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Help for over 40 eyes!

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peppermintpatty

Brilliant_Rock
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May 15, 2008
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If all goes as planned, I will be driving about 5 hours next week to take a look at 3 diamonds. I have looked up all of their GIA cert.''s. 2 are below 2 on the HCA and one is 3.4.
Here is my concern, I got a diamond from the store before, had them send it to me(no tax that way), got it home and could have cried! It looked great in the store not so great in my house. That''s been a few years ago and my eyes have only gotten worse. The diamonds I am looking at range from F to J in color, Vs2 to SI2, and 1.54 to 1.85. One of the things I am really excited about is that 2 of them have blue Flo. I will at the most be spending another 2,000.00 with trade in.
I am very nearsighted so if I take my glasses off, I would definitely see inclusions, or I could wear my contacts and use my readers. I know me though, I will probably eyeball that diamond with out my glasses and have to give it a good once over, though I truly doubt anyone else would ever see what I would see.


I guess what I am asking is how do I see these diamonds clearly at the store so my long trip is not in vain. I didn''t have any trouble returning that diamond and getting another one, but of course had to make another trip, I''d like to avoid making that mistake twice. I have no experience with Flo., any tips?!

I feel like I have learned so much here and have tried to do my homework, now I am nervous if my eye''s will let me down when it is up to me and I can''t bring you all with me!!!!!!!

All of your help is greatly appreciated- again!!!!! Thanks!!!!!!
 
Hi patty
I really know nothing about rounds but there are many wonderful posters here who can give you some great feedback on the stones in question if you can provide them with all the specs from your GIA certs. That would be my first suggestion.
Also - when you see the stones, request to view them in natural lighting AWAY from the those jewelry store lights that make everything look super fiery. If they'll let you look at them just in plain old office lighting and in diffused daylight, that would give you a more realistic sense of how they'll look on a day to day basis. Re: fluorescence, I think the thing to look for is whether the stone goes milky in the sunlight, which I understand is pretty rare. As for inclusions and eyecleanliness, can you take a trusted friend or spouse with good vision? If you can get your hands on a loupe (or ask to use theirs) that may also help you to know where to look for the inclusions.
Hope that helps!
 
Thanks Pixley! Here are the stat.''s: all are rounds-

1. 1.56 carats
H SI1
med. blue flo. I would only do this one for the blue flo. it has a very good score with the HCA same as my current diamond does. It would cost me 1,000.00 with trade and I would be doing it for the Flo. more than anything else.
T- 59
D- 61.4
Crown angle 34
pav. angle 41.2
girdle med- slth

exc/exc
cut grade exc

2. J VS2
1.85 carats
1.8 HCA
t- 55
d-62.1
crown angle 36
pav angle 40.6 girdle th-med.
exc/exc
exc. cut grade - no flo.- bummed about that!

3.1.77 carats
F SI2
1.6 HCA
t-57
d-61.3
crown angle 35
pav. angle 40.8
Girdle th- med.
G/G cut verygood
Strong blue flo.
Comments- pinpoints not shown, surface graining not shown.

These last 2 diamonds would be one alittle under 2,000.00 and one alittle over 2,0000.00 plus trade.
I suppose I am nervous about the J color and the SI2 on the F diamond.
Any thoughts are greatly appreciated.
I couldn''t find anything in the store that I would have even wanted to look at, these were the best 3 I could find after searching and looking up the GIA cert.''s for pav. and crown angles. Since I am trading up, I have to stay where I am at. I am happy enough with my diamond, I really thought the blue flo. would be fun and to get perhaps and even better cut stone.

Thanks again!!!!!
 
Great! I''m sure one of the RB pros can help you tomorrow morning. Another spec you may want to add is the diameter measurements for each stone so they can get a sense of the spread.
 
I would be interested in number 2, which falls into fiery ideal cut range
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, or the third one. The first one, see what you think when you see it. You should be able to see for yourself if the SI clarities are eyeclean.
 
Consider investing $60 for the beginner scope & light, and calibration stone?! Read about it, and rush order. In substance, this is designed to create a fixed and equalized lighting environment for wherever you are.
 
Date: 6/12/2008 12:56:40 AM
Author: peppermintpatty
These last 2 diamonds would be one alittle under 2,000.00 and one alittle over 2,0000.00 plus trade.
I suppose I am nervous about the J color and the SI2 on the F diamond.
Any thoughts are greatly appreciated.
I couldn''t find anything in the store that I would have even wanted to look at, these were the best 3 I could find after searching and looking up the GIA cert.''s for pav. and crown angles. Since I am trading up, I have to stay where I am at. I am happy enough with my diamond, I really thought the blue flo. would be fun and to get perhaps and even better cut stone.

