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Help balancing quality vs. size

Z

zw99

Rough_Rock
Joined
Mar 3, 2014
Messages
13
I'm beginning my search, and still trying to decide on the setting. I've been focusing a lot of time on searching for the diamond, and I am reading all sorts of information/opinions. I've read a lot of great info here, and figured maybe someone could point me in the right direction.

I know I'm looking for a round diamond at a budget around $5000. From here, I think I'd either want the best quality (smaller size) to put in a fancier setting, or a bigger/lower quality (within reason) to be the focus in a more simple setting. What do you feel is the biggest I can get, sacrificing some with color and clarity?
 
If you can spend $5000 on a diamond alone, you can get a nice G/H/I VS2/SI1 close to a carat.
 
I've been doing more searching based on sites I have seen mentioned here in other posts. I want at least 1 ct., so $5000 seems like it's going to be a bit low. I had originally budgeted $5000 for the stone, and $4000 more for the setting. I'm fine shifting this budget to $7000 for the stone (leaving $2000 for the setting).

As an educational moment for me, how does this one look? I'm not sure what all the parameters on the report mean just yet, but I am learning.
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9093/
 
$7000 will certainly get you a nice 1ct. GOG carries many beautiful diamonds, but that one is not well cut. The price reflects that.
 
ZW, I just bought an A Cut Above from Whiteflash after researching on PS for a few months. I could not be more pleased with the diamond - or the experience with WF. It might be fun to do a search on their website - if not for ACA, but the next grade, which I've heard has amazing diamonds as well.
 
These are answered based on the US general culture.
Color is subjective. Some people like Ds, some genuinely prefer Qs.. Many can't tell the difference between a G and an I. So it's a but misleading to say lower color IS lower quality. Especially in the us not everyone considers a D half ct of better quality than an I fill ct

Clarity is a mind clean issue more than anything. Do you care if the certificate says si1 if looking at the stone you dont see any inclusions?

Cut is king. Don't compromise on that. Cut makes it sparkle and sparkle is why ou want a diamond and we don't all wear 6 ct D color CZ
 
Thanks for the input everyone. I've been using the HCA to help me get some perspective on the certificate parameters (I know that is just a tool, not the final word).

This one results in a 1.9.
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2805424.htm

This one that Sakuracherry posted gets a 2.6.
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10102/

These 2 look pretty close, no? What would make me choose one over the other?

Also, what's the difference between AGS and GIA certification. They are both well respected and ijdustry leaders, right?
 
I'd consider any stone in the HCA score 2-3 range if it has a great idealscope image like the one I posted. You also don't need to use HCA for AGS graded ideal cut stones. However, it is better to stick with stones that score under 2 if you're buying blind.
 
DP
 
Niel|1393885585|3626776 said:
These are answered based on the US general culture.
Color is subjective. Some people like Ds, some genuinely prefer Qs.. Many can't tell the difference between a G and an I. So it's a but misleading to say lower color IS lower quality. Especially in the us not everyone considers a D half ct of better quality than an I fill ct

Clarity is a mind clean issue more than anything. Do you care if the certificate says si1 if looking at the stone you dont see any inclusions?

Cut is king. Don't compromise on that. Cut makes it sparkle and sparkle is why ou want a diamond and we don't all wear 6 ct D color CZ
Click to expand...

Great points as always Niel!

OP, to get a feel for how you respond to different color grades, try to visit a few jewelry stores and take a look at a variety of stones w/ different color grades. The better cut stones are going to "face up" whiter, so spending some time looking at actual stones (and handling them, etc) will help you alot.
 
Thank you guys so much for all of the help, it's definitely opened my eyes on what to look for. I plan on going to some stores this weekend to look at different stones as well at settings.

One further question on reading the idealscope images. In this one, is the white around the edge a negative property?
http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/11405/
 
zw99|1393900096|3626942 said:
Thank you guys so much for all of the help, it's definitely opened my eyes on what to look for. I plan on going to some stores this weekend to look at different stones as well at settings.

One further question on reading the idealscope images. In this one, is the white around the edge a negative property?
http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/11405/
Click to expand...

You can put JA diamonds on reserve for a period of time (you typically have to wait a couple days to get idealscopes anyway).

**when you go to the store to look at diamonds, please please please look at J vs H and above in different light settings and from different angles. You'll see for yourself whether J is acceptable. I really recommend staying at least I, and preferably H, unless you know that the wearer would be comfortable with a J.
 
If it's well cut, a J isn't going to be very warm, and most untrained eyes won't see the warmth.
 
ame said:
If it's well cut, a J isn't going to be very warm, and most untrained eyes won't see the warmth.
Click to expand...

I agree that a well cut J won't show much color in the face up position. But the issue is that the wearer sees the diamond at angles where color is seen readily and where cut makes much less of a difference in detecting color. Most lighting situations will allow someone with normal eyes to see the "warmth" or "yellow tinge" if you just look at those angles (about 45 degrees and lower). I emphasize this because it's an important point that is almost never brought up on PS. For me, a J is clearly a J at all angles except perpendicular to the table.

I'm not saying "Don't buy a J." Again, if the wearer is okay with it, then go right ahead. Many people are okay with it, others are not.
 
teobdl|1393902930|3626975 said:
zw99|1393900096|3626942 said:
when you go to the store to look at diamonds, please please please look at J vs H and above in different light settings and from different angles. You'll see for yourself whether J is acceptable. I really recommend staying at least I, and preferably H, unless you know that the wearer would be comfortable with a J.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...

