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Hello all! Newbie here and could use some help!

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Noahsmom

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Hello everyone!

I have been lurking for a bit and I must say everyone is so knowledgeable about diamonds! I know I am in the right spot to ask my question, and hopefully you will give me the news I want to hear lol.

I have gotten permission from the hubby to upgrade my engagement stone for our anniversary (Feb 11)/Valentine''s day gift. Since he is in Iraq, it is up to me to pick it out. Since he picked out my engagment ring, I never really took the time to learn the 4 c''s and now have some questions.

I currently have a round .51c H-color and I2 clarity (I think). The stone I have found is a round 1.25ct E-color VS2 clarity. The price for the stone is $1750. Is that a good deal? I''m afraid of getting ripped off and I have put a hold on it, but now I am second guessing myself. There is an appraisal that comes with it, but I plan on getting it appraised and insured when/if I buy it.

Please tell me this is not a rip off?! I would like to think this is a good deal.

I look forward to your advice!

Thanks for your time.

Holly
 
Are you sure its $1750 for that stone? that seems way beyond too good to be true, to the point that it probably isn''t. What are the other parameters of the stone? Is it certified by any lab? and most importantly do you trust the vendor and if not, could you get it appraised by third party prior to purchasing?
 
Hi, welcome to ps - is the diamond you are considering clarity enhanced? What lab did the grading report?
 
Thank you for the replies.

It is naturally enhanced and it is certified by AGAL.
I don''t think it''s possible to get a 3rd party appraisal before purchasing, however they did say that they will accept the stone back for any reason and offer a full refund.
 
Make sure you get all guarantees (returns, etc) in writing.

What type of clarity enhancement is it? (Laser drilling, filling, etc)
The clarity enhancement explains the price - the value remains the same as if it had not been clarity enhanced. As long as you are aware of what you are buying and ok with it then that is fine. Make sure if you ever have work done on it (esp if it is filled) that you alert the person working on it - they can damage the filling with heat, etc so need to know to be careful. Some filled diamonds come with a guarantee so that the filling can be replaced if it comes out, etc. Does this one have such a guarantee? If yes, make sure you keep your paperwork and guarantees in writing.
Have you seen it in person and did you love it?

Could you post the specs for us? I would like to make sure that the girdle is ok so that it is not at risk.

That is a nice jump in size!
 
To achieve this, the diamond goes through a high temperature and high-pressure thin film infusion process using state-of-the-art technology. The thin film material is set to match the reflective index of the diamond itself thus increasing the clarity

That is what it said about their CE diamonds...or at least what kind of CE it is.

This is what it says about the care of the stone:


The Gemological Institute of America (G.I.A), after extensive research, has determined that normal wear and tear cannot harm the enhancement. Enhanced Diamonds Needs No Special Care at all. Please treat your enhanced Diamond like you treat any other gemstone that is in your possession. That means that the best way to clean it is water and soap or non-Ammonia jewelry cleaner. At the jeweler''s bench, Ultrasonic cleaning, steam cleaning or boiling water and detergent will not affect the enhancement. Only the direct heat of a torch or boiling acids or ammonia bases can damage the treatment. We are so confident in the durability and stability of our process that every diamond comes with a Lifetime Guarantee.

I don''t have all the specs in front of me. I can get them tomorrow.
 
If you give us an idea of your maximum budget, maybe we could find you a non enhanced diamond if you are open to the idea?
 
I would love to find a non CE stone about that size, maybe even a bit smaller. My budget is $1750. If anything that is a bit over budget as is.
8.gif
 
Date: 1/21/2009 6:17:13 AM
Author: Noahsmom
I would love to find a non CE stone about that size, maybe even a bit smaller. My budget is $1750. If anything that is a bit over budget as is.
8.gif
I don't think you will be able to find a top quality stone of that size for the budget unfortunately, but one thing to remember is trying to hit a certain carat weight can be a waste if the diamond isn't well cut, as a smaller better cut diamond can often look larger due to top all round performance and edge to edge light return, so just something to throw into the decision process.

I found this one just to show you, it might be too small for what you want but it is in budget and a top cut diamond which will be beautiful.

http://www.highperformancediamonds.com/index.php?page=view-id-diamond-infinity&id=551

This one is larger, might not be eyeclean as it is an I1 clarity, you would need to check carefully with James Allen.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-I1-Premium-Cut-Round-Diamond-1123594.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131
 
That is a beautiful stone, thank you for finding that, I have a 6 prong Tiffany style setting. Would that look bigger in a 4 prong setting?
 
Date: 1/21/2009 6:53:16 AM
Author: Noahsmom
That is a beautiful stone, thank you for finding that, I have a 6 prong Tiffany style setting. Would that look bigger in a 4 prong setting?
It is a beauty isn't it? A 4 or 6 prong setting is a matter of preference, some feel 6 makes the diamond look a bit bigger but I can tell you I was looking at a diamond of a similar size and cut quality recently in person in a 4 prong and it looked gorgeous! Personally I would rather have a smaller fireball like that diamond than a poorly cut larger one which does nothing when worn for sparkle....If you like the look of the diamond, contact Wink and he might be able to reserve it for you while you think about it with no obligation - diamonds are being grabbed by lurkers a lot recently.

Plus as well, this diamond as an Infinity is eligible for the lifetime upgrade program which means you can trade it in against a larger diamond in the future as finances permit, and work towards your dream size that way.
 
After giving it some thought, I think I''m going to wait. I would rather have the cut, size, etc and all that I want in the real thing. I''m in no rush. I think I was just so anxious to get a bigger stone I didn''t really think about anything else. I know whatever I get will be an investment so I might as well make it worthwhile. Thank you all so much for your advice. I will continue to lurk because I have already learned so much in the past couple days. Hopefully I can eventually become as knowledgeable as you all are!
 
Date: 1/21/2009 1:01:17 PM
Author: Noahsmom
After giving it some thought, I think I''m going to wait. I would rather have the cut, size, etc and all that I want in the real thing. I''m in no rush. I think I was just so anxious to get a bigger stone I didn''t really think about anything else. I know whatever I get will be an investment so I might as well make it worthwhile. Thank you all so much for your advice. I will continue to lurk because I have already learned so much in the past couple days. Hopefully I can eventually become as knowledgeable as you all are!
No worries, just keep saving, you will get there! Please be aware though that if you mean an investment as in financial that diamonds are not a good financial investment - an investment in your happiness - sure!!!

Maybe you could consider starting smaller then working up from there with a vendor who has an upgrade policy, just something to think about, that way you will have a new sparkly to enjoy while you work towards the big one!
 
I mean investment in happiness. I know whatever I upgrade to I will have for a long time, so I need to be in love with it!
 
Date: 1/21/2009 1:09:31 PM
Author: Noahsmom
I mean investment in happiness. I know whatever I upgrade to I will have for a long time, so I need to be in love with it!
Ok great! Just wanted to make sure! What I would suggest to get help you reach your goal, is to try to find the best cut diamond you can, and maybe consider GIA or AGS graded I or J colour and SI2 clarity ( always check that these clarities are eyeclean to your standards). That should give you the most size for the money.
 
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