Thanks again!!!!!
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Hi pp,

So, I take it you are having these stones called in? And if so, have you considered calling in some AGS0''s?
 
Thanks for your help Pixley!

Lorelei - Ithink #2 should be good- I hope the J isn''t too warm(yellow!) and I wish soooo bad it had blue flo.!!!! Do you think there will be much difference between a 1.50 and a 1.85. That is my big concern is seeing eye clean with these old eyes!!!! Or taking my glasses off and seeing tooo much!!!!! Will the beginner scope help with that too?!

Regular Guy- thanks! I read all of the info. you gave me- I will be getting the beginner scope and light. That makes me feel much better!!!!!

Ellen- Only GIA diamonds were an option.

Thanks everyone!!!!!!
 
Date: 6/12/2008 1:00:17 PM
Author: peppermintpatty
Thanks for your help Pixley!

Lorelei - Ithink #2 should be good- I hope the J isn''t too warm(yellow!) and I wish soooo bad it had blue flo.!!!! Do you think there will be much difference between a 1.50 and a 1.85. That is my big concern is seeing eye clean with these old eyes!!!! Or taking my glasses off and seeing tooo much!!!!! Will the beginner scope help with that too?!

Regular Guy- thanks! I read all of the info. you gave me- I will be getting the beginner scope and light. That makes me feel much better!!!!!

Ellen- Only GIA diamonds were an option.

Thanks everyone!!!!!!
Click to expand...
Blast - I forgot to ask you for the diameter measurements of the diamonds! If you could add those please Patty, that would be helpful.

But there will probably be a decent size difference between 1.50 and 1.85, as to the diamonds being eyeclean, the J VS will probably be, the SI1 is likely to be, but check carefully as best you can. Will you have someone with you who can also take a good look at the diamonds? Also a well cut J should still look white and in no way yellow, it will probably be a softer white than the icy colourless diamonds.
 
Here are the measurements Lorelei-
1. 7.43x7.46x4.57

2. 7.83x7.89x4.88

3. 7.77x8.82x4.78 - this is the si2 that I am most worried about being eye clean.

I am 44 so you would think the old eyes wouldn''t be that bad! I am bringing my best friend with me but she is my age too!!!!!!

This what I would be trading in-
G
SI1- eye clean
T- 54 d-62.1
Crown angle 35
Pav. angle 41
exc/vg
cut excellent
HCA- 2.4 i believe
1.50 carats
7.32x7.37x4.56mm girdle th-med.

Do you think this is a wise move. I feel I want to at the least check out my options. I want a better cut and I would love the flo. though # 2 doesn''t have any flo either.
I used to have a 2.25 pear but it probably wasn''t cut well and was way too yellow, hence my fear about the J. I have seen such beautiful J''s on this site. I am very open to trying!!!!!
 
Date: 6/12/2008 2:09:17 PM
Author: peppermintpatty
Here are the measurements Lorelei-
1. 7.43x7.46x4.57

2. 7.83x7.89x4.88

3. 7.77x8.82x4.78 - this is the si2 that I am most worried about being eye clean.

I am 44 so you would think the old eyes wouldn''t be that bad! I am bringing my best friend with me but she is my age too!!!!!!

This what I would be trading in-
G
SI1- eye clean
T- 54 d-62.1
Crown angle 35
Pav. angle 41
exc/vg
cut excellent
HCA- 2.4 i believe
1.50 carats
7.32x7.37x4.56mm girdle th-med.

Do you think this is a wise move. I feel I want to at the least check out my options. I want a better cut and I would love the flo. though # 2 doesn''t have any flo either.
I used to have a 2.25 pear but it probably wasn''t cut well and was way too yellow, hence my fear about the J. I have seen such beautiful J''s on this site. I am very open to trying!!!!!
Click to expand...
I take it that is 7.82? I think it is definitely a good idea to check out the possibilities! A J in a large pear may show a bit more colour or warmth than a round, so you might find you are fine with a J in a well cut round. Check it out in as many different lights as you can to make sure, but there are indeed many happy J owners here!
 
Oops! yep 7.82.

Do you like # 2 or # 3 better?

I will be going on Tues. I just got the email that she got the diamonds in. I am excited!
 
Date: 6/12/2008 3:03:02 PM
Author: peppermintpatty
Oops! yep 7.82.

Do you like # 2 or # 3 better?

I will be going on Tues. I just got the email that she got the diamonds in. I am excited!
Click to expand...
I would be open to either , especially as you will be seeing them in person, but I must admit to a special interest in the J VS as it is also a fiery ideal cut!
 