I would add that it's fine to ask if they will show you the diamonds in daylight - i.e., take them outside the store. You want your diamond to look good in every imaginable lighting situation. Store lights make everything look wonderful - a bit deceptive for the real world.
 
The 0.96 is a 60/60 type diamond. The table is big and the diamond faces up big and bright, but lacks in fire.
 
teobdl|1393904944|3627010 said:
ame said:
If it's well cut, a J isn't going to be very warm, and most untrained eyes won't see the warmth.
Click to expand...

I agree that a well cut J won't show much color in the face up position. But the issue is that the wearer sees the diamond at angles where color is seen readily and where cut makes much less of a difference in detecting color. Most lighting situations will allow someone with normal eyes to see the "warmth" or "yellow tinge" if you just look at those angles (about 45 degrees and lower). I emphasize this because it's an important point that is almost never brought up on PS. For me, a J is clearly a J at all angles except perpendicular to the table.

I'm not saying "Don't buy a J." Again, if the wearer is okay with it, then go right ahead. Many people are okay with it, others are not.
Click to expand...

+1. The wearer definitely sees the diamond at all angles, and if the wearer is extremely detail-oriented (like me), they'll study it to death. Other people will also see the diamond at many different angles, and IF the wearer is "worried" about whether the tint is noticeable, it takes some of the fun out of wearing the ring.

You should look at as many different color ranges as you can. I agree w/ the others who are suggesting that you look at diamonds in the J range, or even lower, while you're in the data gathering phase. It's really the only way to determine what you (and/or the wearer) will be completely comfortable with.

Regarding lighting conditions, I also agree that the jewelers should be happy to let you see the stone in natural light (near the store window and away from the showroom spotlights on steroids LOL :lol:). If you're buying online, you can ask the jeweler to videotape the stone in a variety of lighting conditions for you.

GOG did this when I was looking at stones and Jonathan even shot the diamond near their front window on an overcast day (the big storm was heading into NY that weekend).
 
Roxy|1393982112|3627629 said:
The wearer definitely sees the diamond at all angles, and if the wearer is extremely detail-oriented (like me), they'll study it to death. Other people will also see the diamond at many different angles, and IF the wearer is "worried" about whether the tint is noticeable, it takes some of the fun out of wearing the ring.

You should look at as many different color ranges as you can. I agree w/ the others who are suggesting that you look at diamonds in the J range, or even lower, while you're in the data gathering phase. It's really the only way to determine what you (and/or the wearer) will be completely comfortable with.

Regarding lighting conditions, I also agree that the jewelers should be happy to let you see the stone in natural light (near the store window and away from the showroom spotlights on steroids LOL :lol:). If you're buying online, you can ask the jeweler to videotape the stone in a variety of lighting conditions for you.

GOG did this when I was looking at stones and Jonathan even shot the diamond near their front window on an overcast day (the big storm was heading into NY that weekend).
Click to expand...

I agree with Roxy... Have the jeweler show you the stones in a variety of lighting conditions. At first, I was so nervous about "wearing a J" that my SA took me anywhere I liked to see the stone. We went outside in the sunshine, in the shade, in my car, into a restaurant next door, and inside an office with "bad lighting". He wanted me to see it at its worst as well as its best. He let me go a little overboard with the viewing, but I'm very thankful he did.
 
msop04|1394554787|3631755 said:
Roxy|1393982112|3627629 said:
The wearer definitely sees the diamond at all angles, and if the wearer is extremely detail-oriented (like me), they'll study it to death. Other people will also see the diamond at many different angles, and IF the wearer is "worried" about whether the tint is noticeable, it takes some of the fun out of wearing the ring.

You should look at as many different color ranges as you can. I agree w/ the others who are suggesting that you look at diamonds in the J range, or even lower, while you're in the data gathering phase. It's really the only way to determine what you (and/or the wearer) will be completely comfortable with.

Regarding lighting conditions, I also agree that the jewelers should be happy to let you see the stone in natural light (near the store window and away from the showroom spotlights on steroids LOL :lol:). If you're buying online, you can ask the jeweler to videotape the stone in a variety of lighting conditions for you.

GOG did this when I was looking at stones and Jonathan even shot the diamond near their front window on an overcast day (the big storm was heading into NY that weekend).
Click to expand...

I agree with Roxy... Have the jeweler show you the stones in a variety of lighting conditions. At first, I was so nervous about "wearing a J" that my SA took me anywhere I liked to see the stone. We went outside in the sunshine, in the shade, in my car, into a restaurant next door, and inside an office with "bad lighting". He wanted me to see it at its worst as well as its best. He let me go a little overboard with the viewing, but I'm very thankful he did.
Click to expand...

Wow, that's so cool!! Taking the stone outside, next door, etc that's really top notch customer service. It's great when you feel like the jeweler cares about your happiness w/ the purchase almost as much as you do :bigsmile: !
 
I don't know if you saw this one but it is gorgeous and falls in the TIC category. You don't need to use the HCA with the WF ACA diamonds but it is 0.9. Also, it is an I with tiny inclusions on the edge of the table. So, this should be eye clean as well as mind clean. I'm definitely a fan of the symmetry that is beautiful to me (ACA) of BGD hearts and arrows.

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3061805.htm
 
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