Help from the experts

[Bernie]

I''ve been looking for an engagement ring over the past month with little sucess. The more I educate myself, the more confused I get. Here''s the parameters of what I''m looking for.

Round Ideal Cut
Carat: 1.35-1.50
Color: G or H
Clarity: VS2
Florescense: none or little
Symetry: VG or ideal
Polish: VG or Ideal

Questions:
1) How much should I expect to spend on this stone given the above parameters?

2) Any Preference btwn online stores WF, GOG, JA, BN?

Thanks in advance for the help?

- Bernie

 

[Bernie]

3) Also, should I exclusively be looking at GIA and AGS or are EGL ok?

 

[Lorelei]

Hi Bernie and welcome!

Firstly you can use the Pricescope Your Diamond tool at the top of the page, punch in your specs and available diamonds will come up to give you an idea of price.

It is considered best to stick to in house diamonds as that way the vendor can eyeball the diamond for you and give you his best advice. Vendors such as WF, GOG and JA have in house diamonds, or can call in others you may be interested in, whereas BN don't have in house stones or much in the way of cut information to help you choose. Also many of the above mentioned vendors and others under resources have an upgrade policy which BN doesn't offer, this may be a great option to have in future. You could also broaden your clarity specs to include SI1 grade as many of these can be eyeclean. Also GIA and AGS reports are preferred as they are considered to be the industry standards. I hope this helps.

 

[oldminer]

Also compare some F/G, VS1 EGL stones, if you can find them. These should be basically comparable to the G/H VS2 range of GIA and AGS. You will find their prices pretty similar although the letters of the alphabet are a step apart. You might happen on a true bargain, totally by accident, with such a strategy. This is what we found in a limited study publised elsewhere in Pricescope.

Do enough shopping that you learn all about the range of diamond you believe you want BEFORE you make the decision to buy one.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

You'll be much safer buying AGS or GIA if buying online, in my opinion. I don't see much with our exact specs at the moment, but higher clarity in H color doesn't add a whole lot to the price. Good Old Gold has a couple of terrific choices. One of them would have been in my parameters when I was looking last year in the 1.4 range. Stones in that size range are rare and worth reserving quickly if you find one you like.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/br1435hvvs2/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/br131hvs1/