Thanks for all of your help Lorelei! You are always so kind and patient and informative with everyone. I think you are one classy gal!

At the risk of taking up anymore of your time- how can you tell that it is fiery ideal? By the # of the HCA score?

Thank you again! I appreciate all of your help and time!
 
Date: 6/12/2008 4:18:32 PM
Author: peppermintpatty
Thanks for all of your help Lorelei! You are always so kind and patient and informative with everyone. I think you are one classy gal!

At the risk of taking up anymore of your time- how can you tell that it is fiery ideal? By the # of the HCA score?

Thank you again! I appreciate all of your help and time!
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That she is.
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Since Lorelei is in another country, chances are she''s hitting the hay about now, so I will answer for her so you don''t have to wait. We can tell it''s a FIC just by the higher crown angle, coupled with the more shallow pavilion angle. However, yes, if you plug those numbers into the HCA, besides the the numerical score, it will tell you it''s a FIC.
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Thanks Ellen- that was very kind of you to answer my question. Everyone here is so helpful! I have become quite addicted to pricescope! I must say there is a wealth of information here and above and beyond that there are so many people that are nice. Makes it very easy to want to hang out!!!!

Thanks again and I can''t wait to report back Tues. night!!!!!!!
 
Date: 6/12/2008 6:39:46 AM
Author: Regular Guy
Consider investing $60 for the beginner scope & light, and calibration stone?! Read about it, and rush order. In substance, this is designed to create a fixed and equalized lighting environment for wherever you are.
Click to expand...
ditto, these tools are great for jewelry store environments and should help you pre-screen poorly cut diamonds. From there, just try to get the stones in different types of lighting to help your eyes and see if they look good in all lighting, instead of just store lights. If they let you, take them by a window or outside, or in a background with normal ambient lighting.
 
Date: 6/12/2008 5:13:17 PM
Author: peppermintpatty
Thanks Ellen- that was very kind of you to answer my question. Everyone here is so helpful! I have become quite addicted to pricescope! I must say there is a wealth of information here and above and beyond that there are so many people that are nice. Makes it very easy to want to hang out!!!!

Thanks again and I can''t wait to report back Tues. night!!!!!!!
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We get that a lot.
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You are quite welcome, and I can''t wait to hear how it goes!



p.s. The stone that still looks liveliest when in a dark area, or with your hand cupping it from the light, may be your winner.
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PP, I would just recommend proceeding cautiously. The stone you have now is actually quite nice. With #2 you are going down a lot in color, and with #3, you are sacrificing clarity. The strong blue floro in #3 is not needed to help the F color, although it would have been nice in the J stone. I just wouldn''t trade unless you can get something you love and think looks better than the one you now have. I''d probably choose the one you have now if I was given a list of those 4!
 
Thanks Ellen!

DS2006 - I know, I don''t want to do anything too hasty. I am going to look. You get so much info. here that it is exciting to see if there is something better than what you already have!!! I tend to be rather spontaneous- so I know I need to proceed with caution. Perhaps I will come home with my diamond. It will be fun to know though that not just on paper but with my own 2 eyes, I like mine best. We shall see what Tues. brings. I hope I do the right thing!!!!!!
 
DS2006, I forgot to ask even though the J stone is a better cut and .35 carats bigger you''d still choose mine?! May I ask why? Is it just the color difference. So many J''s on here do look so white to me, that''s why I am even considering it.
Thank you!
 
Lorelei- I just wanted to clarify that my 2.25 pear was a K not a J. I just looked again at Mara''s show me your J''s in platinum and I think they all look sooo good! Do you think I''d be foolish to trade my G SI1 1.50 carats for the 1.85 carat J VS2? The J does score better on the HCA. Gosh it is exciting and difficult all at the same time this diamond hunting!!!!!!!
 
Date: 6/13/2008 1:27:22 AM
Author: peppermintpatty
Lorelei- I just wanted to clarify that my 2.25 pear was a K not a J. I just looked again at Mara's show me your J's in platinum and I think they all look sooo good! Do you think I'd be foolish to trade my G SI1 1.50 carats for the 1.85 carat J VS2? The J does score better on the HCA. Gosh it is exciting and difficult all at the same time this diamond hunting!!!!!!!
Click to expand...
Personally I don't think you would be foolish at all in changing what you have for the 1.85 J VS! Apart from it being a highly desirable FIC - THANKS ELLEN!, it could be a really gorgeous diamond, and although a J colour is out of some's comfort zone, you will be able to tell if it is fine for you! I would buy a J in a heartbeat, and you can get an idea of some of the stunners we have here on PS....Mara, Lynn B etc! The numbers on that diamond are good and within FIC range, it is VS and a good chance it is eyeclean, so all that remains is to see if the J is right for you!!! Also if you were to consider the last diamond, SI2 is perfectly fine if eyeclean to your standards, just a thought if you like this one, there are quite a crowd who have very clean SI2 here.

