"good" cut diamond in halo?

[WillyDiamond]

Yeah, its really worth it to throw this 1.71ct diamond in the FI face, graded by AGS, H/VS2, and paid a huge chunk of change for.
I can see the conversation going something like this:

NYCEditor: Honey, thanks for that big stone you gave me for our engagement. However, since you gave me the diamond ring, I have gone onto an internet enthusiast site called Pricescope. Many of the contributors to the site are very smart and wise about diamond selection to get the best bang for the buck. I am considering putting a pave halo around the stone for a new setting or having the stone recut to get better dimensions so it will sparkle more.

FI: Huh..........I thought you loved the ring, you were just over the moon when I gave it to you and were jumping for joy, showed it to all of your friends and family, and told them what a large rock it was. You know, I did research of my own and did not buy any diamond. It is graded by AGS who is a very respectable grading company, it is H in color and VS2 in clarity. I spent months looking and spent a bundle on you!

NYCEditor: Well I do love it, but you could have done better.

FI: Really...............Well if you don't like it why don't you just give it back to me.

And you know what happens now..................

Alert: Above masterpiece written from a guys perspective.

What the heck is your problem? The OP posted for advice, and the posters gave her suggestions. She can take it or leave it. You already posted enough times to make it obvious you think it's a bad idea. Was this really necessary?

I did not know there was a limit on posting in a thread. Does anyone limit you?

 

[WillyDiamond]

Yeah, its really worth it to throw this 1.71ct diamond in the FI face, graded by AGS, H/VS2, and paid a huge chunk of change for.
I can see the conversation going something like this:

NYCEditor: Honey, thanks for that big stone you gave me for our engagement. However, since you gave me the diamond ring, I have gone onto an internet enthusiast site called Pricescope. Many of the contributors to the site are very smart and wise about diamond selection to get the best bang for the buck. I am considering putting a pave halo around the stone for a new setting or having the stone recut to get better dimensions so it will sparkle more.

FI: Huh..........I thought you loved the ring, you were just over the moon when I gave it to you and were jumping for joy, showed it to all of your friends and family, and told them what a large rock it was. You know, I did research of my own and did not buy any diamond. It is graded by AGS who is a very respectable grading company, it is H in color and VS2 in clarity. I spent months looking and spent a bundle on you!

NYCEditor: Well I do love it, but you could have done better.

FI: Really...............Well if you don't like it why don't you just give it back to me.

And you know what happens now..................

Alert: Above masterpiece written from a guys perspective.

Are you kidding?!

no

 

[Niel]

Assuming your SO would break up with you for sating you want to send it to get a halo, and while there have it considered for a slight recut is utterly rediculous.

ONE an engagement ring is to show how much you love her, so breaking up over it is silly

TWO she is wearing it, any reasonable man would not get upset with her tweaking it to make her most happy

THREE lots of woman like something and "show it off to everyone "because its proof he loves her and they are about to start a life together. Doesn't mean she can change her mind and grow in her knowledge and tolerance for diamond cuts. Lot of woman here had marquise when they started, and I'm sure their SOs didn't leave them when they decided it wasn't for them anymore.

If he bought her a house and she said "its lovely its huge I love it. " then two months later said "actually I think I'd like to paint the house, maybe add an addition", is that grounds for him leaving her too?!

 

[Niel]

And telling the OP she shouldn't even discuss it with her DH because it would anger him and result in him taking her ring away is rude and extreme. Not to mention most likely wrong

 

[nyceditor]

Thanks, everyone. I appreciate all the input I've received on this matter. I like forums like this because nobody is obligated to just tell you what you want to hear. They give their honest and professional opinions.

The diamond has some good points. It looks very symmetrical. It sparkles nicely outside (as long as it isn't directly in the sun), in my office which has many windows, and in stores. I can often see that the diamond looks better than others. I also have noticed that the look is consistent. There is no dark hole in the middle area when in a well lit area. Where it really goes downhill for me is in that office (fluorescent?) light which seems to be the case with a lot of diamonds (it seems to do nothing), and in dimly lit restaurants (here's where I can clearly see the difference between my stone and other stones. There is very little sparkle in that type of lighting and the stone basically goes dark). Mainly, I feel that while the stone sparkles, it is not very intense.

