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Found a new dimond... looking for reactions! Thanks!

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kadamczyk

Rough_Rock
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Aug 10, 2010
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I've come along way, mainly bc of this site. I started with a post about an antique cushion I was going to buy... and man am I glad I didn't buy. Please let me know what you think about this diamond. I'm in the $8k-$9k dollar range for a lose diamond and clarity isn’t that important to my girlfriend. Thanks in advance.

If this is no good… please let me know what else I should be looking for in a diamond or what this one has/doesn’t have.

http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-ideal-cut-i-color-si1-clarity_LD01798203
 
Hmm...young Jedi, you have come a long way, but you have much to learn. Ask BN if you can get a photo of the actual diamond, a video, an ASET, or a IdealScope image. :naughty: :naughty:
 
antelope1 - thanks for the suggestion. Ill call tomorrow and see what they have.

I've been looking online a while and just haven't seen such a good cut for this price. And while there are inclusions (my budget demands inclusions) they are near where a prong would go. From what I've read on here... thats what you should look for if you must have a SI or SI2. Thanks. I'll update tomorrow.

I'm freaking addicted to this site.
 
antelope1|1294182029|2814319 said:
Hmm...young Jedi, you have come a long way, but you have much to learn. Ask BN if you can get a photo of the actual diamond, a video, an ASET, or a IdealScope image. :naughty: :naughty:
Click to expand...

antelope1|1292017079|2793619 said:
Well, given that BN will not give you photos, ASET, or Idealscope, you certainly are buying totally blind...if that's the experience you want. :wink2:
Click to expand...

BlueNile offers these services???? Video? ASET? Ideal Scope?
 
did you buy it? it says unavailable for purchase. there look to be a lot of inclusions, and not all of them would be prongable. the problem with BN is that they don't have the stones in-house so they cannot evaluate whether or not a stone is eye-clean for you, and you cannot tell from the plot diagram.

how about these?
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond/diamond-detail/?product_id=AGS-104047809037
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2531930.htm
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1336409.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131
 
swingirl|1294187826|2814409 said:
antelope1|1294182029|2814319 said:
Hmm...young Jedi, you have come a long way, but you have much to learn. Ask BN if you can get a photo of the actual diamond, a video, an ASET, or a IdealScope image. :naughty: :naughty:
Click to expand...
BlueNile offers these services???? Video? ASET? Ideal Scope?
Click to expand...

I think antelope was suggesting that the OP go with a vendor who does provide these services. Again, nothing wrong with BN, they do have a good return policy and you could always get the stone shipped to an appraiser. However, it is hard to recommend stones on the internet that do not come with pics/IS pics which is why we generally recommend stones from vendors who provide these services.
 
I didnt buy it, but I have it on hold. Someone had previously requested if it was eye-clean, and it came back eye clean (per the sales rep).
 
Ask the BN rep if they viewed the diamond to verify eye-clean status themselves, or if they just heard it from someone else.

Also, ask what constitutes "eye-clean". Is it 6 inches from the top, 8 inches from the side? 2 feet? Because an I1 can be eye clean from across the room.

My beef with BN is that you have to front the money to see the diamond, then you have to return it and wait for a refund if you don't like it.
 
swingirl|1294187826|2814409 said:
antelope1|1294182029|2814319 said:
Hmm...young Jedi, you have come a long way, but you have much to learn. Ask BN if you can get a photo of the actual diamond, a video, an ASET, or a IdealScope image. :naughty: :naughty:
Click to expand...

antelope1|1292017079|2793619 said:
Well, given that BN will not give you photos, ASET, or Idealscope, you certainly are buying totally blind...if that's the experience you want. :wink2:
Click to expand...

BlueNile offers these services???? Video? ASET? Ideal Scope?
Click to expand...

Swinggirl, that was my point! But -- there is a current thread that has a cushion from BN and that person managed to get a photo. So I'm not sure...maybe it has changed.
 
So I got back on the phone with the BN rep and she is going to have the gemoligist look at the diamond again from all angles (they look from the top at 8 -12 inches btw). Not sure if I'm getting swindled, but the rep noted that this could be a signature diamond on BN, if it were not for the inclusions. And I really like that the HCA came back 1.0.... the best I've seen so far for my price/size/clarity.

slg47 - THANKS for the suggestions. I'm going to do some research on how to better read the Idealscope images on these other websites. I think I definatly want to stay in the 1.4 - 1.5 range... even if that means more inclusions. Let me know if you come across anything else.

Ill update later today based on what the BN gemologist sees.
 
