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Getting Close: Which of these two diamonds should I choose?

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DiamondNovice18

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jan 29, 2010
Messages
10
First off, thanks to all who participate in this forum. I had absolutely no idea what I was doing when I set out to buy an engagement ring for my girlfriend. I still don''t really know what I''m doing, but I feel much closer to have some minimal level of knowledge.

I''ve talked to my gf about this quite a bit, and I think she would prefer a bigger diamond, but one without any very noticeable (to the naked eye) flaws/color problems. I''ve been targeting I-J color, and VS1-SI1 clarity rankings. I''ve found two diamonds that I''m thinking about pulling the trigger on, and was wondering if anyone might have any advice/suggestions regarding which I should choose (or if I should even choose one of these two at all). I''m going to be putting the diamond into this Tacori setting:

http://www.since1910.com/engagement-rings/tacori-twist-pave-diamond-setting-t-2565rd-set-41.aspx

(I''m planning on buying through Soloman Brothers, but the 1910 site was more easily linkable)

I''ve done the vast majority of my research using the Holloway Cut Advisor, but I realize that its a rough tool and I should probably try to solicit more advice. Here''s the first diamond I''m thinking about (1.71 carats, J, SI1):

http://www.solomonbrothers.com/Dialog.aspx?ImageUrl=http://www.diamonds.net/UF/23402/Certs/2106295847.jpg

And, here''s the second (1.60 carats, J, SI1):

http://www.solomonbrothers.com/Dialog.aspx?ImageUrl=http://www.diamonds.net/UF/30893/Certs/EK-1998.jpg

Right now, I''m leaning towards the second, as it grades out really well in the Holloway Advisor. Would this be a suitable diamond for an engagement ring? I''ve gotten close to buying other diamonds based on price/color/clarity/holloway grades, but then had people more knowledgeable than myself tell me that I''m missing something and that I probably shouldn''t buy (because it was too shallow, etc.).

Sorry this is so long! I just want to make sure that I try to find something that''s perfect. Thank you.
 
yap, #2 looks promising from the numbers.
 
Date: 5/11/2010 12:08:14 PM
Author:DiamondNovice18
First off, thanks to all who participate in this forum. I had absolutely no idea what I was doing when I set out to buy an engagement ring for my girlfriend. I still don''t really know what I''m doing, but I feel much closer to have some minimal level of knowledge.

I''ve talked to my gf about this quite a bit, and I think she would prefer a bigger diamond, but one without any very noticeable (to the naked eye) flaws/color problems. I''ve been targeting I-J color, and VS1-SI1 clarity rankings. I''ve found two diamonds that I''m thinking about pulling the trigger on, and was wondering if anyone might have any advice/suggestions regarding which I should choose (or if I should even choose one of these two at all). I''m going to be putting the diamond into this Tacori setting:

http://www.since1910.com/engagement-rings/tacori-twist-pave-diamond-setting-t-2565rd-set-41.aspx

(I''m planning on buying through Soloman Brothers, but the 1910 site was more easily linkable)

I''ve done the vast majority of my research using the Holloway Cut Advisor, but I realize that its a rough tool and I should probably try to solicit more advice. Here''s the first diamond I''m thinking about (1.71 carats, J, SI1):

http://www.solomonbrothers.com/Dialog.aspx?ImageUrl=http://www.diamonds.net/UF/23402/Certs/2106295847.jpg

And, here''s the second (1.60 carats, J, SI1):

http://www.solomonbrothers.com/Dialog.aspx?ImageUrl=http://www.diamonds.net/UF/30893/Certs/EK-1998.jpg

Right now, I''m leaning towards the second, as it grades out really well in the Holloway Advisor. Would this be a suitable diamond for an engagement ring? I''ve gotten close to buying other diamonds based on price/color/clarity/holloway grades, but then had people more knowledgeable than myself tell me that I''m missing something and that I probably shouldn''t buy (because it was too shallow, etc.).

Sorry this is so long! I just want to make sure that I try to find something that''s perfect. Thank you.
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Hi diamondnovice

The first might be ok but I prefer the second from the info we have, ask Soloman''s if they can provide an Idealscope image for each diamond. Do you know if these diamonds are eyeclean to your specifications, do Solomans have these in house so they can inspect them for you?
 
I don''t think they have them in house.

Pardon my ignorance, but what would I do with an idealscope image?
 
you can post the idealscope image to the forum, it helps the experts (not me btw) evaluate the cut of the diamond because it provides a map of the light return
 
Date: 5/11/2010 11:41:43 PM
Author: DiamondNovice18
So, I talked to a woman from Solomon brothers on the phone and paged through her inventory, and she turned me on to this diamond. I''m thinking I might do it, as it''s only $500 more than the 1.6 carat I listed above. Would you guys say that this is also a good diamond? It grades out well in the Holloway Cut advisor.

http://www.solomonbrothers.com/Dialog.aspx?ImageUrl=http://www.diamonds.net/UF/13227/Certs/804-381.jpg
Click to expand...
The basic numbers look ok but no way to tell much about this stone without images at least, this link explains about Idealscope images.
 
hi there,

you mentioned that your lady wouldn''t like any noticeable "color problems". hmmm...

have you seen a j color in person? there''s definitely tint there and, personally, there''s too much color there to my liking. i wouldn''t want you to have a disappointed fiancee. a 1.7 carat diamond is BIG and at that size and being a J, it''ll definitly show color.

just throwing in my 2 cents.

good luck!
 
I have to say that were you buying the diamond for me, I would rather you spent an extra $2k on the stone to get me an H/SI1 in that size and then put it in a simple solitaire
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I have no trouble with J color stones, I am awaiting one myself, but if we could afford it I would have gone up the color scale in a heart beat. Since you are buying a non-upgradable stone, THIS IS IT and I would rather have an H color as my forever diamond than a J color. You can then upgrade the setting for an anniversary.

I like this one a lot, but I do not know your budget: http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/7123/

But you know you gf and her preferences. Have you two looked at J color diamonds in person? Jared''s carries a peerless line that is AGS0 and a good way to get a feel for what they look like.

As for the diamond you chose, I prefer to work with vendors who provide Ideal scopes and have the diamonds in house to assess prior to purchase. James Allen is a nice mid point between drop shippers and the more expensive vendors who carry an in house inventory.
 
Thanks for all of the replies. When I say "noticeable color problem", I essentially meant to say that she''s not very hung up about color. It was my understanding that it''s very difficult to tell a J diamond from and H color diamond, unless they are being held next to eachother. I also thought that it would be very difficult to detect a yellowish tinge in the diamond when it is being looked at on its own. Am I wrong in thinking these things?
 
Date: 5/12/2010 10:45:50 AM
Author: DiamondNovice18
Thanks for all of the replies. When I say 'noticeable color problem', I essentially meant to say that she's not very hung up about color. It was my understanding that it's very difficult to tell a J diamond from and H color diamond, unless they are being held next to eachother. I also thought that it would be very difficult to detect a yellowish tinge in the diamond when it is being looked at on its own. Am I wrong in thinking these things?
Click to expand...
You are correct for some people and not for others!
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I can tell a J from an H if I look at the diamond from an angle. But it does not bother me that much, not enough to compromise on size which is my top priority
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You really should see the diamonds for yourself to make sure how you both feel. Is there a Jared's near you?

I second my point about buying from a dealer who can provide images of the diamond and who will have it in house to assess it for you.
 
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