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Mattkeeler136

Rough_Rock
Joined
Sep 8, 2019
Messages
6
Hi everyone,

I am not sure this is the right forum, so if its not, mods, please put in the right one. I am in the middle of purchasing my first diamond ring for my wife of 17 years. Because I have credit with them, I must use Blue Nile. My budget is 10k. I have the setting picked out, and its this one:

https://www.bluenile.com/build-your...h-engagement-ring-in-14k-white-and-rose_70924

We are by no means Diamond aficionados and would like the stone to sparkle in the light and be very brilliant. Here are some options I have thought about.

https://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-ring/diamond-details/LD09789407?track=FCOM&slot=2&type=5

https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-de...MONDS&track=viewDiamondDetails&action=sameTab

https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD12761346?track=FCOM&slot=2&type=5

I would appreciate any guidance that you can give me.

Thank you!
 
Stick to the following guidelines.
Table : 54-57
Depth : 60-62.4
Crown angle: 34-35
Pavillion: 40.6-40.8

Also, under "tools" use the HCA calculator and plug in the numbers. If the result is under 2 then the stone is worth considering. If over 2, reject.

That should help you getting better options. What is your max budget and preferences about color and clarity?
 
First one looks good - run through HCA to see if it garners further consideration.

Definite REJECT for the second and third one!
 
lovedogs said:
Stick to the following guidelines.
Table : 54-57
Depth : 60-62.4
Crown angle: 34-35
Pavillion: 40.6-40.8

Also, under "tools" use the HCA calculator and plug in the numbers. If the result is under 2 then the stone is worth considering. If over 2, reject.

That should help you getting better options. What is your max budget and preferences about color and clarity?
Click to expand...
@lovedogs what did you think of diamond #1... in the running until proven otherwise?
 
headlight said:
@lovedogs what did you think of diamond #1... in the running until proven otherwise?
Click to expand...
I have no problem with stone 1. Just wanted OP to know the preferred dimensions so he knows why stone 3 is a total no. Stone 2 isn't terrible, but its overpriced because of the astor line generally being overpriced for what it is. Plus VVS clarity is overkill so he's paying extra for invisible benefits.

I think stone 1 is a solid contender.
 
For #2, I’m not sure about the 14 crown and 33.5 angle... a little shallow given a 58 table?

The mounting is really beautiful... I have not personally seen a 2-tone done like that. A lot of the side view of the diamond will be visible, so a J will show, but I’m liking the idea of seeing the warmth of the diamond against the yellow gold... should be really stunning!

And obviously no visible inclusions will be seen through the pavilion given the clarity preference of OP is TDF!
 
lovedogs said:
Stick to the following guidelines.
Table : 54-57
Depth : 60-62.4
Crown angle: 34-35
Pavillion: 40.6-40.8
Click to expand...

I use these but the pavilion can be 40.6-40.9. You can usually go up to 34.5 crown angle if you have a 40.6 pavilion angle.
 
diamondseeker2006 said:
I use these but the pavilion can be 40.6-40.9. You can usually go up to 34.5 crown angle if you have a 40.6 pavilion angle.
Click to expand...
So from the parameters that @lovedogs recommends, it’s okay to go a bit beyond (up to 40.9), but keep the CA below 35?
 
headlight said:
So from the parameters that @lovedogs recommends, it’s okay to go a bit beyond (up to 40.9), but keep the CA below 35?
Click to expand...

Ugghhhh! Didn't catch my typo until it was too late!

Superideals are usually between 40.6-40.9 pav angle.

The crown angle can be up to 35.5 if the pav angle is 40.6. A pav angle of 40.9 will work better with a lower crown angle closer to 34 or so.
 
diamondseeker2006 said:
Ugghhhh! Didn't catch my typo until it was too late!

Superideals are usually between 40.6-40.9 pav angle.

The crown angle can be up to 35.5 if the pav angle is 40.6. A pav angle of 40.9 will work better with a lower crown angle closer to 34 or so.
Click to expand...

Yup, totally right. Sorry, I'm used to the numbers above, but should expand to 35.5 and 40.9
 
Thanks, Friends!
So based on the examples, a 35 should pair with a 40.8, yes? Although I’ve seen it mentioned here that combo is not good. Yet if you look at the charts for both AGS & GIA and others they all put that combo amongst the best combos.
 
headlight said:
Thanks, Friends!
So based on the examples, a 35 should pair with a 40.8, yes? Although I’ve seen it mentioned here that combo is not good. Yet if you look at the charts for both AGS & GIA and others they all put that combo amongst the best combos.
Click to expand...