The fluorescence is 'none' in the original posting and 'very strong' in the diamond posted above by TyTy. That's completely fine, just making sure that Kadam know's that!

BlueNile would be SO much better if they could provide these images (from what I know they do nothing of the sort). They seem to have good prices, but as one really good video on GOG shows, even two 'excellent' grade GIA cuts can be significantly different even though they both have a HCA score below 2.

In any case, they have good prices, but you're taking quite a risk (and may be tying up a lot of money in the process through the exchange process).
 
"The inclusion that is situated on the table is not noticeable. There is a small dark inclusion on the girdle of the diamond and is only noticeable if you are intentionally looking for it." - per the BN rep. So I guess thats good news.

I wasn't sure about the fluorescence on the dimond that TyTY posted. Seem like every thing I've read states that the fluorenscence doesn't have much of an effect.

JA and some other sites have pricescope discounts... that has some effect on my decision. Do you guys only deal with websites that offer that discount. What about heart and arrows... going that route really ups the price. Is H&A worth the price? Also, I have a diamond request out to JA for a diamond that doesnt have a pic or AGS up yet... may thats the ONE!

Thanks for all the suggestions.
 
kadamczyk|1294181552|2814310 said:
I've come along way, mainly bc of this site. I started with a post about an antique cushion I was going to buy... and man am I glad I didn't buy. Please let me know what you think about this diamond. I'm in the $8k-$9k dollar range for a lose diamond and clarity isn’t that important to my girlfriend. Thanks in advance.

If this is no good… please let me know what else I should be looking for in a diamond or what this one has/doesn’t have.

http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-ideal-cut-i-color-si1-clarity_LD01798203
Click to expand...

Probably cause she knows nothing about diamond. I suggest you educate your girlfriend cause she will never know the value of the diamond and the trouble you had to find it!
 
He probably meant that she does not care what clarity it is so long as it's 'eye clean'. Some people (as evidenced by those buying VVS1 and above) really like to know that not only is their rock eye clean, but there is hardly any inclusions whatsoever (mind clean). While I agree with 'stici' somewhat, the only thing that is truly important is that she thinks it is beautiful. Getting extra 'pats on the back' because it is a VVS2 and not an SI2 seems both materialistic and odd to me. You're spending all of this time and money on a ring that will look beautiful, not so she can congratulate you on how hard you worked to find her that ring IMO.

The H&A is a branded cut, so yes, you do pay a premium for that classification. However, you can still find a superbly cut diamond without it being a hearts and arrows cut.

Secondly, fluorescence DOES alter the color and look of the diamond, especially when it is 'very strong'. I would suggest that if venture into that realm, you look at some diamonds with differing fluorescence so you are not surprised when/if you choose to go that route. Some people really enjoy it (a lot of the time the fluorescence in a lower color diamond can make it appear more 'white') while others do not find it so appealing.

Finally, I have been browsing on pricescope for over a year now (but I only joined as a member several months ago to start posting). In all the time the same theme comes up about buying from pricescope vendors. The advantage (besides the obvious discount) is that if something, for some reason happens to go wrong, you have an open forum here on PS to many of the vendor's potential future clients. Assuming that the vendors want to continue their good reputation, it is likely that they will ensure that any problem is fixed with minimal hassle to you.

Although it sounds like you have done some of your homework, I would really encourage you to take some time and go through the old forum topics on RockyTalky and try to soak up as much knowledge as you can! In addition, the good old gold web site has some GREAT videos (hundreds of them in fact) on some very helpful topics, so I suggest if you haven't looked at those you do so!
 
scepture|1294284638|2815424 said:
He probably meant that she does not care what clarity it is so long as it's 'eye clean'. Some people (as evidenced by those buying VVS1 and above) really like to know that not only is their rock eye clean, but there is hardly any inclusions whatsoever (mind clean). While I agree with 'stici' somewhat, the only thing that is truly important is that she thinks it is beautiful. Getting extra 'pats on the back' because it is a VVS2 and not an SI2 seems both materialistic and odd to me. You're spending all of this time and money on a ring that will look beautiful, not so she can congratulate you on how hard you worked to find her that ring IMO.

The H&A is a branded cut, so yes, you do pay a premium for that classification. However, you can still find a superbly cut diamond without it being a hearts and arrows cut.

Secondly, fluorescence DOES alter the color and look of the diamond, especially when it is 'very strong'. I would suggest that if venture into that realm, you look at some diamonds with differing fluorescence so you are not surprised when/if you choose to go that route. Some people really enjoy it (a lot of the time the fluorescence in a lower color diamond can make it appear more 'white') while others do not find it so appealing.

