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Help a newbie (me) with decision! Narrowed down to two...

J

jaario

Rough_Rock
Joined
Dec 15, 2011
Messages
9
Hi guys,

Hoping you experts can lend me a hand here... I'm just about ready to make the purchase on an engagement ring and I've somewhat narrowed things down. My budget is around $8,000 USD and I'm currently in Hong Kong. After a few weeks of research and running around town, this is what I've narrowed things down to:

1) 0.95 Carat, D Color, VS1, Excellent Cut, GIA Certified
3) 1.00 Carat, G Color, VS2, Excellent Cut, GIA Certified

I'm torn, mainly because I'm new to anything diamond related and I don't really have anyone to turn to for an honest opinion.

I've heard that people don't like getting anything in 0.9xx ct size because they are mistakes, to people saying that if you don't get 1.00ct then it is a headache you deal with for a long time (whenever people ask what size the rock is, etc).

Basically, I saved up $8000 and I found these two which fit to my budget. The diamonds are about 60k each HKD (which is about 8k USD). My girlfriend isn't really a jewelry person, and has told me many times that she doesn't care what size the ring is... (she doesn't own a single ring or anything like that, she really *doesn't* have much jewelry) but I decided I wanted to give her something really special (I know she'll love whatever I decide to buy).

I guess my main question is... is there a big difference to the naked eye between 0.95 and 1.00 ct? Does the D color/VS1 cut of the 0.95ct make up for the fact that the 1.00ct is only a G color/VS2 cut? Size vs Quality, if you had to choose between these two, which would you choose?

Again, these two are what fit with my budget... I tried looking at some 1.00ct with a higher cut (VS1) but the price jumps out of my budget :(

Any help/advice/opinion is greatly appreciated!
 
Re: Help a newbie (me) with decision! Narrowed down to two..

Post the GIA report number.
 
Re: Help a newbie (me) with decision! Narrowed down to two..

I'll ask the jeweler first thing tomorrow if they can provide me the report number. Since I'm new, please excuse the following questions:

1) If the diamond is GIA certified, it 100% has a report number?
2) Will my jeweler not want to give me this number for any legit reason?

I'll ask her first thing tomorrow when I call her!
 
Re: Help a newbie (me) with decision! Narrowed down to two..

There is no reason for you not to be able to see the report before buying. In fact, I wouldn't even consider buying without seeing the report. That is a hard choice. We have discussed this on the forum before, and the consensus if someone asks the size of a diamond in the .90 range, just say "around a carat". That one is .95 so it really can be rounded to a carat!

But I'd have to see the reports and preferably a picture of the stones to decide. But if all we can see is the reports, that will help.
 
Re: Help a newbie (me) with decision! Narrowed down to two..

What is the price difference in these two stones?
 
Re: Help a newbie (me) with decision! Narrowed down to two..

Hey guys, I was back out into the city (Hong Kong) again today and have the following to report, hoping for your expert advice now! :

Option 1
GIA Report #2126487925
0.95 carat D/VS2
$7812 USD

Option 2
GIA Report #5111991595
1.1 carat H/VS2
$8518 USD

The 0.95 carat is a VS2 not VS1 as I originally stated. The 0.95 doesn't have a picture in the GIA report since it is >1.0 carat, but I spent a good 30 minutes inspecting the diamond with a loupe (I AM NOT AN EXPERT AT ALL). I saw that most of the "flaws" are on the side, the table was nice and clean, but the seller told me that the biggest problem was the crystal flaw inside the diamond which he pointed out to me (COULD NOT SEE WITH NAKED EYE).

The 1.1 carat had some flaws that you could see with the naked eye, but not many... all flaws were on the side, but there is a clear difference when comparing both diamonds next to each other.

The other thing is, both diamonds have kind of "dots" on some sides, but I'm not sure if this is normal (for my price/budget range) or not? As in, when I hold the diamond, and start turning it very slowly... and light is coming off a side, some sides are smooth as a butter, but other sides you kind of see specs like dust or something? Is this normal? The reason I ask is because ALL the diamonds I've looked at (a good 5-10 from different stores) had this "problem". I assume it's because I'm not paying top notch dollars so that every single side/cut of the diamond is perfectly smooth and flat?

