good stone?

[jhu2]

I'm finally in the market for an engagement ring, and forum has helped immensely.

I want to get the best stone, eye clean, around G/H color for around 8000-9000. My overall budget is around 10k. This particular stone is the largest I've found in my price range and criteria. Hopefully there isn't anything wrong with the stone. I noticed that according to the report, the stone has strong blue fluorescence. I've also read that some strong blue fluorescent stones appear to be hazy or milky in normal conditions. Could you guys please take a look at the GIA report and see if there are any problems with this rock and why the price is so low? I understand that the fluorescence might rub someone the wrong way, but is there anything else? Are there any other particular problems with this stone and setting combination? Basically I want the best stone I can get for the money. Thanks so much.

Link to the setting:
http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-diamond-ring?forceStep=STYLE_STEP&offer_id=12925

Link to the stone:
http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-ideal-cut-h-color-vvs2-clarity_LD03429691?keyword_search_value=LD03429691

 

[lmar2]

This is just my opinion, but I might drop to VS2 and go for medium or lower fluorescence, since in a stone with that high of color grade it seems more likely that the strong f. could make it appear milky (I think it's more acceptable for stones in the J-I range). With a VS2 you're still very likely to get an eye-clean stone (my SI1 stone from BN is), and you can always call and ask Blue Nile whether or not it is (they have told me in the past that a stone I was very interested in was not eye clean).

I would also recommend this tool to determine how ideal the cut really is, since it's not one of Blue Nile's signature ideal cut stones.
https://www.pricescope.com/tools/hca

You also want to make sure the spread of the stone you're looking at is appropriate for the carat weight. I feel like some stones on Blue Nile are priced a little lower when their spread isn't ideal (not worth paying for a 1.3 if it looks like a 1.2 or 1.1). The HCA tool will help you with that.

I'm definitely not an expert by any means, but hope that helps.

 

[jhu2]

I emailed them regarding the hazy/milky effect from the fluorescence and they said this particular stone doesn't exhibit any hazy under normal conditions. Can I trust the sales rep? They said they talked to the on staff gemologist and everything looked perfect, eye clean, no hazy, ideal cut.

I also checked the HCA on here and it said that everything was ideal, with a TCP of 1.8. Seems like all the numbers are more than satisfactory... You know what they say, when something sounds too good to be true, it usually is...

 

[ecf8503]

The HCA gives it a 1.8, which is good. Fire, scintillation, and spread are only "very good" instead of "excellent" though.

If you look at the measurements, it is what is known as a 60/60 diamond (60% table, 60% depth), You can read more about 60/60's here: https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/60-60-proportioned-diamond

I think VVS is clarity overkill - why pay significantly more for something you literally cannot see? And clarity has no effect on light performance in this range through VS and most SI's. I have several SI1's that are eye clean with no durability issues, and therefore are "mind clean" to me.

I'd stay in the G-H color range, but drop clarity - but that's just me.

 

[lmar2]

Yep, I'd definitely drop to VS2, G or H (I've been told color isn't noticeable until you get to I.. my H from BN is really white), and look for a stone that's excellent on all accounts (especially spread). My 1.5 ct had a spread of 7.4 I think (and a HCA of .0.. any little bit helps if you want a large-looking stone.

I also feel like sometimes the type of inclusions can cause a stone to be priced lower.. Again, not an expert, but I think if a stone has one larger inclusion on the table versus a bunch of smaller inclusions within the stone, the one with the larger single inclusion might be priced lower, even if both stones fall within the small clarity category.

I'm pretty sure in this case it's the strong fluorescence that's driving the price down. Most people are scared of it, though some people like a little fluorescence.

Also, here's the link to a bunch of pics and specs of my BN stone...

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-1-5-ct-platinum-rb-solitaire-from-bn-size-7-25.187013/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-1-5-ct-platinum-rb-solitaire-from-bn-size-7-25.187013/[/URL]

 

[jhu2]

I too would rather drop to SI or VS instead of spending the extra money but I have a very sharp eye for tiny tiny inclusions, borderline OCD I'd say. Also, every time I look at the GIA plot, I get nervous about buying a stone with any inclusions. I know I shouldn't judge a diamond based on the GIA plot but what else can you judge clarity on, esp. from the BN website?

In addition, this particular VVS2 isn't that expensive for a 1.29 carat stone. I figure if its not much for piece of mind.

 

[JulieN]

Price is quite good. Good enough to have it sent out for a look.

 

[jhu2]

By sent out do you mean purchase, appraised, then either return or keep depending on the appraised value?

Price is quite good. Good enough to have it sent out for a look.

 

[JulieN]

Purchase to see if it is attractive and not hazy.