Finally, I have been browsing on pricescope for over a year now (but I only joined as a member several months ago to start posting). In all the time the same theme comes up about buying from pricescope vendors. The advantage (besides the obvious discount) is that if something, for some reason happens to go wrong, you have an open forum here on PS to many of the vendor's potential future clients. Assuming that the vendors want to continue their good reputation, it is likely that they will ensure that any problem is fixed with minimal hassle to you.

Although it sounds like you have done some of your homework, I would really encourage you to take some time and go through the old forum topics on RockyTalky and try to soak up as much knowledge as you can! In addition, the good old gold web site has some GREAT videos (hundreds of them in fact) on some very helpful topics, so I suggest if you haven't looked at those you do so!
Click to expand...

This is very true. Lots of people on PS - including me - enjoy fluoro as a unique quality, but when visible it *is* unique - and many prefer their stones without. Definitely personal preference - and definitely something to investigate before purchasing a diamond w/ vsb fluor, as it is likely to have visible effect in UV
 
The diamond you posted, for an SI1, has a questionable plot. BN describes it as an ideal cut. It isn't. It's a GIA excellent cut. I think you can do better with another vendor who will supply IS, ASET, H&A pics--if needed--, physically view your stone and give an honest evaluation, and offer upgrade services. I have worked with both BGD and WF and found their services to be excellent. Other posters have their own favorites to recommend. You will find the diamond of your dreams. Be patient and keep looking :))
 
Kada - - the HCA is a good REJECTION tool, and is NOT a SELECTION tool. So, the saying goes, scores ABOVE 2 should be theoretically rejected. With that being said, GOG has a great video (which I may have referenced earlier) that shows that even with an HCA below 2, it does NOT mean that all diamonds with a score below two will be similar. That is why the idealscope and ASET images are so important in addition to the HCA.

Only my 2 cents, but its important to keep in mind that the HCA (and other things like it) is simply ONE tool for you to try to get a better idea of what your future diamond may look like. After all, you don't buy a $10,000 car from an online site with the only information being a picture of the exterior and a short description of what year and make the car is do you? You may end up with a 2007 Cadillac that may look nice from the outside but the air conditioning is broken and there is no radio! Moral of the story, there are better 'deals' to be had online, but don't get trapped into thinking that you will ever find a 'steal' or a 'bargain' when it comes to diamonds. You are dealing with people that are in the business, and, in keeping with the car motto, they aren't going to sell you a 2007 Cadillac for $3,000.

The closest way to get a 'deal', is to find something that is the best bang for your buck, and to minimize the overhead in the buying process. This is where buying online, and USING ALL OF THE TOOLS COMBINED, can help you make sure that you truly are getting your money's worth.

Your three listed choices from JA are all quite different, especially noticing that the 3rd one is a 'K'. This may sound like a goofy question, but have you gone out to a store and looked at the differences between colors in a diamond with an ideal cut? The GOG videos are a good starting point, but there is a lot of difference between seeing the diamond in a setting on your computer and in person.

Dumb suggestion/question #2, but have you tried using the search tool provided on the main page of PS?

Sorry for the long rant but I was in your position (or at least I imagine what your position is!) awhile back and am just paying forward all of the great info given to me by other PS users! No need to listen to any/all of if, but hopefully some of it helps!
 
scepture|1294295593|2815544 said:
Kada - - the HCA is a good REJECTION tool, and is NOT a SELECTION tool. So, the saying goes, scores ABOVE 2 should be theoretically rejected. With that being said, GOG has a great video (which I may have referenced earlier) that shows that even with an HCA below 2, it does NOT mean that all diamonds with a score below two will be similar. That is why the idealscope and ASET images are so important in addition to the HCA. I would add video or better yet a look in-person to the top of this list.

Only my 2 cents, but its important to keep in mind that the HCA (and other things like it) is simply ONE tool for you to try to get a better idea of what your future diamond may look like. After all, you don't buy a $10,000 car from an online site with the only information being a picture of the exterior and a short description of what year and make the car is do you? You may end up with a 2007 Cadillac that may look nice from the outside but the air conditioning is broken and there is no radio! Moral of the story, there are better 'deals' to be had online, but don't get trapped into thinking that you will ever find a 'steal' or a 'bargain' when it comes to diamonds. You are dealing with people that are in the business, and, in keeping with the car motto, they aren't going to sell you a 2007 Cadillac for $3,000.