You can see these "specs" with the naked eye, but only at certain angles as you turn the diamond and look/squint as the light comes off. I hope that made sense... :)

My budget is around 8-8.5k USD for the diamond only, and these two are what I've found so far. I think the 0.95 is a bit nicer (the D color really shows when compared to the H) but the size is 0.95 vs 1.1ct. What do you guys think? Is it a good idea in your opinion to go for the fire/shine/sparkle but less than the magic "ooh ahhh 1.00ct" number, or better to go for the 1.1ct size and drop a couple notches down on the scales?

Thoughts/opinions/comments/etc are all very welcome at this point! Looking forward to your insight!
 
Re: Help a newbie (me) with decision! Narrowed down to two..

I'm really curious about these "specs" too. I see them on a diamond I just bought (still in the return period), but have not noticed them on others that I've viewed. I was told that they were not inclusions, but I'm wondering if they might be carbon inclusions. I thought it was just dirt or dust at first, but they don't seem to rub off when I clean the diamond. Anyone seen this before?
 
Re: Help a newbie (me) with decision! Narrowed down to two..

You can use the HCA to see how the stones rate. Any stone that rates under 2 is worth further consideration. *There are some
stones that will rate over 2 that may still be worth consideration. If you can see the stones in person under different lighting
conditions and know what you are looking for then you can trust your eyes.

https://www.pricescope.com/tools/hca
 
Re: Help a newbie (me) with decision! Narrowed down to two..

Thanks!

The 0.95ct scored a 5.2 and the 1.1ct scored a 2.4!

Does this mean I should lean towards the 1.1ct?
 
Re: Help a newbie (me) with decision! Narrowed down to two..

If you are looking at the stones in person, just pick the one your eyes like best. But make sure to compare the stones in a variety of lighting conditions.
 
Re: Help a newbie (me) with decision! Narrowed down to two..

.
 
Re: Help a newbie (me) with decision! Narrowed down to two..

in all honestly i would not take either of the two diamonds... i would not pick anything that is scored above an HCA 2.

how about this one ? 1.01ct H VS1, $8070, HCA score is 1.1 , this looks amazing and the proportions are great ! price is also better... in addition you get pricescope discount on top of this price! :bigsmile:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1398014.asp
 
Re: Help a newbie (me) with decision! Narrowed down to two..

That one sounds nice, however I think I want to stay away from an H color. The reason is that, although the yellow is hard to see... I find that the instant you put it next to a D/E/F/G, the yellow becomes instantly visible to the naked eye.

Do you guys think I can try to find a F/G VS1 1ct for around 8-8.5k USD? Or will it be difficult?
 
Re: Help a newbie (me) with decision! Narrowed down to two..

I see... so I'm back to where I started before I even found any diamonds..

With a 8.5k budget, do I go for size or quality, but I definitely think I want to go for quality.

In your opinion...

Is a eye-clean G/VS2 as brilliant/fire/sparkly as a D/VS2 ?

Is there a difference to the untrained eye between D and G?

Sorry for so many questions, but it took a while to save up for this I want to know everything before I make the biggest purchase (thus far) in life :)
 
Re: Help a newbie (me) with decision! Narrowed down to two..

IMO carat size, clarity, and color are all measures of rarity. The quality of the cut has the most impact on how brilliant/fiery/sparkly a stone is.

I think that given a G and a D are equally well cut and equally eye clean, most would opt for the bigger or cheaper stone. I'm sure that there are some who can tell the difference between between a D and a G, even when set, and prefer the D, but I'm also sure that there some who prefer the G or lower colors. My SO, for example, prefers the H/I color range more so than the other colors.

At the end of day, it's really a matter of what you and your SO find acceptable. My advice is to go look at as many stones in as many shops in as many lighting conditions as possible. Hong Kong is a great and convenient place to comparison shop. Ask to see some of the hearts and arrows stones alongside GIA EX stones and see if you can see or care for the difference.
 
Re: Help a newbie (me) with decision! Narrowed down to two..

Personally I would get the D over the G. I can see a big difference between the 2 and D/E stones are so fiery and beautiful. I always sacrifice a little in carat weight to get a better color stone.
 
