Help!! Is this a good diamond

[Franchise]

Hello to all:

I have been looking at diamonds for the last two weeks and really struggling with what to buy. My budget is around $15K (for the diamond only) and I wanted to get a diamond between 1.5 - 2.0 carats. I have the setting picked out already, it is white gold. Here are the diamond specs of the diamond I am currently looking at:

Certification: GIA
Carat: 2.11
Color: I
Clarity: SI1
Cut Grade: Ex
Polish: Ex
Symmetry: Ex
Depth: 62.4%
Table: 58%
Pavilion angle/%: 41.6 degrees, 80%
Crown Angle: 35.o degrees, 50%
Fluor: None
Culet: None
Girdle: thin-Med.

Price: $15,400

Also, do you think I should go with a smaller diamond and go with a VS2 and color H? I am concerned the color I will not look right with the white gold setting.

Thanks for you help!!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 5/10/2008 11:21:51 AM
Author:Franchise

Hello to all:

I have been looking at diamonds for the last two weeks and really struggling with what to buy. My budget is around $15K (for the diamond only) and I wanted to get a diamond between 1.5 - 2.0 carats. I have the setting picked out already, it is white gold. Here are the diamond specs of the diamond I am currently looking at:

Certification: GIA
Carat: 2.11
Color: I
Clarity: SI1
Cut Grade: Ex
Polish: Ex
Symmetry: Ex
Depth: 62.4%
Table: 58%
Pavilion angle/%: 41.6 degrees, 80%
Crown Angle: 35.o degrees, 50%
Fluor: None
Culet: None
Girdle: thin-Med.

Price: $15,400

Also, do you think I should go with a smaller diamond and go with a VS2 and color H? I am concerned the color I will not look right with the white gold setting.

Thanks for you help!!

Hi and welcome!

I would personally see about finding some more contenders, unless you absolutely love this diamond. It is what we call a steep deep which means it could leak light and not perform ( sparkle) as well as it could. For me, I would be more concerned about getting a great cut, than an I colour, as if the cut is good, then an I colour will still look fine to many in WG, going by the happy I and J owners here with these colour grade diamonds set in WG and platinum.

Have you considered buying online? It is cut which gives a diamond it's beauty, so it is well worth concentrating on, to get a lovely stone! Many of the online vendors have excellently cut diamonds and in some cases, the cut analysis is done, so you can find a diamond with proven performance.

Here is an example for you of what you could get for the budget.

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-906728.htm This one is a bit more money, but I thought I would post it anyway as an example.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/3154/

If you would prefer to stick with a brick and mortar store, ask to see some AGS0 cut grade and GIA Excellent which may help you find a pretty diamond more easily.

 

[Franchise]

Hi Lorelei,

thanks for your help. Since I am a novice as far as diamond knowledge goes, I am assuming when you are saying the diamond is a steep deep you are referring to the cut? However, the GIA cut grade on the diamond is Excellent. I am not in love with the diamond so I am going to keep looking. However, after cut grade, can you let me know of the other factors I should look at when deciding on a diamond''s cut (i.e. depth, table. etc)?

Thanks

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 5/10/2008 12:01:59 PM
Author: Franchise
Hi Lorelei,


thanks for your help. Since I am a novice as far as diamond knowledge goes, I am assuming when you are saying the diamond is a steep deep you are referring to the cut? However, the GIA cut grade on the diamond is Excellent. I am not in love with the diamond so I am going to keep looking. However, after cut grade, can you let me know of the other factors I should look at when deciding on a diamond's cut (i.e. depth, table. etc)?


Thanks

The easiest way is to forget GIA (whose grading on cut is sometimes a bit loose, or maybe a better way to phrase it is that "excellent cut" has a wide range) and stick with stones that are AGS0. Look at Whiteflash and their ACA line of stones. THOSE are ALL winners.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 5/10/2008 12:01:59 PM
Author: Franchise
Hi Lorelei,

thanks for your help. Since I am a novice as far as diamond knowledge goes, I am assuming when you are saying the diamond is a steep deep you are referring to the cut? However, the GIA cut grade on the diamond is Excellent. I am not in love with the diamond so I am going to keep looking. However, after cut grade, can you let me know of the other factors I should look at when deciding on a diamond's cut (i.e. depth, table. etc)?

Thanks

Yes I was, sorry I didn't elaborate more, cooking dinner! The crown and especially the pavilion angle is considered rather steep for the best light return, especially together, it is likely they won't work in the best harmony to help this diamond sparkle as it should.

Here are some numbers you can use to help you.

depth - 60 - 62.4, which is my preferred cut off for depth
table - 54- 57
crown angle - 34- 35 degrees
pavilion angle - 40.6 - 41 degrees
girdle - thin to slightly thick, medium, avoid extremes such as thin to thick, very thick etc.
polish and symmetry very good and above.

Regarding suitable diamonds, AGS0 are diamonds which have the highly regarded 0 cut grade for light performance, these are usually a safe choice for cut. GIA Excellent, the range is broader and you need to evaluate each diamond on it's proportions rather than assume it will automatically be a great looking diamond. However it could be worth considering GIA Excellent if you prefer to stick with a jewellery store also for the larger diamond that you want, use the numbers given as a guide, along with your own eyes if you prefer to select and choose in person. The Holloway Cut Advisor under tools at the top of the page could be an excellent resource for you too. Especially with the larger carat weights which can be harder to find, this will broaden your options if you consider GIA Excellent and evaluate each carefully before purchase. You can always post and ask about any diamond you are considering, so feel free to ask!

Here is the cut advisor tool, you can always run the numbers of the diamonds you are interested in here.

https://www.pricescope.com/cutadviser.asp

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I wouldn''t eliminate GIA because you are really potentially missing out on some great stones! Vendors like GOG screen the GIA Excellents and choose those that meet AGS0 light return.

 

[ayala_jessica]

Date: 5/10/2008 11:43:10 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006
I wouldn''t eliminate GIA because you are really potentially missing out on some great stones! Vendors like GOG screen the GIA Excellents and choose those that meet AGS0 light return.

Ditto ! The best would be getting a diamond fitting both GIA Excellent and AGS0 standards. GOG does a great job in selecting this type of stunners and their site is very comprehensive diamond information wise.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/2372/ (this one looks gorgeous and is ideal by both standards, even though it is no H&A)

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4014/ this one is a H&A and a stunner as well