And thank you for your lovely kind words! * blush*
emangel.gif
 
Thank you Lorelei for responding to all of my many questions. You have been more than helpful and I appreciate all of your advice and wisdom. I will let you know how my trip turns out. Thanks again so much for all of your help!

Thanks to everyone else who has answered my numerous questions. You''re advice and opinions are all appreciated as is your time.
Thank you!!!!!!!
 
Date: 6/13/2008 7:23:44 AM
Author: peppermintpatty
Thank you Lorelei for responding to all of my many questions. You have been more than helpful and I appreciate all of your advice and wisdom. I will let you know how my trip turns out. Thanks again so much for all of your help!

Thanks to everyone else who has answered my numerous questions. You''re advice and opinions are all appreciated as is your time.
Thank you!!!!!!!
Click to expand...
You are most welcome, don''t forget to above all, see which diamond speaks to you the most, and please let us know how you get on!
 
Date: 6/13/2008 4:57:02 AM
Author: Lorelei

Personally I don''t think you would be foolish at all in changing what you have for the 1.85 J VS! Apart from it being a highly desirable FIC - THANKS ELLEN!, it could be a really gorgeous diamond, and although a J colour is out of some''s comfort zone, you will be able to tell if it is fine for you! I would buy a J in a heartbeat, and you can get an idea of some of the stunners we have here on PS....Mara, Lynn B etc! The numbers on that diamond are good and within FIC range, it is VS and a good chance it is eyeclean, so all that remains is to see if the J is right for you!!! Also if you were to consider the last diamond, SI2 is perfectly fine if eyeclean to your standards, just a thought if you like this one, there are quite a crowd who have very clean SI2 here.

And thank you for your lovely kind words! * blush*
emangel.gif
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Welcome.
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Date: 6/13/2008 7:37:38 AM
Author: Ellen

Date: 6/13/2008 4:57:02 AM
Author: Lorelei

Personally I don''t think you would be foolish at all in changing what you have for the 1.85 J VS! Apart from it being a highly desirable FIC - THANKS ELLEN!, it could be a really gorgeous diamond, and although a J colour is out of some''s comfort zone, you will be able to tell if it is fine for you! I would buy a J in a heartbeat, and you can get an idea of some of the stunners we have here on PS....Mara, Lynn B etc! The numbers on that diamond are good and within FIC range, it is VS and a good chance it is eyeclean, so all that remains is to see if the J is right for you!!! Also if you were to consider the last diamond, SI2 is perfectly fine if eyeclean to your standards, just a thought if you like this one, there are quite a crowd who have very clean SI2 here.

And thank you for your lovely kind words! * blush*
emangel.gif
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Welcome.
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Click to expand...
face20.gif
 
Hi Everyone! I am back from Borsheims- tiired but excited! I went with # 2 the J VS2 1.85. It was so sparkly and pretty!!!! I will have it in the am by 10:30. I had it overnighted to avoid paying the sales tax. I also got a Michael B. wedding band!!! It was alot of fun. The other 2 diamonds were plain and simply not eye or mind clean enough for me. I think my J faces up white and will be set in an 8 prong Tacori halo, so the sides aren''t seen at all. I can''t wait to see my diamond again!!!!! The only bummer is I do have to say, I couldn''t tell anything at all about the blue Flo. in the other 2 diamonds that I didn''t go with- not a thing- I''m not sure if there is something wrong with me or what- but I couldn''t see it at all.

The best part of the day was my best friend ended up trading in her diamond and getting a 2.11 round diamond- a very nice upgrade. K SI2. Eyeclean and mind clean and I swear it was whiter than my new J!!!!!!!!!! Just beautiful! I still can''t believe it was a K???!!!!! Just amazing even from the side!!!!!! It scored a 3.6 on the HCA, but still, we both felt it was beautiful. I am just so happy for my friend!!!!!!

I will post more after I get to see my new baby tomorrow morning. I am pooped out.

Thanks again to everyone for all of your help!!!! Daimond shopping is soooo much fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
congratulations :) sounds like you made a fantastic choice we would definitely love to see pictures :)
 
Oh, congrats!! Now, you simply MUST post pics of this beauty and the new band, ok??
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