and make it seem much whiter. I think the stone would look whiter in unplated white gold and then you don't have to go the yellow gold route to achieve the look you are hoping for... Also, if you are doing any melee around it or sidestones/ halo/ etc. just make sure they are I or J color, too, Good luck, I'm sure it will be beautiful!