I don't think I will say anything about getting it recut. I might see if there is some seamless way it could come up when looking at settings, like if the jeweler could say, "This halo will make it sparkle more, but if I just do a minor cut, it will be AMAZING."

I am hesitant to talk to my fiance about a recut. I think that this is one area where he should feel proud, not cut down. It is not the end of the world. The diamond does sparkle a bit, and like a PP said, it is better than many out there. It is not until I am around a really excellent diamond that I start feeling down about it. I'd rather not ruin this memory for him of him proposing with a stone I was blown away by. In the end, it is not worth it for me.

We have always planned on changing the setting so that is not a problem. He put it in a very plain, inexpensive white gold setting so he could surprise me with a ring, but allow me to pick the setting I really love.

 

[sparkle_more]

Your report says that your stone has excellent symmetry and polish. Is the AGS report old? I am curious still why there is no cut grade on the report. Before even considering a recut or reset or anything of that nature, I would suggest that you send the stone to be graded. That way you will have a cert with the cut grade on it.

Also, have your ring cleaned professionally or soak it in hot water and dish detergent. Lots of people post here about diamonds with bad performance only to find they are dirty and a good cleaning really helps (even if they are new).

The only last bit of advice is to take the HCA with a grain of salt. Again, my AGS 000 scores well over 2. It is a BG blue beautiful, perfectly cut stone. It sparkles like crazy when clean, not so much if it even has little a smudge on it. It goes dark in very bright sun (many diamonds do).

Good luck and don't worry so much about it. I'm sure it beautiful! Enjoy it!

 

[nyceditor]

Your report says that your stone has excellent symmetry and polish. Is the AGS report old? I am curious still why there is no cut grade on the report. Before even considering a recut or reset or anything of that nature, I would suggest that you send the stone to be graded. That way you will have a cert with the cut grade on it.

Also, have your ring cleaned professionally or soak it in hot water and dish detergent. Lots of people post here about diamonds with bad performance only to find they are dirty and a good cleaning really helps (even if they are new).

The only last bit of advice is to take the HCA with a grain of salt. Again, my AGS 000 scores well over 2. It is a BG blue beautiful, perfectly cut stone. It sparkles like crazy when clean, not so much if it even has little a smudge on it. It goes dark in very bright sun (many diamonds do).

Good luck and don't worry so much about it. I'm sure it beautiful! Enjoy it!

It's from August 2010. When I first started obsessing over this, I found something on the internet that if you have an AGS report with no cut grade on it, it means it wasn't an excellent or ideal cut (or whatever they use for cut names). I'm having trouble finding a site with that info now.

It does look a lot better when professionally cleaned. It still never really performs well in dim lighting though. Is there a place where I can put my certificate # in and possibly get the cut grade? I feel weird posting the number on the internet.

 

[nyceditor]

Never mind. I figured out where to go, but still no cut grade. I typed the certificate # into the AGS lab and was able to pull up the full report, but still no cut grade.

 

[sparkle_more]

http://www.agslab.com/verify-diamond-grading-report.php

You can put in your number and your ct. Sometimes people post the numbers here for everyone to look at. You can also post a virtual copy and blackout the number it makes you feel more comfortable.

 

[sparkle_more]

Hmmm....I don't know enough to comment on that. Maybe someone else can chime in.

Just one last question - your diamond is a round diamond, right?

 

[JulieN]

Not all AGS reports have cut grades. If it wouldn't get a 0, they might opt for a report that has no cut grade, like the "gold report."

 

[Venti25]

Well since changing the setting isn't an issue, perhaps you can bring it up when you go in to reset it? Do you know where you're going to get your reset done?

