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HELP!!! Diamond for engagement ring

T

TheGreaterNate

Rough_Rock
Joined
May 4, 2014
Messages
9
I've been shopping for an engagement ring for a couple of weeks now. When looking at diamonds, I've only been looking at GIA certificates, however I've stumbled across what seems to be a great deal on an IGI diamond. What I basically need to know is if this is on par with what I've been looking at so far. I've been looking at GIA diamonds in H-J range VS1-SI1.

I can get this diamond in the setting my girlfriend has picked out for less than most of the GIA diamonds alone would cost. It's a second-hand ring, just to explain the big price difference.

Thanks in advance for the help. I'm just in over my head here. :)

http://igionline.com/igiweb/onlinereport/View_InstCert.cfm?pCert=GGT1085705
 
TheGreaterNate|1399222946|3666049 said:
I've been shopping for an engagement ring for a couple of weeks now. When looking at diamonds, I've only been looking at GIA certificates, however I've stumbled across what seems to be a great deal on an IGI diamond. What I basically need to know is if this is on par with what I've been looking at so far. I've been looking at GIA diamonds in H-J range VS1-SI1.

I can get this diamond in the setting my girlfriend has picked out for less than most of the GIA diamonds alone would cost. It's a second-hand ring, just to explain the big price difference.

Thanks in advance for the help. I'm just in over my head here. :)

http://igionline.com/igiweb/onlinereport/View_InstCert.cfm?pCert=GGT1085705
Click to expand...


Big Pass on this one... Way too deep, among other problems... Whats your budget?
 
65% depth?

Paaaaaaassssssss.

Let us know your parameters and budget and we can help you find something.
 
That was fast. Thanks guy :)

I'd love to stay around $2000 (or less) for the stone but could go up to $2400 or $2500 if I have to. For the setting she wants it has to be round cut, and I know she likes the setting with a .75 carat stone so I don't really know if that means I need to stay right at .75 or if I could move down a little. She's not one to care about the specs, she just cares how it looks on her left hand.

Thanks again.
 
TheGreaterNate|1399224506|3666067 said:
That was fast. Thanks guy :)

I'd love to stay around $2000 (or less) for the stone but could go up to $2400 or $2500 if I have to. For the setting she wants it has to be round cut, and I know she likes the setting with a .75 carat stone so I don't really know if that means I need to stay right at .75 or if I could move down a little. She's not one to care about the specs, she just cares how it looks on her left hand.

Thanks again.
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You can vary on the size of the center stone.... The cut will determine how beautiful the diamond is and how much it sparkles... Take a look at this one.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-dia...-j-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-211425
 
TheGreaterNate|1399227983|3666099 said:
Thanks again. If you don't mind, could you take a look at this one?

http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-4623509-0.74-carat-Round-diamond-J-color-VS1-clarity.aspx
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Too deep, and scores a 4.9 on the HCA which an immediate pass for me.

I know the price intrigues you, but with diamonds you more often than not get what you pay for. It's great you have a budget, but would you not rather have a diamond that people complimented consistently. That blinded people with sparkle? Why not spend the extra 800-1000 dollars on something that would literally blow people away for as long as you have it?
 
TheGreaterNate|1399260758|3666352 said:
Okay, I think I'm finally starting to feel a little more comfortable with all of this. I've learned a lot more about table, depth, and the HCA.

Could somebody give me an opinion on these two? I really do appreciate all the help.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.75-carat-j-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-312100

http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-4975589-0.70-carat-Round-diamond-J-color-VS2-clarity.aspx
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The first is a 60/60 diamond, which isn't a bad thing. I'm sure what drew you to it was it's nice spread? 60/60 diamonds have more white light return than a traditional ideal cut diamond. Again, not a bad thing, just a personal preference from person to person.


No to the second diamond, crystal being first clarity characteristic without a photo makes me wonder.

What I would do is find one more diamond that looks good with numbers from JA. That one I posted for you looks like it would be gorgeous so I would suggest taking a look... Contact JA and have them put the one I posted, the 60/60 you found and one more that you post here on hold and request idealscope images and ASETs and a gemologists opinion of the three (you only get to chose three).

Post it all here.. Remember you get what you pay for. So again I would at least consider the one I posted. The 60/60 looks nice too but you will see the difference simply from the images they provide.
 
TheGreaterNate|1399304738|3666560 said:
Okay, I did just what you suggested. The James Allen rep said they only provide ASETs for fancy cut diamonds. I should have the other images and gemologist's opinions in 3-4 days, though.

Here's the third diamond I selected :

http://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/diamond-page.asp?diamid=1643053
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Great! Make sure you post the gemologists message back to you and all three Idealscope images (with the corresponding link to each one) on here when you receive it. We'll be able to tell from those images which diamond will be the most stunning.

I commend you going about it the right way. Like I said, there is a characteristic difference between the diamond I selected and the 60/60 you found. Some people love 60/60 (me included), but the diamond I posted is more favourable on this forum as an "Tolk ideal cut" and is likely beautiful. These stones give off more coloured light (or fire) compared to a diamond that is 60/60 (gives off more white light )... so totally depends on what your looking for.


Either way, with the gemologists comments and idealscope images we will be able to tell you exactly which looks the best. Plus, JA has a great return policy, so if you get the stone in hand and don't like it you can be assured that you can return it without hassle.