Re: Help a newbie (me) with decision! Narrowed down to two..

and I would pick the G...

have you seen D and G in person? that might help you decide. also make sure to look at them face up and from the side in normal lighting (not spotlighting) as this is the way you will be viewing the diamond most of the time :)
 
Re: Help a newbie (me) with decision! Narrowed down to two..

Hey guys,

Thanks again for all your help :) So I decided that I will not purchase that 0.95 G/VS2 and aim for a E/F/G, VS1/VS2 ~1.00ct instead. I did more browsing today, and hoping you guys can pass me your opinion on these pieces (GIA Certified):

Budget: $8,000-$8500
Ideal: To find a 1 ct ring that is E-G color, VS1 is possible (unlikely) or eye-clean VS2. It seems that is the best I can hope for with my budget, so I want to try and maximize that :)

1. Cert. No. 1125496446 - G/VS2 1.01cts. USD7296 HCA Grade: 6.9
2. Cert. No. 1136106643 - G/VS2 1.00cts. USD7740 HCA Grade: 0.8
3. Cert. No. 5131529346 - G/VS2 1.00cts. USD7052
4. Cert. No. 2127623575 - G/SI1 1.05cts. USD6899 HCA Grade: 7.6

The only issue is that for #2 (bolded above), I don't have triple excellent grading.

I also saw this one, but it is slightly out of my budget -- maybe if I can bargain the price below $9,000 it would be worth it?
Cert. No. 5123664639 - G/VS1 1.01cts. USD9210
This one is triple excellent with a HCA Grade of 2.4 (Very Good)

I'm headed out to see more next week, but I will think on these ones for the next couple of days. Your insight and help is always appreciated :D
 
Re: Help a newbie (me) with decision! Narrowed down to two..

I strongly suggest sticking with stones with AGS/GIA cut grades of excellent or better. IMO all of the latest ones are likely less brilliant/fiery/sparkly, and potentially look smaller than your original picks. Did you see them all together?

Please keep in mind that the HCA is only recommended for use with stones with at least very good symmetry, as it assumes perfect symmetry in the stones. The HCA results are likely irrelevant for the latest stones with only good symmetry.
 
Re: Help a newbie (me) with decision! Narrowed down to two..

This was at a different seller, but I saw all 5 together (and I did notice that the original 0.95ct Excellent D/VS2 was more fiery than this set of stones at this store).

I'm going to another store this week with a close family friend who is really into her diamonds. She says this place always has "good stuff" so I'm hoping to update you guys with the next set of stones I see for your opinions soon!

I agree, I think I will try to stick with GIA Excellent cut at the very least! What are your thoughts on that G/VS1 $9k diamond? I think I might be able to bring it down a little bit if I negotiate.
 
Re: Help a newbie (me) with decision! Narrowed down to two..

I think the numbers on the G VS1 look promising, but make sure that the graining does not affect the performance of the stone. It's rare, but it happens. Again, your eyes are the best gauge with what you like, but please make sure to compare the stones in a variety of lighting conditions.
 
Re: Help a newbie (me) with decision! Narrowed down to two..

I might go check out the G/VS1 again then if you think it looks promising. Can you describe what you mean when you say watch out for the grain? What should I physically look for (as a amateur newbie) when I look at the diamond, in laymans terms :)

Thanks again! I'll also post an update once I see the next set of diamonds I'll be checking out this week.
 
Re: Help a newbie (me) with decision! Narrowed down to two..

GOG has a good clip on graining: http://youtu.be/XCRorteDK-Q?t=5m

Again not all stones with graining have issues.
 
Re: Help a newbie (me) with decision! Narrowed down to two..

There are no issues on a VS1 stone with excellent polish, so you don't need to worry about the graining!

I don't buy diamonds with a score of greater than 2.0 but that is primarily because I have to order mine and cannot see them in person and compare them to stones with slightly different measurements. I do buy G VS stones, though, because it is at the top of near colorless and there is such a big price jump to go to D-F. I would get F color for a ring stone if it fit my budget, but G VS1 works best for me. An ideal cut G stone will face up nice and bright and that is another reason the great cut is very important.
 
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