 

[msop04]

I don't think I will say anything about getting it recut. I might see if there is some seamless way it could come up when looking at settings, like if the jeweler could say, "This halo will make it sparkle more, but if I just do a minor cut, it will be AMAZING."

I am hesitant to talk to my fiance about a recut. I think that this is one area where he should feel proud, not cut down. It is not the end of the world. The diamond does sparkle a bit, and like a PP said, it is better than many out there. It is not until I am around a really excellent diamond that I start feeling down about it. I'd rather not ruin this memory for him of him proposing with a stone I was blown away by. In the end, it is not worth it for me.

We have always planned on changing the setting so that is not a problem. He put it in a very plain, inexpensive white gold setting so he could surprise me with a ring, but allow me to pick the setting I really love.

Since you would have to send your stone off for the setting, would it be possible to send it to BG to have it recut also -- just not mention to your SO that it was recut?

I know that may sound a little sneaky, but in most cases, a guy just sees a diamond and thinks, "Ok, it sparkles... awesome." [pats himself on the back] If it's reset in a halo, it will look different anyway, and the conversation could go something like this...

OP: "...OMG!! SO, just look at how much more it sparkles after the halo was added!!!"
SO: "Wow! It really did make it look even better!!"

You will still have the diamond he proposed with, no feelings hurt, and you will have an amazingly brilliant stone and awesome setting. WIN-WIN!!

Yeaaaahhhh... I'm bad.

Even if you simply decide to change your setting, I'm sure your ring will be beautiful anyway. Best of luck!!

Disclaimer: I do not condone lying to your SO... "fibbing" -- Now that's another story.

 

[Venti25]

I don't think I will say anything about getting it recut. I might see if there is some seamless way it could come up when looking at settings, like if the jeweler could say, "This halo will make it sparkle more, but if I just do a minor cut, it will be AMAZING."

I am hesitant to talk to my fiance about a recut. I think that this is one area where he should feel proud, not cut down. It is not the end of the world. The diamond does sparkle a bit, and like a PP said, it is better than many out there. It is not until I am around a really excellent diamond that I start feeling down about it. I'd rather not ruin this memory for him of him proposing with a stone I was blown away by. In the end, it is not worth it for me.

We have always planned on changing the setting so that is not a problem. He put it in a very plain, inexpensive white gold setting so he could surprise me with a ring, but allow me to pick the setting I really love.

Since you would have to send your stone off for the setting, would it be possible to send it to BG to have it recut also -- just not mention to your SO that it was recut?

I know that may sound a little sneaky, but in most cases, a guy just sees a diamond and thinks, "Ok, it sparkles... awesome." [pats himself on the back] If it's reset in a halo, it will look different anyway, and the conversation could go something like this...

OP: "...OMG!! SO, just look at how much more it sparkles after the halo was added!!!"
SO: "Wow! It really did make it look even better!!"

You will still have the diamond he proposed with, no feelings hurt, and you will have an amazingly brilliant stone and awesome setting. WIN-WIN!!

Yeaaaahhhh... I'm bad.

Even if you simply decide to change your setting, I'm sure your ring will be beautiful anyway. Best of luck!!

Disclaimer: I do not condone lying to your SO... "fibbing" -- Now that's another story.

Hah. I'm not for lying about getting it cut on the sly, however I wouldn't turn my nose up at sending it in to be reset, and then mentioning that the vendor thought the light performance could be improved by a little trim.

 

[msop04]

Hah. I'm not for lying about getting it cut on the sly, however I wouldn't turn my nose up at sending it in to be reset, and then mentioning that the vendor thought the light performance could be improved by a little trim.

+1!!
Now ya speakin' my language!

 

[Niel]

^ haha

What I'd do is send it to gog or bgd and say to my SO, "im so excited about this halo!! You know this person setting my stone also cuts some of the most perfect diamonds, should I ask him before he sets it to see if this one could benefit? I hear its not expensive"

 

[LibbyLA]

If you get it recut, do get it recerted. Otherwise, it won't match the certificate you have and that can be a can of worms.

liz

 

[bunnycat]

I don't think I will say anything about getting it recut. I might see if there is some seamless way it could come up when looking at settings, like if the jeweler could say, "This halo will make it sparkle more, but if I just do a minor cut, it will be AMAZING."