I'd like to add that you should also tell the JA rep that you would like a gemologist opinion as per how eye clean each diamond is. The third one has a inclusion at 12 oclock in the video that might be visable. Because all three are VS1 or 2 you should tell them your definition is 100% eyeclean from all angles and distance. I'm almost 100% certain the first one I posted will be, but make sure you just ask them to verify each one for you.

Good luck! Can't wait to see the images and what they say!
 
Okay, I finally got the information back.

Here are the three I sent

211425:
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-dia...-j-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-211425

287234:
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-dia...-j-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-287234

312100:
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-dia...-j-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-312100

Here's what the gemologist had to say:

You'll find that all three of your diamonds are beautiful, but diamond 287234 is the one the gemologist favors the most. It has excellent fire, brilliance, and scintillation and faces just slightly larger than the other 0.71 carat diamond. The light performance between the three is very similar, but this one is just slightly brighter. It's completely eye clean, has a true "J" color, and also has a gorgeous cut.


Diamond 312100 has excellent light performance is well and ranks a very close second for brightness. It's eye clean, has a comparable "J" color, and gorgeous, crisp cut. Diamond 211425 is right on its heels for light performance. It too, is eye clean and has a true "J" color, but has a slightly earthy tint to it.


As you can see, all three of your diamonds have exceptional light performance. While you'll find all of them to be beautiful and eye catching, I'd like to give you a slight nudge towards diamond 287234 since it's your strongest performer.

Here are the idealscope images:

211425:
http://imgur.com/8fFlsvC

287234:
http://imgur.com/p13fnky

312100:
http://imgur.com/iN4I8d4
 
TheGreaterNate|1399665771|3669218 said:
Okay, I finally got the information back.

Here are the three I sent

211425:
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-dia...-j-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-211425

287234:
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-dia...-j-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-287234

312100:
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-dia...-j-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-312100

Here's what the gemologist had to say:

You'll find that all three of your diamonds are beautiful, but diamond 287234 is the one the gemologist favors the most. It has excellent fire, brilliance, and scintillation and faces just slightly larger than the other 0.71 carat diamond. The light performance between the three is very similar, but this one is just slightly brighter. It's completely eye clean, has a true "J" color, and also has a gorgeous cut.


Diamond 312100 has excellent light performance is well and ranks a very close second for brightness. It's eye clean, has a comparable "J" color, and gorgeous, crisp cut. Diamond 211425 is right on its heels for light performance. It too, is eye clean and has a true "J" color, but has a slightly earthy tint to it.


As you can see, all three of your diamonds have exceptional light performance. While you'll find all of them to be beautiful and eye catching, I'd like to give you a slight nudge towards diamond 287234 since it's your strongest performer.

Here are the idealscope images:

211425:
http://imgur.com/8fFlsvC

287234:
http://imgur.com/p13fnky

312100:
http://imgur.com/iN4I8d4
Click to expand...


Well to be honest, all of the stones look amazing in the idealscope. I would eliminate 211425 simply because it appears they are saying it has a bit of a brownish hue.

You now have to decide how far into the 60/60 realm you want to delve into. Do you notice how the true 60/60 stone has skinnier arrows than the other two? These stones are gorgeous and I personally love the style, they will give off more flashy white light brilliance instead of the colored light return of a traditional tolk. The other diamond, the one most recommended by JA is a 60/60 type, but has a smaller table and thicker arrows so you might see a bit more colored light instead of blinding white light.

You really can't go wrong, it's a personal preference now. This shouldn't worry you though, because any choice you make is going to be fabulous and you won't be disappointed. Let us know what you decide!
 
Thanks again for all your help. I ended up going with the 312100. I'll come back and post a picture once I get it set.
 
TheGreaterNate|1399675130|3669305 said:
Thanks again for all your help. I ended up going with the 312100. I'll come back and post a picture once I get it set.
Click to expand...


Please do... Post us a pic of the diamond once you get it!

And honestly, I wanted you to decide for yourself, but I love 60/60 stones and think you made a good decision! This thing will blind you! Congrats again for doing it right and taking your time. You got a quality diamond for less than most of the public pay for crap stones at brick and mortar.

Remember... Pictures!
 
It finally came in!! I'm very, very please and I know that she will be too. Thanks for all your help.

Here's a warning: my best (and only) camera is also my phone. Also, I know less about taking pictures of diamonds than I do about choosing diamonds.


diamond_1_3.jpg

diamond_2_4.jpg

diamond_48.jpg
 
Hey man.. it looks AWESOME! Congrats

People around here throw around the terms "mind clean" in reference to clarity... I also think it applies when you know your girlfriend is wearing a top of the line stone that is literally better than 99% of stones on the market in terms of overall quality and craftsmanship... Wait till it's set and you get outside on a nice day!

You made a great choice, I love 60/60's and yours looks great. Please post more pics once it's set!
 
She said yes and she loves it. Thanks again for all your help.20140521_180110.jpg

20140521_213304.jpg
 
It is stunning. Great choice. Congratulations
 
What an absolutely beautiful ring! You did brilliantly and created the most incredible ring for your beloved, many congratulations to you both, enjoy the ring in health and happiness! :wavey:
 
:appl:
 
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