Yes. Those numbers fall within the recommended ranges.
 
Hey Guys,

Thank you for the responses. My max budget is 10.5k. I really really like that band (and so does she). As far as preference, all I really want it to do is sparkle like she needs glasses. I really like my first one in my OP (lets call that A). However, I have since read that I am paying more for the "astor cut". Which I don't mind paying for if that's the best of my options. My limited research has included these two additional stones.

B. https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD12767727 This one is right up against the 35.5 crown & 40.6 pavilion you mentioned. Scored a 1.4 on HCA tool

C. https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD12790298 Scored a 1.2 on HCA tool

D. https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD12657615 The pav angle on this is a little steep. Scored a 2.9 on HCA tool
I do have a first responder discount, so that's why these are over 10.5 for the stone.

Thank you again!
 
Last edited:
Mattkeeler136 said:
Hey Guys,

Thank you for the responses. My max budget is 10.5k. I really really like that band (and so does she). As far as preference, all I really want it to do is sparkle like she needs glasses. I really like my first one in my OP (lets call that A). However, I have since read that I am paying more for the "astor cut". Which I don't mind paying for if that's the best of my options. My limited research has included these two additional stones.

B. https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD12767727 This one is right up against the 35.5 crown & 40.6 pavilion you mentioned. Scored a 1.4 on HCA tool

C. https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD12790298 Scored a 1.2 on HCA tool

D. https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD12657615 The pav angle on this is a little steep. Scored a 2.9 on HCA tool
I do have a first responder discount, so that's why these are over 10.5 for the stone.

Thank you again!
Click to expand...

I like option A (the astor cut) even though I think those stones are often overpriced.

Option B is solid, although without ASET/IS images I worry a tiny tiny bit about the 35.5

I don't like option C because of the large table, I would reject that one.

Reject option D because it scores over 2 on HCA and you can see the cutting isn't as good from the pics/videos.

Option E is interesting. Our max recommended depth is 62.4, so this one is *right* above that, which means it will face up a bit smaller than others of the same weight. But I really like the small table (55) and "chunky" arrows that happen with a 75% lower. I worry a bit about leakage though because of the combination of 35.5 crown and 62.5 depth. Without ASET/IS I don't know if I'd choose it over option 1.

To me, option 1 is the "safest". It falls solidly within preferred ranges on everything and you have the extra info that comes from the astor ideal designation. I really wish they could give advanced images for options B and E, but BN typically doesn't do it (although I'd ask if I were you, just in case).

Do you care about the slight size/price differences? Option A is cheaper, but a bit smaller. Option B is most expensive (likely because of the clarity, which is an invisible difference, so I don't usually like paying more for something I can't see, but it's also bigger). Option E is biggest, but again it's a tiny bit risky.
 
This is my favorite out of your list
https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD12767727

Dont care for the 1.59 I.
1.53 has too high pavilion
And I like the 1.63 J (but prefer the I above)

Edit...where is option A? I didnt see an option A. Let me go look.

Edit...So I still prefer what I listed above. Reason being is that I* dont like black coming out from
around my arrows like the 1.4 J astor has and I like the shoter lower halfs (75 vs 80%).
Numbers are good on it though.

*I being MY personal preference.
 
Last edited:
Thank you everyone! I think I am going to go with option B. Bigger stone, slightly better color, slightly better clarity.
 
Nice choice!
 
Question:

One of the diamond "experts" on Reddit (don't ask), said that the depth of the stone I purchased, (62.3%) was less than ideal and because of that an other measurements it wont look as big as a 1.58 ct stone should look. HCA says it will look every bit of 1.58 ct.

Thoughts?
 
Mattkeeler136 said:
Question:

One of the diamond "experts" on Reddit (don't ask), said that the depth of the stone I purchased, (62.3%) was less than ideal and because of that an other measurements it wont look as big as a 1.58 ct stone should look. HCA says it will look every bit of 1.58 ct.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...
People don't know things, even when they say they do. 62.3 is almost at the max depth we would recommend (which is 62.4), but it's fine. Don't worry about it.
 
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