The closest way to get a 'deal', is to find something that is the best bang for your buck, and to minimize the overhead in the buying process. This is where buying online, and USING ALL OF THE TOOLS COMBINED, can help you make sure that you truly are getting your money's worth and ensure that you get exactly what *you* want, which is the best deal - and truly, the only deal worth pursuing :)) .

Your three listed choices from JA are all quite different, especially noticing that the 3rd one is a 'K'. This may sound like a goofy question, but have you gone out to a store and looked at the differences between colors in a diamond with an ideal cut? The GOG videos are a good starting point, but there is a lot of difference between seeing the diamond in a setting on your computer and in person.

Dumb suggestion/question #2, but have you tried using the search tool provided on the main page of PS?

Sorry for the long rant but I was in your position (or at least I imagine what your position is!) awhile back and am just paying forward all of the great info given to me by other PS users! No need to listen to any/all of if, but hopefully some of it helps!
Click to expand...

Excellent post. Some of the highlights in bold.
 
Taking it all in. Stayed up way to late watching GOG videos. Thanks guys/gals.

So with respect to this diamond - http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2337627.htm- It's not listed as a H&A cut, but per the ID scope I can see that its pretty close (saw a good GOG vid that showed its pretty hard to tell the diff on a really good cut). And there is minimal light loss per the ID scope. Also, the HCA is 0.9 which is good (but not a deciding factor). If WF will give me the upgrade policy on this one... is this more of the type of diamond I should be looking at.

With an average clarity and my 1.4 - 1.5 size restraints... its looking more and more like I H&A are out of the picture for me.
 
I'm glad you find some of this helpful! PS is an awesome resource.

What is your estimated budget (for the diamond / for the setting and diamond)? I will say again, you can CERTAINLY find a superb diamond without it being a branded H&A cut, so don't worry about that! Sometimes if you post your criteria (ranges on the 4 c's) the great people here at PS will help you search and give you some really good suggestions!

As for the diamond you listed above, I would be careful to stay away from the 1.5ct unless you absolutely make that a priority. I say that because there is a price break at 1.5 cts, so if you look for something even slightly below that (1.49 cts even), you will find that there will likely be a price drop off worth you paying attention to. Also, GOG has a great tutorial on how to read the various images (ASET, Idealscope) which I think - if you havent already - you should check out. I'm by no means an expert and many more on PS are more knowledgeable than myself, but the images given do not look great. Then again, you may have to go with this route *(dont get me wrong, the diamond probably looks better than 95% of B&M store diamonds)* if you want to stay in the 1.5ct range.
 
kadamczyk|1294343977|2815932 said:
Taking it all in. Stayed up way to late watching GOG videos. Thanks guys/gals.

So with respect to this diamond - http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2337627.htm- It's not listed as a H&A cut, but per the ID scope I can see that its pretty close (saw a good GOG vid that showed its pretty hard to tell the diff on a really good cut). And there is minimal light loss per the ID scope. Also, the HCA is 0.9 which is good (but not a deciding factor). If WF will give me the upgrade policy on this one... is this more of the type of diamond I should be looking at.

With an average clarity and my 1.4 - 1.5 size restraints... its looking more and more like I H&A are out of the picture for me.
Click to expand...


That one is not a near-H&A by any means, but it looks like a non-H&A stone with good light return!

It would be a bright stone. The IS shows no evidence of unsightly obstruction issues, which would be my primary concern w/ the shallow listed pavilion.

This stone will not perform like a "traditional H&A", you would likely see the difference in a lineup - it will have more splintery, twinkly white output. That doesn't make one type *better* than the other - it all depends on your personal preference.
 
septure - I figured I'd list my 4c's criteria below... in case anyone has any suggestions (or just love doing research) please let me know. They are ranked in order of importance.

Shape - Round Brilliant
Price - $7,000 - $9,000

1. Cut - Ideal or Premium (H&A if price allows)
2. Carat - 1.4 - 1.5 (as reference below, all good with up and down the "magic" numbers)
3. Color - G - I
4. Clarity - VS1 - SI1

Just like anyone else looking for the best diamond possible. I’m learning as much as I can on the ASET and Idealscope images… but that’s where I need PS’s help on making sure I don’t buy a dud.

Could someone point me where on GOG there are tutorials on how to read the various images (ASET, Idealscope). I don’t see on there.
 
There are so many places to find this info, but the chapter on the ASET images on GOG's website's link doesn't work right now (http://www.goodoldgold.com/4Cs/Cut/IdealCutDiamonds/ ---it is at the bottom part where you see the aset image).