I am hesitant to talk to my fiance about a recut. I think that this is one area where he should feel proud, not cut down. It is not the end of the world. The diamond does sparkle a bit, and like a PP said, it is better than many out there. It is not until I am around a really excellent diamond that I start feeling down about it. I'd rather not ruin this memory for him of him proposing with a stone I was blown away by. In the end, it is not worth it for me.

We have always planned on changing the setting so that is not a problem. He put it in a very plain, inexpensive white gold setting so he could surprise me with a ring, but allow me to pick the setting I really love.

Since you would have to send your stone off for the setting, would it be possible to send it to BG to have it recut also -- just not mention to your SO that it was recut?

I know that may sound a little sneaky, but in most cases, a guy just sees a diamond and thinks, "Ok, it sparkles... awesome." [pats himself on the back] If it's reset in a halo, it will look different anyway, and the conversation could go something like this...

OP: "...OMG!! SO, just look at how much more it sparkles after the halo was added!!!"
SO: "Wow! It really did make it look even better!!"

You will still have the diamond he proposed with, no feelings hurt, and you will have an amazingly brilliant stone and awesome setting. WIN-WIN!!

Yeaaaahhhh... I'm bad.

Even if you simply decide to change your setting, I'm sure your ring will be beautiful anyway. Best of luck!!

Disclaimer: I do not condone lying to your SO... "fibbing" -- Now that's another story.

Hah. I'm not for lying about getting it cut on the sly, however I wouldn't turn my nose up at sending it in to be reset, and then mentioning that the vendor thought the light performance could be improved by a little trim.

See- I don't have an issue with that either. There's nice ways to talk about it and crummy ways ot talk about it. Not making a big deal to him out of thinking it's not cut well would probably stand you in good stead (even though i know it must eat at you). If the recut is a possibility (be sure to go with a vendor like Good Old Gold or Brian Gavin since it can all be done with the same people) then just kind of tacking it on as 'an addendum" might be a nice way to do it. You know, "They recommended a little clean up on it before they set it...." something nonchalant.

I would agree most guys aren't interested in it past the "got shiny?" (check) "is she happy?" (check) and then it passes from their minds. Honestly, the really DO NOT seem to understand how we end up looking at them every day and begin to notice things about them so for them, it's past, the deal is sealed and there's no more need to think on it. (Even my wonderfully enlightened old cut loving hubby is the same way....truly....)

 

[Niel]

+1 b cat! I know my SO get diamonds. He said "i don't look at a stone and get impressed by how shiny it is. " But he loves me so when I said I wanted to change my e ring (before we've even married!) He knew it was important to me and wasn't important to him so he said fine. He knows an e ring is a thing. It doesn't = how much you love each other. Bring it up like youd like it but like its no big deal and he won't think it is either.

 

[StacylikesSparkles]

+1 b cat! I know my SO get diamonds. He said "i don't look at a stone and get impressed by how shiny it is. " But he loves me so when I said I wanted to change my e ring (before we've even married!) He knew it was important to me and wasn't important to him so he said fine. He knows an e ring is a thing. It doesn't = how much you love each other. Bring it up like you'd like it but like its no big deal and he won't think it is either.

+2 for B cat & Niel. You don't approach something you want with a negative attitude. You can most certainly get that re-cut for extra sparkle, especially if you don't approach it in a way that will make him defensive. Girl rule #85; Ask nicely and you have a better chance of getting what you want!

 

[WillyDiamond]

I think you have some excellent suggestions on this thread. Some have to do with the "technical" aspects of your diamond and others have to due with "ethical/conscience" suggestions. If you send the stone to BGD or GOG, knowing in advance your goal was to get it recut and you did not tell him in advance, I don't think anyone on this forum can tell you what to do. You have to live with that decision. No matter what you do, best of luck.