In any case, here is some other info on ASET images
http://www.whiteflash.com/about-diamonds/faq/about-aset.htm

here is some info (search on google or PS for more info though) on IS images
http://www.diamondideals.com/education/find/evaluation.cfm


As for searching for the diamonds, i'll try to do some searching in the next few days for you


EDIT:

I just e-mailed the GOG guy and he e-mailed me a direct link to a WONDERFUL tutorial that I suggest you look at:
http://www.goodoldgold.com/Technologies/ReflectorTechnologies/WhatdoReflectorsTeachUs/
 
Scepture - props! Let me know if you come across anything.

Also as I've been calling I've been asking all the online vendore... when they replenish their stock. Most say monthly, but they don't know what their going to get in (as far as size). So I assume, most people can spend quite some time looking around, if they don't see the diamond they want off the bat.
 
Your best bet might be to start working with a vendor of your choice - or several - to have them start looking for what you're interested in. GOG, Whiteflash, James Allen are all great with this. Contact them and let them know your specs, they will keep their eyes open or have something in mind if/when they come across something that fits the details. You should continue to look obviously, but they can be a great resource, and after all, it is their business doing this sort of stuff! Don't be afraid (just because they are an online vendor) to call them up with opinions/questions. YOU are the customer potentially making a large purchase from their business, use their knowledge and assistance to your advantage!
 
First off tyty - After reading and watching videos... I think I really missed the boat on the diamond you posted. That had everything I wanted, but I just wasn't educated on flour and didn't move fast enough. A shame. But thanks for the post - if you see any others let me know. I'm pobably going to reach to BG on Monday and have them do a little searching for me.

Chris Gonzales at WF reached out to me after we discussed another stone. He sent the GIA report for a diamond he liked for me, but he would have to bring in the diamond and get the Idealscope, ASET, etc. (at a charge to me if I dont buy). Has anyone worked with this guy? Or had a stone brought in for inspection? I like that its not on the website because I feel like great dimonds go fast. Also, the GIA report says "clarity grade based on clouds not show". This is a little concerning, but could be nothing (per PS threds).

Round 1.50 I SI1 EX EX EX GIA N 61.4% 58% 7.36-7.38x4.53 - $9,246 (34.5% and 41%)
Per the GIA report there is vertually no inclusions.

Should I have WF bring this diamond in for inspection?
 
Yssie|1294296121|2815545 said:
scepture|1294295593|2815544 said:
Kada - - the HCA is a good REJECTION tool, and is NOT a SELECTION tool. So, the saying goes, scores ABOVE 2 should be theoretically rejected. With that being said, GOG has a great video (which I may have referenced earlier) that shows that even with an HCA below 2, it does NOT mean that all diamonds with a score below two will be similar. That is why the idealscope and ASET images are so important in addition to the HCA. I would add video or better yet a look in-person to the top of this list.

Only my 2 cents, but its important to keep in mind that the HCA (and other things like it) is simply ONE tool for you to try to get a better idea of what your future diamond may look like. After all, you don't buy a $10,000 car from an online site with the only information being a picture of the exterior and a short description of what year and make the car is do you? You may end up with a 2007 Cadillac that may look nice from the outside but the air conditioning is broken and there is no radio! Moral of the story, there are better 'deals' to be had online, but don't get trapped into thinking that you will ever find a 'steal' or a 'bargain' when it comes to diamonds. You are dealing with people that are in the business, and, in keeping with the car motto, they aren't going to sell you a 2007 Cadillac for $3,000.

The closest way to get a 'deal', is to find something that is the best bang for your buck, and to minimize the overhead in the buying process. This is where buying online, and USING ALL OF THE TOOLS COMBINED, can help you make sure that you truly are getting your money's worth and ensure that you get exactly what *you* want, which is the best deal - and truly, the only deal worth pursuing :)) .

Your three listed choices from JA are all quite different, especially noticing that the 3rd one is a 'K'. This may sound like a goofy question, but have you gone out to a store and looked at the differences between colors in a diamond with an ideal cut? The GOG videos are a good starting point, but there is a lot of difference between seeing the diamond in a setting on your computer and in person.

Dumb suggestion/question #2, but have you tried using the search tool provided on the main page of PS?

Sorry for the long rant but I was in your position (or at least I imagine what your position is!) awhile back and am just paying forward all of the great info given to me by other PS users! No need to listen to any/all of if, but hopefully some of it helps!
Click to expand...

Excellent post. Some of the highlights in bold.
Click to expand...

Ditto Yssie, that's a fabulous post scepture, well done!!
 
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